Gerald McRath Joins Berry College Football Staff For NFLPA Coaching Internship

Learning the ins and outs of a collegiate team can be demanding, but NFLPA Coaching Internship participants have a premier setting to observe and participate in essential functions of team management to gain skills in various areas.

From Linebacker to Coach, Former Titan Shares NFLPA COACHING Internship Experience

With limited prior exposure to coaching, Gerald McRath found the NFLPA internship to be an ideal opportunity to increase his experience. He was thrilled to be placed at Berry College.  

“I got into coaching last year, and a big challenge I was facing was that you had to start over. Because we played in the NFL, it is hard for a lot of former players to get in with a program because you don’t have coaching experience. You may have a lot of playing experience, but on our résumé there is no coaching experience.

It is hard for us to get those opportunities, but I really want to coach. I received the weekly text messages from the NFLPA about the coaching internship, and when I read the requirements, application and program obligations I thought, ‘Wow, I’ve got to do that.’”

This is not an average internship where participants simply aid the head coach in his plans and fetch balls for players.

“I’ve done everything from setting up practice fields to setting up academic meetings. I’m in charge of making sure they are going to class. I’ve been able to make my own practice routine and incorporate things that I liked to do as a player. It’s really hands on, and I think that’s one of the best things. You’re not tied to one thing.  You get to learn every aspect of the game.”

In addition to teaching the game of football, former players learn to manage other challenges and grow interpersonal skills. McRath’s biggest challenge? Communication.

“As a player who played football at its highest level, there are a lot of things that come natural to me.  But the challenge is figuring out how I can communicate how to perform a drill or technique in a way the players can understand and in a way that helps them improve ach day. Everybody learns differently, and there are a lot of different learning curves. I might be able to do one drill and help one of my players, but another player needs more time or needs something else. I have to figure out how I can incorporate that in my game plan so everybody is getting better. It has been challenging, but I’m also kind of happy because it shows how much room I have to grow as a coach.”

Many of the programs for the NFLPA Coaching Internship vary differently from the schools participating former players may have attended. However, Division II, III and NAIA universities offer a truly special experience.

“Berry College doesn’t offer full athletic scholarships. Through the school, they give out work scholarships. What that means is the school puts up a certain amount in an academic scholarship and then the other half comes from the kids getting a job on campus and working a number of hours. They do this on top of keeping up their grades and practices. Essentially, the kids are playing football because they love to play. That is very unique. A lot of student athletes at Division-I school don’t work. These kids have to hold a job in order to pay their tuition. It is a very unique situation. It is humbling and it excites me every day to be around the players. Their hard work is something that does not go unnoticed.”

Finally, the former Titan offers wise advice to former players who want to break out into the coaching world.

“Never give up. My linebackers coach at Southern Mississippi told me that. I advise former players to take advantage of this program through the NFLPA. Open up your text messages and read your emails from the union. We don’t get that many opportunities in life, but this is one I feel like can really change the later part of my life.”

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Gerald McRath, a former NFL linebacker for the Tennessee Titans is one of 17 former players in the NFLPA’s internship program. McRath is spending his time as a coaching intern at Berry College.

The NFLPA Coaching Internship program provides opportunities for former professional football players to gain coaching experience at Division II, Division III, and NAIA universities for full collegiate football season.