Tom Campbell
Despite entering only his second season as a projected
starter, Kugler has emerged as one
of the team's leaders on offense. He
prides himself on being a leader and
trying to set a strong example with his
work ethic.
head coach at UTEP. "They were
in pro football and got a chance to
see guys who didn't do the right
things get cut. They got a chance
to see the guys who did do the right
things play a very long time. I think
it made an impression on both of
them and helped develop the work
ethic they have."
Though Robert Kugler cultivated
friendships with some of the players
his dad coached over the years —
he casually dropped Steelers' center Maurkice Pouncey into a recent
conversation — not all of his growth
came from watching.
Dad played a role, too.
Family bike rides with Patsy and little sister Kali
would inevitably take pit stops in a park, allowing dad
to pull aside Robert and Patrick and work on impromptu
drills. He'd have them do some footwork, sliding their
feet, or run.
"It was fun, but it was also hard," Robert Kugler said.
"But it was always something we wanted to do."
As the kids got older and were in high school, there were
fewer of those workout sessions because Robert and Patrick were working on their own or with high school coaches. But Sean Kugler still would sit them down and watch
film, pointing out things they didn't even need to know, like
safety rotations. He'd preach playing with the right attitude
and finishing every play.
And Sean Kugler always was available upon request for
drill work.
Ultimately, that was needed.
Robert Kugler came to Purdue as a tight end prospect, but he was moved to offensive line in the spring
of 2012, after redshirting a year. He worked some at
center that spring, backing up Rick Schmeig, and also
at guard.
By the seventh game of the season, Kugler had supplanted starter Devin Smith at right guard and quickly became
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