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First off, can you let us know how you got started as a coach?

I just gave up coaching this year to become the Athletic Coordinator here in Houston for Stephen F. Austin High School.

When the Steelers released me in 1988, I had a couple of tryouts with Buffalo and Cleveland but those didn’t work out. I did a couple of Summer camps in Arkansas when Jack Crowe was the head coach and got to know him. After that I became a graduate assistant there for two years.

After that I got a job at Chatanooga under Buddy Nix – we played Clemson that year. Well, we did not win that game!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End Theo Young, 1987-1988”

First off, after a successful UFL season, what’s next for you?

Well right now I’m headed back to California and continuing to train and rehab. I’m just waiting to get a call really – waiting to hear from an NFL team.

What went right for you in the UFL this season to cause you to have such a big season?

I felt like I would have a good year. It was my third year in the system and I felt great. I gained confidence over the years and improved my pass catching and route running. I started producing more because of that.

I also think I’m attacking the ball more now – getting it at it’s high point now. That’s led to me getting a lot more catches and yards after the catch. Teams were changing the way they were covering me after a while.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Tyler Vaughns, 2021-2022”

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with your time since working for the Steelers?

Since I left the Steelers I spent 16 years as a financial planner then the last seven as a table games dealer at the Meadows in Washington, PA.

How and when did you get started working for the Steelers organization?

I was a trainer in high school for three years, then I worked for Don Lowe at Kent State, one of the best college trainers at the time in the US. That was in ’74 – Lambert’s last year there. Don James was the head coach and Lou Saban was the assistant there – so I got a lot of good contacts and worked with a lot of good players.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Assistant Trainer Gary Stragar, 1981-1985”

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

I had so many injuries when I played. Unfortunately, my career wasn’t what I wanted it to be because of the injuries.

So after football, I took a liking to training kids and helping them. That’s what I’ve been up to – training kids on their football speed and conditioning. Helping them from that standpoint.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Damon Mays, 2005”

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

I’m the business development manager for a company that sells insurance and brokers it for the Alabama and Mississippi area. I work with retail and broker agencies to sell insurance.

How was that transition for you?

I struggled after football – I can’t remember the last time I picked up a football. After Pittsburgh I played in the CFL then the Arena League. I tore my PCL in the Arena League – it all went the opposite direction of my dream.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Steven Black, 2009”

First off, can you let us know what you’re up to now?

Right now I’m consulting. In the Spring I work with the UFL – I go to camps and evaluate players – the offensive linemen. I try to help them get placed in the NFL. Especially during training camp, NFL teams would often rather have an experienced lineman in camp than a college free agent that’s still green.

Then afterwards I work for Boise State – I go to camp and help them evaluate their offensive linemen and do some advanced scouting of their opponents’ front sevens and give them ideas on run schemes. Most of it is remote – with the multiple surgeries I’ve had on my spine that’s been beneficial to me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Line Coach Sean Kugler, 2010-2012”

First, what made you decide to become a college football coach?

I really didn’t think I’d want to become a coach. I decided to go to Butler, my old school, and see some practices and games. Coach Vignery there told me then that he had a running back job open on his coaching staff if I wanted it. I went back home and thought about it. I knew the time it took to be a college coach, but I decided to go do it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Dreamius Smith, 2015-2016”