What made you want to go into coaching high school football?
"My career started at the college level, but I loved that high school gave me the opportunity to run my own program and implement some of the things that some of my mentors showed me at the collegiate level. It also gave me a chance to work on continuing to build myself professionally."
What excites you most in going to work every day?
"The reason you start doing this is to see the impact. Sometimes it's not always on the scoreboard, but you're making an impact that's going to far outweigh what happens on the scoreboard."
What's been one of your proudest moments since coaching at Alexandria City?
"There's been a lot but I think the one that stands out all the time is winning the school's first championship in 30 years. It was during COVID, we couldn't practice, I didn't know the kids. All the things that the kids had to do in order to make that season work was just phenomenal, so that's one that's always gonna stick out to me."
What impact do you feel like high school football has on the kids you work with?
"It provides the kids with structure and direct accountability. More and more in society, there's this idea of not wanting to see kids uncomfortable. Sometimes we don't hold them accountable or don't hold them to a standard that we should. Once our players either buy into it or realize you can't get around it, they start to embrace it, and you can start to really see them change. You can see them mature, and you can see them really starting to handle their business on and even off the field. They start to make better decisions, because they know that the decision that they make is their decision."
What's the biggest life lesson football has taught you, and how do you pass that lesson on to your players?
"It's a process. Don't give up. I could go on for days about just that statement, but the truth of the matter is it's a process. Whether it's at the pee-wee level to college to the pros, there's gonna be times when you feel uncomfortable, times you think about quitting or giving up, and it teaches you. As long as you stick with it, it will all work out. It may not work out exactly how you planned it but it'll all work out. You'll see that stuff in your daily life. What we're trying to do is use this football thing as a teaching tool for life."
What advice would you give to newer coaches or aspiring student-athletes?
"To new coaches, be patient. I think we're all seeing the fixation on instant gratification. People immediately want to be a head coach. Everybody thinks that's their lane, and immediately they want to go for the big job. But can you teach the play? Take time to learn the game and the profession. Don't be afraid to do the work – wash the clothes, break the film down, all things. Coaching isn't just calling plays on Friday or Saturday.
For aspiring student-athletes, I would encourage them to be willing to challenge themselves and know that failure is a part of success. It may not look or feel good the first time you do something, but if you stick with it, know it it's going to benefit you down the line."
What does it mean to you to be named a Commanders Coach of the Week?
"It was definitely a surprise. I was really honored to be recognized, and when I read more into it, it just meant even more, because the recognition talked about some of the other work we're doing for the kids off the field, mental health training and things like that. It's not about just the X's and O's. With this generation, so much about the way they're growing up is so different, and we have got to really stretch ourselves and meet them where they are. Just to be recognized for those efforts is what I'm most proud of. And it's not just me. My name might be on whatever but it takes a staff of people that's willing to buy into a vision to best serve the athletes. That kind of just got me going a little bit."
