Former pros pack Jesuit's coaching ranks

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TAMPA — Five minutes into Jesuit’s first formal preseason practice of 2012, lightning sent the Tigers scurrying for cover.

As he assessed the flickering gray sky beneath a breezeway, third-year coach James Harrell insisted his staff’s offensive play-calling system won’t be as turbulent as the recent afternoon weather pattern.

For those wondering (and many are): new pass-game coordinator Vinny Testaverde will observe from the box, while run-game coach George Edington will call the plays in from the sideline.

Another NFL alumnus, ex-Gator tailback James Jones, will consult and assist with personnel groupings in the run game, but won’t call plays. Harrell, as always, will have the final say.

“It’ll be a cohesive effort,” said Harrell, who conducted Monday afternoon’s workout in the Tigers’ gymnasium.

“I’m very confident the guys understand that everything has to be agreed upon, and that we work as a cohesive unit and no one takes anything personal, and they’re just willing to design a game plan week in and week out that’s consistent.”

For the third consecutive season, the Tigers enter August with not only a new offensive coordinator (or in this case, coordinators), but a new quarterback. Burly rising senior Leland Saile (6 feet, 210 pounds) was the first Tiger on the field Monday.

“Hopefully you can do some things in the run game with him to allow him to carry the football,” Harrell added. “He’s pretty athletic. He’s physical and we have some special packages that will be designed to take advantage of his size.”