Colorado State University Athletics
Booth Steps into His Ideal Situation
4/28/2020 12:00:00 PM | Football, RamWire
First-year coach has talented in tight end room
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Steve Addazio has built a reputation as having an eye for talent, a skill which isn't limited to the players he recruits.
That also goes for coaches, and there is no question in his mind Cody Booth is going to be a quality mentor. There was no hesitation when he had an opening, Booth – one of his former players and graduate assistants – was going to be receiving a call.
"I've watched Cody in recruiting, I've watched him on the field. I think he's one of those young, rising stars," Addazio said of his choice to coach tight ends. "He has a tremendous personality and a way about him. I've been in this long enough that I can tell the ones who are really competent, not just on the field from a technical standpoint, but recruiting and are guys who are going to continue to rise in this business. I had my mind set that I knew Cody, wherever I was, was going to be a guy on my staff full time."
Booth may be new to the business, but not the game. Changes are not going to fluster him, given the path of his playing career. He started as a tight end in college, growing into an NFL tackle for three seasons.
The 320-pounder who suited up for the Washington Redskins no longer exists, as nearly 100 pounds has been shed from those playing days to the person who will be leading the Rams' tight end room.
None of his natural enthusiasm was lost in the process, as one can tell he'll bring a built-in fire to coaching his players. What he lives by is what he'll expect from his troops.
"My first job will be to love them. That's what they can expect from me, but I'm going to tell them that's going to be tough at times," Booth said. "You better be able to handle tough coaching, but that's going to make you a better player in the long run."
To him, being great includes a relentless effort, the proper attitude and toughness in every aspect of the day, be it lifting, pursuing a degree or serving the community. Reaching each of those daily targets will translate onto the field of play.
Much of what he'll do as a coach comes directly from the teachings of Addazio over the years. He knew what was expected of him as a player, with those ideals transferring over to him as a graduate assistant.
The bar for expectations will be set high and never waiver, with a direct, proven path set.
"It's the attention to detail and having a sense of urgency in everything that you do. He stressed that to me as a player, to be detail oriented, being a tough, physical player," Booth said. "He instilled that in me, and now I'm going to be able to instill that in my players. I've heard great things about the players already, especially in the tight end room, so I'm excited to work with them. I'm meeting with them already, calling them, just talking to them and introducing myself, what I expect of them and what they'll expect of me. It's exciting. It's going to be a journey. I think the player-coach bond relationship, especially in your room, it's important."
His knowledge of being a tight end and a lineman under Addazio, and how the positions link, gives him a head start in implementing the system. Tight ends are utilized plenty, with formations requiring as many as three. The current Rams will be expected to be versatile, to put a hand in the ground and plant a foot to make a sharp cut in a route, enabling the offense to move from a spread to a tight formation without a wave of player changes being involved.
As a first-year coach, he carries the excitement of it all being new to him. He's even taken the time to marvel at the view to the west of Canvas Stadium, already having explored the Rocky Mountains. The bonus is he gets to learn in a comfortable setting, which he believes will be key to his growth in the field. There are plenty of familiar faces in the offices, people who have helped him grow and have always wanted to see him succeed.
"It's huge. It's not like I'm going in blind," Booth said. "I'm going into a family environment. We talk about coaching trees and all that, and just being able to go to a place where you know people and they can help you and guide you, show you the right way when you need it, that's a big aspect.
"This, I think, is the perfect opportunity for the job. I've worked with Steve at BC and played under him. I know most of his staff, so it's a comfort with this being my first full-time job. I'm blessed for the opportunity, and I have to take full advantage of it."
And the talented players he has at his disposal, a group he was able to guide for seven spring practices. Like beginning a new job, it was just a pleasing taste of what he expects to come.
That also goes for coaches, and there is no question in his mind Cody Booth is going to be a quality mentor. There was no hesitation when he had an opening, Booth – one of his former players and graduate assistants – was going to be receiving a call.
"I've watched Cody in recruiting, I've watched him on the field. I think he's one of those young, rising stars," Addazio said of his choice to coach tight ends. "He has a tremendous personality and a way about him. I've been in this long enough that I can tell the ones who are really competent, not just on the field from a technical standpoint, but recruiting and are guys who are going to continue to rise in this business. I had my mind set that I knew Cody, wherever I was, was going to be a guy on my staff full time."
Booth may be new to the business, but not the game. Changes are not going to fluster him, given the path of his playing career. He started as a tight end in college, growing into an NFL tackle for three seasons.
The 320-pounder who suited up for the Washington Redskins no longer exists, as nearly 100 pounds has been shed from those playing days to the person who will be leading the Rams' tight end room.
None of his natural enthusiasm was lost in the process, as one can tell he'll bring a built-in fire to coaching his players. What he lives by is what he'll expect from his troops.
"My first job will be to love them. That's what they can expect from me, but I'm going to tell them that's going to be tough at times," Booth said. "You better be able to handle tough coaching, but that's going to make you a better player in the long run."
To him, being great includes a relentless effort, the proper attitude and toughness in every aspect of the day, be it lifting, pursuing a degree or serving the community. Reaching each of those daily targets will translate onto the field of play.
Much of what he'll do as a coach comes directly from the teachings of Addazio over the years. He knew what was expected of him as a player, with those ideals transferring over to him as a graduate assistant.
The bar for expectations will be set high and never waiver, with a direct, proven path set.
"It's the attention to detail and having a sense of urgency in everything that you do. He stressed that to me as a player, to be detail oriented, being a tough, physical player," Booth said. "He instilled that in me, and now I'm going to be able to instill that in my players. I've heard great things about the players already, especially in the tight end room, so I'm excited to work with them. I'm meeting with them already, calling them, just talking to them and introducing myself, what I expect of them and what they'll expect of me. It's exciting. It's going to be a journey. I think the player-coach bond relationship, especially in your room, it's important."
His knowledge of being a tight end and a lineman under Addazio, and how the positions link, gives him a head start in implementing the system. Tight ends are utilized plenty, with formations requiring as many as three. The current Rams will be expected to be versatile, to put a hand in the ground and plant a foot to make a sharp cut in a route, enabling the offense to move from a spread to a tight formation without a wave of player changes being involved.
As a first-year coach, he carries the excitement of it all being new to him. He's even taken the time to marvel at the view to the west of Canvas Stadium, already having explored the Rocky Mountains. The bonus is he gets to learn in a comfortable setting, which he believes will be key to his growth in the field. There are plenty of familiar faces in the offices, people who have helped him grow and have always wanted to see him succeed.
"It's huge. It's not like I'm going in blind," Booth said. "I'm going into a family environment. We talk about coaching trees and all that, and just being able to go to a place where you know people and they can help you and guide you, show you the right way when you need it, that's a big aspect.
"This, I think, is the perfect opportunity for the job. I've worked with Steve at BC and played under him. I know most of his staff, so it's a comfort with this being my first full-time job. I'm blessed for the opportunity, and I have to take full advantage of it."
And the talented players he has at his disposal, a group he was able to guide for seven spring practices. Like beginning a new job, it was just a pleasing taste of what he expects to come.
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