MOBILE, Ala. – Former University of South Alabama football offensive lineman and current student assistant Shaun Artz sat down with USAJaguars.com Thursday to discuss his playing career, as well as his new role within the program.

Artz was a three-year starter at USA, and lettered four years from 2010-13. He helped the Jaguars reach bowl eligibility for the first time in the program's history as a junior last season after starting all 12 games at right guard. Artz assists Jaguar assistant coach Chase Smith with the offensive line in his current role.

What has the transition from player to student assistant been like for you?
"It's been a great experience for me. It has allowed me to really see what goes into a game plan – see what the defense does and how the coaches dissect each individual position and aspect of it and understand why a play will or will not be effective. It's given me better insight to what goes on behind the scenes that the players don't necessarily understand or get to appreciate because of all the time and effort these coaches put in; it has shown how much they really care."

What have you gained by working with Coach Smith?
"It's been great. I have known Coach Smith since he was a graduate assistant here. He's been with me for four years. He has helped me as a player, and now he is helping me as a coach and mentoring me as a man. It's great because we're closer in age, and he remembers being a player. He remembers the limitations of an offensive lineman, and what you can and can't expect. Since he is so young and remembers what it was like to play, I feel like it makes him a better coach. He really understands how he can help these guys. It's a great one-two punch between he and (offensive coordinator) Coach (Robert) Matthews. Coach Matthews is a great offensive line and quarterback mind, but the two of them together are a great pair. Coach Smith has done a wonderful job stepping in here as the offensive line coach."

How do you see your role within the program?
"It's been interesting. It was weird to hear the younger guys call me 'Coach' – that was different. It was hard coaching in drills, because this time last year I was right there bleeding, hurting and going through the battle with them. Now when they turn around and a guy you have known and played with for five years calls you 'Coach', it's a little different but I feel like my role is a bridging of the gaps. The players may say something to me that they don't necessarily want to say to a coach. And I understand that it's week 11 of the season; they are hurting and everyone is banged up. I can just fill that void between player and coach. I'm not a coach or a player, but I can understand each side and try to make it all congeal."

How difficult was your decision to stop playing football?
"It was definitely the hardest decision I have made in life. I have been playing this sport since I was six years old. It's not who I am, but it's been a large part of what has made me who I have become. Making that decision, now that I have lost some weight, was clearly the smart decision. It used to take me an hour to put on all of my knee and ankle braces, and now I am dressed and ready in two minutes once I put on my visor. Saturdays are definitely the hardest, but the decision itself was extremely difficult. But I talked to the coaches and my family, and even the guys. They know what I have been through, and they've been with me through everything. It's still difficult, but it has gotten easier. But I have the reassurance that I did make the right decision, with the possibilities of what could have happened if I hadn't. I'm never going to be glad that I am out of it. I would give anything to be able to play this week. It was a tough decision, but overall it was the right one."

What factored into your decision to come to South Alabama out of high school?
"A lot of it was (assistant) Coach (John) Turner. I was at a point in high school where I had two shoulder surgeries, and schools that were recruiting me were no longer as interested. Coach Turner offered me and stuck by me through everything. Despite my shoulder and all the previous injuries, Coach Turner believed in me. The faith he had in me really helped motivate me to come here. But at the same time, it was an opportunity to build tradition. When I came here, it was the program's second year and there was nothing. We had just gotten the fieldhouse, but there wasn't a tradition. I feel like we are building that each year, and Coach Jones has done a great job of creating a family atmosphere and helping the City of Mobile rally around this team. The appeal of that was really great, because I come for a high school program that is filled with tradition. From the time you stepped into the door until the time you left, Buford (Ga.) High School was about tradition. I'm an old-school mentality guy, and I love the idea of tradition. Just the thought of building tradition and Coach Turner sticking by me and having faith in me when no one else did told me a lot about this program. And Coach Jones had enough faith to offer me as well and stick with me."

What has it been like to see the program evolve through the years?
"As you are growing up, your goal is to play in those big games against schools like Tennessee or Mississippi State. It's awesome to see those schools on the schedule, and look down the road knowing you are going to play those big game. But at one time, Lamar or UC Davis was the biggest game in the school's history. You look forward to those big games each year, because as a competitor and football player you want to play in those big-time games."

How different is your preparation as a student assistant compared to that as a player?
"Obviously your mentality is different. You aren't listening to pump-up music; it's more so making sure everyone has what they need. I walk through the locker room before we take the field, and just go over technique stuff and simple reminders of what we want to do. Once you are approaching game time, you aren't teaching them anything new. You're just reminding them of what we want to do, and most of all just being energetic and excited. I'm just as excited as they are. I thought I was going to be playing in this game at this time last year. But it's just trying to get those guys ready. It means just as much to them as it does to me."

What has your experience been like at South Alabama?
"My entire experience here at South Alabama has been more than I could have ever imagined it would be. I'm so thankful and grateful to Coach Jones and the entire coaching staff. Everything from my education, football environment to the City of Mobile – I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I couldn't be more pleased. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't change a thing. I would have come here and made the exact same decisions. I'm just so thankful that Coach Jones has allowed me to still be around and be a part of this program. I will represent South Alabama until the day I die. It is a part of me, and I will always have a special place in my heart for this place no matter where I am or what I'm doing. The memories and the friends and family I have made these past five years are things that I will always carry with me."

How has the offensive line contributed to the success of this season in helping the program reach bowl eligibility for the second consecutive year?
"They have really grinded. We preach a heavy blue-collar mentality – hard-hat, lunch-pail kind of guys. They come out here and work their tails off every day. You don't get the recognition up front. It's inside drill, you put your hand in the dirt and fire off the line. But at the same time they do a great job of pass protection. Our offensive line has done a great job. They got after Mississippi State, and we're going to get after South Carolina this weekend. They have risen to the occasion every week. I'm really proud of these guys. Having Melvin (Meggs) back after last year is great. Ucambre (Williams) is healthy and he is playing well. It's great to have him back. You can go down the board. Chris (May) was an all-conference player last year. Joseph Scelfo has stepped up. Drew Dearman brings more experience than anyone can possibly imagine. By the end of this, Drew will end up being a three-year starter. We have some great seniors on the line, and every single one of them has risen to the occasion. I couldn't be more proud of Joseph Scelfo. He's the young guy on the line who has stepped up and is leading. He has done a great job of fitting in to, in my opinion, an all-conference offensive line across the board."

What are your plans once your time at South Alabama has ended?
"I am working on my master's degree in business right now. Football has always been an option for me, but my father has always told me to plan ahead if football doesn't work out. I would love to stay in coaching. I've been doing this since I was six years old; it's a huge part of me. But I have always planned for a life outside of football. So if I can work hard and be good at what I do, I would love the opportunity to stay in it. But as of right now I'm planning for Plan B. I have to make my grades and get my degrees, and just make sure everything is in line for that. If God has it planned for me to continue coaching, than that's where I will be."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"It (student assistant) has completely taken away any free time. I get up here on Tuesdays at 5:15 a.m., and I don't leave until I go to my 6 p.m. class. I'm in class until 9 p.m., then go home and do whatever school work I have to do so hopefully I am in bed by 10:30 p.m. Then get up and do it all over again. I pack my bag, lunch and dinner, and I don't go back to my apartment until around 9 o'clock at night."

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