First, tell me how you got into coaching and some of the lessons you’ve taken away from some of the coaches you played for and worked with?
I got into coaching back in 2001 at the collegiate level, My old coach Paul Schudel at Michigan became the head coach at Central Connecticut State and called and asked if I’d be interested in coaching with him, and I took that opportunity. Ever since I’ve been involved in college coaching.
Coach Noll – he was one of the guys actually that I learned a lot from. His presence was s0 cool, calm and collected. I don’t get visibly upset either- I can give that look and people kind of know. But I don’t get too angry.
Lloyd Carr and Bo Schembechler – they helped me to become the person I am today as well as a coach. They helped show me how to get the best effort out of guys to0- to get the best from people and to keep my poise.
Stepping back – were you aware the Steelers had interest in you when they drafted you – and how did you find out you were drafted?
Actually, a day or two before the draft Coach Fox came down to work me out at my pro day – the Giants and Dolphins were there too. Then I drove back to my hometown in Warren, Ohio for the draft. About four minutes before the 118th pick the Steelers called me – I think it was Mr. Rooney – and asked if I wanted to be drafted by the Steelers. I said “Sure!”
Who helped take you under their wing as a rookie – on and off the field?
Delton Hall – he did – and Dwayne Woodruff as one of the older guys did too. They just told me there were some things I had to do to make it – to follow suit. It was mostly about the approach to the game at the NFL level. You have to take it more seriously and commit yourself to it. It’s a business – you have to sacrifice things you’re not used to having to sacrifice.
How were you able to contribute your rookie season?
Mostly on special teams – on kickoff and punt returns – everything except field goals really. I played about 80% on special teams.
What did you need to work on most as a rookie to improve?
Probably most of it was on my man-to-man technique – my ability to do that. In Michigan we played a lot of zone. Rod Woodson helped me a lot – as did Delton. A lot of work on pressing guys on the line – the little things that mean a lot at this level.
That was the year the Steelers started off pretty rough but turned it around and made the playoffs, What was behind that turnaround?
We started off losing to Cleveland 51-0, yeah – and got beat up pretty good by Cincinnati after that. It opened up a lot of eyes – we all had to ask ourselves what was going on. Somehow we had to figure the situation out. As a rookie it was an eye-opener to me. Was it like this before? How was my play – was I getting the job done? I was worried they may make some early cuts to open up some eyes.
The leadership of the older guys like Bubby, Merril, Woodruff and Dermontti pulled us together – they brought us together. Lloyd, Nickerson – they did too. They just made us understand that we had to play our butts off and give more effort – to dig deeper. We had enough talent there – we just had to work harder and figure out how to win close games. Soon the momentum changed and we hit .500 – and eventually we made the playoffs.
Any memories stand out to you most of your time there?
I had my first child that year. My wife was in labor in Ann Arbor while I was in Pittsburgh – I remember getting the call in the early afternoon after work. I waited around in the lobby of Three Rivers early the next morning, around 5 a.m. when Coach Noll walked in. He asked me what the hell I was doing there that early, and I told him I got the call yesterday that my wife was in labor. He asked what I was still doing here then, and I told him I was a rookie – I just couldn’t leave – I needed his permission first. He said no – just go and make sure everyone was OK and healthy. As I was leaving he said “Hey – make sure you bring all of us back some cigars!” It was just like the Mean Joe Pepsi commercial!
And I also remember hanging out with the guys and making the play9offs – and how exciting it was to be in that playoff atmosphere – playing at that level.
You were there for one season – what happened after that season?
I was a Plan B free agent – picked up by Houston. I stayed there through training camp then they released me. I went and played for Hamilton in the CFL then for Scotland of the World Football League, where we won a championship. I tried to come back after that to the NFL – I got a call in 1999 by Nick Saban in Cleveland asking if I’d come to camp and try out, but I had a bout with cancer and couldn’t do it. I think it was God’s way of telling me it was time.
What do you enjoy most now as a coach?
I coach for Division III school – Bethany College just 45 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. There are actually some ties the Rooneys have with the school – I think one of the Rooneys married someone who is affiliated with the school.
I watch NFL films with the kids here – they get a kick out of that. I try to teach them what I learned and try to modernize it for them. I’m happy I’m here – contributing to the manhood and womenhood of the students here – I counsel a lot of different people in my role. I enjoy that. I just want to continue to develop myself and help guide others along as well.
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