As the Miami Hurricanes continue their spring practices, junior linebacker Corey Flagg is adjusting to the new defensive scheme and embracing the opportunity to learn from multiple coaches during his time at Miami.
Flagg commented on the development of the new defense under Miami's new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, who was previously at Marshall.
"Things are coming along really well. It's a new defense, so we are trying to get it down pat. The coaches are doing a phenomenal job. Coach Guidry is doing a really good job. He brings the same energy every day. Coach D-Nich does a phenomenal job in the linebacker room."
When asked about the multiple coaching staff changes he has experienced during his time at Miami, Flagg saw it as an opportunity to grow.
“Honestly, I look at it as a blessing because for me, if I want to go to the next level at that level, things change all the time, so you can look at it two different ways. I look at it as a positive thing for me; I just have to be able to adjust on the fly. It hasn't been hard at all with the guys that Coach Cristobal has brought in. It's been smooth."
Flagg had high praise for new Miami linebackers coach Derek Nicholson, who recently joined the team after coaching at Louisville.
"I've learned a lot from him. He's a great man of God. A great man off the field and even a better coach. He's somebody that lives at what he says, and he's the same guy every day. It's a big blessing to have that kind of coach and man in my life, so he's a great dude."
Flagg noted he was impressed with Washington State transfer linebacker Francisco Mauigoa.
"Very smart guy. Very humble guy. Very good guy. We go to Bible study on Wednesdays together. Good down-to-earth guy. Can't wait to play with him." Mauigoa is expected to make a significant impact on the Canes' defense this season.
Freshman linebacker Bobby Washington has also caught Flagg's attention.
"Bobby is competing right now in the spring, and he's doing a really good job. He's progressing really well - he listens, he follows instructions, he does everything off the field right, he's your average prototype linebacker. The guys are looking for 6'2" 6'3" and he's fast. Bobby's looking really well, and I'm excited for his future."
On a personal level, Flagg has made significant changes to his diet and conditioning. After playing last season at 235 pounds, he has dropped to the 225-pound range this off-season, having entered Miami as a freshman weighing 240 pounds.
"Just so I can move faster, I feel like I was not moving as fast as I wanted to last year partly because of the injury but part of that was because I could eat better than what I was eating. I switched that up, and my body switched up."
Flagg has made more than 50 tackles in each of the last two seasons.
