Jelic Earns Praise From Players For Technical Skills, Amiability

"He's the best coach I've ever played for. I admire his technical skills, and I'm always amazed at the game strategy he comes up with for each game. And as though that wasn't enough, he's a very personal guy who can get along with anybody," said Brad Fenton, senior defensive halfback.

"I have a lot of respect for him as a person and as a coach," echoed captain Gary Farneti. "He's incredibly aware of what players face off the field. And on the field, he's a great teacher who loves football and gets that across to his players."

The coach is defensive coordinator Ralph Jelic, whose experience in football at the pro level and as a coach gives him the expertise to teach football skills, and whose personality enables him to get through to his players as persons. The combination makes him the best-liked coach on the Harvard staff.

The Big Time

A fullback and defensive halfback in college, Jelic started on Pitt's Sugar Bowl and Gator Bowl teams in the late fifties. When he graduated, he played in exhibition games for two pro teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Texans (who later moved to Kansas City).

But he didn't make it as a regular because, as he explains it, "You can only go so far on hustle."

After getting a master's degree, he went to Lehigh and coached the defensive secondary there for three years. Then he moved to Boston University as defensive coordinator, and three years ago came to Harvard in the same capacity. This fall he coaches the defensive secondary, but his first two years he spent coaching the linebackers.

"This season," said Jelic, who has coached six players into the pro ranks in ten years, "we've tried to change the theory behind play in the defensive secondary. We're more aggressive, going for interceptions and trying to force fumbles. We also have about seven different strategies we can take back there."

By most accounts he's been successful. The Harvard defensive secondary has picked off 16 passes, forced several fumbles, and come up with the big plays when Harvard needed them.

But statistics don't tell the whole story; Jelic's rapport with the players explains part of his success. "My approach to coaching is that you can't push a player if he doesn't want to. You can encourage and make suggestions, and you have to have confidence in him especially when the going gets rough. Sure I've chewed guys out in practice, but when the pressure's on, I'm behind them," he explained.

"He's a straightforward guy," said Farneti. "And I think it works. You know where you stand with him, and as a result, the guys who play under him play smoothly and with more confidence," he said.

Jelic makes a point of getting to know the players personally. He lifts weights with them plays pick-up basketball games during noon with some of them, and sits with the players when traveling.

Talk to Me

"I always tell them to let me know what's eating them. If they don't think they're getting a fair shake, I tell them to let me know. You can't lose their confidence in you, because if you do, you can't teach them anything," he explained.

"The players I've coached here really want to excel," he continued. "They enjoy a challenge, and that makes them work harder. In fact, last year, they complained because they weren't being worked hard enough. That indicates to me that they have the determination to play good football, and so I'm not going to push or pressure them.

"But I'll do everything I can to help them along. My job is to prepare them for a tough physical contest, and if I don't do that. I'm not doing my job. Our motto this year has been make something happen,' and I think it's taking hold."