When Rich Skrosky accepted the head coaching position at Elon University in December, he was returning to a familiar program — he was an assistant there from 2006-to-2010.
Skrosky brought with him various assistant coaches he knew previously, as well as one player from Ball State University, who no one knew much about at the time: Chris Blair.
Blair used his redshirt year last year at Ball State before transferring to Elon with Skrosky. Skrosky’s decision to accept the head coaching position at Elon was a relief for Blair, who said he wasn’t sure where he would end up.
“If [Skrosky] didn’t come [to Elon], I’m not sure where I would be right now,” Blair said. “When I found out he got the job at Elon, it was a no-brainer to come. I have a lot of trust in him.”
Early in his first season at the helm, Skrosky has already shown a tendency to play his young players early and often, giving them a chance to showcase their skills.
Blair, a redshirt freshman safety, is one of these inexperienced players.
He made his Elon debut Aug. 30 at Duke University, collecting six tackles in a reserve role. Blair logged a total of 10 tackles in the next two games — against North Carolina A&T State University Sept. 13 and against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Sept. 20 — before junior starting safety Miles Williams went down with an injury.
Williams started all 11 contests for the Phoenix in 2012 before missing last year with an injury. Blair was thrust into the starting lineup to replace Williams, but his mindset didn’t change.
“It’s really not a difference,” Blair said, comparing his reserve role on defense to the sixth-man role in basketball. “I have to bring a spark to the team. You have to prepare the same way, if not better. It’s more physical, so you just have to be ready.”
Blair certainly had large shoes to fill with Williams out, but has done his job and then some.
In his first start against Coastal Carolina University Sept. 27, Blair made six tackles, forced a fumble and was credited with a quarterback hurry. It was an impressive performance that didn’t go unnoticed.
“[Blair] loves football, and that’s what we need in this program,” Skrosky said. “Playing Division I college football is hard, and you’ve got to be passionate about it. And that’s what he is.”
Blair made his second start against the University of New Hampshire Saturday, Elon’s first-ever Colonial Athletic Association game. He was one of the few bright spots for a Phoenix defense that gave up 48 points and more than 400 yards of offense.
Blair led the team with 13 tackles, the most by an Elon player this season. He is not afraid to lay down a big hit or two, using his slight 5-foot-11-inch, 210-pound frame to his advantage.
For Blair, a Winston-Salem native and East Forsyth High School graduate, Elon’s home opener was special because his family was able to make the 45-minute trip to Elon to see him play.
It’s that type of atmosphere at Elon, what Blair described as “family-oriented,” that attracted him to the school. Now that Blair is closer to home and in a comfortable situation, he is enjoying the opportunity that much more.
On the field, Blair likes to keep it simple.
“I just want to have fun,” he said. “If the game is not fun, there’s no point in playing.”
It’s players like Blair, players who have a certain attitude and approach to the game, that Skrosky is trying to bring to Elon.
“[Blair’s] passionate about playing, and it shows in his play. Therefore, he is an inspiration of how to play,” Skrosky said. “We’ve got to get more guys like that. That can’t be the exception. That has to be the rule.”