Author: pittsburghsportsdailybulletin

First off, how did you get into scouting?

I started in January of ’79. A BLESTO guy that coached me at Villanova later hired me as a coach at Austin Peay. When he went to BLESTO he asked me to come on and so I was there for three and a half years. I met people then and used that to help start and navigate my career from there.

It’s not all glamour – a lot of travel and roadwork. What’s been the hardest  part of the business?

It’s not the travel. The hardest part is getting all the reports done and in on time. When I was at BLESTO it was all handwritten on those carbon copy sheets. You kept one sheet and sent the other two to the office and coaches. You had to write hard enough to make sure it went through all three copies and make sure not to smudge those!

Continue reading “Exclusive: Rick Reiprish, Steelers Senior Scout, 2015-2022”

First, why choose Pittsburgh as your free agent  destination?

I felt like it was the best situation for me at that moment. My agent and I were talking about it and they gave me the best signing bonus and, looking at the running back room, there was some good competition there.

After Najee there seems to be a real competition at running back, like you said. Do you look at the roster a lot still? Do you pay attention to that?

It’s more a “what happens happens” kind of thing. I’m just going to go there and put my best foot forward and do what the coaches want me to do. It’s a good room to learn from.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Jaylen Warren”

First, can you talk about your coaching career – how you got started and when?

I got into coaching as a graduate student when I was at Pitt. I coached the JV squad while I was working on my graduate work. Warren McGuirk brought me in to play for Vic Fusia. Vic was a former Pitt coach so he knew me from there.

You were a legendary high school coach in Boston at St. Johns Prep – who helped shape your approach to coaching and how?

John Michelosen at Pitt – he was a quiet guy. I wouldn’t say stern, but he was a hard guy. I knew I wasn’t going to be an easy coach – I wanted to win. That was all there was to it for me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Punter/end Fred Glatz, 1956”

First – why sign with Pittsburgh and how did that occur?

I was a free agent and was just at home working out, honestly, when I got a call from my agent saying Pittsburgh wanted me to come in. I had a tryout for the Bears in June but that didn’t work out. I went to Pittsburgh and passed the physical and am hitting the ground running and have my nose in the playbook now.

You’ve got some stuff that you do for the community outside of football right?

I have a scholarship program I do every June and a backpack drive as well back home. I started those my rookie year. I don’t have a foundation yet but that’s the goal eventually.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Tackle Trenton Scott”

First, I know you’re involved with NASCAR now – how did that happen?

Well, after the NFL I went to Canada for two years, but I found out then that Canada wasn’t it for me – I wasn’t enjoying it.

I was living in Charlotte, North Carolina – that’s where the national headquarters of NASCAR is. I grew up in Lamar, a short distance away. My friend was involved in NASCAR and when he heard I was back he asked if I would be interested in trying out the crew side of NASCAR. I had no idea about NASCAR – even though I grew up right there, I never watched it or anything. But I gave it a try.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Marshall McFadden, 2012”

First, tell me about your post-NFL work and how you got started in that?

I’m a police officer. I used to work for the Tampa Bay Police Department and now work for the public school system.

I figured I’d give it a try. We were all about helping others when we played football so it was something I wanted to do when I was done as well.

Was the post-NFL transition difficult?

Not for me. I was always thinking about life after football. I wasn’t what you’d call an elite player and wasn’t being given a big tv contract after I was done.  I knew I had to find something to do after football eventually and was prepared for it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back/Return Man Donnie Elder, 1986”

So first off, what made you decide to sign with the Steelers as a free agent?

They were the first to reach out to me – they reached out before the seventh round and told me they wanted to sign me to a free agent contract if I wasn’t drafted. They called my agent first and he gave them the permission to call me. They FaceTimed me after that and offered some incentives that other teams didn’t, so they were the clear choice after that.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Tackle Jordan Tucker”

First, beyond the local connection, why did you choose to sign with the Steelers?

They called my agent – it was around the middle of the sixth round or so. They told him that if I wasn’t drafted they’d want to sign me.

I just think the Steelers fit my playing style and mindset. And of course it’s a dream come true to play for my hometown team. I didn’t think it was a real possibility though. There are 32 teams so I figured another team would get me.

Continue reading “Exclusive: Steelers Defensive Lineman Donovan Jeter”