First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?
I’ve been here at the St. George Independent School for over 10 years now. I started as a fifth-grade associate then moved on to become the Dean of the Middle School, then five years ago I became the Assistant Athletic Director and Head Coach of the football team.
It’s been a great journey – it’s a great school.
Were there any coaches that influenced how you approach coaching today?
I played for some great coaches. Bill Cowher, Marvin Lewis, Marty Schottenheimer, Gregg Williams in the NFL, and Phillip Fulmer at Tennessee. They were for the most part all personable people and I try to carry that into my coaching. That lets me connect with the kids and learn who they are. It’s tough if you don’t connect with them like that.
How is coaching at that level different than coaching at a professional level for you?
At the professional level it’s more of a job – if you don’t win you won’t be there. At the high school level you get to experience the kids growing and maturing. It’s a lot more fun and way less stress! It’s a very different experience.
Who helped mentor you when you first got the NFL with Washington?
Darrell Green, Champ Bailey and Fred Smoot were all there. I was lucky to get to play with Darrell – that was his last season in the NFL.
We all still talk. Those relationships are always strong when you experience things as a team. It’s a brotherhood that stays forever.
How did they help you?
The preparation was the biggest thing. That was a positive for me as a rookie – I saw how they prepared. How they studied and watched film. I didn’t realize how much detail there was before that. Just the tempo is so different from the college to the professional level. Obviously we studied film in college but in the NFL it’s a whole different level. Everyone is good in the NFL so you have to study much more. We met before and after practice and that helped a lot.
How did you end up in Pittsburgh in 2006?
My agent called and told me Pittsburgh wanted to sign me. It’s funny because it was near the end of the season – they had some injuries I think. But I fit right into that defense – I played in the fire zone defense for Gregg Williams, so I could pick it up again quickly.
Were the Steelers different from other organizations you played for? How so?
It was one of the most professional organizations I ever played for. The owners and coaches were all personable. Cowher was awesome.
When you say that it was “more professional”, what does that mean exactly?
It means that everyone knows everyone – high or low on the organization, everyone talks to you and knows you. They all talk to each other and acknowledge each other. It means a lot as a player. I mean, we all know it’s a job, but seeing guys get acknowledged, even film room guys – and even for the little things – it makes it a better place to play.
Who helped welcome you in to the team?
I knew Ryan Clark from Washington and Cedric Wilson was my old high school teammate. They took me under their wings and just told me to be who I was. That I was there for a reason.
You spoke earlier about the fire-zone defense. How much fun is that for a defensive player and what makes it more effective?
The defense was always special in Pittsburgh – it was fun to be a part of that and step right in. LeBeau was the greatest fire zone defensive coordinator in the NFL so playing for him was great.
I love the fire zone defense because you move around a lot. There’s so much you do to disguise coverages. In the Cover 3, Cover 4, or even in Cover 2, it gets kind of old. It’s harder for quarterbacks to figure out a fire zone defense.
What made you decide to leave the game after that season?
I was deciding whether or not to come back but then I got an opportunity to coach in NFL Europe, in Frankfurt. That’s how my coaching career got started. It was a good experience. A lot of people regret when they leave the game but I have no regrets. I’m having fun trying to mentor kids and change lives.
Do you like the way the NFL has changed since you played?
I don’t like it now. I was a physical player when I played. I know they pay quarterbacks a lot and are trying to protect them more, but it takes away a lot of things from the game and the way defenses can play. I don’t know how you can avoid some of these personal fouls they call – when guys land on quarterbacks and stuff like that. It’s made the game a lot softer.
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