A long-time co-worker with Nigel Burton, Ahmed Zarrugh is in his third season on the Portland State staff as linebackers coach.
Zarrugh’s development of a deep linebacking group in 2011 played a large role in the Vikings’ vastly improved defense. With PSU’s run
defense more than 100 yards better than the previous season, the Vikings could point to the play of six LBs that saw the bulk of the action. Ian Sluss earned second team All-Big Sky Conference honors, while Ryan Rau and Joel Sisler were honorable mention choices. Those three were backed up by Khalil Bass, Dionte Brooks and Shane Melbo.
Zarrugh’s group should be as deep in 2012 as Sluss, Sisler, Bass and Brooks return and will be joined by another strong recruiting class.
Speaking of recruiting, Zarrugh also maintains the vital role of recruiting coordinator for the Viking program. This year’s class, which is Oregon and northwest heavy, shows the tremendous in-roads that Portland State football has made in the local consciousness.
BACKGROUND
Zarrugh’s affiliation with Burton began in 2004 as a defensive back at Oregon State. After two years as a player, Zarrugh was a student assistant, then graduate assistant for Burton for two years. He joined Burton as a graduate assistant coach at Nevada in 2008.
Zarrugh was the nickel back coach at Nevada and assisted with coaching linebackers. His recruiting areas were Oregon, Washington and southern California, which should translate well to the Portland State program.
“Ahmed Zarrugh has been my right hand man since he was a student assistant for me and played for me at Oregon State. He really brings a great knowledge to the program as a coach as well as recruiting knowledge,” said Burton. “Ahmed is one of those young guys you can’t kick out of the office. He does all the things that will make him a successful coach for years to come.”
Zarrugh is a native of Eugene, OR, where he attended Willamette High School. He was a walk-on to the Oregon State program, but his career was cut short by injury. Zarrugh earned a degree in Business Management from Oregon State in 2007. He earned his MBA from Nevada in 2009.
THE AHMED ZARRUGH FILE
3rd year at Portland State
Hometown: Eugene, OR
Alma Mater: Oregon State, 2007, Business Management; Nevada, 2009, MBA
Playing Experience: Oregon State, 2004-05, defensive back
Date of Birth: December 12, 1984
Name Pronunciation: ah-MED zuh-ROO
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2010-12 Portland State, Linebackers
2008-09 Nevada, Graduate Assistant Linebackers
2008 Western Washington, Linebackers
2007-08 Oregon State, Graduate Assistant Wide Receivers
RECRUITING AREAS
Oregon leagues: Mid-Willamette, Midwestern, Central Valley, Sky-Em
Out of state: Inland Empire CA
ALL-BIG SKY CONFERENCE VIKINGS UNDER AHMED ZARRUGH
2011
2nd team: LB Ian Sluss
HM: LB Ryan Rau, LB Joel Sisler
