Logan Osburn is 5 for 5.
If he were playing for Marshall University baseball coach Greg Beals, that would be outstanding.
But, unfortunately, that isn’t the case.
Instead, this 5 for 5 just happens to be the number of offensive line coaches that Osburn has played for during the redshirt senior’s career with the Thundering Herd.
Another season, another offensive line coach.
That’s been the story for Osburn.
“I’ve had five,” he said with a rueful grin. “Greg Adkins and then Eddy Morrissey. And it went to coach [Bill] Legg, then coach [Derek] Shay last year, and now coach [Cody] Crill.”
Phew.
There are revolving doors that don’t spin that fast.
So, is there a positive to having that many offensive line coaches and having to adjust to each of their idiosyncrasies?
“I think there is a positive to it,” Osburn said. “You get coached from many different aspects. So, you’re getting coached from guys who have reached into different toolboxes. So, I am real familiar with everyone else.”
It makes Osburn a hybrid.
“Yeah, it does,” the redshirt senior said with a grin.
So, now that the former Cabell Midland High School standout is the veteran in the room, it’s time to find out which newcomers are going to step up to help him.
“I think the transfers — redshirt senior Elijah Ellis [6-foot-4, 331 pounds] and redshirt senior Bryce Ramsey [6-1, 327 pounds] — have really stepped up,” Osburn said. “They are hard and tough. I think another player who is coming on is Eric Meeks [6-3, 303-pound redshirt sophomore].
“Some of them are young guys who haven’t played so much, but I think their potential — whether they are starting or rotating in — I think they are players, for sure.”
That at least gives new offensive coordinator Seth Doege some chess pieces to move around.
“I think coach Doege is a great coach,” said Osborne. “He has a great offensive mind. He’s a young guy who might coach them hard on the field, but he’s going to bring them in and love ’em and show them what they did wrong and what they did right.
“He has a great philosophy when it comes to offense. He’s strong-minded and he’s a good leader, too.”
New coaches to teach the players some new tricks, huh?
“It’s like putting a new paint job on an old car,” Osburn said with a grin. “It’s the same ride, but it’s a little bit different. You go out there and you’re excited.”
That’s because a veteran like Osburn can’t wait to battle some young blood.
“We’ve got new guys we’re going against,” he pointed out.
The “old man” in the O-line — Logan Osburn — can hardly wait.
