The goal-line drill was one of the most important during North Carolina State’s football training camp in 2000.
The drill consisted of three plays, with the ball marked on the 3, then 2, then 1.
"Everybody knew it was going to be three run plays," said Chris "Demo" Demarest, who coached the Wolfpack’s defensive secondary at the time. "The offense knew it, the defense knew it. We were going to try to get tough and see what would happen."
Norm Chow, who was the offensive coordinator, told quarterback Philip Rivers to pass.
"He throws the ball and scores," Demarest recalled. "And he does it again. And again. I started giving (Chow) a hard time."
Chow said: "He was yelling at me to run the ball. Really? Is there a law you have to run the ball near the goal line? We were friends ever since."
After being hired as the Warriors’ head coach in December 2011, Chow called Demarest with an offer to coach the Warriors’ special teams.
Demarest’s six units did well in 2012.
Now Demarest is being called upon again, with an emphasis on finding a successor to Mike Edwards, who scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns last year. Edwards relinquished his senior season to apply for this month’s NFL Draft.
Demarest said the returner’s requirements are "fearlessness," the ability to find the crease and breakaway speed.
Demarest said Chris Gant, Edwards’ understudy last year, is the leading candidate.
"They’re big shoes to fill, but we’re going to give (Gant) every opportunity to do it," Demarest said.
"From what he’s doing now leads me to believe he can do it. He sees the crease and he hits it. That’s what I’m judging him on right now."
Demarest adheres to two teaching methods — rote and emote. His booming voice echoes in Manoa’s lower campus.
"Let’s say he’s full of energy," Chow said.
Gant said: "It’s really exciting to be on Demo’s special teams. He might be a little crazy, but he’s smart and he gets the job done."
Gant said he benefits from Demarest’s critiques.
"You have to have a tough skin," Gant said. "If he’s not yelling at you, he doesn’t care about you. I’d rather him yelling at me than not caring about me."
Gant said he studies video cutups of UH’s kickoff returns.
"Returning is about instincts and following the blockers," Gant said. "You have to be patient and hit the hole."
Gant’s offseason workouts are customized to improving endurance. When he is in Los Angeles, he often runs at Runyon Canyon Park.
"It’s a good ways up," Gant said. "It’s a little harder because of all the L.A. smog. That’s OK. It makes it a little fun."
