First off, why coaching and what’s your ultimate coaching goal/wish?
I wanted to develop guys. I love the game – I always had a passion for the game of football.
After the NFL I was in the ministry as a youth pastor. I was content and happy trying to make a difference with the kids then.
Then Dabo Sweeney – he was the head coach at Clemson at the time – he called me. I was still active in the Clemson community. He said “Listen. Do what you’re doing, developing young men. Just do it in the game of football.” He told me I’d be a great coach. The seed was planted for me to coach already by Dan Brooks, my position coach at Clemson. He told me that I connected well with players and was a great teacher. And coaching is teaching.
What’s the next step for you?
I just want to keep developing guys. That’s why I got into this. I loved the grind as a player. The locker room, strength conditioning – I loved it all. Coach Venable – he was my defensive line coach when I was at Cflemson – he made me love the game. He showed me the game was chess, not checkers. You could really make a person or group better on or off the field by giving them love and techniques – and by the pressure you apply and the expectations you demand of them.
I always wanted to be a defensive line coach first and foremost. I’m content to do that and to become the best defensive line coach in the country. If the Good Lord has something more in store for me so be it – I just want to be prepared for it if so. I keep a little book that I write down all of my thoughts and ideas – big picture stuff if I ever do become a head coach someday.
As a Latin American in coaching, considering there’s not a ton – how important is that to represent that community in coaching?
It’s funny – I’m not actually Latin American. I’m a mixed bag. My mom is White and my dad is Black and part American Indian. I guess you can say I’m multi-racial. My mom just named me Miguel because she liked the name. When people hear my name is Miguel they often come up to me and speak Spanish. I’m like “Dude. No Habla!”
So I don’t think of things like that, even though I am still multi-racial. Maybe because I am multi-racial I don’t think of things in terms of ethnicity. I just want to be judged on the content of my character not the color of my skin. I just want to be the best defensive line coach and develop kids, and to raise my own kids well. All I do is for God, family and players.
You often speak of your faith as having a great impact on you – how has it helped and what did you feel you were missing even as a player?
Former Steeler and Clemson player Tyler Grisham was the first Christian I met in college who was living out his faith. He had a light around him. He didn’t live in a fairytale land or anything – he just handled many difficult things in an amazing way.
I had philosophical questions about life like many young people do. I was trying to make sense of things and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus helped me to do that. It helped me improve as a coach.
How so?
I coach with a conscience. I don’t do this for the money – through my beliefs I coach to be fair and make sure not to screw over players. I don’t always get it right – but I was taught to be impartial in life. You don’t have to believe what I believe as a player – I tell my players that. I won’t start the best two Christians – I’ll start the best defensive linemen regardless of their beliefs. Football is a beautiful thing – there are so many different people from so many different backgrounds. People with different beliefs and personalities – even in just one position room. That is what makes the game so great.
Stepping back – in 2011 you signed an UDFA contract with the Steelers – why Pittsburgh?
It was that defense they ran. Watching guys like Brett Keisel, Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, LaMarr Woodley, Troy Polamalu… Those dudes were special. I was raised a Cowboys fan but we all knew who the Steelers were. And I liked the 3-4 defense – it fit my body type. It just made the most sense for me there. I was there for a cup of coffee but had fun there.
Who helped mentor you and took you under their wing – and what did they teach you there?
It was interesting. The kindest person there was Troy Polamalu. He knew my name when I got there – I was this undrafted free agent from Clemson and he knew who I was. The first day of camp he had his family there – I respected that. That had an impact on me.
The defensive line though was so deep – I just didn’t have enough opportunity. I told Tomlin I’d do anything to make the team. Kickoffs, kick returns, punt returns, anything. I’d go to the special teams meetings even though I wasn’t invited to them.
Tomlin came up to me one day and asked if I’d play tight end. He told me they were just too deep at defensive line but I could try to make the team as a tight end. I said “Yes.” Heath Miller was amazing – I was amazed at how professional he was. He was not a loud, “rah rah” kind of guy, but he would talk to you whenever you needed anything. I was impressed with how he practiced and respected the game.
How did you manage that tight end transition?
I weighed 293 pounds – I was probably the heaviest tight end in preseason! I lost some weight but then I got hurt against the Falcons recovering a fumble. I tore my pec and went on IR. I rehabbed and came back and they moved me back to the defensive line but I was released after that.
What are the best/most poignant or funny memories of your time there?
Just spending time with Coach Tomlin. The Steelers fanbase is amazing – the culture and love they have for the black and yellow. When I first ran on to Heinz Field it was like a movie. I felt that if I never played football again I was good – it was like a dream. That I did it. I played in the NFL.
Then playing on Heinz Field. Then hitting a quarterback while on Heinz Field!
What was your impression of Coach Tomlin that affected you so much?
I got to know him at Clemson because he would go to pro days there every year and we’d talk. He has such a love for his players. He’s the ultimate player’s coach. He has a great ability to relate to his players and tell them the truth. That’s hard for a lot of coaches. He has great passion and juice for the game. He knows the game. He knows ball. The time he takes with guys to know them and talk with them is special.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
