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Vineland grad named Indianapolis Colts' receivers coach

JOSH FRIEDMAN
@JFriedman57

Lee Hull was sitting at his desk at Morgan State University in late January when he got a phone call from Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Rod Chudzinski.

Chudzinski called Hull, the Bears’ head coach, to get more information on an applicant that had applied to be the Colts’ new running backs coach.

Toward the end of their conversation, Chudzinski asked Hull, a 1984 Vineland High School graduate, if he’d have any interest in Indy’s vacant wide receivers coaching position.

“I don’t think he really thought I would jump at that opportunity,” Hull said.

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But he did. Hull had his interview a week later, and shortly after he was offered the job.

The Colts made the deal official Tuesday when the announced Hull as the team’s new receivers coach.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Hull said. “It’s been an eye-opener. It was unexpected. When you get a call out of the blue and it’s the Indianapolis Colts to see if you’re interested in the position, it’s an eye-opener and you’re really excited. I’m excited about it.”

Hull, who’s been in coaching for 24 years, spent the past two seasons at Morgan State, leading the Bears to an 11-12 record over that span.

In 2014, he was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year after guiding the program to a share of the MEAC title and its first-ever Division I playoff berth. Morgan State set or tied 57 school and conference records that season.

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“These were my two dreams, to be a head coach and be a coach in the NFL,” Hull said. “I got an opportunity to be a head coach in a Division I program, we were successful, things were going in the right direction. … I was comfortable. I wasn’t looking to go anywhere, but this opportunity came along and I had to jump on it.”

Hull was a standout receiver himself during his playing days. After garnering All-Cape-Atlantic League, First Team All-South Jersey, First Team All-Group IV and honorable mention all-state recognition with Vineland, he spent four seasons at Holy Cross. He then went on to play three years in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1990-92) and Toronto Argonauts (1992). He also signed with the New England Patriots as a free agent in 1998.

After his playing days, he started working his way through the coaching ranks. He began at the high school level, then spent five seasons at his alma mater Holy Cross (1998-2002). He then moved to Oregon State (2003-07), where he coached running backs for two years and receivers for three.

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Hull followed that up with a stint at Maryland, where he coached receivers from 2008-13, helping produce current NFL wideouts Darrius Heyward-Bey and Torrey Smith. He then moved on to Morgan State.

While Hull has had a lengthy collegiate career, he realizes it’ll be a much different challenge coaching in the NFL.

“In college, you get ‘em at 18 years old and they leave at 22 years old,” Hull said. “You are developing them, seeing them grow from young men into men, and this level you have grown men you’re coaching. There’s going to be a different dynamic, a different way you have to try and reach that individual, because now they’re men and this is a career for them and they want you to help them stay in the league.”

But Hull also feels he’s walking into a very fortunate situation. The Colts’ receiving corps features 2016 Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton, two-time All-Pro Andre Johnson, Donte Moncrief, who hauled in 64 passes last year, and 2015 first-round pick Phillip Dorsett.

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“I’m ecstatic to have an opportunity to coach as talented of group as they are,” Hull said.

Hull arrived in Indianapolis Tuesday night and hopes to speak with his new receivers soon.

“I want those guys to be the leaders of this team,” he said. “When you think of the Indianapolis Colts, I want you to think of the receiving corps.”

Josh Friedman; (856) 563-5257; jfriedman2@gannettnj.com

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