DeRail Sims, Running Backs Coach - East Carolina

06/04/20 • 27 min

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring East Carolina University Running Backs Coach, De'Rail Sims. Coach Sims discusses some of the methods he uses to improve as a coach, the importance of pursuing professional development opportunities, and the significance of coaching at different levels.

De'Rail Sims was named East Carolina's running backs coach in December of 2018. During his first year at East Carolina, Sims guided his corps to their highest single-season rushing yardage total (1,696) since 2014. Prior to ECU, Coach Sims was James Madison's running backs coach from 2016-18. He helped the Dukes collectively stand 4th nationally in rushing TDs (108), 6th in rushing yards (9,422), and 13th in rushing yards per game (219.1). Sims has also had coaching stints at West Carolina (2013-15), Carson-Newman (2012), Pikeville (2011), and Milerville (2010). Coach Sims has been a part of various professional development opportunities, such as the AFCA's 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute in 2019 and the NCAA & NFL Coaches Academy in 2014.

[0:27] Start of interview
[1:10] Coaching mentors and influences
[2:21] Becoming a collegiate football coach
[3:30] Lessons learned as a student assistant
[5:04] Developing as a running backs coach
[8:15] Teaching progression
[9:58] Pursuing professional development opportunities
[19:21] The significance of coaching at different levels

[0:27] Start of interview
[1:10] Coaching mentors and influences
[2:21] Becoming a collegiate football coach
[3:30] Lessons learned as a student assistant
[5:04] Developing as a running backs coach
[8:15] Teaching progression
[9:58] Pursuing professional development opportunities
[19:21] The significance of coaching at different levels

Previous Episode

Dave Scholz, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach - Texas Tech

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Texas Tech University Strength and Conditioning Coach, Dave Scholz. Coach Scholz discusses how he stayed connected with his players in the midst of a pandemic, offers advice for other coaches as athletes return to campus, and shares the experience of coaching a first-round NFL draft pick.

Dave Scholz is entering his second season as Texas Tech’s head strength and conditioning coach. Scholz was among Matt Wells’ first hires after accepting the head coaching position at Texas Tech, bringing with him his strength and conditioning coach from all six seasons at Utah State (2013-18). In his position, Scholz oversees the entire strength and conditioning program for the Red Raiders, while also working closely with the athletic training and nutrition staffs. As a graduate assistant, Scholz tutored under current Minnesota Vikings head strength and conditioning coach Mark Uyeyama, who served in a similar capacity at Utah State from 2004-07. Uyeyama later hired Scholz as a strength and conditioning intern with the San Francisco 49ers in 2011. Scholz was promoted to a strength, nutrition and conditioning assistant with the 49ers in 2012 where he was responsible for the programming of quarterbacks and kickers, as well as all the nutritional aspects of the organization.

Scholz has earned his CSCS Certification from the NSCA, Precision Nutrition Certification, ISSA Sports Nutrition Certification, BioSignature Modulation, PICP Levels I & II Certification, Metabolic Analytics Certification, Kinetic Chain Enhancement Upper and Lower Body Certification, and Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist Certification (FRCms).

[1:35] Start of interview
[2:10] Staying connected with athletes during COVID-19
[4:11] Finding creative ways to train throughout quarantine
[6:47] Implementing virtual daily meetings
[8:26] Keeping athletes motivated
[10:38] Protocol for when athletes return to campus
[14:22] Advice for coaches as athletes return
[19:17] Silver linings during the pandemic
[21:25] The value of continued education
[23:00] Coaching a first-round draft pick

Next Episode

Beyond the Field: Enhancing the Experience of College Football

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring the Beyond the Field: Enhancing the Experience of College Football breakout session from the 2020 AFCA Convention. This panel features Roosevelt Boone, the Director of Player Engagement at Rutgers University; Mikado Hinson, the Director of Player Development at Texas A&M University; and Kevin Washington, the Director of Player Development at the University of Texas. This session was moderated by Ed Jones, who is the Director of Player Development at the University of Kansas.

These coaches discuss the role of player development, personal wellness, community impact, as well as career and professional development.

Roosevelt Boone currently serves as the Director of Player Engagement for the Rutgers University football team. Here, Boone creates personal and professional development for athletes through wellness, civic engagement and career development. Prior to joining the staff at Rutgers, Boone co-founded Strong Mind-Strong Body, Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes physical, mental, and spiritual wellness through summer youth programs for low-income households in an effort to improve the quality of life for families and communities.

Mikado Hinson is currently the Director of Player Development at Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the Aggies, Hinson served on staff with Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Houston, Texas. Here, Mikado spent 14 years working as the Team Chaplain and Character Development Coach for the University of Houston football program. Hinson has also worked as the Team Chaplain for the Houston Rockets, and served on the FCA National Chaplain’s Task Force.

Kevin Washington is currently the Director of Player Development at the University of Texas. Here, he helps develop young men of character both on and off the field. Prior to joining the Longhorns’ staff, Washington served on staff with Fellowship of Christian Athletes as the University of Houston athletic department chaplain. Before U of H, Washington also worked on staff at FCA in Abilene, Texas.

Edward Jones is currently the director of player development at the University of Kansas. Prior to joining the Jayhawks’ staff, Jones served as the director of player development at the University of Houston, where he created Beyond The Field, a program that focuses on the personal welfare, community impact, and career development of the U of H football players.