SDSU coaches share ideas in Mexico

MEXICO CITY — Five South Dakota State University football coaches spent last week south of the border, mentoring the coaching staff and working with student-athletes at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Jackrabbit tight ends coach Luke Schleusner was contacted by UNAM head coach Otto Ulrike after Schleusner served as a presenter for a coaching webinar following the 2016 season.

"He thought the things we do on offense were applicable to them," Schleusner said.

After a few conversations, the two staffs reached an agreement for SDSU to send nearly half of its coaches to Mexico City on a four-day football mission.

Joining Schluesner from the SDSU coaching staff were wide receivers coach Robert Arnheim, cornerbacks coach Daniel Jackson, defensive tackles coach Christian Smith and defensive quality control assistant Mickey Russell.

"It's been great to share ideas and talk Jackrabbit football with our counterparts and experience Mexican culture," Schleusner said. "We are extremely thankful to Coach Otto, the coaching staff and all of the Pumas players for the hospitality and generosity they have shown us. Their passion and love for football has impressed us, as has their work ethic. We have made a great connection and have built many new lasting friendships."

UNAM is the largest institution of higher education in Latin America with an enrollment of 342,000. The Pumas play their home games at 68,000-seat Estadio Olimpico Universitario, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the track and field competition for the 1968 Summer Olympics.

The Pumas have played the American version of football since the late 1920s, although there have been brief periods of dormancy since the 1970s. In 1945, UNAM became the first foreign school to play in the Sun Bowl.

Currently, there are two leagues of college football in Mexico, with the two conference champions meeting for the national championship.

To further celebrate their 90^th anniversary, the Pumas are slated to play a group of players from European leagues in the International Bowl II on Aug. 12.

-GoJacks.com-

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SDSU coaches share ideas in Mexico

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