I know you played defensive back professionally – how did you become a running back coach?

I played running back all through my youth and for two years in college. In order to get on the field a position switch was necessary though – it worked in that regard. I played defensive back in Canada only – I never played there before in high school or college.

When I transitioned to coaching, I started off coaching wide receivers, quarterbacks, then defensive backs and linebackers. As I started moving up I got switched to coaching running backs at Iowa State University in 1995. It was the only spot available there – when they offered me the job I gladly accepted it.

How do you as a coach transition from one position to another? How do you learn the different elements you need to coach?

That’s a great question. I’m not sure if the switch is that hard. The players are what matters – there are no great coaches without great players. It’s all about technique – about fundamentals. As long as those areas are taught you can teach any position.

I’ve long believed and preached to players that fundamentals transfer from NFL city to NFL city. Terminology and plays change, but the fundamentals transfer. I’ve always based my career on that.

But you had to have someone teach you the fundamentals specific to the position right? Any mentors help you there?

Early on I had great football mentors that helped me switch to the position yeah.

Guys like Harvey Hyde – my junior college coach at Pasadena City College, and Randy Whitsett- they both  were a big part of helping me as a player and through adulthood.  I’m in touch with those guys all the time still.

Other great mentors are guys like Ted Williams – the long-time running backs coach with Philadelphia, and Sylvester Croom and Bishop Harvey – they were early mentors in the NFL.

Was it unusual for guys to share their knowledge with you?

It’s all about networking – calling guys to ask them questions – how they run their outside zone footwork, things like that. I made numerous calls like that early in my career – I was always looking for knowledge.

Some guys – I heard some talk about not sharing. They’d talk about having accumulated years of knowledge – why give that away for free? But I never got behind that. When I’m approached for advice now I’m quick to rise to the occasion. I’m here because others helped me and I believe in helping others grow in their careers as well.

Looking back – what brought you to the Steelers?

Mike and I had a friendship back since 2002 in Tampa Bay – he coached the defensive backs and I was hired by Jon Gruden then. We’ve had a professional friendship since then. So when Mike called about the job I quickly jumped at the opportunity. He’s a tremendous coach and friend. And as an NFL coach you know Pittsburgh is a place you want to be. It was a no-brainer.

And I was only the second running back coach the team had in over 30 years – after Dick Hoak. It truly is a special place – an anchor franchise for the NFL. When you go to the mall and see Sears or Macy’s – the Steelers are that to the NFL.

Any pressure following a legend like Dick Hoak?

I honestly didn’t think about it as a challenge to follow him. I was just excited – I was a Steeler and was just excited to be there. I wanted to work hard to maintain his standard and just thought of wanting to do the best job I could to help the team. I think I did a decent job.

Who were some of the guys you enjoyed working with most in Pittsburgh?

I’ve been around so many young, great players. I always wanted to help players achieve their dreams and goals.

Mewelde Moore – he was an amazing guy. Parker, Mendenhall, Vincent, Dwyer, Redman….those guys had a hunger to be coached and allowed me to coach them.

Those guys – I have such fond memories of them. It was an awesome experience to be allowed to help them and see them grow.

I spoke to a teacher once who told me he remembered every student who came through his classroom. I get the sense you’re the same way?

I really do. I kept a list of every player I ever coached over my 24 years. Each was different but special in their own right. I have fond memories of how they changed my life. It’s a two-way street that way and something they don’t always understand.

I joke I’m a running back expert but only because the players made me one. I learned so much more from them that I ever taught them. I truly mean that. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to coach them all.

Any fun memories you can share of your coaching experiences?

First – one not from Pittsburgh. We all joked in Arizona that we never saw Denny Green run. He never ran anywhere. Emmitt Smith and I talked about that every day. So for something like two months, we planned to stage a mock fight between he and I in public in front of the other players to see if Green would run to us.

Well, we mocked up an argument and went nose-to-nose in practice. Players were trying to pull us apart. Then we saw Dennis come running and we yelled “Gotcha!” That was the biggest laugh – everyone laughed.  I always think of that.

There were a lot of great characters in Pittsburgh. One memory in Pittsburgh I remember was from camp. Everyone says they are in good shape when they get to camp, but that first day running gassers – that is something. Isaac Redman showed up one first day saying he was in good shape. But he cramped up and hit the ground. Guys went to go help him but he refused their help. I just remember everyone cheering him on and laughing as he tried to drag himself across the field!

Any more poignant memories stand out? 

Scottie Montgomery sneaking me food in the hospital non-stop – those were tough times but great memories. I’m just trying to make new memories for myself now.

You left the team in 2013 – can you discuss what happened?

Of course – it wasn’t due to any issues when I left. It was just about trying to find a new opportunity. You work hard and hope someone notices your work. It’s not different than a worker in the post office, or bank job. You always want to grow in your profession and be more. That’s all it was about. That allowed me to seek out a new opportunity – it just didn’t work out. I’m still looking for that bigger opportunity. It’s just about timing and whether they want to give me that opportunity – whether they have that comfort level with me.

Lastly – any thoughts on the way the running back position and game have changed?

I wish the fullback was more involved in today’s game. The fullback was a big part of the game when I first came in. Now, some coaches like to use one but most don’t.

The biggest change are the RPO’s. Back in the day if you ran play action the running back wouldn’t ever get hit – not unless it was an amazing fake. You used to get some plays off as a running back that way. Now, when you run the RPOs running backs just get blasted! I feel bad for my guys! Now guys run through the line and just blast those guys.

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