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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

Stephen Tuck is enjoying the change of pace.

During his time at LaGrange High, Tuck has been exclusively a basketball coach, and since the 2016-2017 season he has been the head coach of the girls’ team.

This summer, though, Tuck has taken on a new role at the school as the wide-receivers coach on the football team.

Tuck has been working closely with the wide receivers since summer workouts began on June 8, and it has been a fun ride.

“It gives me a different feeling,” Tuck said. “I enjoy being out there just working with the Xs and O, and being one of the guys. I told (head coach Matt) Napier, I’m enjoying just being one of the coaches again.”

Tuck, an Albany native, was an outstanding wide receiver at LaGrange College, and when he graduated in 2011 he was the program’s all-time leading receiver with 1,275 yards.

When Tuck began coaching at LaGrange High he was an assistant on the girls’ basketball team, and when head coach Jan Fendley left, he was promoted to the top job.

Napier, who is in his first season as LaGrange’s head coach, is happy to have Tuck on board.

“They’re really growing under coach Tuck,” Napier said. “Coach Tuck is doing a great job. He’s a great addition to the staff.”

Tuck is leading a wide-receiver unit that includes senior A.J. Traylor, who was one of LaGrange’s top offensive play-makers last year.

“He’s a super-talented kid,” Napier said of Traylor. “He’s physical, and he makes plays on the deep ball really well.”

Other receivers include Javon Brown, Tristan Smith and Jalen Jordan, and Napier believes there’s a lot of potential at that position.

“We’ve just got to develop those guys into players, and repetition is the key to that, and they’re one of the hardest-working groups on our team,” Napier said.