First off, I know you’ve been coaching now – tell me how you got started doing that?
It started in the area where I live in Atlanta. My oldest boy was in sixth grade -he was in middle school, and my youngest was in second grade. I was the dad taking his kids to practice and watching from the sidelines when word got out that I was there. Coach Brunner came up to me and asked if I wanted to get involved in coaching then.
I was retired so I figured I’d try it out, and I’ve been loving it since. I started at the middle school level but now I moved up to high school.
Any coaching lessons over your career stand out most to you now as a coach?
As a coach it feels like nobody creates enough – it feels like it’s all been done before. The best way to coach for me has been to fall back on my prior teaching and coaching that I had as a player.
Darren Perry – he was my coach at Green Bay and I fall back now to how he was in meetings, and to what he said to me when he learned I was coaching and called me. He told me the biggest thing he could tell me was to coach guys up, don’t tear them down. To build them up, not to demoralize them.
You were a terrific track athlete in high school – did you ever consider that over football?
No – it was always football – that was my first love and passion. My older brother was eight years older than I am – he ran track and came back to the high school to coach. He told me that to become a better football player I needed to run track. That motivated me to do it.
How did track help you?
It’s not just about improving speed – speed is often a natural gift. Running track – it tones y0u up. It teaches you form. To strike the ground correctly and to have a good turnover. To come out sprinting with the right technique and build endurance. It shows you how to run the right way.
Stepping back – why did you choose to sign with the Steelers in 2018?
I felt like certain franchises are just historic. Green Bay was like that – and Pittsburgh too – you could see it through history. They are both historic franchises who had great players put on the uniform before me.
I was blessed, looking back on my career. I played for two of the best historic franchises in history. Putting on these colors meant a lot.
Did any of those guys in Pittsburgh show you the ropes in Pittsburgh and help the adjustment?
I knew a lot of the guys there. Joe Haden and I played in the high school all-star game together. Pouncey and I came up in the same draft class. I knew Hilton, and Cam Heyward and I played in the high school Super 11. Cam Sutton was from my hometown too and Coty Sensabaugh and I – we grew up together.
I didn’t really need much help – coming in I knew how to carry myself as a veteran player. You know you have to come in and do your job or lose your job. I didn’t need to be shown the way – I knew the standard.
I know that season you were frustrated at how some things went there. What happened to create that frustration?
I don’t think there’s anyone to blame. That’s just the competitive nature you have as a player. We all want to be on the field all the time. If you don’t feel that way you shouldn’t be in the NFL.
No one promised me anything that they didn’t deliver. It was just the competitiveness in me. The structure of the defense just meant that you didn’t always get on the field. It was nothing against anyone – just a lot of good athletes.
As a coach now, does that experience affect the way you work with players?
Definitely. As a coach now I understand tough decisions. I get it now – sometimes guys are just not going to be happy with a decision. If a player is cool with not playing I’d question it. I want guys to be passionate when they don’t get to play. I definitely understand that.
Any fun memories of your time in Pittsburgh stand out most to you?
Most are the locker room memories- being around the guys. The pre-game meals – getting to know each other.
On gamedays, running out on the field and seeing the black and yellow in the crowd. That experience at home – just so much history there. It was an honor to represent the team and those form those bonds with your brothers in the locker room.
The rapping in the locker room was fun too. A lot of freestyle. Bud Dupree loved to rap – he was another Georgia guy. It was cool to see the talent the guys had outside of football.
Any on-field memories stand out?
The last game of the season we finished with a big win versus the Bengals. The Ravens won so we didn’t end up making the playoffs, but we did our part in that game and gave ourselves a chance.
When you look at your time in Pittsburgh, how different was that team versus others you played for?
Pittsburgh and Green Bay were the same – the standard for both was not just winning – it was the Super Bowl. That and nothing else. That’s what made both great at the end of the day.
You went to Cleveland after Pittsburgh – what was that like, going to a division rival of the Steelers?
There were a lot of familiar faces there – Ken Dorsey was there when I was in Green Bay too. They had a loyal fanbase there and some great talent as well. It was a good experience and chance to add a year to my career.
What did the Steelers say to you after the 2018 season?
The conversation throughout the year was always about me getting released to continue playing as a safety elsewhere. It was always a supportive conversation – they were never bad. They just wanted me to have a better opportunity after the season – it was all love.
What are your coaching goals now – is there a level of coaching that appeals to you most? Each had it’s own advantages and challenges right?
I’m open. I never thought I’d love coaching. I’m open to whatever the future holds. I enjoy learning from other coaches and just enjoy being a student of the game.
Like you said, there are three different levels that have their advantages. High school is more about mentoring and passing off information from your experiences to help them get into college. You need more patience – these are growing young men. You have to take time to teach them.
College – it requires a lot of recruiting and earning guys’ trust. The NFL is more about veteran experiences and respect – everyone’s job is on the line there. I’m open to it all – I enjoy all of it.
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