Shock Add Former Player Ruschard Dodd-Masters to 2014 Coaching Staff
February 25, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
SPOKANE, WA (February 25, 2014) - The Spokane Shock have added a familiar face to their coaching staff in former player Ruschard Dodd-Masters, now the Shock's Defensive Backs Coach.
After spending three years in the AFL as a defensive back, two with Spokane, Dodd-Masters made what he called a natural transition into coaching.
"When I was a player I was almost a coach out on the field," he said. "So just being on the other side - the coach side and not the player side - now I just have to watch more film. I'm not seeing myself so now I'm just seeing what the players are doing. It was kind of rough at the beginning but now I'm starting to get the hang of it."
During his three years in the league Dodd-Masters recorded 150 tackles, 26 passes blocked and eight interceptions. In addition to his work as a defensive back he returned kicks, taking 106 career returns for 1,937 yards and two touchdowns.
Shock Head Coach Andy Olson was excited about the addition of the vocal Dodd-Masters to the 2014 coaching staff.
"He is a very talented coach," Olson said. "He was a leader last year, someone who really contributed to the leadership part of our defense. You could always see the coach inside of him. He's always been a vocal guy. He's always been a student and a teacher of the game and I think this is just an opportunity for him to show the knowledge he has had all these years."
After six days of camp and three padded practices, Dodd-Masters is excited about the potential of the defense and his defensive backs.
"We're looking pretty good. It's the best camp that I've been in, as far as the DBs go," Dodd-Masters said. "There's a lot of them, but all of them are good."
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- Shock Add Former Player Ruschard Dodd-Masters to 2014 Coaching Staff - Spokane Shock
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