Post by rkb on Jun 8, 2008 21:46:20 GMT -5
www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=274578&pub=1&div=News
3Qs - Brian Brents
6/8/2008 7:23:12 AM
Daily Journal
Brian Brents arrived in Tupelo in early 2007 as the head coach of the Mississippi MudCats, the area’s second venture in arena-style football. The young rookie coach's first team went 12-4, losing in the second round of the playoffs, and this year’s team took a 10-1 record into Saturday night’s game in Florida.
Brents, a Texas native who turns 28 next month, and wife Rachel recently had their first child - a son, Tyson Matthew.
Q: You are younger than some of the players you’re coaching. And those players are playing mainly for the love of the game, because there are no NFL-sized contracts at this level. How do you motivate players who are risking injury for just a few hundred dollars a game?
A: I don't think there's a secret. It's all about respecting them. We treat them all like athletes and they respect that and respond to that. There’s mutual respect there. Our guys want to achieve one goal, a championship, and the coaching staff wants to achieve that same goal. When everybody is on the same page, that makes things a lot easier. ...
As a head coach, you have so many responsibilities. But you find yourself not just thinking about winning games and statistics and all that. You also ask yourself, ‘How can I help this guy in life? How can I help him move up?’ I feel the same way about I disagreeistant coaches, I want them all to get a chance to succeed. I take a lot of pride in that.
Q: How has becoming a father changed your perspective as a coach?
A: It really makes you look to the future more. I find myself looking for that next step, thinking about that next step for me and my family. I'm still focused on achieving our goals here, definitely, but I find myself wanting to get home and see my son more. Maybe I don't get to watch as much game film at the times I want, but I can't complain when I'm holding him.
Q: What will you tell him when he says he wants to play football?
A: I'd just tell him to do his best and do it with all his heart, whatever sport he wants to play. But I have already told my wife I would not want to coach him.
I'd want somebody else to have that job.
Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 6/8/2008, section 0 , page 0
3Qs - Brian Brents
6/8/2008 7:23:12 AM
Daily Journal
Brian Brents arrived in Tupelo in early 2007 as the head coach of the Mississippi MudCats, the area’s second venture in arena-style football. The young rookie coach's first team went 12-4, losing in the second round of the playoffs, and this year’s team took a 10-1 record into Saturday night’s game in Florida.
Brents, a Texas native who turns 28 next month, and wife Rachel recently had their first child - a son, Tyson Matthew.
Q: You are younger than some of the players you’re coaching. And those players are playing mainly for the love of the game, because there are no NFL-sized contracts at this level. How do you motivate players who are risking injury for just a few hundred dollars a game?
A: I don't think there's a secret. It's all about respecting them. We treat them all like athletes and they respect that and respond to that. There’s mutual respect there. Our guys want to achieve one goal, a championship, and the coaching staff wants to achieve that same goal. When everybody is on the same page, that makes things a lot easier. ...
As a head coach, you have so many responsibilities. But you find yourself not just thinking about winning games and statistics and all that. You also ask yourself, ‘How can I help this guy in life? How can I help him move up?’ I feel the same way about I disagreeistant coaches, I want them all to get a chance to succeed. I take a lot of pride in that.
Q: How has becoming a father changed your perspective as a coach?
A: It really makes you look to the future more. I find myself looking for that next step, thinking about that next step for me and my family. I'm still focused on achieving our goals here, definitely, but I find myself wanting to get home and see my son more. Maybe I don't get to watch as much game film at the times I want, but I can't complain when I'm holding him.
Q: What will you tell him when he says he wants to play football?
A: I'd just tell him to do his best and do it with all his heart, whatever sport he wants to play. But I have already told my wife I would not want to coach him.
I'd want somebody else to have that job.
Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 6/8/2008, section 0 , page 0