Former FAU defensive back describes Corey Bell’s time with the Owls

During his four years at FAU, DJ Juste saw time at multiple positions, including quarterback, wide receiver and then cornerback during much of the second half of his collegiate career.

When playing on defense, Juste spent plenty of time in the meeting room with Florida Atlantic defensive backs coach Corey Bell, who recently accepted a role on Florida’s staff to coach the secondary and replace Torrian Gray. Bell was at USF for just one month after coaching for FAU for three seasons from 2014-16.

Juste was there for all of them with Bell, who primarily worked with the cornerbacks during his time in Boca Raton on Charlie Patridge’s staff.

“He’s really straight down to the point,” Juste said. “He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He’s straight up from the get-go. He doesn’t feel sorry for anybody. He wants the best player to play. He’s always trying to perfect people in their craft. As a family person he has two daughters, he loves them to death. He’s big on his daughters. All about respect and everything.”

As far as his coaching style, Juste said Bell’s defensive backs at FAU played a lot of man – and the defense was in nickel quite often to combat spread offenses that were common in the Conference USA.