First, can you tell readers about your post-NFL career as you establish your coaching career?

After I finished with the NFL I became a graduate assistant Coach at Old Dominion University, coaching the offensive line, I was there for three years and ended up as the tight ends coach and offensive line graduate assistant while getting my Masters. Now, I’m working as the graduate assistant coaching the offensive line at the University of Washington.

Who helped shape your coaching mindset, and how so?

I blended my coaching philosophy from my college and NFL coaches. Sean Kugler taught me certain drills and just how to handle myself in situations. He also showed me how to prepare – how to watch film, take notes, and break down an opponent. Those were the main things.

Coming out of North Carolina, you ended up going undrafted. Did that surprise you – what did your agent tell you?

My agent said my grade had me going at the end of the draft maybe. So I was expecting either. I was watching the draft and checked off the offensive linemen as they got drafted, It was an educational experience, I saw who got drafted and where to see who needed an offensive lineman most when the draft was over.

I chose to sign with the Steelers because they didn’t draft a big, tall tackle that year – no one with that true tackle type of body.

Who helped you as a rookie to adjust to the NFL, and how?

It was a combination of the entire offensive line. They all helped me as a young guy – they explained to me how to handle myself. That it was a job now, no just a sport. They helped me to navigate that.

Doug Legursky helped me out the most. I got closest to him.

Because he’s been there as an undrafted free agent too?

Maybe yeah? He was there before so helped me out to do the same.

You made the practice squad as a rookie. What did the coaches tell you you needed to work on to take that next step?

I needed to refine my technique. I was tall but I was still the third lightest offensive lineman, so they wanted me to gain weight. I was 310 pounds and they wanted me to get up to 330 – to get bigger.

On the practice squad, they wanted me to play as the other team’s players and get the defense ready. I also helped then get the right looks for special teams. My job was to make sure they played better and were prepared.

Who were some of the toughest guys you faced in practice and on game days?

Harrison, obviously. He had no off switch. He was always rolling. Also, a guy I used to play with in college – Robert Quinn, who’s with the Rams now. I’d have to face him every day in practice. I knew he’d be a first round pick – I knew I’d get my ass whipped but it made it easier for me on Saturdays!

Did Harrison’s size make him tougher to block for you?

100% so. With tall offensive linemen, you have to go down to his level, and that’s a lot of bending at the waist. And we was so strong he could get underneath you and lift you up a little. He was a strong cat.

What part did humor play during your time in Pittsburgh?

There were the typical practical jokes and locker room games – shooting balls of tape from far away into the trash can… Troy was a jokester, He always did little things – nothing I can remember – to get people laughing.

You were released after your second season. What did the coaches tell you about why and how did you respond?

When I was released they just told me they were going in a different direction. Sometimes you can see the writing on the wall but I didn’t know for sure – I was in-between. It’s a business – players take it more personally than the organization.

I could have gone to the CFL afterwards,  but I wanted to get into coaching,

Why coaching?

It just felt like a natural fit for me. I was always a student of the game – the intellectual part came pretty easy for me, and that’s what coaching is.

As a former player and now coach, what advice would you give players entering the game today?

I’d say to try and keep in the game, to understand that it’s a business. You have to play for your livelihood – other teams are looking. It’s a job – treat it like one.

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