One of the main ways players stay connected with the sport that has been such a massive part of their lives after their playing days are over is the transition from playing on the field to coaching the next generation of players from the sideline. Colorado Mesa's football staff has five such men, who recently shared their experiences on how culture has changed since they last played for the Mavs, and what they notice is different.

Coaching is a very different world from playing. The detail, the amount of responsibility to help the players on a team improve, and most clearly, the difference between catching a ball, protecting the quarterback, or being the hard hitter that stops a drive in its tracks. As offensive assistant Donnie Holmes put it, "It's more about being a teacher, developing as a motivator, more detail-oriented as a coach than a player." 

For Holmes, wide receiver coach Ryan Whittington, and co-offensive coordinator Trevor Wikre, culture is also a bit different from when they last played. Coaching changes, a culture shift in football, and a more recent movement in football to push player safety towards the top of the priority list.

Culture looks different for each coach. Holmes played in the late 70s and early 80s– at time of defense, grit, and hard-hitting. Meanwhile, Whittington and Wikre played in the early 2000s during the era of adaptability and versatility. Now looking into the current playstyle of analytics and deception-based tactics. It is a different game, but as each touched on, there are still sprinkles of the same in the air.

"The talent pool has definitely increased since we played… But the culture was very similar. We're blue collar, hard-working, nothing's given to you," Whittington said.

As safety goes, for better or worse, the concept has shifted to protecting players.  You can't have two-a-days anymore. You can't do some of these things that really will push you mentally and physically as a human. That part has changed the game tremendously," Wikre said.  "It's just what it is nowadays."

Other coaches, such as defensive assistant JaCari Williams, who enters his first year as a coach after playing defensive back for the Mavericks for the last three years, describe the change from player to coach as "a different view".

"Now, I help the younger guys, mentor them and show them how it's supposed to be done. It still feels like a family and still feels like football," Williams said.

These four are just a few examples of former players who've continued their involvement in a Mavericks program that is in the midst of the winds of change, with Head Coach Miles Kochevar leading the charge midway through his fourth season.

These four and the rest of the Mavericks team return for their homecoming game against Fort Lewis College on October 25th at 2 P.M.