Jack Simon is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mountain Pointe High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX – LeGarrette Blount rushed for 6,306 yards and won three Super Bowls during his nine-year NFL career. But now, he’s coaching Mountain Pointe from the opposite side of the ball.

Blount joined Mountain Pointe as an offensive coach last year, but this season, he switched to calling the defense. His strategy is now focused on stopping the one thing he made a living off of.

“My identity is always going to be to stop the run on defense,” Blount said.

His near decade in the NFL gave the Mountain Pointe football program a unique perspective that most high school coaches in the Valley can’t offer. 

“You play that much football for that long, you’ve seen just about everything there is to see,” offensive coordinator Justin Artis said. “A big part of what he brings is just, ‘Hey, I've been here before.’”

Using his connections from the NFL, Blount organized meetings with former coach Matt Patricia, cornerback Aqib Talib and linebacker Jerod Mayo for his players and coaches.

The Florida native never played for the Arizona Cardinals. However, his connection to the 48th state goes back to his training days. During his preparation for the 2010 NFL draft, the running back trained in Arizona. He also would return every offseason to Fisher Sports Physical Therapy and Conditioning in Phoenix. 

After having kids and finishing up his NFL career, Blount relocated to where he had begun to build his football success. 

“I didn't know what extent that was going to be, other than being a cheer dad and a fan,” Blount said about his involvement with his kids’ athletics. “But I knew I was going to be involved somehow.”

It took Blount a few years into his son LeGarrette Blount Jr.'s playing days before he made his way onto the sidelines as a coach.

Blount Jr. has been coached by his dad starting at 12 years old. His dad hasn’t left the sideline since then. 

The Mountain Pointe junior wide receiver and cornerback said it's easy for him to make the distinction between dad and coach.

“I usually see him as a coach, and then after the game, my dad,” Blount Jr. said.

Though Blount Jr. admitted that his father’s familial bond shines through in some moments.

“You can feel the dad and son bond,” he said. “If I make a play, he's the first one to tell me to celebrate.”

The duo has had several reasons to celebrate this season. Blount Jr. leads the 5A Conference in interceptions with three.

Blount’s defense brings an NFL style to his defensive mentality.

“They want to be relentless. But they also want to be disciplined,” Artis said.

Blount described his own defense with a similar identity. 

“I bring a different mindset, accountability, and that's one of the big things for me. Accountability and discipline,” Blount said.