First off, how/why did you get your start in coaching?
I just wanted the opportunity to impact young people’s lives. The things that happened for me as a player – the coaches that impacted my life like Dick Hoak, Tony Dungy, Dennis Green….they added to my experiences and I wanted to do the same for others.
They taught me that you need to find out who you are as a person. Herm Edwards and Tye Willingham – they showed me that you have to be able to communicate well – to give others the space to communicate and share with you.
How important is it as a coach – especially position coach – to have played the position professionally as you have for so many years?
I’m not sure it matters a lot. Teaching is teaching. Playing adds value to what you bring to the people you coach – and credibility. But I don’t think it’s a prerequisite to being a good coach. You have to be able to make complicated things simple and communicate well – that’s about knowing how to teach. That’s the most important thing.
You’ve been very involved in player development and welfare – as the Senior Associate A.D. for Student-Athlete Development and Welfare at Arizona State and 15 years with the NFLPA. What are the issues you see players encountering most at the pro level now you would like to see addressed?
I think money of course has changed some things, but it’s still about relationship development. I still think there are guys out there that want to be developed. It’s about recruiting the right people – the ones that have talent and character who want to be developed and improve.
But at the pro level – football is still football. It will always evolve. There used to be 28 teams, now there are 32. They moved field goals back…it’s always evolving and that’s a good thing.
Were you surprised the Steelers drafted you in ’92? How did you find out?
Bill Cowher called me. It was awesome – one of the most incredible days of my life. If I didn’t start my career in Pittsburgh I would never have gotten the manuscript for physicality in the NFL. Being there with guys like Dermontti Dawson, Greg Lloyd, Carnell Lake, Hardy Nickerson – that gave me the manuscript to be a pro.
Who there helped mentor you then – and how?
Rod Woodson – I just sent him a graphic of his stats the other day – he was so much better than he got credit for. He had a wife and family – I just had a kid – he helped show me how to be a father. He taught me that you always need to date your wife.
Solomon Wilcots mentored me too – he came to the dark side – to Pittsburgh, from Cincinnati! He helped show me how to be a pro. Marvin Lewis was a rookie coach when I was a rookie. He still calls me “Buck”!
Dick Hoak was serous but funny too. He was caring – a dad and a husband. He focused on performance and details – he was a great communicator who was all about you as a player – it wasn’t personal.
They had Barry Foster, Merril Hoge, Warren Williams, Tim Worley and Leroy Thompson there at the time – how hard was it to get reps and how do you navigate that?
You had to do more – I had to cover kicks on special teams. I left Pittsburgh on my own. I had a kid – I didn’t want to leave but I got the opportunity to be on the active roster with the Jets and played in a few games and made more money. I knew I was a good player I just needed an opportunity.
Pat Kirwan coached against me in high school and was with the Jets. They signed me off of Pittsburgh’s practice squad. It was all new then in New York – Pete Carroll was the new coach there. It’s funny – in preseason the next year I got to play against the Steelers. It was fun to see those guys again. Pittsburgh was just unique though. They still claimed me as a Steeler – they still send me birthday cards and their newsletter.
Any good/fun experiences on the field as a Steeler that stand out?
Training camps in Latrobe were incredible. All those great players that were there like David Little, Louis Lipps….Guys I watched when I was in high school! Darren Perry was my roommate then at the Allegheny Center- and I drove Solomon Wilcots to practice every day!
The veterans helped teach me how to handle business. They treated football like a business in Pittsburgh. Guys like Hardy Nickerson – he was so under-rated. When Rod held out I was thinking “What are you doing?” I needed all the money I could get!
One funny thing – they called the end of the locker room where they had all the rookie lockers “The ghetto”. And they still had cigarette holders next to the lockers!
I was in grad school at the time I was there too – so in-between practices I was reading and typing up papers! It wasn’t easy but that’s just what you had to do.
Merril and Barry also took me to get boots. I was a New York guy – but they took me to get black lizard boots! Merril later introduced me to Garth Brooks – I’m not sure how he knew him but we went to a Garth Brooks concert and he introduced us there.
How much with a position like running back does scheme and fit impact your ability to make a squad – especially as a rookie?
I played fullback at Ohio State – Pittsburgh wanted tough, physical backs and when you look at those guys in Pittsburgh – they were all physical dudes. Barry Foster used to be a fullback and Merril could do anything and was very physical.
Ron Earhardt was our offensive coordinator which was hilarious – he was such a cool, older dude. Between he, Tom Moore, Bobby April, Dom Capers – those were seasoned coaches. Being around guys of that ilk changes you.
What’s the dream for you moving forward – do you want to coach in the NFL?
I’m blessed to be where I am – I never thought I’d have my own running backs room. If I can lead men that’s what I want and love to do. I love coaching with Coach Fisch and the staff is amazing. For the foreseeable future I want to be the running backs coach at the University of Washington. I have no desire to coach at the pro level. I love being here and forming genuine relationships with players. I will be great where my feet are.