FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (June 22, 2021) – While it's well-known just how much history members of the Northern Arizona coaching staff share with one another through their respective careers, how valuable the relationships are might not be as simply stated.
College roommates during their time playing defensive back at Missouri Western State in the 1980s, head coach
Chris Ball and defensive coordinator
Jerry Partridge offer just one example of how tight-knit the Lumberjacks staff is ahead of the former's third season in Flagstaff. With 20 years as a head coach for his alma mater, including few with Ball as his defensive coordinator, and a pair of seasons leading the defense of Delta State prior to reaching Flagstaff, Partridge can offer a wealth of knowledge to one of his closest friends as he navigates his first head coaching position.
"There's really nothing you can do that's going to affect our relationship. You can disagree and talk things out, but as close as we are, that probably makes the adjustments a lot easier," Ball said. "He can express his opinion to me, I can do it with him, and we will find middle ground and get it done."
Slight tweaks to NAU's defense, implemented by Partridge between the 2019 season and the abbreviated Spring 2021 schedule, led to a turnaround for the Lumberjacks.
Finishing 3-2, NAU allowed 27.0 points per game while forcing 10 turnovers in the spring. It was a significant step in the right direction for Partridge's defense, after an injury-plagued 2019 included 41.33 points allowed per game and 15 takeaways across a 12-game schedule.
Across the final three games of the spring, NAU's points allowed dropped with Weber State finishing at 28, Southern Utah with 20 and Idaho concluding the season at just 9. The Vandals' three field goals marked the first win for the Lumberjacks while holding a Division-I opponent under 10 points since 2016 and their first game holding a D-1 team out of the end zone since 2011.
"There's a trust factor that he believes in what I am calling and doing," Partridge said. "Certainly he's a guy I would listen to on whatever thoughts he has on defense."
The extended offseason, coupled with a few starters returning from injury and a large number of additions to the defense, helped set the stage for NAU's improvement.
"He took ownership in developing our players defensively and recruiting. I think we filled some holes recruiting wise, and it really starts with him because that's his baby," Ball said of Partridge. "Scheme wise, he took what our players do really well and adjusted the scheme to that. That part of it was huge."
All-Big Sky honorees
Tristen Vance and
Morgan Vest played significant roles in the middle of NAU's defense after missing the entire 2019 season while additions to the defensive line such as
Cosmas Kwete,
Sheldon Newton and
Nehemiah Magalei saw considerable playing time up front.
Multiple freshmen debuted at corner for the Lumberjacks, with
Kamdan Hightower,
Devontae Ingram and
Colby Humphrey all starting for NAU during the spring.
"I think the improvement is going to continue," Partridge said. "It made me feel good because people around here now realize I can coach a little defense."
Partridge also said the season finale offered a closer look at what his defenses can do once all the pieces start falling into place.
"I think you kind of saw what I like to do against Idaho because we blitzed like 10 times and came after them," Partridge said. "When I was a head coach and I was running the defense, we hardly ever blitzed because I was paranoid about it. Now I am the D-coordinator and I don't care as much."
Eight quarterback hurries, seven tackles for loss and four sacks against the Vandals made the pressure evident once you take a look at the box score, and if all goes according to plan, much more of what you can expect from Partridge as the Lumberjacks head into their third season with him at the helm of the defense.
"Jerry is one of the best football coaches I have ever been around," Ball said. "He saw what needed to be fixed and went and fixed it. I thought he did a tremendous job this year."
