First off, what got you interested in coaching and how did you get your start?
I grew up around football. My dad was a high school football coach in Humble, Texas and I watched him. He was my hero. I Knew early on that when I was done playing I was going to get into coaching.
At Texas A&M I had great coaches. Mike Sherman, Mike Kubiak, Troy Walters were all there when I played – it was a great staff. I chased playing in the NFL for as long as I could and knew after I wanted to coach. I played for great coaches and took notes from my experiences with each one of them – Marc Trestman, Mike Tomlin, Pete Carroll….I took notes from each one of them.
How did you make that transition from player to coach?
I took private quarterback lessons – I was always fascinated by the mechanics of throwing the ball. I worked with the Nike Elite 11 tour. Backtracking – I left Texas A&M after I tore the rotator cuff in my shoulder. I moved to Dallas and rehabbed with Kevin Murray – Kyler Murray’s dad. That’s when I got introduced to quarterback training. I had to relearn to throw. After I hurt my shoulder my mechanics were so bad it was embarrassing. My pro day and draft prep weren’t good. After my time chasing playing in the NFL I got an internship with the Colts and did that for three years then got hired by Minnesota. I was there for a few years and now I’m with Philadelphia.
As a guy who works so much with quarterbacks – what do you think is the biggest issue in getting quarterbacks NFL ready today? It seems so many are fast-tracked to succeed – how do you develop them?
I think it’s time – there’s a lack of time for quarterbacks to grow – to learn to fail and take lessons from that. There’s a lack of time for coaches who feel the pressure to win now or get fired. There’s a lack of time to practice and get reps now. It’s hard to master the position that quickly. We’re all chasing it – chasing wins. It’s harder to sustain success when you don’t have the luxury of time. I think the industry could do with a lot more patience – it would do everyone a lot of good.
What are the key attributes you value most in a quarterback – especially as a former quarterback?
There are a few. I’d say the first is accuracy – are they a natural thrower. You have to be accurate – I don’t care how good your arm strength is if you’re not accurate. The second- really “One A” is the ability to process information quickly. That’s harder to do but you have to be able to see what the defense is doing and react quickly. The next is mobility – in today’s NFL the defenses are just too good. Plays are going to break down – can you make plays when they do or at least get your offense to the next play safely.
Is arm strength over-rated?
No I don’t think so. It’s important. You don’t think it isn’t – until it is. It all comes down to the player and coaches investing time to really understand what the individual player does well. Every quarterback is different. That’s part of my job – a coach’s job – to find the best way to get the most of what they do best.
How did you get through all of the ups and downs over your career. By my count you played for at least 11 teams across a few different leagues?
Mental toughness and grit. It’s not if but when adversity comes. How you are able to stay calm in those ups and downs is important – you need that mental fortitude and grit. That’s so important for quarterbacks – you’ll have failures. It’s how you respond that matters.
How did you end up in Pittsburgh?
I was benched my last six games of my Senior year – I was the all-time leading passer there and the team captain. But with the injury I put so much bad film on tape. It wasn’t until I moved to Dallas and relearned how to throw that I got back on track. I had to knock on a lot of doors and ask to get looks – I didn’t realize how bad my throwing motion was before then.
But once I got healthy I got a futures lookout in Pittsburgh and threw the ball well. I signed on the spot – they were willing to look at me – they gave me my first opportunity.
What stands out most to you over that time in Pittsburgh?
It was a positive experience. Mike Tomlin was awesome – I actually interviewed for the Steelers offensive coordinator position a couple of years ago. Being there with Byron Leftwich, Ben, Charlie Batch…I soaked up as much as I could playing behind them.
My time in Latrobe – that experience was amazing. Seeing Troy Polamalu’s kids running around – that was great. Tomlin let kids in the locker room – it was my first glance at seeing grown men in the locker room with kids and families. I didn’t attribute that to the NFL before. Seeing Troy’s kids – and Brett Keisel’s kids – I aspired to that for myself. I have a forever memory of that.
How do you describe yourself as a coach?
I always appreciated Mike Tomlin and how he preached accountability and honesty – I liked how he ran his deal. He’d take advice from players but was stern too.
I think of myself as a teacher – I meet players where they are and let them know I care and try and help them to be the best versions of themselves. My job is to enhance what they naturally do well.
What’s the final goal for you?
I’d love to be a head coach one day. I have a view of the game I value and would love to put it on display one day. But it’s a long road to go before that. I’m just enjoying what I’m doing now.
What is that view as it pertains to an offense?
I think everything goes through the eyes of the quarterback. If you can make defenses have to cover every inch of grass that’s important – while allowing the quarterback to still play fast. If you can manipulate the defense and allow the quarterback to play free – that’s the key. You want to make it tough for the defense but the quarterback has to be able to react quickly within the offense. There’s no certain style I bring – but I like to keep it multiple and run things through the eyes of the quarterback.
How important is it as an offensive coach to have played quarterback?
It’s important but it’s not the end all be all. But it does help you to relate to their situations. The human element is really important – being able to diagnose when they are in a moment to see what you can do to help them. I think that ability to communicate with players in situations like that is a strength of mine.