DeMarcus Van Dyke (USF Athletics) TAMPA, Fla. - While it may not have had much impact on the outcome given it was late third quarter with the Raid
TAMPA, Fla. – While it may not have had much impact on the outcome given it was late third quarter with the Raiders trailing 21-0 in a game Oakland quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Kyle Boller combined to throw six interceptions, the only pick of Demarcus Van Dyke’s NFL career could have at least provided some drama in primetime.
“I wish I would have stayed inbounds and took it to the house,” he said of that evening in October 2011 against the visiting Chiefs.
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Instead, Van Dyke had to settle for a two-yard return on his interception of Matt Cassell in what would be a 28-0 loss.
The 35-year-old Van Dyke looks as though he can put on a helmet and pads and join the USF cornerbacks he coaches. The former Miami Hurricanes’ DB, who played 25 games over the course of three seasons (2011-13) with the Raiders and Steelers, joined Alex Golesh’s staff in January after one season coaching corners at FIU. Prior to that, he spent five years in various roles at his alma mater, including two as assistant director of recruiting.
“I relate to him in many ways,” said senior corner Ben Knox. “He’s high energy and has been teaching me a lot about the game. He brings his expertise from the NFL into the room.”
Maintaining an even keel on the gridiron regardless of what transpired the previous play is something Van Dyke, who had 21 career starts for the ‘Canes while also competing in track, preaches. That is especially the case with less experienced players.
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“You have to have a next-play mentality,” said the Miami Gardens native. “The younger guys coming in, they didn’t get a lot of targets in high school. Now, they get targeted in college and it’s like, ‘Oh, man.’ You’re not in high school anymore. You are not top dog. I tell the guys next-play mentality. Like a rollercoaster you can’t stay down or stay up.”
Van Dyke’s coaching style is a blend of a few men he played for. He cited his coach at Miami, Randy Shannon, his position coach, Wesley McGriff, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin as having much influence.
“He always kept it real,” he said of Tomlin, who is entering his 18th season on the Steelers’ sideline. “He didn’t cut any corners. It was always black and white. So, I always keep it real straight with these guys and tell them the truth.”
That is something his players appreciate.
“He’s hard on us for sure, and we need it,” said Knox. “He keeps you humble and grounded.”
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A couple of future hall of famers kept Van Dyke rather humble and grounded when he began his NFL career.
“My rookie year, Drew Brees gave it to me,” he said of a preseason encounter. “It was like he smelled blood in the water and attacked me. Also, Tom Brady. He saw a young rookie out there, 178 pounds, and took advantage of it. Those two guys gave me nightmares.”
Van Dyke may not break out in a cold sweat the night before the Hurricanes visit the Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on September 21. However, it will be an exciting time for him coaching on the opposite sideline.
“Obviously, there will be some feelings because I played there and I worked there,” said Van Dyke, who went 2-1 against the green and gold as a player. “I get a lot of questions from guys back home about playing Miami. I am a South Florida Bull, so on September 21, go Bulls.”
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