Melvin wants to bring tradition back at Burlington Central
For Burlington Central, and especially the Rockets' senior class, here's hoping good things do indeed come in threes.
Brian Melvin is taking over as Burlington Central head coach, the third coach the Rockets have had the last three years. He replaces Jason Newburger who went 1-8 last year.
"My No. 1 job is to take care of the seniors," Melvin said. "I feel very bad for them. I'm their third coach in three years. They have been awesome. Great transition and everything."
Melvin, a 1994 Larkin graduate who comes to the Rockets after stops at Elgin, Bartlett, St. Francis, St. Charles East and most recently working with former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Kurt Becker at East Aurora, isn't the only thing new at Burlington Central.
The Rockets are playing in the new 7-school Kishwaukee River Conference with former Big Northern East rivals Harvard, Johnsburg, Marengo and Richmond-Burton, plus Woodstock and Woodstock North.
Melvin said much of what he has learned comes from Becker. Every Rocket sports the number 65 on the side of their helmet, signifying the 65th year of Burlington Central football.
"The first thing I did when I got here was look up what year we are," Melvin said. "At East Aurora we were No. 123. Becker is my biggest mentor. It was so hard to tell him I was leaving. What we did at East Aurora nobody will ever know."
Among other people Melvin has reached out to is Hall of Famer Gary Stran, who coached the Rockets from 1975-1991 and went 110-49, Stran will come back to be the honorary captain for Week 1.
"We're bringing the tradition back," Melvin said.
The Rockets also are bringing back plenty of experience on their offensive and defensive lines, which Melvin is counting on for success on both sides of the ball.
Center Ryan Ledebuhr (5-9, 222) is the only junior starter on an offensive line that features seniors Jacob Janavich (6-2, 280), Leo Jaos (6-3, 200), Joey Garbacz (5-11, 250) and Ryan Hupe (5-10, 235).
Senior tackle Bret Lopez (6-2, 300) and junior Vince O'Neal (6-0, 250) anchor a defensive line that also includes ends Dmitri Yeremin, Erik Hansen and Jarod Metz.
"Our defensive line is the strength of our program," Melvin said. "Our offense has trouble moving against our defense and our offense is good."
Cameron Kaldenberger will play quarterback for an attack Melvin expects to be balanced.
"He can definitely throw the ball," Melvin said. "It's been awhile since I've had a quarterback who can absolutely zip the ball like Cam can. We just have to make him understand he needs to follow the system and throw to the open guy because we have talented, talented athletes on this team and all he has to do is get it to them."
Those talented athletes include running backs Jimmy Fay, also a stalwart at safety, Hansen and Dionte Smith at running back. Wide receivers Colin Anderson, Adrian Arreguin and Michael Kalusa will try to keep defenses honest.
"There's so many things we can do because of all the talented athletes we have," Melvin said.
Melvin likes the depth on the defense that also includes linebackers Raven Slim, Sam Esterly and Nate Figurski, the only junior captain on the team.
Chuck Abate, who has coached with Melvin at his previous schools, is the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.
Rob Stover, who coached at Burlington Central four years ago before leaving for Sycamore, is back as the defensive coordinator.
"If we do our jobs we look good," said Stover, a BC alum. "If we don't do our jobs we look like a high school defense. We have come a long way. The kids have done a great job buying in. I am hoping for good things."