pittsburghsportsdailybulletin – Page 7 – Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

Exclusive with Former Steelers Quarterback Bryan Randall, 2007

First off, I know you’re coaching quarterbacks now at William & Mary – how did that start?

In January I was working at the shipyard – I was out of football – I was coaching basketball as a volunteer but that was it. I wasn’t involved in football.

But then I got a call out of the blue. I didn’t have any conversations with him before, but Coach London at William & Mary called and said they had a job that just opened up coaching quarterbacks there. The other guy just left and Spring ball was starting in a month. He was just calling then to see if I was interested.

I told him I haven’t been looking for a coaching job but if the situation was right I would definitely be interested. We had a conversation and I spoke to my wife afterwards and it all lined up. A day later I gave my two-week notice at the shipyard!

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Exclusive with Pittsburgh Award-Winning Poet Jan Beatty

What are the latest works/efforts you want people to know about?

I finished my most recent book Dragstripping at the end of 2024 – that was my eighth book. I’m working on a new book of poems but I don’t have a name for it yet. I write about the same things as many writers do. In this case I’m writing more about the West. I was out there and love the mountains almost as much as I love steel mills. So I’m doing something to join those two.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers VR Asst/Scout Fawwaz Izzuddin, 2018-2024

First off, can you let me know how you started off with the team?

I was supposed to start as a training camp intern but the team purchased a VR tool in 2018 from a company called Strivr. Omar asked if I wanted to work on that instead since they knew I had video experience and I said “Hell yeah!” Anything to get a role on the team.

How did the team use the VR system?

It was used by the offense – the defense didn’t really use it. We had six go-pro cameras that filmed practices. We’d upload that film and players could put on the VR goggles and look around and hear the sounds from the practices. They could rewind the film to relive plays – look right and left and watch how things developed and what to look out for.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers/Ravens/Browns Defensive Back Corey Ivy

First off, what have you been up to since your playing days?

Right now I’m helping train guys for the combine and pro days. I have a buddy who runs the House of Athletes and I’m working with him when they need me. I’m also supporting my kids in their athletic pursuits as well.

Was the post-NFL transition difficult?

At first it was difficult – you play for 11 years and have the same routine and then you are out of that routine. You feel lost at first and have to re-find your way. But I adapted. You come to the conclusion that you were blessed to play for so long. I didn’t think growing up that I would ever play in the NFL. But once you tell yourself it’s over you can then start to find your way again.

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Exclusive with Author Steve Massey: Revolution: The Transformation of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL

First, tell us a bit about you – your writing career, etc?

I’m a retired school teacher – originally from Mississippi. I taught in Georgia and North Carolina and grew up a Steelers fan.I stuck with them throughout my life. I read all I could on the team at an early age – that’s how I got going early on in my research.

Once I was done with my career I could spend more time on writing.

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Exclusive with Pittsburgh Artist Ray Sokolowski

Are there projects you want to talk about that you are working on now?

For the last few years I have been working with oil painting – pictures of events and people that I have personally had the experience of getting to know a little about their lives.

My work can be seen here: https://www.raysokolowski.com.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Elgin Davis, 1989

First off, what have you been up to since the NFL?

After that last season in Pittsburgh ended in 1990, I went to Canada and played for a year with Winnipeg. I had an injury since college that affected me throughout my time playing. I was only 25 and had a lot left in the tank but my hamstring injury just wouldn’t go away. As a running back and speed guy, that’s your bread and butter. It was frustrating having to stop.

It was disturbing to me – it challenged me spiritually and mentally. I signed with the London Monarchs of the WFL – that was a great opportunity for players needing another chance. But my injury never healed – each pull got worse.

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Exclusive with Steelers Kicker Norm Johnson, 1995-1998

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself now?

Well, it’s a loaded question because I’m involved in a new venture. I’m working with a telecom company. This will disrupt the industry like Uber did for transportation. We sell sim cards – charge users $300 only and buyers get unlimited text and data and phone use for nine years. Including international use. The site is tearupyourphonebill.com and we’re reaching all over the globe.

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Exclusive with Pittsburgh Musician Frank Czuri of the Silencers, Diamond Reo and The Jaggerz

What have you been up to – still making music?

Well before Diamond Reo broke up, we did some demos. I didn’t think that much of them – I thought my voice sounded like I swallowed a scarf. But Norman {Nardini} tried to get the demos digitized and played the demo for a guy who knew a guy who gave them to Bryce Foster. Bryce went nuts over them and remixed them and made it come alive. He brought it to life.

So those have been released just recently. Gregg Kostelich with the Cynics – they were big in Europe and he’s helped to push it. He has a zillion contacts.

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Exclusive with Former Pittsburgh Spirit, Stinger Player and Riverhounds Coach Paul Child

First off, what are you up to now?

I’m retired now – I’m getting old! I worked with the Riverhounds and enjoy going to as many of those games as I can. It’s good to keep in touch with them but I retired about three years ago. I hope they rebuild the stadium in a few years. I did youth development in the Pittsburgh area for them and worked at Point Park College for a bit with my son. When I was out of it I worked at Allegheny Millwork as a project manager.

At 73 I’d love to still work with the kids but it takes my body too long to recover! I still do some coaching on the side with the Riverhounds. It’s been interesting to see how much soccer has grown in the United States in the past 35 years. That’s why I came to the states and played in the ASL – to promote the game. It makes me feel good to see how far it’s come.

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