First, can you let readers know about your post-NFL coaching career – how you got started and what you enjoy most about it?
I am currently the Head Football Coach at Lincoln University. Lincoln University is a Historical Black Institution in Jefferson City, MO. I began coaching at the high school level, at Hazelwood East High School in 2004. My best friend in high, (Jim Collins) was the assistant Head Coach at East. I attended a Semi-Final playoff game in the fall of 2003. After the game I told him, I enjoyed the game and if a coaching position came available, I would be interested in coaching. The spring of 2004, the defensive coordinator at East, stepped down, and Head Coach Corey Johnson offered me the job. My first year we went to the state championship. I became the head coach in 2008 and we won the state championship that same year. We won the state championship on a Hail Mary. Two years later I was coaching at the collegiate level, at Southern University. I applied and received the job as Head Football Coach at Lincoln University in 2011.
What I love about coaching is the ability to make an impact in young men’s lives. Teaching the game of football is a lot like teaching young men about life. The good the bad and the ugly, the opportunity to see a young kid grow into a man.
What coaches and coaching lessons have influenced you most now as a coach, and how does the fact you played in the NFL help you as you coach these kids?
I take a little from all of the coaches who have impacted my life. Every coach, at every level, has a lesson to teach. I use sayingS such as Coach Cowher,”Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you.” From Coach Vermeil, “We are teachers of men, the men just happen to be football players.” From my little league Coach Clarence Stephenson,” My responsibility is to tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.”
The fact that I played in the NFL, is a great tool. I can discuss how teams prepare for games (the amount of time in each week, the NFL Player puts in studying, and preparing for one game.) The responsibility, the reward and the difficulties of being a professional athlete.
With the changes in today’s game to a more pass-oriented style of play, how does that affect the way you coach?
The ability to play in space is critical for anyone now. The read zone /passing game concept has forced all eleven defenders to make plays in open space. The same concept forces offensive players to be more athletic, including the offensive linemen. The emphasis is proper techniques are critical.
You had a terrific career, especially having entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent – playing for over ten seasons. What do you owe that longevity to?
The grace of God, Hard work, tremendous conditioning and knowing my opponent as well as possible.
You started off your professional career in Los Angeles/Oakland in 1992, but ended up as the starting linebacker for Sacramento in the World League World Bowl. What made you decide to join the World League and what was that experience like for you?
I played as an undrafted free agent in 1991 with the Raiders. I didn’t play linebacker in college, I played running back, so it was a challenge. Each week, I worked hard and got better. By the end of training camp, I played well enough to make the team. I played special teams and a little sub packages. After our last game, while we were on the plane back to Los Angeles we lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs, I was called up to the front of the plane by the owner, Mr. Al Davis. He told me that I needed more playing time and he wanted me to play in the World League. What are you going say, if the owner of the team asks you to play in spring league, to make you a better player.
The World League was the best thing to happen for me. I tell everyone that I wish that the World League still existed, the World League that I played in. First, I met a great Coach, in Jim Hasslet. He taught me so many things, as to how to play Linebacker. But the biggest thing he taught me was how to become and be a pro. I was injured in practice and Bill Goldberg (Bill Goldberg, yes the famous wrestler), shed a block and an offensive lineman was thrown into my leg. The team kept with me, and I rehabbed for three weeks. We went on a 19 day road trip. The road trip consisted of going to Birmingham, AL, then to Atlanta for four days. Then we flew overseas to London. We stayed in London for six days. Then we flew to Montreal and stayed there six days. After I was cleared to play. We are playing against the team from Ohio. It is my first game back, I am thinking I will be gradually put back into the lineup. I play every snap. I am tired, my knee is sore, yet Jim doesn’t allow me to come out. After about the five series, we come off the field and I am very upset. Jim talks to the defense about some corrections, then we break. He stands in front of me the entire time. After everyone breaks, he doesn’t let me get off the bench. He leans down and says,’ If you never learn how to deal with pain, you WILL NEVER PLAY IN THE NFL.” He walks away and doesn’t anything else to me the rest of the game. That statement has stuck with me ever since. I played the rest of the season, We won the World Bowl. I played a total of 12 years in the NFL and I only missed one game because of injury. What I learned in the World League is the reason I played so long.
Almost ten yeas later, a World Bowl and Super Bowl win behind you, you signed on with the Steelers in 2001. What made you decide to sign with the Steelers, and what did they tell you your role would be there?
Signing with the Steelers was a dream come true. The Pittsburgh Steelers was my FAVORITE team growing up. When I became a free agent, I knew I was on the tail end of my career. I wanted to go to a team that was a playoff contender. I went on a visit to Pittsburgh, I felt comfortable about the situation. I was told I was going to be mentor, to the young linebackers on the team. After the visit, I thought it was a good fit.
Was it difficult playing the role of a mentor to younger guys like Bell, Kurpeikis, Porter, and Haggans when you know you wanted to play? How did you handle that aspect of the game?
It was never difficult playing the role of mentor to the young guys. All of them, Joey, Kendrell, Clark wanted to win and play at the highest level. We had a great group of LB’s. The group was in transition, Jason and Earl were transitioning to more a leadership roles and the young guys were excited about taking their game to next level. With a group like that, subtle things was all they needed. With Kendrell, he sat next to me his entire rookie season. It was exciting watching him develop.
2001 was a great season but ended in a difficult loss in the championship game. How was the team’s mindset after that game and going into the following season?
We were disappointed. We felt we should have went to the Super Bowl. I rejoined the team about eight games into the season. We got on a roll and made the playoffs again. We lose to a good Tennessee Titan team on a field goal.
How much did humor play a part on those Steelers teams, and how so? Can you give a couple of examples of some funny things that occurred, on or off the field?
Practical Jokes weren’t big on the team. I remember the stretching lines were comedy hour. Jokes were told all of the time. Because I was the old man of the defense and team, I also was the butt end of an old folks joke.
The best example was a Monday Night Game. At the time, Eric Dickerson was doing Monday Night Football as a sideline reporter. I played with Eric one year with the Raiders. As I am talking to Eric, I see a couple of young players (DeShea and Jason). I see both of them laughing, so I know they are talking about the “old folks”. I tell Eric what they are doing. When DeShea and Jason get around to where we are, Eric says to both of them, “Mike, when he was young like yourselves, used to laugh at myself, Ronnie Lott, and Marcus Allen. He use to say we were old, like you are doing, I am telling you what I told him, stick around long enough and someone will be making fun of you being the old guy.”
What do you think of the way the game has changed over the past few seasons?
The League and the players are making more money and healthier than at any time, in the history of the NFL. It is great to watch the growth of the NFL. Are there some things that need to be improved, absolutely. Do I miss some of what was done, when I played, that is no longer allowed, again absolutely. But I know that change is necessary for the NFL to continue to flourish.
Any last thoughts for readers?
The city of Pittsburgh and Heinz Field, one of the all time great experiences as a player. My greatest moment, as a Steeler, well there are two.
- Meeting Andy Russell. Andy and I both attended the University of Missouri and both of us played RB in college and moved to LB in our NFL careers and both of us were coached at one time by Bud Carson.
- Starting the final regular season game, of my career, for the team I idolized as a kid. The Pittsburgh Steelers. Priceless!
Thank you!
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