The 88-year-old McKissic, who had been the longest-tenured prep coach in the country, led Summerville to 10 state championships.
“He was a guy who always preached hard work and never taking a single play off,” Green said.
Green said he has remained close with McKisssic’s grandson, Joe Call, who was his position coach and has been named interim coach.
“I just talked to him (Tuesday) because he called me about working my camp and told me he was probably going to take over the program,” Green said.
New number, new position: Cornerback Onterrio McCalebb has worked with the wide receivers during the first two days of minicamp.
“It’s something they approached me about and I took the initiative to do whatever I can to help the team,” said McCalebb, who has spent all but one week on the practice squad since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
McCalebb said his background as a running back in college has made the transition back to offense easier. He caught 63 passes for 620 yards and three touchdowns in addition to rushing for 2,586 yards and 24 scores at Auburn.
“Most of my catches were out of the backfield, but they lined me up wide sometimes,” McCalebb said of his college days. “The routes are really the same, regardless of where you line up. Right now the biggest challenge is just trying to get the offense down.”
In addition to switching positions, McCalebb also has changed his jersey number from 39 to 23, which is what he wore at Auburn.
Ogbuehi optimistic: First-round pick Cedric Ogbuehi also mentioned the start of training camp for his return to action the night he was drafted, but Tuesday he backed away from the timetable issue.
“I don’t want to give a set date,” he said. “I’m just playing it by ear. But the rehab is going well and I’m spending most of my time learning the plays. I’m just looking forward to being able to get out there and practice with the guys.”
Quick hitters: Running back Rex Burkhead, who has been working with the wide receivers, left practice when he suffered what he said was a minor injury to his left knee when he landed awkwardly after an attempt to catch a pass. … Tempers rose with the temperature as offensive tackle Matt O'Donnell and defensive end Wallace Gilberry got into a skirmish where O'Donnell delivered a couple of punches to Gilberry's midsection. … Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu made an impressive one-handed catch on a deep ball from Andy Dalton during a drill. … Cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick and Brandon Ghee and linebacker Vinny Rey each had interceptions go off their hands, but Ghee held on to another one and rookie safety Derron Smith made an athletic catch on an AJ McCarron pass, although he didn't get his feet in to complete the interception.
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