The October Askew Grill the Coach subject is football assistant coach Ron Gould. Now in his 12th season directing the Golden Bear running backs, Gould has helped Cal produce a 1,000-yard rusher each of the past six years, including Marshawn Lynch, who was drafted No. 12 overall in 2007, and J.J. Arrington, who was a consensus first-team All-American in 2004 after leading the nation with 2,018 yards. Six of his backs in the last four years have gone on to the NFL, including four from the 2006 team - Justin Forsett (Seattle), Lynch (Buffalo), Byron Storer (Tampa Bay) and Marcus O'Keith (Kansas City).

What has Cal football meant to you since you've joined the program?

It's been my life. To be at such a prestigious university and to be around some great student-athletes and people that aspire to do great things - it's changed how I view things; it's changed how I look at this place. This is one of the most amazing places and I've been so fortunate to be here for 12 years. Cal is a very special place.

For most student-athletes the chance to go professional is very slim. How does the university and the football program help prepare them for life?

I think the university itself prepares our student-athletes for life, because of the diversity that you have that you don't get at most universities. What I think is really key about Cal is that you're allowed to be who you are. You don't have to change because you're white, black, green, purple, yellow. If you come from France or Arizona [you don't have to change] and that's the beauty of being here. Because the majority of people here aspire to become presidents, astronauts or CEOs of a business - that in itself helps [our student-athletes] prepare because you're dealing with the best and brightest students - this university really prepares them for life. Being in an environment like football helps you appreciate the differences of others. And that in itself helps them as well.

Who are some of the running backs that stand out in your mind at Cal? Who are non-Cal running backs that you admire?

I've had a lot of great running backs here. Russell White was a fantastic running back, Marshawn Lynch, J.J Arrington, Justin Forsett and so forth. I've been fortunate to coach so many great backs here. I do like the tailback at Georgia [Knowshon Moreno] - I think he's a fantastic player. He's only a sophomore, but he plays at a high level and he has great passion and great intensity. Obviously you have to include Reggie Bush because he's done so many amazing things. He has a wealth of talent and they [USC] did a great job of using him in multiple ways. If you want to go back even further, you can talk about players like Chuck Muncie, Walter Payton - I even like Barry Sanders back in his day. Joe Igber is someone who reminded me a lot of Sanders. I've been real fortunate to coach a lot of great tailbacks that have come through here, I just can't pick one.

You majored in criminology at Oregon. Did you ever consider a career as a detective or anything involving law?

It's funny because I've always wanted to go back to law school. In fact when I went to graduate school in Oregon, the one thing I didn't complete was my thesis. I had everything done, but it was because of the people on my board - they could never get together and finish my thesis. So it has been very disconcerting for me because I put in all of that work. I have like 100 pages of material on an old Apple computer. I've taken a few business law classes and always thought about going back and being a lawyer. Never to practice, but just to have that degree. I've always found it fascinating. But I've never thought about being a detective or anything. Actually my passion is working with kids. So I do a lot of volunteer work. And being able to coach and inspire kids and influence them - so I'm living out my dream being able to coach.

Which is better for you as a coach? Seeing a running back lay out a blitzing defender so the quarterback can make a long pass, or a running back break a long run for a touchdown?

If you ask me this question at any point, it's always going to be a running back picking up the blitz so the quarterback can make a great throw. I really believe our kids have bought into that. Against Michigan State, Jahvid Best picked up the blitz from off the edge and he stands up and starts pounding his chest. I get more excited about that than an 80-yard run.

What is the best family vacation you've ever taken?

Going to Disneyland. We've gone on all the rides. I've taken the kids to Disney World and Disneyland. I remember one year my boys and I drove down to Los Angeles, went to Disneyland, then over to California Adventure, then went down to San Diego and went to Sea World and Lego Land. Then we drove back up to LA and [made a second stop] at Disneyland and California Adventure, before driving back up to San Francisco and making it to Six Flags. We had a blast.

Football coaches get to work earlier than the average person. What is the first thing you do when you get to work?

The first thing I do when I get in is pray and read my Bible. Depending on the time of the year I try to go on what I call `prayer runs' or `prayer walks'. That's how my morning begins. Then I will come in and try to get myself organized and think about my schedule and what I have to get done. Then we have meetings. During the season we have meetings around 7-7:30 in the morning so I have to get up real early to get my prayer run in.