My high school didn't have much of a football team, wasn't much interest in it despite being in Nebraska. I was 6' 1" 190lbs, I played offensive tackle, defensive end, and inside LB. Inside LB was my best position. I didn't have much respect for my head coach, but the assistant coaches were great. Our head coach, if you thought Bill Callahan was bad, this guy was worse, if it was even possible. I mean anyone who decides to put a 190lb 16 year old at the tackle spot to go against a 230lb defensive end, i didn't like that matchup.
I was about to quit, but the assistant coach asked to me to stay and play 2nd string defensive end and kick returns. After a game where i had 9 tackles, a forced fumble and two sacks, coaches decided to alternate me between ILB and DE. My final season, junior year, I added 20 lbs of muscle and earned to start at ILB. I finished the season with 78 tackles, 21 TFL, 2 INT, 7 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles, 2 that I recovered. Unfortunately, my senior year, the assistant coach got offered a college head coaching job in Missouri, can't remember the college. Anyway the idiot head coach wanted to move me back to the offensive line to play guard. I said no, and didn't play my senior year.
I had two scholarships, 1 at Hastings College and the other to South Dakota University. I turned them down and joined the United States Air Force.
So i have a pretty good understanding of the game and how it is played. I understand the player coach relationship. The assistance coach gave me some tough love, like when i missed a tackle or misread my coverage, i was taken out for a series. I more than likely was gonna get some extra training for boneheaded penalties.
I could have been a small tight end, but i had a problem with running my routes.