GBI Magazine

It's often said that former high-profile players have trouble coaching those with lesser talent. But Alstott seems to have no such reservations. "It's pure. You see kids transition," the Joliet, Ill., native said of high school football. "I've only been there a year, but I've seen in a year, some of my ninth graders who are going to be 10th graders having changed a lot. "It's just the development of kids' frame of mind that I get to be a part of." But there are challenges, too, such as Northside Christian's limited athletic budget. "But Mike never once has complained about anything," Hernandez said. "You go to One Buc Place (home of the Buccaneers) and sit there and look at those facilities and you're like 'Wow,' then you come to a high school and you're like, 'Man, how does he mentally do that?' But he's very resourceful. "He's one of those old-school guys who will still grab a Jeep and tie a rope to it and pull it. He'll use whatever he has to use to get the goal accomplished. He hasn't once complained about any of the facilities or lack of talent or lack of ability." Alstott is staying busy trying to improve his Mustangs. Along with being the president of the Mike Alstott Family Foundation, which helps families and children reach their peak potential, and being owner of Island Way Grill, Alstott searches for ways to spur on his players. "You have to be creative, stimulate them, change it up. You can't be boring," he said. "And you've got to teach, the whole thing about it is that you can be an X and O genius, but if you can't relate and teach, all the little things, you can't be successful." In April, Alstott was back at Purdue for the spring game, the second trip he's taken to West Lafayette in the last few years. But this one was a bit different. Before the spring game, he got a chance to speak to the current group of players and implored them not to let the opportunity pass that Purdue presents, from academics to athletics. Football can be cut short at any moment, he said. Although Alstott enjoyed 12 years in the NFL, it came to an end following a neck injury that kept him on injured reserve for all of the 2007 season. He hung up his helmet shortly thereafter. The Boilers heard the message. "The window of opportunity is so short, so you have to take care of every opportunity that you have," quarterback Rob Henry said. "Every day you have practice, every evening when you get done with your schoolwork and you're able to get in your playbook, you have to do those things. So when Saturdays come in the fall, and you have those opportunities, you'll well-prepared and ready to take advantage of them." Alstott will continue to pass along the message, as he tries to build the program at Northside to new heights. The Mustangs haven't made the state playoffs since 2006, and they'd like to again. Alstott says he's committed to the school for another four seasons, wanting to see through Griffin's high school career. Hernandez says he'll happily have him, for at least that long and longer, if he likes. "We got a guy who is very committed to his faith, his family, the game of football and the kids that he coaches," Hernandez said. "We got a person who is very dedicated, very committed. Just knowing Mike's background, he's very loyal to a place; he's been in this area for 16 years, played for the Bucs for 12. He's a guy who doesn't jump around. He's very committed and once he sets roots, he's in for the long haul. He's just been a blessing here and a huge encouragement to the kids and the staff in general." j Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 5com PLAYING ON SUNDAYS The following is a look at former Boilermakers in the NFL, following the free agencies period earlier this spring. New England Patriots #90 LB Niko Koutouvides #50 DE Rob Ninkovich Dallas Cowboys #8 QB Kyle Orton #93 LB Anthony Spencer Seattle Seahawks #56 DE Cliff Avril #5 PK Carson Wiggs Tennessee Titans #66 OT Mike Otto #31 S Bernard Pollard Green Bay Packers #96 DE Mike Neal Jacksonville Jaguars #77 RG Uche Nwaneri Miami Dolphins #81 TE Dustin Keller New Orleans Saints #9 QB Drew Brees Philadelphia Eagles #67 Dennis Kelly San Diego Chargers #61 C Nick Hardwick Washington Redskins #91 LB Ryan Kerrigan Free Agent LB Shaun Phillips

• Cover