New beginnings: Vance Vice aims to revamp Boilermakers' O-line

Purdue coach Barry Odom stuck with the familiar when he brought his UNLV offensive line coach to West Lafayette: Vance Vice.

Vice spent the last two seasons with Odom at UNLV. Vice also has coached o-lines at Virginia Tech (2015-21), Memphis (2012-15) and Louisiana-Monroe (2009-11).

As Purdue heads to the start of spring practice on March 4, Vice discussed a variety of topics. Here are five questions with him.

Q: Tell us about the UNLV offensive linemen that have followed you guys to West Lafayette.

We’re excited for those guys to be here. Jalen St. John, also known as “Chop” is a senior. He received some all-conference honors last year and has two years starting for me. He knows the style this program is approaching every day right now. He’s been a valuable leader, being an old head and being able to tell others where the landmines are. “Don’t mess up here, don’t mess up there.” He’s gotten better physically in the last couple of years, and he’s kind of on a mission. He wants a shot at the next level and wants to come here and get this thing going where we want it to go. I brought Hank Purvis and Mason Vicari. They were true freshmen last year. They didn’t start, but they played quite a bit in some big packages and different things like that. Those guys just bring it every day; the work ethic, the mindset, great students in the classroom. They take care of their business and want to get a chance to play on a bigger level. I’m excited to have them here. They can help the others also with what’s expected on the field and their meetings on a day-to-day basis. That’s where their value and the excitement I have for them lies, because they continue to develop. The two attack the weight room like you’re supposed to and have very lofty goals.

Q: Why did it work so well for Odom at UNLV?

In this business, you try to attach yourself to good people. I’ve known Coach Odom since he was in high school. This is the third spot that we’ve been together at after Memphis and Las Vegas. He’s kind of, I like to call old school, definitely not shy about rolling his sleeves up and going to work. That’s one thing that we were able to do at the last place. The kids bought into the process, which is what we’re working on right now here. Then, you let the process take over. You see all kinds in this business, and he’s definitely one of the good ones and ones I definitely want in my foxhole if something goes down.

Q: What’s the most important thing that your room is trying to accomplish before the spring?

The number one thing right now when you enter a new situation is trying to build trust first, and that’s both ways. They’re gonna have to learn to trust me. I have to learn to trust them. Accountability right now, day to day. There’s no such thing as “a dog ate my homework.” That doesn’t fly. We want guys being accountable to not only the program but to each other. Once we get on the field, that stuff will take care of itself. With offseason conditioning and weight room right now, you get an idea of who guys are, but everything’s clean. It is a clean slate. I don’t even look at previous film on these guys. I know quite a bit about the three guys that came with me from Vegas, but everybody else, it’s as open as it can be. This is a day-to day-business, man. What have you done for me lately? That’s what I’m looking for: Who can be consistent every day, in the classroom across campus and make the good list? Don’t make any bad lists right now. We’re step by step. It’s gonna get cranked up here pretty fast. There will be a lot more information that we find out.

Q: How do you feel about the depth you have right now?

Well, I never say no to getting more help ever. We probably need three or four more guys, just to practice how we want practice. We’re going to use 20 guys to practice, and right now we have 17. We will try to add to that. With the new limits of scholarships and players on the team, that’s an issue. It’s an ever-changing issue. It’s very, very hard to manage your number because things that are so fluid right now. But if we can get more bodies, we will, but I am kind of excited about the guys in there right now. I’m anxious to get out there on the yard and start seeing who we are and what we are. Everything’s been positive so far.