Tag: Steelers

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

I own my own roofing company here in Orlando and also work with ABC Supply Company – doing construction and supply. I also coach a few youth sports football teams and work with Football University – I coach the All-Star team here in Naples.

Find yourself falling back on the lessons from coaches you had as a player?

Definitely. Mike T., obviously. What he taught is a big part of what I do now. It’s crazy, I’m working with 10 year-olds now – that’s younger than I’m used to and it’s challenging but fun. They are less receptive to things at that age, but I can walk by and give them a good Mike T. saying and that stays with them.  Mike T. used to walk by us when we were stretching and warming up and joke around with us, but be serious too. Sort of tell us serious messages in a joking way so we were more receptive to it. That makes it easier that way and that’s something I adopted and do when I’m talking to kids now.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Brandon Brown-Dukes, 2016-2017”

First off, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

I’ve had quite a few chapters since then! I got married and had two kids. My girlfriend, now wife, and I traveled the world together then got married and moved up North near where her family lives.

For three years I was in medical device sales then went to another medical device sales company for another year. Now for the past two years I’ve been off work, exploring some entrepreneurial options – some products I’ve been working on. While I’ve been off work I got heavily into tournament paintball – I’ve played with Dynasty who is the best team in the world. I needed something keep my adrenaline going. From that I ended up creating a product for paintball – Dynasty is even supporting it. It’s just taking forever! I’m lucky to have a supportive and amazing wife!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Jordan Zumwalt, 2014-2015”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

I’m a realtor now. Before that I did some coaching at the high school and junior college level.

Anyone help influence the way you coached?

Oh of course, yeah. My Junior college coach John Becker did – he later became a scout for the Rams. He showed me the discipline part of the game. I never played football in high school – I played just a few games. I was lucky that when I went to junior college I became an All-American there. He and Harry Welch, who was a legend in the Northern California area. Those two taught me the discipline part of the game.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Rodney “Rock” Richmond, 1987″

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your time in the NFL?

I’ve been working all over the country and world doing off-shore oil and gas drilling. Since I left Pittsburgh I’ve been all over the world – Africa, Korea….that’s what I’ve been into now – for over 16 years.

I’m sure you’ve seen some amazing things – anything stand out?

I’ve seen all kinds of stuff. You learn about the different cultures and things you’re not accustomed to, but you have to adapt to their culture. You’re visiting their home. But you learn a lot.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Chris Collins, 2004”

First, what made you decide to sign with the Steelers over the Browns and Cowboys?

My agent and I talked and we saw a big window of opportunity there. I know they drafted a cornerback in the second round but, especially long-term, I think there’s an open competition for a roster spot there.

Lots of San Diego State guys there right – four total? What does that do for you?

It makes the atmosphere more comfortable – seeing guys I played with when I got to camp was a good feeling. It gave me the chance to rekindle those bonds and it’s been fun hanging out with them, even outside of football.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Luq Barcoo”

First, can you let me know how you got into coaching since your playing days?

Well, I stopped playing in 2016 after the Chiefs cut me. I moved to Atlanta and opened up a gym. I was running that business – I never thought I’d become a coach when I was a player. But I had that itch to get back to the game in some fashion. Some of my coaches said I’d be a great coach.

I reached out to some of the coaches that impacted me when I played to pick their brains. My wide receivers coach at Connecticut was a high school head coach – Matt Cersosimo. He told me that if I wanted to figure it out, to come to Connecticut and coach his wide receivers. My girlfriend lived in Connecticut so it worked out well. I closed out the club and moved to Connecticut where he took me under his wing at the high school level.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Kashif Moore, 2013-2014”

First, why did you sign with Pittsburgh?

The whole draft process I never really spoke with the Steelers. When I was released by Indianapolis the Steelers reached out to my agent and wanted to know about my weight – whether I was in shape –  they wanted me to come in for a tryout.

The Steelers were my only NFL option at the time after Indianapolis – they got to me first.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Darius Hagans”

First off, can you let mw know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

I worked for AT&T for 33 years as a sales and marketing exec before I retired. I coached high school football as well. I coached in Houston for four years – we went to three state championships and won two of them. That was the same high school where Gary Kubiak played quarterback.

After that I moved to Georgia and coached my two younger sons – my older son is 34 and was the top player in Texas at his position at the time. The other two I coached played  college football. I also do some strength and training coaching for kids and work as a substitute teacher.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Bret Shugarts, 1987”

First, can you let me know how you got into coaching and your role at Campbell University?

It’s an interesting story. My last two years in the NFL I was training with Trent Guy. His kid – Trent Jr. – he was one of the fastest kids on the nation and ran track and later went to Clemson.

Well, when I retired in 2007 Trent would call me every week at 5:30 am on the way to work to tell me about different high school coaching jobs. His dream was for me to be a football head coach and for him to coach track at the same school. We were close – and football and track help each other out a lot.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Dee Brown, 2003”

First off, what brought on the signing with the Steelers – how did they find out about you and bring you in?

I know they saw film of me and liked that – and I did well in my pro day. After the draft I had a couple of teams call with interest in signing me and I picked the Steelers.

Why Pittsburgh?

Coach Dunbar is a really good coach and they’ve had a lot of successful defensive linemen there. I thought it would be a good opportunity too come in and learn from him and the players there and do well. They called me actually two days after my pro day and told me they were interested in drafting me late in the draft or signing me as an undrafted free agent. They said there were some unknowns about me, coming from a small school, but they liked my athleticism.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Jay Nyamwaya”