A controversial exit from the Washington Huskies helped lead Jimmy Lake to the Atlanta Falcons.
Lake didn’t make the trip to Indianapolis for the Combine. Tupuola-Fetui, still thinking he’d seen Lake, didn’t say anything.
Just six days after his suspension, Lake was fired, prematurely ending his two-year tenure with a 7-6 record already cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on the 2020 campaign. During his recruitment process, Hampton fought between staying close to his Glendale, Arizona, roots and going to a place better suited for his development.
A complicated split ensued – one that ultimately saw Lake receive his entire $9.9 million buyout after the university didn’t push to fire him for cause. “I think if you wanted to have that one on one conversation, it was up to you to reach out to him,” Tupuola-Fetui said.When Tupuola-Fetui’s father passed away in late October, Lake texted him, sending his condolences. Tupuola-Fetui said Lake has reached out multiple times.“I know he was really there for Zion a lot,” Culp said.
Lake didn’t recruit Westover to the program, but he played a key role in keeping him there – and ultimately became a figure Westover looked up to. Some of the last holdovers from Lake’s era in Seattle are now gone. His departure paved the way for DeBoer to bring the program back to prominence. But for the players, reminiscing on Lake’s tumultuous tenure comes with mixed emotions.
In Atlanta, Lake said he plans on running a 3-4 defense, placing an emphasis on fixing an edge rushing core that took a step forward last season but remains a question mark. “Like, ‘You're gonna have to play high to low on this concept to protect this guy,’ and do different things like that. So it sticks with me to this day.”
Those values carry over into his coaching style; he’s armed with the unique perspective of a former player and long-time coach, and knows how to convey messages that keep players engaged amidst an ever-growing list of potential distraction. Latu dubbed Lake a “great coach,” and the unanimous All-American remains in play for Atlanta at No. 8 overall.
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