Post by Bornthrilla on Jan 6, 2009 23:10:50 GMT -5
Shaw assistant is teaching from his past
McGeorge enters second year at the school
By A.J. Carr - Staff Writer
Published: Sat, Aug. 04, 2007 12:00AM
RALEIGH -- Rich McGeorge climbed a narrow stairwell at Shaw Football House on Person Street and settled into a small office.
Two computers, a telephone, an empty soft-drink bottle and a family picture sat on his desk. In one corner, a fan whirred, creating a soft breeze that symbolized the winds of change.
Nowhere was there evidence of McGeorge's distinguished past, which included nine years as a Green Bay Packers tight end, two All-America seasons at Elon University and assistant coaching stints with the Miami Dolphins, the University of Florida and Duke.
McGeorge is in his second year as assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Shaw -- a world away from Lambeau Field, packed stadiums and incessant media scrutiny.
Forget the bright lights. Forget the hoopla. Living happily with his wife in Durham and near sons Randy and Jason and three grandchildren, McGeorge said he is excited about prowling the field at Chavis Park like a big Papa Bear.
"I wanted to help D.A. win a championship," he said, referring to friend and Bears head coach Darrell Asberry. "And what I found [here] are really great kids who want to learn and perform just as much as they do at the D-I level."
McGeorge was serving on the Duke staff for the third time five years ago but wasn't retained when Ted Roof became Blue Devils head coach in 2003.
Jobless and thinking of pursuing another career, he was asked by then N.C. Central coach Rod Broadway to coach the Eagles' offensive line. So McGeorge spent two years at NCCU before coming to Shaw last summer with Asberry, a former NCCU offensive coordinator.
"We hit it off [at NCCU]; he's almost like a son," said McGeorge, who will turn 59 on Sept. 14. "[And] Shaw is small and family-oriented. And I enjoy coaching so much.
"Football is [teaching] fundamentals ... motivation ... competing," McGeorge said. "I don't care what level."
McGeorge is committed to helping the Bears become the best they can be.
At 6 feet 4, with graying hair, and about "60 pounds" heavier than his 230-pound Packers' playing weight, he still can hunker down in a blocker's stance and demonstrate how to repel charging defensive linemen, how to win the battle in the trenches.
And he does it without snarling, screaming or flinging clipboards.
"When he gets in the stance, it's kind of funny,'' offensive lineman Anthony Spates said. "[But] he has so much experience. It's awesome [playing for him]. He's kind of laid-back. If you make a mistake, he tells you in a kind, humble voice you need to get it right next time. He's an all-around awesome guy."
McGeorge, a native of Roanoke, Va., was an "all-around awesome" athlete in his playing days. A three-sport star in high school, he made all-conference in basketball at Elon in addition to starring in football under coach Red Wilson.
In 1970, the Packers made him their first-round draft choice and the 16th pick overall.
McGeorge didn't disappoint. Operating in the same lineup with quarterback Bart Starr and receiver Carroll Dale, he was voted Green Bay's Offensive Player of the Year in 1973 for his blocking and pass-catching skills, one season after undergoing knee surgery.
When his NFL career ended, McGeorge worked as a stock broker in Winston-Salem, but he still wanted to coach. He got a break when Wilson, his old Elon mentor, hired him part time at Duke in 1981.
"He was mentally tough and physically tough [as a player]," Wilson said. "And he's a real caring human being, a people person, very humble."
That launched McGeorge on a career that included assistant roles under head coaches Steve Spurrier (Duke and Florida), Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson (Miami Dolphins).
McGeorge marveled at the "imagination and creativity" of Spurrier, now at South Carolina. He admired Shula's uncanny ability to evaluate talent, Wilson's communication skills and the "energy" of Johnson.
McGeorge said he tried to learn from all of them.
And now he's enjoying sharing his considerable knowledge with Shaw's players.
McGeorge enters second year at the school
By A.J. Carr - Staff Writer
Published: Sat, Aug. 04, 2007 12:00AM
RALEIGH -- Rich McGeorge climbed a narrow stairwell at Shaw Football House on Person Street and settled into a small office.
Two computers, a telephone, an empty soft-drink bottle and a family picture sat on his desk. In one corner, a fan whirred, creating a soft breeze that symbolized the winds of change.
Nowhere was there evidence of McGeorge's distinguished past, which included nine years as a Green Bay Packers tight end, two All-America seasons at Elon University and assistant coaching stints with the Miami Dolphins, the University of Florida and Duke.
McGeorge is in his second year as assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Shaw -- a world away from Lambeau Field, packed stadiums and incessant media scrutiny.
Forget the bright lights. Forget the hoopla. Living happily with his wife in Durham and near sons Randy and Jason and three grandchildren, McGeorge said he is excited about prowling the field at Chavis Park like a big Papa Bear.
"I wanted to help D.A. win a championship," he said, referring to friend and Bears head coach Darrell Asberry. "And what I found [here] are really great kids who want to learn and perform just as much as they do at the D-I level."
McGeorge was serving on the Duke staff for the third time five years ago but wasn't retained when Ted Roof became Blue Devils head coach in 2003.
Jobless and thinking of pursuing another career, he was asked by then N.C. Central coach Rod Broadway to coach the Eagles' offensive line. So McGeorge spent two years at NCCU before coming to Shaw last summer with Asberry, a former NCCU offensive coordinator.
"We hit it off [at NCCU]; he's almost like a son," said McGeorge, who will turn 59 on Sept. 14. "[And] Shaw is small and family-oriented. And I enjoy coaching so much.
"Football is [teaching] fundamentals ... motivation ... competing," McGeorge said. "I don't care what level."
McGeorge is committed to helping the Bears become the best they can be.
At 6 feet 4, with graying hair, and about "60 pounds" heavier than his 230-pound Packers' playing weight, he still can hunker down in a blocker's stance and demonstrate how to repel charging defensive linemen, how to win the battle in the trenches.
And he does it without snarling, screaming or flinging clipboards.
"When he gets in the stance, it's kind of funny,'' offensive lineman Anthony Spates said. "[But] he has so much experience. It's awesome [playing for him]. He's kind of laid-back. If you make a mistake, he tells you in a kind, humble voice you need to get it right next time. He's an all-around awesome guy."
McGeorge, a native of Roanoke, Va., was an "all-around awesome" athlete in his playing days. A three-sport star in high school, he made all-conference in basketball at Elon in addition to starring in football under coach Red Wilson.
In 1970, the Packers made him their first-round draft choice and the 16th pick overall.
McGeorge didn't disappoint. Operating in the same lineup with quarterback Bart Starr and receiver Carroll Dale, he was voted Green Bay's Offensive Player of the Year in 1973 for his blocking and pass-catching skills, one season after undergoing knee surgery.
When his NFL career ended, McGeorge worked as a stock broker in Winston-Salem, but he still wanted to coach. He got a break when Wilson, his old Elon mentor, hired him part time at Duke in 1981.
"He was mentally tough and physically tough [as a player]," Wilson said. "And he's a real caring human being, a people person, very humble."
That launched McGeorge on a career that included assistant roles under head coaches Steve Spurrier (Duke and Florida), Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson (Miami Dolphins).
McGeorge marveled at the "imagination and creativity" of Spurrier, now at South Carolina. He admired Shula's uncanny ability to evaluate talent, Wilson's communication skills and the "energy" of Johnson.
McGeorge said he tried to learn from all of them.
And now he's enjoying sharing his considerable knowledge with Shaw's players.