RamWire: Jancek enjoying family time at work

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Growing up, Zac Jancek couldn't figure out why his dad watched film the way he did.

"I remember as a kid, I remember him watching tape and he'd keep rewinding it," Zac said. "I was like, why don't you just let the play play?"

After moving through the high school ranks and spending four years on the University of Tennessee roster as a quarterback, it all makes sense now. That's good, because he spends part of his day with John Jancek – the defensive coordinator at Colorado State – watching film together as a graduate assistant on the defensive staff.

The only mystery now is why John listens to the same music on repeat in the car ride home.

Zac may never figure that out, but he's glad for the tutelage his father is providing as he pursues a career in coaching. He first had the itch as a prep, then after his time as a Volunteer, he became another type of one. The ability to do it with his father makes it all the better.

For both of them.

"I really wanted Zac around here just to be around this entire staff, and to learn from these coaches how to conduct yourself and how to enjoy the profession," John said as they took a break from looking at cutups of potential recruits. "I think it certainly shapes his perception on the amount of hours that he's going to be at the office. I think that shapes the perspective with him what it's going to be like. He's seen it. Dad doesn't get home until 10 o'clock, and that's him now."

Back in high school, John first told Zac – the oldest of four sons – to avoid the profession. Now he enters it with the blessing of both parents, with Kelly having both Zac and the youngest, Brady, in the household again.

The truth is, Zac never viewed his father's job in a negative light, not the late hours working, not the time away. There were perks, for sure. Being on the sideline for Georgia games – home and away – seeing some of the best football being played at historic venues.

What's not to like?

For John, taking his son to work has taken on an entirely different meaning and scope, but it is a great reminder of years gone by, as well as a chance to reconnect once again in person.

"There are so many great memories for me … I would watch the kids. They were the water boys at Georgia," John said. "They were in junior high, elementary and running around out there, handing the officials water. There's a lot of great memories.

"I love having him around. He's been a big help, he's done a great job and he's learning every day. The first time really being a GA or a student assistant, just coming from the player ranks and now he's a GA. It's been a blessing."

Now Zac's chores have gone from cleaning his room and taking out the trash to tracking down cutups and digging into film. He watches it the way his dad used to, over and over, studying every nuance of the play multiple times before ever seeing it come to conclusion. The catch is the quarterback is now sitting in defensive meeting rooms.

He was reluctant at first, but John has shown him the light. Dad was insistent on it, actually, to expose his son to the entire game. This isn't a bad time either, as John noted a young defense is learning and a culture is being developed.

Besides, it's not all time in the office for Zac. He views the team in workouts and in the weight room, and the entire staff has presented him with an open-door policy to ask questions. He's been treated professionally, which is exactly what John wanted Zac to experience. He wouldn't be treated like a GA, because that's not how head coach Mike Bobo oversees his staff. He'll also be taught to not bring in a cell phone to a meeting room.

If there are lingering questions, there is always the trip home.

"It's been a blessing to learn defense. Like I said, whenever we're driving home, I can ask questions and pick his brain," Zac said. "I like learning defense, it's only going to help me down the road. I don't know if I want to be on defense or offense for sure, but it's a good start to learn both sides of the ball.

Besides, questions mean the radio can be turned off, saving him from his father's tunes.

"He hates my music," said John, who leans heavily toward classic R&B.

"I don't," said Zac, whose musical taste runs the gamut. "I like listening to it, the problem is he just plays it over and over. He's a repeater."

Just like watching game film.

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