Bowling Green State University Athletics
Haneline Smart In The Classroom, On The Field
October 03, 2002 | Football
Oct. 3, 2002
By JACK CARLE, Sentinel Sports Editor - Finding anyone around Bowling Green to say something negative about Chris Haneline is difficult.
"He's a great leader," said Tim Beckman, BG's assistant head coach/defense. "He's done it all. I won't trade him for the world."
A 6-foot-1, 225 pound senior from Cleveland St. Ignatius High School, Haneline is one of the top players for the Falcons. Last season he was second on a senior-dominated defense with 78 tackles.
He also excels in the classroom with over a 3.00 grade-point average. Haneline earned the President's Award which is given for academic and athletic excellence.
"He's a football-smart player," Beckman said. "A lot of kids are smart. You can be academic-smart, but there is something about having a knack for football.
"He has both. He understands the game, that's why he does such a good job."
Haneline and his teammates take a 3-0 record into Saturday's Homecoming contest with Ohio. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.
The Falcons have a 11-3 record over the last two seasons, already surpassing the victory total of Haneline's first two seasons as a player. He used a redshirt year in 1998.
"The last year and a half has been pretty amazing," Haneline said. "We're finally starting to really feel what it's like to play Division I football, to reap the benefits.
"I just hope it continues this year."
With only a handful of players with extensive experience, there were some concerns before the current season about the ability of BG's defense to compete.
While the unit has really only been tested by Missouri, Haneline likes what he has seen so far.
"I am kind of surprised and extremely excited that the young guys have grown up so fast," he said. "We still make our mistakes ... It's surprising how comfortable they are out there."
The Falcons make up for their lack of experience with speed and intensity.
"Our whole focal point on defense is speed and position to position. We have a tremendous amount of speed; that's what we use to our advantage," Haneline said.
This fall, the Falcons are using a 3-3-5 scheme with three down linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs.
"I think it's posed a lot of problems (for the opponents)," Haneline said about the 3-3 set-up up front. "I don't think many teams are used to having that nose tackle right on center.
"It's been extremely successful for the first two games, we have a lot of options to work with out of that defense," he continued. "We really don't have a base defense. Our base defense is what presents itself for the week."
Right in the thick of things is Haneline at middle linebacker.
"I've always been a middle linebacker. I feel comfortable in the middle. I'm pretty confident I can hold my own," he said. "I may not have the size or the speed, (but) I understand the game very well.
"I'm able to get a split-second head start on people because I'm able to read the ball pretty well and anticipate what a team is going to try to attack us with.
"I may not be big or fast, but I'm going to play every play as hard as I can. That's one thing I've always done and good things have happened."
The 3-3 scheme has benefited Haneline.
"It keeps him covered up and enables him to run. He's an inside-out ball player," Beckman said. "It's worked well. It's been productive."
Haneline has also taken a straight ahead approach in the classroom.
"Studies are real important to me, that was taught to me at a very young age," he said. "You're not got to play football all of your life, you need something to fall back on.
"I've been fortunate to have success in the classroom."
