New line coach for Bulldogs

By Eddie Hughes

New Fresno State offensive line coach Mark Weber showed up for his interview with Pat Hill in a suit, tie and dress shoes.

A few minutes later, Weber said he was in his sweats and tennis shoes demonstrating blocks and drawing up plays with his new boss.

Weber, who was the offensive line coach at UCLA for the past seven seasons, was announced as the newest member of the Bulldogs’ coaching staff Thursday.

“ I think we’ve got a great fundamental teacher,” Hill said, “a guy that’s coached in a lot of big football games at the Division I level.”

The Bulldogs beat UCLA 17-9 in the 2003 Silicon Valley Football Classic in San Jose.

“ I think I can bring a lot to this program,” Weber said. “I think I can help this program take the next step.”

Weber was dismissed from his position at UCLA by coach Karl Dorrell on Jan. 2.

He replaces Dennis Wagner, who accepted the same job under new Nebraska coach Bill Callahan two weeks ago. Wagner had been on the Bulldogs coaching staff for all seven years of Hill’s tenure.

The Bulldogs return all five starters on the offensive line and seven linemen with significant game experience. Logan Mankins, Dartangon Shack and Kyle Young, all recipients of Western Athletic Conference awards in the last two seasons, are included among the returners.

Weber said he hasn’t had a chance to study the Bulldogs’ linemen yet, but he’s heard a lot about them.

“ I know this, in the bowl game I looked up and saw the center,” Weber said. “I said, ‘that’s a big rascal in there.’”

UCLA made five bowl appearances with the help of Weber, including conference titles in 1997 and 1998.

Weber coached UCLA’s Kris Farris to the 1998 Outland Trophy as the nation’s top lineman. He coached two first-team All-Americans, two freshmen All-Americans and six players who earned All-Pac-10 honors.

“ My coaches are all very good teachers and they’re on-the-field, hands-on teachers, and I think that’s a very important aspect of this profession,” Hill said.

Weber‘s other Division I-A experience includes stints as an assistant head coach at UNLV from 1994-96 and as offensive line coach at Oregon State from 1987-1990.

Weber played offensive guard for Cal Lutheran for two years and was named an honorable mention small college All-American. Before that, he played under Hill at Los Angeles Valley College.

The coaching staff will be working on player evaluations beginning Monday. Hill said the evaluations include academics, weight-lifting and performance.