Life After College Coaching: A Tribute To Dr. Rod Paige

Some college football coaches have a "life after football." Dr. Rod Paige is a man that fits a pattern of illustrious successes after coaching in a collegiate environment.

Dr. Paige coached the Texas Southern University (TSU) football team from 1971-1975. The Texas Southern Univesity Tiger Football History says, "Rod Paige became the fifth TSU mentor in September 1971 and went on to compile a 7-2-1 record in his first year of competition.

"Following the 1975 season, Paige resigned his football coaching duties to devote full time as athletic director."

During Paige's seasons as a coach, the TSU team record was:

7-2-1  1971

5-4-1  1972

4-6-1  1973

6-4-0  1974

4-6-0  1975

I repeat the chorus of a melody of wisdom, "There is life after football."

Now, let's have fun examining a simplistic "path analysis" model for a former player who became a coach, Dr. Rod Paige. Dr. Paige's career at TSU and in the Houston Independent School District (HISD), metaphorically speaking, served as his homework for a presidential appointment.

A simple "causal" model can look like the following:

player—> coach—> athletic director--> TSU dean—> HISD board trustee—> HISD superintendent—> U. S. Secretary of Education.

Dr. Paige is an example of a former athlete who learned well the rules of the game of life. He negotiated his way to the top position in education in the United States of America. He is the counterexample to the assumption that "nothing good can come out of Nazareth."

His life choices counter the perception that, "many high achieving athletes wander aimlessly." His life has had direction and purpose.

Life after football can be whatever the football player wants it to be. It can encompass the stability, health and attitude of great men. All it takes is an athlete who embraces the concepts in compliance with a healthy, stable and positive lifestyle.

More of us must be that "man or woman in the mirror" who take a look at ourselves and the choices we make. Apply path analysis to your life and career.

What do you see?

There can be a powerful, productive lifestyle after football at every level from high school to college to the NFL. The choices we make at the nodes in our lives, thrust us forward to our destiny.

May your path lead you to an illustrious career as did the path of Dr. Rod Paige, the coach who became a top administrator in the United States Department of Education.

We salute, Dr. Rod Paige.