1. You took over as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach two years ago. What were your biggest challenges, and what are you most proud of in those two years?
The biggest challenge has been changing the culture and instilling the "family" mindset, gaining the trust and dedication of everyone involved, and making sure we're all aligned with the "ALL IN" mentality. What I'm most proud of is the impact we've had on the lives of our students here at the University of Fort Lauderdale. The leadership, teaching, and the faith-based direction we've embraced through our institution and the Faith Center have been remarkable. Academically, our students have improved, and we've seen better structure and discipline both in school and athletics. We now have a clear sense of purpose and a strong, positive culture that everyone can be a part of.
2. Your football team has not lost a home game in those two years. You won 4 straight at home this season, outscoring your opponents 170-13 in those four games. Why is your team so much more confident and dominant at home?
All our home games were against teams that started up around the same time as we did and have a similar number of student-athletes. But beyond that, I have a strong group of young men who continue to grow and develop. This season, we're adding more upperclassmen and students who are ready to compete. The success we've had is a direct result of the structure, discipline, and the confidence we've built as a team. We work hard to create an environment where every player can thrive, and I believe our home games reflect that.
3. You've created a family atmosphere with many of your former players working under you. How have you maintained a positive relationship with your former players decades later?
It's amazing to see how my former players have grown into strong, responsible young men with families of their own. I feel blessed to have them in my life, it's not just about football anymore, it's about the bonds we've built that last. Going on family trips and calling them some of my best friends is a huge blessing. They have been a big part of my journey, and I consider them a core part of my calling. Our relationship is rooted in mutual respect and care, which has only grown over the years.
4. You lead by example; one example of this is continuing your education at the University of Fort Lauderdale. Why did you decide to do this, and what does that say to your student-athletes about education?
I've always admired my mother, who was the first in our family to earn a college degree and later a master's. Her accomplishments set an example for me, and I felt it was only right to follow in her footsteps. My mom is my hero and my mentor, and continuing my education shows my student-athletes the importance of lifelong learning. It's a message to them that education doesn't stop, no matter where you are in your life or career. It's a commitment to bettering yourself both on and off the field.
5. You had one senior on the football team this year, Franco DeLuca. What do you expect from your team this off-season, and what is your recruiting philosophy for next season, considering that a lot of your young players grew up on the job this year and still have 2-3 years of eligibility left?
I'm excited about the potential of my team. This season has been a great learning experience for our younger players, and they've grown a lot. Going into the off-season, I expect them to stay focused, continue improving, and take on more leadership roles. As for recruiting, my goal is to bring in 60 more student-athletes who are ready to compete at a high level. We're looking for talent, but also for character—players who will fit into our family atmosphere and contribute to the culture we're building. It's also important to keep our current players on track academically and encourage them to stay disciplined, both on and off the field. I believe that how you do anything is how you do everything, so we want to instill that mindset in every player we bring in. This is a pivotal year for us. Our recruiting strategy is to find athletes who align with our values and can contribute to both the athletic and academic success of our team. We want to continue to foster an environment where excellence is the standard, and our players can grow both on and off the field.
