For Ozark linebacker Jordan Giles, the value he places in having Ozark grad Matt Fevold as the Tigers’ linebackers coach is immeasurable.
Giles is well aware of Fevold’s playing background as a linebacker himself for the Tigers in the mid- to late 1990s. Knowing Fevold went through many of the same daily battles Giles and his cohorts face, there’s an off-the-charts respect factor in place.
“Coach Fevold is one of my favorite coaches,” Giles said. “I’ve known him since I did youth stuff. It's good to work with a coach I've known for a long time. He also knows how linebackers click and can push us to be the best we can be.
"Knowing he played inside ‘backer and they went to the state championship game (in 1998), it's exciting for us,” Giles said. “He has a perspective from somebody who succeeded at the position.”
Giles is processing all of Fevold’s instructions, as he makes the move to strong side ‘backer for his senior season. It’s a promotion after Giles exceeded expectations a year ago, while recording 26 solo stops among his 62 tackles as a weak side 'backer.
Giles is taking the spot manned last season by Charles Lawson, who had 78 tackles as a senior.
Giles feels the strength he’s added will help him handle the more physical action that awaits him.
“Now, there's a lot more people coming downhill and in your face,” Giles said. “On the back side, it kind of flows away from you most of the time so you can finesse your way through. Now, tight ends and running backs are coming at you all the time. You have to learn to get up in people's faces and get off of blocks.
"It's a big change,” he added. “I'm excited for it and up for it. I put on a lot of weight this off-season.”
A turning point for Giles as a junior was the confidence he gained during an Ozark joint practice with Kickapoo. The Tigers and Chiefs practiced together again this summer and Giles was again happy with the results.
“I thought it went good for the inside ‘backers as a whole and I thought I had a good day,” he said. “Our linebacker chemistry is really good. I think we will be really good against the run.”
Giles has made the jump from hoping he can succeed to expecting success. He could join fellow linebacker Parker Elliott as a 100-tackle man this season.
“Last year was really my first year playing inside ‘backer and I was having to learn how it goes and what to do,” Giles said. “This year, I expect a ton more. I'm excited, especially since I'm bigger now and I can hang with the bigger guys in the middle.”