First, you’ve been coaching track and field for over twenty years now. How did you get started in this and why track and field?
I originally started the Track Minnesota Elite program to help my kids and others to develop their track skills and increase their opportunities to receive college scholarships, which I proudly state “mission being accomplished”. All three of my kids received division 1 scholarships and 90% of our participants have received academic and athletic scholarships the past 15 years.
Considering I was part of the 1983 Pennsylvania high school state champion and in consideration that my wife and I whom both competed in track at the University of Minnesota, developing a track and field program was a natural, plus I coached youth football (The Minnesota Steelers) and high school for seven years.
How hard was it for you to adjust to life after the NFL and how did you do so? What about your time it he NFL helped you?
Life after the NFL, I always labelled that as the process chapter of my life. This process like others started out with a reality check first that I no longer play a sport that has been a part of my life since I was eight and a sport that helped me receive a college education. The adjustment was difficult at first because for the first time I had to search for long term employment and learn to work 40 hour weeks year-round, something new to most collegiate and professional athletes. It was also a challenge going from being part of the daily spotlight – autographs, interviews, etc.. to a life more quiet and less extravagant.
Through the process, I first worked for the best paying job I could find to pay the bills and then learned to network and use my notoriety in Minnesota to position myself for better opportunities. Ultimately, I founded three companies (Specialty Obesity Health Care, Building Maintenance and my nonprofit youth development organization).
As a coach, what coaches and coaching lessons have influenced you most in your coaching style?
The three coaches who influenced me the most were:
Lou Holtz at the University of Minnesota was most influential. Under his tutelage I learned the power of motivation and influence, along with developing the craft of public speaking. That has been instrumental in my ability to motivate my employees and youth I coach.
Tony Dungy, who was the Punt Return coach with the Steelers, was one of my main coaches because my primary opportunity with the Steelers was as a punt returner. Tony from day one showed patience and had a caring persona about him. This has influenced my patience and guidance style with kids and employees.
Billy Ford and Rick Dunmire, my youth football and track coaches, taught me how to be tough but fair with youth I have coached the past twenty years. I believe these coaching values have been instrumental to my overall success on the field and in life.
You were signed on by the Steelers in 1987 as an undrafted free agent. Why Pittsburgh – what made you decide to sign with them and what did they tell you your role would be?
Considering that I grew up in Homestead and graduated from Steel Valley High School, signing with Steelers was fulfilling a live long dream, and the idea of playing with some of the great that was still there like Stallworth, Shell, and Webster made that decision even more appealing. Plus I believe that I had a great opportunity to make the team.
Why did you decide to pursue football versus track and field – especially as you were such an accomplished track athlete as well?
In 1983, I was fortunate to be a part of Steel Valley’s WPIAL undefeated high school football championship team and track and field state championship team, I had offers to do both, but football was the first love and of course I always had goals to play in the NFL. I did run track at the University of Minnesota, but primarily used that to maintain the 4.3 speed.
As a new Steeler, who helped mentor you most and helped you adjust to the team – both on and off the field – and how did they do so?
The player that most mentored me was John Stallworth, mostly by his actions and work ethic. He showed all the young guys how to be a professional on the field, at practice and always spoke to how to act off the field and that we should know that we are always under the public eye.
The team was deep at wide receiver – with guys like Lipps, Stallworth, Sweeney and Thonpson there. How competitive and helpful were the other receivers – and how so?
The receivers crew was deep and experienced, and most of the secured older players were very helpful on how to run routes and get open. Though the receiver crew was deep I always knew I was two injuries away from playing significant time, which turned out to be more at punt return than receiver.
How much did humor play a part on the team – can you offer some examples of the hijinks or funny occurrences?
Humor and fun is a part of all locker rooms, high school to college and the Steelers locker room was no different. Great guys, great jokes. The best times in the locker room for me was when Franco Harris visited – he was always upbeat and talking business outside of football.
Do you watch football often now? What do you think of the way the game has changed?
I watch football at all levels, pee wee to the pros and based on my opinion the game has changed in many ways such as many of the receivers these days have no fear of going over the middle like in the past. Because of the new rules, you have great receivers who would have been average back in my playing time.
The other major change that I wished they would have changed back then would be the elimination of three-a-days practices; I always thought practicing football three times per day was overkill.
Your sons have played football and your daughters are good track athletes. What advice would you give players entering sports today?
My son played wide receiver for the Wisconsin Badgers, Washington Redskins and Winnipeg Blue Bombers; my daughters currently run track for the University of Connecticut and Illinois State. They received college scholarships because they were dedicated to training hard and making their education a priority. My advice to players entering sports today who have aspirations off playing college and pro sports is that they must first commit to the process of developing their physical and social skill and then surround themselves with quality coaches, programs, schools, like-minded friends -and seek personal training outside their schools and programs to work on their individual athletic ability and sport abilities.
Any last thoughts for readers?
In summary, it was a pleasure and great opportunity to play for my home town team, the six-time Super Bowl Champs, the process to get their included hard work, luck and many blessing.
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