‘Where are They Now’ is an occasionally appearing series about former SEU Athletes and what they have gone on to do after graduation.

It has been eight months since I stepped onto the graduation stage at St. Edward’s University to receive my undergraduate degree. Time sure did fly during my five years at St. Edward’s. I can vividly remember everything from my orientation to playing lacrosse in the old Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

During my last three years at St. Edward’s, I coached varsity and junior varsity football at Hyde Park Baptist High School. While it was hard for me to juggle coaching at Hyde Park about 60 hours a week on top of all my extra-curricular activities and classes, I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.

My love and passion for coaching has led me to continue my career as a university football coach. After advice from a high school teammate, John Knorr, who was also my advisor at St. Edward’s, I decided it was best for me to pursue a master’s degree while coaching football.

Knorr put in a reference for me at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene with Texas coaching legend, Jimmie Keeling, who has worked more than 50 years as a coach in the state of Texas.

After an interview with Keeling in February 2009, he called me to inform me I had received the coaching position. That same week, I was accepted in the Sports Management program.

I moved to Abilene two weeks after graduation.

From June until the end of July, I worked the Big County Air it Out camp for high school athletes put on by Hardin-Simmons Offensive Coordinator Alan Wartes.It is the first ranked quarterback and receivers camp in the nation. Former campers include Colt McCoy, Jevan Sneed, Graham Harrell, Jordon Shipley and Stephen McGee. 

 

Then, the 2009 Hardin-Simmons University football season began in August. For about two weeks, I received training on our offensive and defensive systems. We also cleaned the weight room, equipment room and locker rooms, and we started issuing and assembling equipment for two-a-days. 

Two-a-days were a lot of work. Our job included field set-up, film work, equipment managers, and scout teams. During two-a-days, I worked from 5:30-9 p.m. There was always something to be done.

We started the season on a very high note. Hardin-Simmons had just come off a great season in 2008 with a 9-2 record, second in the American Southwest Conference, and the accomplishment of making it to the playoffs.

This year, we started the season ranked fourth in the nation in Div. III football. Hardin-Simmons is the winningest football program in the state of Texas with 18 consecutive winning seasons.

Being the greatest and the best is expected out of Hardin-Simmons football coaches and players. My hours on average ranged from 80-90 hours a week. All the while, I was taking graduate classes.

My responsibility was to work under Jesse Burleson, the assistant head coach and offensive line coach. I’m one of his assistant offensive line coaches. At Hardin-Simmons, we have 30 offensive linemen.

During practice, I assisted Burleson by running drills and teaching football techniques to the linemen. During team practice, I helped run the offensive scout team for our varsity defense.

Practices are very upbeat and intense since we are allowed by the NCAA to practice for two hours in pads. Our football program consists of 190 football players.

In Div. III football, teams are allowed both JV and varsity squads. JV games are held on Monday nights while Varsity games are played on Saturdays.

In JV games, I was an on-the-field coach, correcting and motivating the JV offensive lineman. For our varsity games, I was in the press box, charting the offensive plays and assisting Burleson with spotting weaknesses, stunts and fronts in the opponent’s defense.

Sundays, we work out, lift weights and watch film. The players are there from 2-6 p.m., and the coaches work from 8 a.m. until about 7 p.m. So I work seven days a week during the season. It’s a lot of work, but a great experience.

Now that the season is over, my job is to recruit high school football players to come play at Hardin-Simmons. I am constantly on the road looking for recruits.

One of the best things about recruiting is that I was able to go to Belton High School, my former high school, to recruit players from the program that first made me passionate about football.

Now that the spring semester has started up, I’m in charge of recruit visits on Fridays and Saturdays. I also help with the strength and conditioning of our football program.

As a coach, there is always something to do. Whether it’s film, equipment, workouts, academics or practices, we are always preparing for next season. 

Our goal is to win conference this coming season and make it to the playoffs. We have a lot of players returning, including our two-time all-American starting quarterback and slot receiver.

Our entire offensive line is returning as well, and we also have senior leadership at the receiver and running back positions. Our defense is returning as an entire unit, except for two players. All in all, the 2010 season looks very promising for the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys.

I miss Austin and St. Edward’s very much, but I know you cannot stay in one place forever. You must always be moving forward and accepting the challenges that are in store for you. 

St. Edward’s was one of the best experiences for me. If you had told me as a freshman in 2004 that I would now be coaching college football, I would have laughed at you.

I give a special thanks to all my family, friends, classmates, teammates, professors, staff and advisors at St. Edward’s. I would not have made it this far without any of you. Every single one of you had an impact in my life whether it was big or small.

 

Coach Bert Guzman

Hardin-Simmons University Football

Offensive Line Assistant