Commanders Larry Izzo wants guys who run and hit

New Commanders STs coach Larry Izzo has deep ties to the area.

Apparently, Commanders fans asked for Larry Izzo to be a guest interview on the “Command Center” show.

Izzo, the newly hired Commanders special teams coach, appeared recently on the “Command Center” with host Bryan Colbert Jr.

“I’m very touched by that; it’s awesome,” responded Izzo.

Izzo is a local DMV guy. He attended Broad Run High School (Loudoun County) before moving to Texas. The area has grown tremendously, and Izzo said it has changed so much in the 34 years since he left that he doesn’t recognize it.

“What shaped me as a young football player, started here in Ashburn. We had a great coaching staff. They developed me growing into that role I was in. I played in the lower Loudoun football league in eighth grade and coach Jerry Smith at Broad Run. I still talk to these guys, so it is cool to be back.”

Izzo talked of remembering growing up here when the Redskins were winning Super Bowls, and he himself played for three New England Patriots Super Bowl Championship teams (2001, 2003, 2004).

Like rookie Luke McCaffrey, Izzo played his college ball at Rice. He said he knew the only way he was going to make it onto an NFL roster was by making a mark on special teams. How good was Larry Izzo?

“Special teams is everything to me,” said Izzo.  We always tell the young guys, special teams is going to be the easiest path to the roster to carve out a role. In my career I learned, special teams, that’s how you eat.”

Izzo has played on winning and losing Super Bowl teams and coached on a winning N.Y. Giants team.

“I am looking for dudes that want to run and hit. They want to play fast and physical. That is how we are going to play. Then, guys that really want to be out there, understand their role, have a team-first mentality. Whatever they can do to help the team win, they are going to do it.”