Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!
More than 2,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff PLUS interviews with Pittsburgh actors, musicians, authors and more
First, what made you decide to become a college football coach?
I really didn’t think I’d want to become a coach. I decided to go to Butler, my old school, and see some practices and games. Coach Vignery there told me then that he had a running back job open on his coaching staff if I wanted it. I went back home and thought about it. I knew the time it took to be a college coach, but I decided to go do it.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Dreamius Smith, 2015-2016”
First off, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your football days?
I’m a police officer here in Tracy, California. I’ve been a cop here for two years. Before that I was in the San Diego police department for six years.
A number of people in my family were in law enforcement so I’ve always been around it, and I got a Criminal Justice Degree in college. I started at a crappy time with everyone hating the police now, but I love the job.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Mitchell Van Dyk, 2015”
First – can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your time playing football?
I’m still engaged in the sport – I have a 9-5 job in sales but also do a lot of training kids to help them learn how to play football. A lot of speed and agility and other football drills.
Do you lean on some of the lessons you learned as a player?
A lot of them yes. I do pull from a lot of the college and NFL wright and strength training programs I experienced, Garrett Giemont in Pittsburgh – I stole a lot from him – his focus on backpedaling, lunges – his work on hamstrings. I incorporate a lot of that.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Jayson Foster, 2010”
First off, what did you do with yourself after you were done playing?
I retired in ’84- actually I retired first in 1982 after an injury. I was looking to get into the stock brokerage business after the injury. But I was playing pickup ball in Long Island when the GM of a local team told me that there was an FIBA team that needed a player and I should go play for them. I got offered a two-year contract to play for them – a team in Spain. I had to decide to drop it all and go to Spain or keep looking to become a stockbroker.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Pittsburgh Condor Walt Szczerbiak”
First off, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL?
I’m retired now – I’m permanently disabled and living on a farm in South Carolina. I’m living in the woods near a lake and looking to work on the horticulture here – trying to holistically heal my body. My wife is now in Alabama with my son – I’m here on my own trying to start up a B&B or retreat here.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Clifton Geathers, 2014-2015”
First off, I know you were a defensive player and coach in college at Westminster and Robert Morris, but you were coaching offense for much of your time in Pittsburgh. How did that happen?
That’s a great question. I thought the same thing when then the job was offered to me by Bill Cowher! At the time Mike Mularkey was hired by the Bills to be their coach after being the Steelers offensive coordinator. Mike took some of the Steelers assistant coaches with him.
First off, what made you decide to sign with the Steelers?
Honestly, the last months leading up to the draft I had no contact with the Steelers – it all came out of the woodwork at the end. I had no conversations with coaches leading up to the draft. In the late rounds one team called and was going to give me an offer but then they picked a tight end at the end of the draft so that fell through.
It was silent after the draft for about 30 minutes when my agent called saying the Steelers wanted to sign me – he locked that in. It was funny to hear since I had no contact with them. But my agent told my that’s pretty typical for the Steelers – they are one of the more quiet teams. I’m super-excited though to go to the Steelers though. That program has had a lot of success – it has so many great players and a great fanbase.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Tight End J.J. Galbreath”
First off, why did you decide to try out with the Steelers – what went into the decision?
It was kind of a weird process – I was trying to get a contract with any team – some teams showed interest but I didn’t get offers. Then the Steelers called – they said they were interested and extended the offer to come to camp. My agent had reached out to Omar Khan and asked if he was interested in bringing me in – they were friends and Omar said he was interested and that’s when I got the offer.
I looked at their history of developing small school prospects and went with that.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Camp Invite, Offensive Lineman Gareth Warren”
First off, why did you take on the tryout at Pittsburgh versus another team?
I’ve been away for so long from home – except for the Summer and holidays. I was a walk-on at Tulsa, then got a scholarship at Southeastern Louisiana then went to Central Michigan my final two years.
It feels good to get an opportunity to play for such an awesome franchise that’s so deeply rooted in the NFL. So coming back home to Pittsburgh was a no-brainer. They always have some of the best lineman and offensive line coaches. And Coach Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the game.
First off, how did the tryout come about and why Pittsburgh?
Building up after the season, I signed with an agent with the expectation of getting a camp invite. Close to the draft I got some interest from the Steelers – they came out to my pro day and I saw them there. I know Casey Weidl – one of the Steelers scouts – he went to the same high school I did. Omar Kahn called me initially actually and said they wanted to bring me in for a tryout. I accepted right away. Then I spoke with Casey later to confirm some things.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Camp Tryout, Pittsburgh Native QB Seth Morgan”