New Arizona State defensive line coach Michael Slater building toughness up front

CAMP TONTOZONA – To some, this place serves as a culture shock. The bugs. The cabins. The smell.

Not Michael Slater.

Entering Saturday’s popular final practice, the first-year Arizona State defensive line coach has felt at home this week as the Sun Devils have bonded and practiced among the pines.

“I’m a country boy that likes camping and hunting and things like that,'' Slater said. "Does it have the comforts of home? No. But am I totally uncomfortable? No. I can make do."

Fans making this trip likely will notice changes on coach Todd Graham’s staff. Over the offseason, he hired five new assistants. Outside of perhaps offensive coordinator Billy Napier, who has his own style, the newcomers all are noticeably intense, and it shows on the field.

Defensive coordinator Phil Bennett specializes in the secondary. Pay attention to him during drills. The dialogue seldom stops.

Rob Likens coaches receivers, which is fitting because of everyone on the field without college eligibility, he has the most energy. On the same note, you won’t need to ask anybody if Rob Sale coaches the offensive line. It’s obvious.

Slater, 45, brings his own brand of intensity. He reminds players of former defensive line coach Jackie Shipp. Before leaving for Missouri in 2016, Shipp was known for his direct approach and a voice that disappeared after just a few practice days. Graham once described him as a hammer, just like him.

“Coach Slater has a very high – let me see, how I can put it – he wants to see us be great,’’ senior defensive tackle Tashon Smallwood said, “so it brings a fire out of him that reminds me of Coach Shipp.”

Funny thing is, Slater didn’t set out to do this. At least not at first.

Raised in Dickinson, Texas (population 18,000), Slater grew up riding horses. He bottle-fed and raised a calf. He tended to chickens. At Texas State, where he played on the defensive line, Slater was an agricultural/animal science major. He wanted to be a veterinarian.

It didn’t work out. Slater’s first job after college was at a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed kids. After his boss paid for him to get his teaching certificate, Slater taught high school in the Houston area. He figured: ‘’If I’m going to teach, I want to coach.”

That was the start of a journey that took Slater from Rice to Angelo State back to Rice and then to Kansas last year. At about that time, Slater caught the eye of Bennett, then at Baylor.

The defensive coordinator was aware of Slater – his son, Sam, had worked with him at Rice – but he couldn’t help but notice how Slater always seemed to get the best out of his players, especially those who weren’t highly recruited.

Slater fit perfectly on Graham's staff.

“That’s a very physical and very demanding position,’’ Graham said. “And on both our offensive and defensive lines, I wanted some toughness and I felt like we needed to improve in that area. He provides a great deal of toughness and he’s a great teacher.”

Only problem:

This is the defensive line’s third position coach in three years, which isn’t ideal. After Shipp left for Missouri, ASU hired Joe Seumalo, who had the opposite personality. Junior lineman JoJo Wicker said Seumalo was laid back and “chill about everything.” Among the things he taught Wicker was how to relax on game day, not getting too high or low.

Slater's approach is different. He inherited a line that has returning starters in Smallwood and Wicker, but he doesn’t have much depth. ASU likely will have freshmen in its rotation. He’s not concerned.

“Everywhere I’ve been, guys have adjusted fine,’’ Slater said. “I know when to push, and I know when to back off. Guys know I’m on them for a reason. I see something and I’m just trying to pull it out of them. I’m just trying to get them to understand, and part of that is building a relationship with them so they don’t take things personally. They know I have their best interests at heart."

Saturday schedule

Time: 9 a.m.

Where: Camp Tontozona, located off State Route 260, 17 miles northeast of Payson. 

Note: Fans are encouraged to arrive early as space is limited. An autograph session will follow the scrimmage.

Contact Doug Haller at 602-444-4949 or at doug.haller@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller. Subscribe to the ASU Pick Six Podcast, available on iTunes. Download the ASU XTRA app for iPhone and Android.