Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days, and how you got involved?

I’m here in Dallas, Texas – I’m a middle-school physical education teacher. I really like having the opportunity to work with younger athletes – to help influence them to stay fit physically and be competitive in whatever sport they choose.

What coaches and coaching lessons did you find yourself falling back on as a coach?

I had great coaches all throughout my time playing football. High school, college, and the NFL. I just wanted to have them me the best that their ability can give me. I have to remind myself that these aren’t high school or college kids. I have to be realistic in what they can and can’t do and help them to compete at the level they are at. Some never competed at an organized level before, so I’m just asking them to give me they best they can give.

Continue reading “Barry Foster, Steelers Running Back, 1990-1994”

First, can you let readers know about your post-NFL career. Tell us how you get started and why?

Well,  since I left football I got remarried and had two kids – two little girls. So, I’m taking care of my family.

I started coaching high school football – that was big for me, getting back to doing what I did for most of my life – football. I like teaching kids – showing them how to take advantage of opportunities -that all you want is possible. I’m living proof.

I’m also doing a lot of personal training here as well in the Charlotte area. That keeps me real busy too so now I have to decide whether I want to do that more or stay in coaching. I love working with the kids though so I probably will look to keep coaching.

Continue reading “Richard Huntley, Steelers Running Back, 1998-2000”

First, can you let readers know what you are up to these days and how you got started in this new career?

I am currently working for an Industrial Supply company called Grainger.  I am a Territory Sales Rep and I have about 500 accounts in my package.  I actually was contacted by a recruiter for Grainger, we had an initial conversation and then moved through the interview process.  I believe the Lord brought that job to me as I praying about which direction I should go in my next career.

Continue reading “Noah Herron, Steelers Running Back, 2005”

First, can you let readers know about your post-NFL career plans. Tell us how and why you get started as a coach and how Tennessee differs from other organizations you’ve been involved with?

I just really retired – my last year playing was 2013 – hasn’t even been a complete year yet. I saw an opportunity to sign up for the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Program and applied to three teams – Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Cleveland. I was excited to be selected by Cleveland and in August I was brought in for two weeks, I’m the type of guy that will give you my all and work hard – go above and beyond. I worked hard and was computer savvy too – I could draw up the plays on the software they used and they liked that. They asked me to stay another two weeks after the first two weeks of the program ended. I helped coach the defensive line and the other defensive coaches. It was a great learning experience.

Continue reading “Nick Eason, Steelers Defensive Lineman, 2007-2010”

First, can you let readers know about your post-NFL career – how you get started and why?

My second year in Pittsburgh I started thinking about my future after my NFL career, you always hear veterans players say, “football doesn’t last forever so take advantage of it while you can”. I took note to their advice and started buying real estate. My second  year is when I bought my first rental property in California . I didn’t own a house because I would spend very little time there. So one lead to two then three so I ended up with 8 properties between California and Arizona  ranging from single family homes duplexes and four-plex units.

I also received my Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician two years ago while volunteering for the Glendale and Phoenix fire departments in Arizona. Currently, I volunteer as a coach at a local junior college and high school in Los Angeles.

Continue reading “Oliver Ross, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 2000-2004”

First, can you let readers know about your new business venture. How you got started with this and why you chose this venture?

Right  now I’m the Director of Marketing Development for a company that sells premier brand appliances – stoves, refrigerators, freezers – premier high end appliances. We also sell lower end stuff too. We have four stores in California and just opened one up in Chicago. We sell other items too – all plumbing supplies and more. We do it in a really unique way – all in one live showroom. It’s a totally new concept – we have four chefs and five baristas – it’s an experience – like Lexus does. You need to see it to really understand and appreciate it. We’re opening up stores in Dallas, Atlanta, New Jersey… and a bunch of other places after that.

Continue reading “Tim Tyrell, Steelers Running Back, 1989”

First, can you let readers know what about the Golden Equipment Company – how you got started and what your role is there?

Golden Equipment is a large commercial equipment dealer that sells to different public works offices and contractors in the states of WV, PA, and NJ.  We sell many different product lines but our top three are Street Sweepers, Sewer Camera Inspection equipment, and Sewer Cleaners.  I am currently the Vice-President/General Manager of this 30 year family-owned business.  The gentleman who is the owner of Golden Equipment contacted me in December 2013 and said that his Vice President just moved on to greener pastures and he is looking for someone to take over his company and manage the sales aspect and everyday operations.

Continue reading “Jason Capizzi, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 2007-2008”

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your days in the NFL, and how you got involved in this?

What I do now really has nothing to do with my time in the NFL. I work as a full-time associate at Marten’s food store. I’ve been there for eighteen years. I moved here to Hagerstown  from Baltimore because I couldn’t find a job teaching in Baltimore – I have an education degree. I taught in prison in ’85-’86, but they wanted me to become a corrections officer and I didn’t want to do that.

Continue reading “Mike Collier, Steelers Running Back/Return Specialist, 1974-1977”

First, can you let readers know about your coaching career and the Mo Betta Bull Company. How you got started in both and what your job/business venture entails?

Well, I’m not coaching now. When Coach Kubiak was let go we were all too. So I’m always keeping my eye out for other coaching jobs.

The rodeo business has been great – I’m a contractor of rodeos – we supply the livestock. I don’t do the hands on work myself. I started fourteen years ago studying the breeding of bulls and cows. It was my escape from football. I studied bulls – their bloodlines, talking to breeders – I umped into it headfirst. I built the business up so we had good bucking bulls. I got lucky – now we’re in the finals in Vegas every year. I enjoy watching and being around them.

Continue reading “Jeff Zgonina, Steelers Defensive Lineman, 1993-1994”