March 31, 2016
RENO, Nev. - The Nevada football team has a new leader of the Union in Jonathan Himebauch, who was hired as the Wolf Pack's offensive line coach just over two months ago. Himebauch has worked as an offensive line coach in the past 14 seasons, coaching in multiple levels of football, including the NCAA and Canadian Football League.
Get to know Coach HImebaugh with a Q&A listed below as the former Rose Bowl champion center at USC answers a variety of questions, including what the Union tradition and what the Battle for Nevada means to him.
NevadaWolfPack.com: What has your first two months on the job been like and how has the process been of getting settled here in Nevada?
Jonathan Himebauch: Well, we're still undefeated, so it's all good so far. I love the city and the people have been very welcoming, so it's been great. The offensive line has been very receptive. They're anxious to learn and hungry to improve every day, and that's all I can ask for from these guys.
NWP: What attracted you to this job?
JH: There's a number of different reasons. The first reason would be Coach Polian. I'm excited to get to work with him. He has a great reputation within our industry. He's been at some big time places and he knows how to run a program. The second reason would be Tim Cramsey, our offensive coordinator. He's had a lot of success in the past, I've heard great things about him and I think we mesh pretty well together. Lastly, this school has a great reputation. I've been in the Mountain West and I really feel like this place is a hidden gem. It's a great community. It's a football town. For me, getting back to the west coast and closer to my family was also important.
NWP: One of the top traditions at Nevada revolves around its offensive line - "The Union". What does that tradition mean to you?
JH: As an offensive linemen, you try to stay off the radar. We just want to live in obscurity and take care of our business. The lineman that came before us here at Nevada - and there have been some great ones and some great units - were part of keeping that tradition alive. Now, it's our turn to take care of the tradition. I think the Union is well-known throughout the west as begin tough, hard-nosed, blue collar guys, and that's what we're looking for. It's our identity.
NWP: After nearly a dozen spring practices, what do you make of your offensive line and has there been anything that has surprised you about them?
JH: We've got a long road to go. Thankfully, they don't keep score in spring ball right now and all we have to do is try to get better each day and drill. The guys have been very receptive. It's nice to have a veteran group, I will say that - these guys have a lot of snaps under their belt. We're getting there. They're working hard, but we obviously have miles to go yet before we're ready.
NWP: Nevada returns a two-time All-MW selection and Outland Trophy candidate in Austin Corbett. What have you noticed about Austin so far?
JH: You tell him once and he gets it. He's a very smart kid. He works his butt off. He is the type of guy we want in this room. He has a very high ceiling as he can still make some great strides and improvement in his technique. He's really been a guy that is open to coaching and feedback. I'm exciting about the progress he is making.
NWP: You've spent nearly 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League. What was your experience like in CFL?
JH: I loved it and really enjoyed the speed of the game. It's a much faster game than the NFL. The play clock is quicker, there is so much more movement, motion and shifts - it's an exciting brand of football. You're coaching guys that play the game for their livelihood and they are passtionnate about their football, so I really enjoyed coaching them. Ultimately, I missed the Saturday college football experience and I also missed recruiting.
NWP: Are there differences within the foundamentals of offensive line play between CFL and American football?
JH: Line play between the CFL and American football is the most similar of any position because you don't have to deal with all the motions. There's only three downs in Canada, so you can't waste a single down. That two-yard gain isn't going to go by real well with your offensive coordinator over there. The one diference on the line is that all defensive players have to be one yard away from the ball at snap. Other than that, the foundamentals are all the same.
NWP: You've been apart of the Nevada-UNLV rivaly after spending a few years at UNLV. What does the Battle for the Fremont Cannon and this rivalry mean to you?
JH: I know all about this state championship game. I'm undefeated in this rivalry and so is Jeff Nady, our offensive graduate assistant, and both of us will be preaching the importance of this game to the Union. That game will be circled on the calendar and we all know how important the rivalry is to the university and community.
NWP: After finishing your playing career at USC, what made you decide to get into coaching?
JH: I was around coaching my entire life. My dad was a high school coach, so I grew up in the locker room and sidelines. I knew from day one that I wanted to coach, I just didn't know what level I wanted to coach at. I'm very use to the cycle of being in a season and it's something that has always been a part of my life.
NWP: What are you most excited for in 2016?
JH: I'm excited every day when I wake up and come to this job. It's a great place, it's run with great people. The community is supportive. We're trying to get better every single day and put a good product on the field for this community and I think that is what I'm most excited for.
