First off, what have you been up to since your time in Pittsburgh?
After I was finished in Pittsburgh I played for two years in the UFL in Florida. After that I started coaching and working and being a father – things like that.
How did you get started in coaching?
My parents started a track team when I was a young kid. When my kid was playing flag football I and some buddies coached his team. My parents always wanted me to coach their track team but I just wasn’t ready yet. It was a big commitment. But after a while I dipped my toes in the water and tried it and realized how fulfilling it was. I loved it and decided then to continue the legacy. I’ve been doing that now for 12 years.
Were there coaches and coaching lessons that influenced your coaching style over your football career?
Of course yeah. Some from negative experiences, some from positive ones.
From a positive standpoint, coaches who are understanding but firm and knowledgeable – those were the ones I really appreciated. The ones who worried about your well-being as a person. I adopted that as a coach. I learned from my mom to lead with love and kindness and compassion. That’s rare for a male coach. But when you do that while still enforcing discipline you’ll find that people will run through walls for you.
The coaches I never appreciated were the ones that tried to make kids feel less-than. I had experiences like that. You shouldn’t have to embarrass kids to make sure they are accountable.
Who were some of the coaches that showed you the best way to do things?
Tomlin – the way he communicated and how knowledgeable he was. He was a great motivator.
My high school coach, Russell Scott, he was a father figure to me. I assumed his defensive backs coaching position at Taylor High School. He was a great mentor to me – he still is. Just mentoring me and giving me tips and knowledge.
Stepping back, what caused you to sign with the Steelers in 2009 as an undrafted free agent?
A scout from the team reached out and said they wanted me there. They were one of a few teams that reached out and unlike those other teams, they told me they could all but guarantee me a spot on the practice squad if I didn’t make the team. They needed a safety there for depth.
I spoke to my agent and he told me that that was a rare opportunity and offer. Now, they were just coming off of a Super Bowl win and I was thinking “Heck no!” at first. I mean, they had Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu there. But I looked more closely and it looked like they could have room behind those guys. They needed depth at safety.
Anyone help you most when you got there?
It’s funny because I just went into him recently – Roy Lewis. He was a fellow safety. He brought his kids recently to my track team to have them sign up. He didn’t even know I was a coach. He looked up and saw me and said “Derrick?!” I was like “Roy?!” We hugged for 10 minutes I think!
He took me under his wing in Pittsburgh. He was a young guy too but he helped me with the playbook and scriptures.
What on and off the field moments stand out most to you there?
On the field, my first interception in camp. We were doing two-a-days and I had a good day – an interception, some big hits. Tomlin told me that if I kept having days like that I’d make it. Dick LeBeau told me that too.
I also got the chance to play against my hometown team – Arizona – in our first preseason game. That was a special moment.
Off the field, the Freshmen hazing and having to sing to the vets. I was so embarrassed – I sang “My Girl
What happened when they let you go in August?
That was one of my most regrettable moments. When they told me I was let go I just left – I didn’t talk to the coaches after I was cut. I spoke to Ray Horton the next day but that was just more informational. He asked me then why I didn’t go see him after I was let go.
I didn’t understand then it was a business. There were injuries on the offensive and defensive lines and because of that I’d be third or so in line for the practice squad. I just wish I spoke to them to Tomlin and my position coach to learn more from them and understand more of what I needed to do.
What stands out most to you of your time in Pittsburgh?
The family environment. I was a Cowboys fan growing up. I was like “Ha, Pittsburgh?” But when I got there you could see it was family owned and run like a family. Tomlin held the vets accountable – he made sure they helped the young dudes. He told them it was their job. That if they weren’t going to help the young guys then don’t talk to them at all. But derailing young guys was not allowed. He told them he’d cut them if he caught them doing that.
I think a different organization doesn’t do that – the culture and class of the organization and comradery was one of the best I had ever seen. They made sure the vets did things the right way.
Oh – and the fandom is crazy. There were more fans at practices then there were at many of my college games! They’d ask me to sign college trading cards from my time at New Mexico State I never even knew existed! It was crazy.
Lastly, knowing what you experienced there, what advice would you give to guys coming in to the NFL today?
I’d say, play your heart out on special teams. That was a regret of mine. In college they had me stop playing on special teams when I was a Sophomore. They wanted to keep me healthy since I was a starter. But you don’t understand that having that special teams experience can be your ticket to making a team in the NFL. You need that experience.
Even if you’re the third safety, if you’re not an asset on special teams you can be cut. I was hesitant on special teams – I hadn’t done it really. So do all you can do early on on special teams – get with your special teams coach and play on special teams.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
