College Football Coaches & Teammates

I’m gone be 100% honest as far as college football coaches go it’s completely different from high school. This is especially if you come from a program where the high school coaches don’t curse or use profanity towards players. Let me say this if your a future college football player, get ready to get your face mask pulled, jacked up and belittled. I’ve spoken to College coaches about it and for the most part the general understanding is they do this to get you to react. Not react to them but react on the field. With that being said you do have to respect and understand that college football is a business. In the sense that everyday and every play a position is at stake. A starting position is at stake, a coaching position is at stake and a college scholarship is at stake. Those are 4 things that anyone with a passion for college football is not will to risk or lose!

College Football Teammates

Just from my experiences alone I am going to say that teams with the highest level of comradery and true sense of brotherhood do best. Now don’t get me wrong in thinking that every team 100% gets along, no that is wrong. I have seen some pretty intense fights amongst teammates and I hate to say it I had 2 fights myself one in the middle of practice and one at one of my teammates house parties. You have to realize that there are so many different personalities on a football team. You guys spend so much time together especially on the field and some times it can be overwhelming. But with that being said I will say that what makes it hard when you lose a teammate to a death. Whether or not you guys were 100% cool, that teammate
was a part of your family. The family that you both shared a common goal on. The countless hours of practice and training you realize that a piece is now missing.

My personal experiences with teammates

My former roomate and teammate who later quit the team spit on me one day at practice. Now I noticed when we were roomates he always made little comments or tried to talk about me the other roomates in our house. Anyhow I told him you gone spit on me and not say nothing? He said “shit happens” so I tried to be a smart player and walk away. But there is something inside of me til this day that can’t walk away from physical disrepspect. So I walked away and came back to him within 10 seconds and mushed him in the face. He swung and missed I connected with a right and then he connected with a left and I connected with 2 lefts. Then the fight was broken up. This all took place during our 5 minute water break. In the mean time I had split my pinky on his teeth when I caught him with those lefts and I gave him a bruise under his left eye when I caught him with a right. He just caught me in the mouth and didn’t phase me. I let me position coach know the deal and I’d plan to get him after practice but I was advised to let it go, he said “you had your chance and thats it.” I’m not trying to brag or boast about kicking his ass but I am just being upfront so you my audience can have a more realistic picture of what goes on within a football team. Because trust me you won’t hear this nowhere else and I think it’s information that needs to be provided.

Positive things about college football teammates

The most positive thing is the imprint that you and your teammates leave on each other. The bonds that you share that will last a lifetime…And thats why it is so frustrating to me that its hard to get free tickets and sideline passes because that contradicts the nature of lifetime bonds shared amongst a team and College football program.Another thing about teammates is on a positive note they come together when it is necessary. If you get into a fight, some trouble you will always have teammates
that support you and have your back. This is critical for freshman to have a sense of comfort if there is a problem with others on campus. Being away from home even though you may not know many people you will definitely know your teammates and I think it is important to establish solid relationships with upperclassman and team captains. I know because I honestly felt obligated to look after the younger guys on our team.

Keith Brown and Achille Yangambi
With that being said I just want to let
my readers and supports know that because of your support we now have started a bond that will last a lifetime. If I can be of help in anyway, shape or form please
email me: Coach Lewis
Train Hard
Coach Lewis

College Football from the Sideline

Most College Football players that love the game, can’t stand watching from the sideline. Whether it be due to injury,
missed block or tackle, ineligibility (bad grades) or disciplinary reasons. It stinks it’s the worst feeling standing there
watching your team especially if your losing.

I got benched for a half of a game because I missed a block. The coaches tried to down play it because we actually were losing that game 21-0 within 2 minutes of that game. It was against the University of New Hampshire the year they began their dynasty. It was pouring rain, the field was flooded, that killed our option game but it didn’t kill their offense for some reason. But it sucked especially because my family mom, dad, brother and niece came in these horrible conditions and watched me get benched. I felt bad, for my team. The coaches didn’t help because they taunted me and the starting center, Steve Moll; the best center I have ever played with hands down. They made comments like “I fired his ass” the coaches were playing in the mud on our sidelines they were really enjoying it. I’m sharing this just to make future college football players aware of the type of condescending treatment that you will definitely experience during your college football career. I’ll admit some schools may have it better or worst. The sad thing is you can’t tell just by going on an official visit.

Anyhow since this post is about life after college football I’ll talk about when I go back to my alma matta to show support. There is one thing that pisses me off the most and that is watching other players that I know should be on the field standing on the sideline, with minimal playing time. Players who have 1 more year of eligibility but are debating playing again because the coach is benching them for reasons beyond my comprehension. I’m not trying to expose anyone but
it is what it is. And if I don’t say anything, you future College Football won’t even have a clue what really goes on behind the scenes of College Football.

My opinion is why have a full scholarship player, on the sidelines. Especially if your losing by 30 points, put these guys in put those seniors in. Those seniors who have paid their dues and been loyal and committed to the program from day one. I don’t even know if this post will shed enough light on how it feels to watch a game and not be allowed to contribute to it. But I will say this be encouraged and don’t give up. Some of you should try to use this as a motivator especially seniors. Get in the best shape of your life and go impress one of these professional football coaches at a pro day or
combine.

When I’m watching College Football
When I’m watching a game I usually have the best seats in the house. Anywhere from the 3rd -6th row at Renscheler stadium or a sideline pass at Renscheler field or Meade Stadium. I’m not gone lie it is easy for me to get good treatment at Uconn and that was a rival school for me. I support them now, they always give me free tickets. However the University of Rhode Island on the other hand, here I am team captain class of 2006 and I have to struggle to get a sideline pass. Are you kidding me.

I went to homecoming and I had one free ticket that I gave to my girlfriend. I went to get my sideline pass from the guy that always gives me one and he said he didn’t have any tickets yet, but he did let me into the vip parking lot. I thank him, shout outs to Gary. Anyhow so I went to the backup who would usually give me one and he said he didn’t have tickets. Then finally I asked the assistant equipment manager and he told me the same thing. So I’m thinking wtf…My girlfriend is confused she’s like how come you can get all this stuff at Uconn but you have a hard time getting free tickets at your own school you were captain of? It confused the you know what out of me. But it’s ok no hard feelings. I got in free still I just told the guys at the gate as well as the girl that escorted me to get the free ticket for my girl, that “I was captain here in 2006, there is no way I am paying for a ticket.” Well I jus thought I’d bring that up since I’m addressing how your
treated as an ex player. One thing that doesn’t change however is the respect from the team and their parents. They love to see you, even though for the most part very few keep in touch but when you show up they embrace the opportunity to speak to you and seek words of encouragement. But before I close I will say on a positive note my head coach Tim Stowers has kept in touch with me since I have left the school, he even sent me on a job interview. Not that I need it RMCFE.com does fine!

I have been on the sideline at Renscheler field, East Hartford, CT 2 times. Once as a player and the other time as a spectator. And by the way if you love the game of college football like I do and you don’t play anymore no seat beats standing on the sideline with a sideline pass. That’s VIP and that my friends is RMCFE.
Train Hard
Coach Lewis

Life after College Football

Right now there are seniors pondering what they will do after their final college football game. A small percentage will play again, a larger percentage will stay in college and an even larger percentage will work and have families. Right now I am in that larger percentages I am in graduate school, I am working like crazy and taking care of my family. It’s really just starting to set in whether or not my football career is completely over.

Before I get deep into this post I want to say and advice every football player at every level to play every play like it’s your last play in the world. You never know when your career is going to be over. You could have an injury, your eligibility could run out, or something else outside of football may prevent you from playing. So when you do play I ask that you give it 100% and do it for those that can’t play anymore.

As far as myself, I do coach football and I will say I am tempted everyday to give it 1 last shot, I mean I’m only 25 and I have definitely survived serious adversity on and off the field. I’m mean I went from being 14 and told I’d never run again, to seperating my shoulder the week before playing Cincinnati Bearcats, to spraining my ankle in two places at one being on cruthes to present day tearing my hip. The best thing I got going for me is graduate school and RMCFE.com

Immediately following your final game, you will definitely feel a difference and a sense of seperation. You will notice it more when the team has meetings and you don’t. The team will still accept you, and those young players will always respect you as an upper-classman, especially if you were team captain like me.

End of Football Career Experience

My personal experience after football started before my season ended. When I was sidelined on cructhes in 2006 after playing in a nationally televised game at University of Massechusetts (Umass Amherst). Well the week I was on cructhes I went from being an individual to being a thought. They kept thinking about if I would return but they weren’t calling me and checking on me to see how I felt. I’d come to practice on crutches and I was like not even there. Then I got off crutches Monday before our Saturday game at Hofstra…I practiced all week, then I got banged up on Thursday. Came out Saturday game day and was told that I’m not cleared to play after driving 4 hours to Hofstra the day before the game. Of course I played and I’m glad we did, not only did I play, I started and that was the last game that we won for my college career. We beat Hofstra at their house for the 1st time in 50 years. And my ankle was killing me but I sucked it up.

I want to let my readers know I am writing this post because this season I am seeing how senior players are getting treated at universities across the country. It’s like your on your way out we are letting our future players get reps now because they will be playing when you leave. Part 2 of this post will be up tomorrow. Keep reading. Thank you all for your support.
Train Hard
Coach Lewis