Educators such as these deserve the distinguished title of "Coach and Teacher."
A stellar example is Dr. Rod Paige, U.S. Secretary of Education. From his days growing up in Mississippi as the son of a librarian and school principal, to quarterback at Jackson State, to coaching football at the collegiate level, to his doctoral dissertation, "Response Time of Lineman," Secretary Paige blurred the lines between education and athletics and has had an impact on many lives both on the field and in the classroom.
From the beginning, Secretary Paige held two things close to his heart: school and sports. Paige went on to Jackson State where he played quarterback.
Secretary Paige began his professional career as a head football coach at Utica Junior College. After a solid early start, he returned to his alma mater, Jackson State University, where he coached for eight seasons. After his tenure at Jackson State, he was an assistant coach for two seasons at the University of Cincinnati, before taking over the reins of the football program at Texas Southern University in Houston and firmly establishing his roots in the Lone Star State.
Secretary Paige had a strong career as a college football coach with a few notable players under his tutelage. At Jackson State, he coached Lem Barney and recruited Eddie Payton.
Payton, older brother of the late Hall of Fame running back Walter, said "When Paige recruited me, he told my parents that he could not promise I would ever play a down of professional football, but what he could promise was a quality education that was marketable for a lifetime. During my four years at Jackson State, Paige continually reminded me about the promise he made to my parents about a good education."
Payton went on to a career in the NFL. "Paige always stressed fundamentals and accountability both on and off the field."
It was Paige's focus on the basics that help direct Lem Barney to a standout college career as a cornerback. Barney had played quarterback in high school, but switched to defense knowing that Jackson State already had two great quarterbacks and that in the late 1960s, there were few opportunities in professional football for a black quarterback.
"I have great respect, admiration, and adoration for Coach Paige," said Barney. "He had a tremendous impact on my life. Coach Paige always stressed academics. He was a tremendous educator as a coach and led by example. During the off season, Coach Paige worked on his Masters and then Doctorate."
Barney was drafted by the Detroit Lions as a second round draft choice in 1967, and his pro career was just as memorable. In 1992, Barney was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
One future Hall of Fame inductee Paige passed on while coaching at Texas Southern was Darrell Green who retired at the end of the 2002 NFL season after an outstanding 20-year career with the Washington Redskins. Green grew up across the street from Texas Southern.
Paige knowingly laughed when asked about Darrell Green. "Not recruiting Darrell may be a reason I am no longer a coach. . . When I became Secretary of Education, I was sure not to overlook Darrell again, and I recruited him for the No Child Left Behind team to help us make the point that, in America, every single child deserves a chance."
Throughout Paige's coaching days, he always remained committed to both athletics and academics. At Texas Southern, Paige not only served as head coach and athletic director, but also became a tenured professor. In 1984, Paige left coaching when he was appointed Dean of Education at Texas Southern-a huge victory for education in America.
Today, Secretary Paige is viewed as an education leader who understands the issues facing local districts and schools. He truly believes that educating America's children is a team effort. "Functioning as a team is much more powerful, to the extent that you get people rallying around a core idea," said Paige. Darrell Green calls him, "America's Coach."
Secretary Paige is committed to ensuring that no child in America is left behind. As children head back to school, America's Coach offers this pre-game advice, "Listen to your teachers. Do your homework. Read a lot-the more you read, the more you learn what you need to know to achieve your dreams. Dream big. Aim high. Work hard, and keep working."
It's clear that the values Secretary Paige gained from the sport remain with him today. "The game of football has left an indelible mark on my heart and on my life," said Paige.