For WXXI news, I'm Rachel Steven filling in for Evan Dawson.

And this is connections.

Mo Jackson is a high school football coach, and he made headlines last month when he parted ways with Aquinas Institute just after leading their football team to a section five double AA championship.

But not long after, he found a new home at Curtis High School, a mostly black all boys charter school where he's now leading their young football program at Aquinas.

It was all about winning at Vernice is just as much about mentorship in guiding young black men, both on and off the field.

In this hour, we're going to hear more about Coach Jackson story, talk about his approach to coaching and leadership, and hear why mentorship is important for students and adults.

Mo Jackson is in studio with me, football coach at Vernice High Charter High School.

thanks for coming.

Well.

Yeah.

For sure.

How are you doing?

I'm great.

Thank you for being here.

And to your left.

Right.

This is your left.

Right.

Okay.

We have Maurice Rice is the lead preceptor and also the assistant head coach at vertex.

He joins us here today.

Hi, Maurice.

How are you doing?

I'm great.

Thank you for coming.

And across the table.

This is the exciting part.

We have two players here with me.

All right.

And both of you guys are juniors, correct?

Yes.

In both football players at vertex.

Gabrielle Medina, Gabrielle Medina and Michael Rogers.

Hi, guys.

Thanks for coming.

you get to skip school today.

I know you're excited about that.

Now, Mo, let's get right into it.

Right.

Can you tell our listeners about your background, your football background?

when did it start?

and how did you get into, coaching?

Okay.

well, so my football background started with the southwest coast, as a youngster.

8 or 9 years old.

My dad walked me out.

We lived right across the street from the field.

So he walked us across the street, and, you know, the rest is history.

but we, you know, from there I went and played at Marshall High School, where I had a pretty good career.

it allowed me to earn a scholarship to play at Syracuse University.

Played there for four years.

That's more than pretty good, if you ask me.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So, so I played at Syracuse for four years, and then, I had a stint in, in the NFL, with the bills and then went and played in Canada with the British Columbia Lions on the West Coast.

Loved it over there.

And then, came back.

You know, went through my, my, my injury phase, hurt myself and then played, three years of arena football.

Yeah.

So coaching coaching kind of came about I started coaching at Suny Mooresville.

I coached at Mooresville for two years.

when I was still staying in Syracuse.

and then when I came home, I went and coached at the University of Rochester for five years with a good friend of mine, Scott Green, former NFL player, as well.

And then, you know, I opened my training business school where I trained a bunch of the high school athletes, some college athletes, and some professional athletes from the area.

And every year, few parents would, you know, nudged me and asked me to come and help their kids team play.

So, I kind of took them up on it first with, you prep, a few years ago, and then, a year after that, over at Aquinas had a bunch of Aquinas kids that were asking me to come.

So I actually went over there and, and, you know, one thing led to another and head coaching job kind of fell in my lap over there.

So I wasn't really looking to be a head coach at all.

But once you get, you know, linked to kids, you start to, you know, get those connections and then, yeah, you know.

Yeah.

And the default is, like you said, it falls in your lap, right?

and at Aquinas, you had a pretty good run there, right?

Can you tell us about, what you accomplished at Aquinas?

Yeah.

so when I got there, it was, you know, they were down.

they've been down for some years.

I got there to first year, as a, you know, just an assistant coach.

I think we won three games.

And then the next year, I became the head coach.

we took those three wins to seven wins.

And then the year after that, is when we won the sectional title and was really one play away from making it to the state championship football game.

wow.

And then you just recently parted ways with, with the institution and you and I spoke.

you know, we we've done a ton of interviews together.

And in one of the interviews, you said after you parted ways with them, you were going to take a break from coaching, right?

Yep.

And shortly after, yeah.

You made headlines again with your move to Verdi's charter high school.

Yeah.

And I called you immediately, like, what just happened?

What made you change your mind?

Can you tell us about going to Verdi's and what happened there that made you write?

it started with this guy to your left.

good friend of mine, Mo Moraes.

So?

So moment.

Moment, actually, like.

Like, talking me into football for a while now, he I remember, like, as adults, as older men, we would go out and play flag football in these leagues.

And, couple of years I was like, I'm not playing if I'm not playing.

So.

So Mo was out there players.

I was like, I'm gonna come play.

So Mo gave me he he sent me a text and said, you know, before you make your decision, you know, come and check us out.

Give us a shot.

Yeah.

I visited Verdi's a couple of years ago, with a mentor of mine, myself, Joe Carter.

He was over there.

He brought me in and, talked to some kids there, and I like the vibe.

And then when Mo asked me to come in and, you know, you know, give a shot, give it a shot and look into it.

I went over there and immediately it was a no brainer.

It was, it was.

It just felt like home.

It felt like where I was supposed to be.

And, you know what my steps were ordered to do.

So, you know, like I said, it was a no brainer.

We talked about some things and got some some, you know, things in order.

And, you know, here we are.

Yeah.

And you said it felt like home.

Yeah, right.

Can you speak on that?

Because when when we say feels like home, that's that's pretty profound, right.

What about it felt like home to you, going through the school and meeting, a bunch of the kids.

these two, was included in that.

I kind of saw myself in a lot of these little boys, you know?

it was it was, you know, something that felt good.

It felt really good to be, you know, in that kind of space.

and meeting a bunch of little kids that were hungry.

a bunch of little, little black boys that were hungry and wanted to wanted to, you know, it was a change happening.

Anyways, I think they were in, in looking for a new head coach.

So once I got in there, started talking to the kids, it just felt like, you know, this is this is a great place.

The atmosphere over there is amazing.

It's like the the morning meetings that we have as a school is nothing like it.

And it's right in line with what I'm about.

So it definitely was, you know, something that I couldn't pass up.

You know, the opportunity.

Like people always, they often say that, you know, schools are lucky to have me because of my background, but I'm lucky that, you know, Vernice exists because this is probably the only place that I would have said yes to at that time.

Oh, wow.

Wow.

So, you know, you're you're coaching predominantly black boys, right?

is there a change of philosophy when you're coaching a team of with 98%, children, students of minority, minority students at the school?

So is there a a different philosophy?

You, not not a different philosophy.

football is football.

I, I learned the game one way, and that's the only way.

I'm a coach.

It, is it different?

The only difference is because I can relate to a lot more.

I can relate on a different level to.

So these boys, you know, you know, the kids over at Aquinas.

I love the kids.

I loved every one of them.

You know, those are.

Those are my guys.

but, you know, it's it's a little different when you got, you know, kids that remind you of yourself a lot, you know?

So it's a it's different is fun.

but like I said, you know, those boys over there, we all have a relationship.

You know, I have a relationship with them.

I still talk to the kids, you know, from Aquinas.

but I'm excited about this new opportunity.

Oh, nice.

And, Maurice, I want to talk to you because you made that initial phone call to Mo Jackson to tell him, like, hey, we need we need you here.

You should come check it out.

What made you think of of mold for this?

For this position?

What made you think this was a great fit for him?

well, actually, I was I've been kind of throwing that name out there for years.

just like.

Hey, man, come, come coach for me, mama.

but when we were going through the the changes, I thought the students needed something new, something fresh.

I also coach, and, I know they know me well, but I felt like they needed, you know, a guy that has come from their background, that has played on the highest level.

and a guy of his knowledge had just come in and, you know, be different for them.

Teach.

And, like I told, more like Amen.

As soon as they get to know you, they're going to love you, you know?

And that's kind of what we're seeing already.

So the decision was easy.

it was it was a easy call.

It was easy text.

I'm actually still surprised that he actually answered.

Do you have A00, do.

But, you didn't bribe him at all, right.

No, no.

Overall.

No.

I'm bad with my phone.

That's what he said.

Oh I go, I'm bad at this and this.

This football program is fairly new.

Yeah, this is fairly new.

How long has it been?

Four years.

I believe this will be the fourth year.

This will be the fourth year now at Aquinas.

This was a this this program is pretty.

Pretty well, no.

Right.

And you just brought it back to to glory.

But here you're taking a pretty young, department, right.

And trying to get it to that next level.

Yeah.

Any pressure at all?

of course it's pressure.

It's a it's a lot of pressure actually, because, I don't look at it as this ain't for me.

You know, it's about the it's about the boys.

It's about them having that experience.

It's about them having a fun high school career.

And in this game, you know, nothing's fun unless you're winning.

So the pressure is on to win.

Even though I know, like I always say, football is a been to built in mentorship program too.

because as coaches, we, we mentor the boys and all that kind of stuff.

So I know they're going to take some, some, some things that they'll take into life with them that's going to help them out with being successful.

But of course, you want them to have those stories about, you know, how their football team was successful.

And, you know, it's our job to to provide those memories for them.

And as a coach, Ray, you are you do play multiple roles, especially when dealing with young black men.

Right?

Sometimes you can be a father figure.

are you ready to take on that role as well?

Absolutely.

100%.

if I couldn't, I wouldn't do it at all.

Like, I wouldn't I would just step back and, you know, you know, watch the games and be a fan.

But, we need guys like myself, like Mo Rice and the others, you know, guys and I, I say, say that about all football coaches because we we all got to take on that role, to help grow the sport, to help, you know, make, maintain the sports, integrity and stuff like that.

So it takes a lot of good men to do the job that we're doing.

none of us do it for the pay.

And because of, you know what?

We got paid.

You know, it's not.

That's not why we do it.

And it's not sad, is it?

Is it is what it is.

So I, I applaud any coaches that coach at the high school level up, up north here.

it's a different, different beast in the South thing as a full time job.

But the mentorship part and being a father figure to the players is, it's something that has to happen.

So yes, it's a no brainer to me.

Yes.

And you, you said something very profound.

You said when we talked before, you said, your your mission right in is to create successful men on and off the field.

And that's when you know, you've done.

Yes.

Your job.

Yep, yep.

So when, when my, my mission, like, like you said, is I need these guys to grow up and and think about the tough times and practice the things that I've said to them that they still play back in their own minds because it's happening to me every, you know, all the time.

I hear my coaches voice in the back of my mind, you know, telling me stuff that I took into life that helped me out.

So I want them to have those kind of, memories and so that they can say, you know, coach, when they see me, when I'm 65 and 70 years old, they're still going to call me coach, because that's when you know, you've done your job.

You know, when they they're looking up to you and loving you still.

but that's why we do it.

Yeah.

Can you talk a little bit about mentorship beyond the football field.

Right.

And what does that look like.

So mentorship beyond football I tell the guys to approach everything in life.

Like you approach the game like if you love the game, you're going to go out there, you're going to work hard, you're going to practice.

Are you going to play hard, approach your school, work like that, approach your your career like that?

because if you do, you're going to you're going to land in a good spot.

but the mentorship part of football, you know, we deal with the physical mainly, right?

These guys are running themselves into each other and all that kind of stuff.

But for me, the mental toughness is the piece that that I kind of focus on a bit more.

because if you're going to be a winning program, you got to pay attention to detail.

And if you can't pay attention to detail while you're dead tired, then we need to work on that mental toughness part, because you need to be able to think while you're while you're working hard.

And if you can get them to take that into life, the lessons and the things that they, that they're going to, you know, be able to achieve, you know, they, they're going to look back and say, I got that from Coach Mo.

I got that from Coach Morris.

You know, I'm saying so stuff like that is is important in the mentorship part of football.

Yeah.

It's not just a game.

It's you know, it's really a lifestyle.

And I want to flip this.

Right.

Because how does that relationship kind of benefit you on the field.

Right.

When you yeah.

You provide that mentorship to young men.

Now they want to play harder for you.

Right.

Okay.

Can we talk about you asking these questions like you're saying because I play listen, I watch football like I know I'm not.

I know where they know the the yard line and the field goal.

How many points that is.

I know all of that.

Yeah.

So so I'm glad you asked that because the mentorship part of it is about trust.

Yes.

Right.

You got to get them to trust you.

And when, when, when you're you're opening their eyes, you know, getting those, those, those, those brow raising moments and the things that you're teaching them, they're going out there and doing it and it's working.

Then they want more, you know, I mean, so now they really trust you and they know you're, you're, you're you're you're talking telling them the right stuff.

So it's a, it's a level of trust that you gain.

And then, you know, once you've gained that trust you got it throughout life.

And all my boys, everybody that I've coached and I'm pretty sure everybody that most, most coached, we always tell our kids, my phone number ain't changing.

You know, if it does, you'll find it.

You'll get it.

I'm always one call away.

So guys that I coached about back at Mooresville, we still, you know, talk on Facebook.

So you haven't changed your phone number since then?

No.

you're pretty stable.

I don't think so.

but but they all know that I'm always one, one phone call away, so.

And it'll be the same with these boys, I'm sure.

but that's just the mentorship.

Part of the of the program is being a father figure, never going nowhere.

And and when I, when I, when you allowed me to, to witness your first meeting with your new team.

Right.

the applause, that these young men gave you when you walked into that gymnasium.

Yeah.

how did that feel?

Pressure.

You know, you walk in and they're clapping because they're happy that, you know, they're happy that I chose to say yes to the position.

but to me, it felt like.

All right, there it comes.

You know, this is this is this is full of pressure.

You now.

Because I got to deliver.

Yeah, I got to deliver.

And I'm not I'm not worried about the football part of it.

because that's going to take care of itself.

as long as they're having fun, as long as they know that we're.

We're done.

We got to.

Cause we all, you know, we're going to win together.

We're going to lose together.

as long as they know that kind of stuff, it's a win.

But you still, as a coach, as a competitor, you want to win football games.

Yeah.

So yeah.

And Maurice, when when the school found out that Mo Jackson was going to be your new head coach, what was the response?

Well, what was the community?

What was it?

Talk.

Give me the gossip.

What happened?

It was, it we we kind of kept it low for a while.

we didn't want to announce it too soon.

jokingly with with, mo here, I would text him like, hey, so, you know, when can I when can I announce this or when when you when is your first day?

when the because of of the the headlines before.

Was it because of the departure from Aquinas?

not so much.

We we pride ourselves on making sure we do everything right.

so we wanted to make sure everything was in line before we said, okay, you know, this is the the announcement, the big announcement.

and the excitement around the school was on another level.

teachers, staff, you know, our school community were all very excited to have, you know, a person of his caliber in the building, not and again, not just football.

You know, it was a community guy, you know, known for football.

We're also known for being in the community and being a, a man of character.

And that's what we're building here, versus leave as a character.

So, a lot of excitement, a lot of time.

And if you're just tuning in with us, we have more Jackson here.

The head football coach at Curtis High School, along with Maurice Rice, the lead preceptor.

Is that right?

Yes.

What can we before I continue with your your accolades, what is a lead?

What is a preceptor?

Because I did a little research.

it's a lot.

Yes.

can you give me a little bit of what a lead preceptor is?

So.

Well, first, a preceptor is a preceptor is what we, have been talking about whole times.

Mentor.

Yes.

we're the role models.

we the position you receive a team of, about 15 and 20 students that you are responsible for their success.

So, that's attendance.

That's, grades.

Always checking in with parents, behavior, things of that nature.

Then we go above and beyond.

So we, talk to parents a lot.

we get to know the parents, the parents, the families, and we we like to say like the student is ours, but the families are as well.

So if anything's needed, were first guys to be called, That's full.

That's a ride.

That's transportation.

Is anything like that?

we are responsible for that.

That student success.

So that was that's what a preceptor is, is a mentor is a role model, a liaison.

it's, father figure.

It's all of that put into one.

And so as lead preceptor, it's my job to make sure our preceptors are doing just that.

and I like to say, as a lead preceptor, all the students are mine.

So I'm responsible for all of the students in the building, and just making sure they're successful in their four years.

And they have a plan when they're done.

So when, if Mo Jackson's not doing his job, you is your job to get him out.

No, no, no, he, he's, behavioral and intervention specialist, which is it's all honestly, it's all it's all one job.

It's all the same.

we all we are all mentors and role models in that building.

but no, I can't, I can't get on my own for not doing both.

Okay, good.

Just just making sure, And you're also the assistant head coach.

Yes.

Right.

so why is it important to have a strong role model?

like Mo Jackson, like yourself in a school, like versus, like, us being role models to the kids?

Yes.

it's very important.

they have to see successful men of color.

that have done, you know, done it before, have grown up, grown up in the neighborhoods that they've grown up, to see that there is there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

It could be, you know, it could be going through some some tough times and, you know, willing to give up or wanting to give up.

And then they look at me, they come to school and look at me and it's like, hey, this guy, you know, he did it.

You know, I grew up, not too far from from where I grew up.

I, you know, I grew up on Front Street.

I went to Wilson.

You know, I, in the same places that these kids are now.

So, like most said, we we see ourselves in them, and we, we want to make sure that they succeed.

So it's very important to have a good role model, somebody they can look at and trust.

And it's like, okay, well, if I follow what this guy's telling me to do, then I'm going to be successful too.

So yeah.

And how does I know sports play a huge part in this, right.

And breeding success stories.

so having this combination of mentorship in athletics, can you speak on how is that going to how is that that that's a that's a good another good question.

Right.

because that's something that I've been I've been you know, I won't turn your mic off at all.

I love that's, that's something that, that, that's something that I've actually been harping on in the city for, for a long time.

because, you know, you got to call a spade a spade, right?

these kids, they love sports, and you got to almost my my philosophy literally has been, you know, trick them into the classroom with the with the sports, right?

Because that's what they're going to respond to.

And, you know, for years, ever since I was a kid, you know, people have been saying it starts at home.

And I get that is true.

But at this point, to me, it's like an excuse for us not, you know, for for guys like us not doing our jobs.

Because if it starts at home and a lot of these, you know, a lot of the young men have issues at home that, you know, you know, we should be helping more.

So we kind of take it, take it into our hands and saying, like, we're going to help, you know, get this done regardless of the home situation.

for a lot of them.

So, the sports plays a big role because that's the that's the vehicle, right?

The sports is the vehicle that can get them on board.

You know, we we we say, you know, you can't do this sport and unless the academics are right.

Yeah.

So when you mix the sports that are, you know, getting better with the academics, with the mentorship, with the people that, you know, the men in the building that they can trust, it all goes together.

And, you know, the sports play a major part of it because, you know, every, you know, since you were little.

Everybody wants to be like Mike, right?

Yeah.

So why not use that same kind of metaphor and get them to where they want to be using the sports, and it just works.

before you say, you know, you know, you use another method.

these kids love sports, plain and simple.

So we can if we can make the sports attractive to them, then we can get them to be attracted to the school part of it, too.

Yes.

Oh that's great.

That was great.

And just a four year program.

Yeah.

This is this means more now than ever.

Right.

So we're trying to make sure this grows into a successful program.

So bringing more Jackson on board right now was strategic.

Yes.

Yes.

Very strategic.

Yes.

Yeah.

you know we can we can keep saying me.

Yeah, yeah.

I'm confident in what I know in the sport, but I go nowhere without my staff.

You know, I'm saying, nobody can can coach this game, and deal with this many personalities.

And every single kid like, you got to treat each kid the way they need to be treated.

Right?

So the staff that we have, and we're adding to it, is is what really, put the icing on the cake for me?

being able to coach with a guy like Mo, and the other guys that are in the building that it is, you know, they're going to be on the staff.

I'm excited for the boys to have that, you know, that coaching staff, that's what I'm excited about mostly.

Yeah.

We're going to talk to some of those boys in just a little bit.

we're going to take a break, a short break, and when we come back, we'll hear from our two of our players, Gabrielle Medina and Michael Rogers, both juniors at Vernice High School.

From WXXI news, I'm Meghan Mac, and this is connections.

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She's bringing her unique style and sensibility to the restaurant, and in doing so, she's increased kitchen revenue by 200%.

We hear the story of K Gina Rogers with guest host Raquel Stephen next.

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This is connections.

I'm Rachel Stevens sitting in for Evan Dawson, and we're talking about local football coach Mo Jackson and his role, both on and off the field.

And my guess I have a full house today.

I'm so excited because everyone decided to come in and that's the best part of this.

Mo Jackson is here.

He's now the new head coach of a high school football team.

I have Maurice Rice.

He is the lead preceptor, okay, and assistant head coach at Verdi's high school.

And we have two players here with us, Javier Medina and Michael Rogers.

Hi, fellas.

How are you?

I'm good.

How are you?

Good, good.

I'm good.

Make sure you guys do your homework after this, because I feel really bad that you have left school, but I know you don't feel bad.

fellas, can we talk a little bit about what the sports mean to you?

Right.

And what type of sports are you in and why?

Why your take to sports?

I'm sorry.

I'll go over.

recently, I just started getting into sports more in high school.

I didn't really do it as a younger kid, but, I think sports help with discipline.

I like to waste energy, you know, also grow as a person, but football specifically, I don't know what it is.

Is just something got a hold on me is just the best way I've played so far.

And it's just it brings a different type of competition out of you.

Yeah, yeah.

You said the best sport you've played so far.

What is it that you love about about football?

I don't know.

It's just up play receiver position.

So I think getting off the line and trying to get the ball to break off a defender is just fun.

You know, when you can, you do it successfully.

It's a different type of feeling, especially scoring a touchdown.

I don't think much compares to it as of right now.

So that was great.

That was very poetic.

I like that was I look at you guys are doing really good at it.

It's something like that in my life.

We're doing really well.

And Michael Rogers, can you tell us?

Yeah.

What does sports mean to you and what sports do you play outside of football?

sports.

Sports mean a lot.

any other sport I played, I love football was.

I ran track for, like, a year, maybe two.

Yeah.

I've been playing football since, like, fourth grade.

Wow, wow.

And, you know, Mo Jackson is new, and I know you guys seen some of the headlines and.

And what was the feeling like when you heard, like, hey, Mo Jackson might be your new head coach or he's coming in as your new head coach.

What was the reaction?

How do you guys feel about that?

I felt good because like, like when I seen on, primetime that he won a section, a, championship.

I feel like that we can go get one now.

Yeah.

And and for you, Gio, what did that mean for you when you heard the news?

To be quite honest, at first, you know, I just started again to football at first I didn't know who Mo Jackson was.

So I did my research and I was excited after I heard, especially knowing the respect he has from our coaches already.

So yeah, I was definitely excited.

And what do you like most looking forward to now with this, this new head coach?

I know the championship is is definitely, one of your goals, but what else are you looking forward to?

growing as a team last year?

I'm not knocking any players or coaches.

We still have a good coaching staff, but I think we need to grow as a team.

I think internally it was our downfall because we had a lot of players going at each other from bad plays.

Instead of saying, get the next one.

And I think, he'll bring more discipline to, you know.

And how do you feel, Michael?

just like he said, you know, last year, you know, we didn't really have, like, that good of a season.

So, like, hopefully we can be better than last year.

And how has it been since he.

I know it's been a probably just a few weeks.

do you feel a difference?

Do you like him?

Yeah.

Yeah.

do you like him?

Because I know some of you may be taller than him.

So you.

Oh, okay.

Yeah.

So do you feel like.

Like.

Hey, don't get too loud now?

no.

He definitely has a presence.

And I think he brings more drive out of some students especially, you know, some people, like lazy when he gets around, some of them put a little bit more effort, you know.

Yeah.

And that relationship between Coach and and players.

Right.

that mentorship relationship, is that something that you as players look forward to a look for in a coach having that comfortability where you can actually turn to your coach to be somewhat of a mentor or parental figure.

Yeah.

Of course.

Yeah.

can't trust someone on the field that you trust or don't trust of, you know?

Oh, so being able to have that connection is good.

Yeah.

It it can you I know, I know you're like, ditto whatever you like.

But how is that.

Does that mean a lot to you to have that trust between you and your coach?

Yeah, it means a lot because when he first, came in, we had the meeting and he was talking about trust.

it was like, I don't know how to explain.

It was just like, like when he said, you can't if you can't trust them to do their job, how can you do yours?

Yeah.

So we just have to make sure everybody does their own job.

And, you know, we're, we should all be good.

Yeah.

And for as far as the local coaches are concerned, you're very high profile, right?

You know, your your your new coach has been in the news a few times.

are you guys prepared for that spotlight?

Right.

Are you prepared because you're you're going to be everything you do now is going to be magnified, right?

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are you prepared for it?

Are you excited about that?

Yeah, definitely.

I don't know about prepared, but excited.

Yeah, I know, what about that makes you makes you excited?

offers like, how do I put it?

more connections for players grow.

It gives them more like, more people to see them.

I forgot I was to work on this.

Sorry, but, Exposure.

Yeah.

Exposure.

Thank you.

It gives them more exposure.

like less people really see versus football.

Yeah.

And it'll give you that that feeling to to work harder.

Yeah.

Right.

Michael.

Like now you now when you're in the game you know that it's game time is on.

You have the spotlight.

Are you ready for that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

What about that.

How are you preparing for that?

just like, coach mindset, mental toughness.

You know, I got to be mentally stable, you know?

Ready?

Yeah.

And make sure I do whatever I need to so we can win.

Yeah.

And what what are the end goals for you guys?

Are you taking football?

Are you trying to take it to the next level?

are you trying to be professional?

What is what is the end goal?

I would like to take it to the next level, but that's always the end goal for like for most players that play.

but just playing football for longer is the goal.

Yeah.

You know my end goal it would be you know to hold the Lombardi Trophy.

Wow.

Here you go.

Wow I love it I love it I love it.

so as far as because, you know, we talked a lot about the weight room and, and discipline in the weight room.

And I know when we, when you first met with them, you had these shirts.

Yeah.

How are they doing in the weight room.

So we had had our, we had our, had our first official, testing day, the one that.

Yeah, that you earn your shirt on in.

Right.

So, but the boys have been in there consistently.

we were, you know, creeping up the numbers are creeping up a little bit.

So, we're getting there.

We're getting there.

And like I said, it's going to take some time for everything, to to blossom.

But, the journey is the exciting part of it, you know?

And like I told them, you know, you being high profile, right.

there is the spotlight on you.

Yeah, yeah.

And there is this, this pressure to succeed.

Are you okay?

Are you feeling.

How are you feeling about that?

Because what if do you think about what if I don't?

Yeah.

And, you know, football is football for first of all, it's got to be fun, right?

It's still a game.

so if you're not having fun, you need to duck out.

You need to leave.

Right?

first and foremost.

But we're not.

We're not here making promises.

Of course.

You know, I'm not promising the championship.

You know, right now.

of course that's the goal.

And we're going to.

We're going to fight like hell to get there.

Yeah.

but we want to make sure we're better, right?

We're better first, and then we can, you know, our goals are going to be championship for sure.

Yeah, but, you know, we want to make sure we're better.

We want to make sure we can do things.

We want to make sure we're better in the classroom.

Make sure we're better.

You know, how we present ourselves and things like that.

So that's the win for us right now is to to to have the team Joe first.

Yeah.

And we I loved that moment when I was there and you had that clapping drill moment.

Do we still do that now or are you still doing the clapping drill to this day.

Yeah yeah yeah.

And that clapping drill, if you, if you don't know, when you say eyes up.

Yeah, yeah.

And you call out a number and that's how many times the players clap.

Yeah.

what is, what was the mission behind so so, so in football, as a coach, you kind of steal stuff from people, right?

So I got, I, I stole that from a coach that I know.

but the, the, the whole premise behind it, the object is to make sure that everybody's listening at the same, you know, listening to the same thing.

And if you if you heard eyes up and everybody is at attention and then they heard they heard the, the number and then they all clap and in sync with each other.

We as coaches know that they are listening.

You know, it's just like when you're breaking a huddle, you know, quarterback calls a play.

He says one, two, three.

Break.

Right.

For us as coaches, we're looking at the huddle to make sure everybody clapped and said break at the same time, because that told us that everybody heard their play.

They know their job, you know, because they heard the they heard the play in a huddle.

So it's a it's a listening exercise.

and we always talk about for me, we've always talked about and I've always coached that listening is the number one skill that you can have.

Not the rule, the number one skill.

And if you if you're teaching it as a skill, then you can tell them to take that skill into the classroom.

Right.

Because now if you're listening in the classroom, then you're you're you're using that skill.

You're perfecting that skill.

it can take you far.

And can we speak on the other your other pillars of successful football?

I know you said listening.

I believe discipline was in there.

And what else?

What else does a football team need, in your opinion, to be successful?

something else that I stole from probably one of the best coaches ever.

You're just dealing.

I know Bill Belichick.

Do your job right.

Do your job.

You know, you take it into into the workplace.

If you're in an assembly line making cars and you are not doing your job, that part of the car is going to be wrecked, right?

That's going to be bad, a bad part.

So, do your job, worry about your battle.

Right?

We talk about, little battles within the game, to help us win the war.

Right?

If everybody's winning their battle or, you know, not losing their battle, you don't have to win all the time.

You just have to not lose.

Yeah.

yeah, we could we could, you know, gives us a better chance to win the war.

And in fellas here, how are you doing in school?

Otherwise, how's your academic scores?

You know, you don't want to get taken off the football field.

is it because it will have that was that I was that how it was?

How was school going as far as, academics and, having that type of football.

Right.

If you're not doing well, then you may not be on the field.

is that good motivation for you?

Yeah, I think so.

Yeah, definitely.

Michael's like you didn't say enough.

I wanted to say whatever you said.

How was that help?

Is that good motivation for you?

That, doing good in the classroom, doing well in the classroom is also, guarantees football.

Or if you can lose that.

yeah.

It, it helps motivate like a lot, you know, even if I'm, even if it's just like a tiring day, you still gotta, you know, push through and finish the work.

Yeah.

And enroll, these players, you always say you're excited for them.

Right.

It's not about you is about them having this opportunity.

what do you want your team to leave with, with you as their, their new coach.

I want them to leave first.

Having fun of course.

You know, the game is still like I said, it's still a game.

so I want to make sure everybody have fun, but of course, the memories, being able to get together with their teammates 20 years from now and talk about, you know, their football career, season that they had, the special moments that they had, you know, playing football for Burgess High School.

and then, you know, coming back, coming back to the school and supporting the school, as, as as an alumni.

Yeah.

So that's what, that's what I shoot for.

And of course, as a coach personally, the I always say the number one thing that I've ever gained in this game, you know, it's not the fame, it's not the money, you know, all that kind of stuff.

It's the relationships.

that you that you gain while you're playing this game.

I got dudes that I played football with in college that are like brothers.

Like literally brothers.

I always say I tell people all the time, if I get if I get stuck at an airport, I'm pretty sure I got a brother somewhere close that's going to come get me, you know?

And I'm gonna stay at his house for tonight and and go, yeah.

because all of football I play, I'm not gonna date myself to say how many years I've played, but, But it's like that for for a lot of brothers, you know?

I mean, it's a fraternity.

Yeah.

so it's, I want them to leave.

Having fun.

Having have had fun.

some some real good stories of some special times with football and then coming back to support.

Yeah, the school, because that's what it's about.

And, Michael, do you feel as if you are creating a brotherhood on, on this football team?

Are your teammates are you guys really close?

Do you guys, you know, help each other and motivate each other?

What is what is that relationship like between players?

I feel like most of the players on the team are close with each other and they talk like outside of school and sometimes inside of school.

And Jerry, how do you guys how is that?

Yeah.

How is that that brotherhood with with your players and why is that important?

it's definitely brother.

If you hear how people talk to each other, you know, that was on that brother relationship.

But, it's important because like I said earlier, you can't trust someone on the field that you don't trust off.

So having a team, you chose to do their job and that brotherhood and that bonding chemistry is really important.

and then Vernon's also help with that because you mostly have class with most people you see every day.

So you really build that bond over the years.

And I believe we we have a caller, don't we?

We have a caller.

Okay.

We're going to take a call.

You guys ready?

Okay.

The next we have hello, caller.

Hi there.

Hi.

How are you?

Do you have a comment or question for our guest in the studio today?

Yes I do, yes, I first I wanted to compliment the young man who's who in one reference or another, use the phrase doing his research.

And I just want to encourage, the coach to encourage all the boys, and particularly in this political climate, to do their research because there's so much crapola out there and it's important for these young men to develop.

Yes, absolutely.

You know, and secondly, I wanted to say, I almost would say the top thing to when and you just were asking, what do you want to leave them with or whatever.

And I say respect for women because there is a it is a terrible, terrible part of the world these days.

And, as Susan B Anthony would say, you know, everyone is equal and everyone deserves respect.

And unfortunately, I see all too many, young men of every color, race, shape, size and background not doing.

And they need to be, schooled in how to do that.

It doesn't just happen.

So I encourage that and I'll take my answer off the air.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

This is Barbara from Brian.

Thank you.

Barbara, as a woman.

Yeah, yeah, I will piggyback off of what Barbara said.

Are we.

Is that something that's in your plan?

Maurice, I know you, so you.

Yeah.

That's crazy that she said that.

She just said that because I think last week was the, I've been reading the bulletin boards in the school, since I've been there.

And it's on one of them.

Right.

It's, it's actually, in our creed.

So there you go.

It's an, as we say, our creed.

Every morning, the boys say the creed.

And this is what we live by, what we train and, preach to our students and teach them how to do it.

So we actually do say we respect and care for women and our creed.

so it when she said that, it just kind of put a smile on my face because that's exactly, you know, what we're teaching the boys at the school, and, we just make sure that they know, like, that's a part of life growing up is respecting and caring for women.

So, yeah, because I seen that that beam on your faces when she said that, I'm like, oh, okay.

They literally say it every day.

Every day.

That's that's amazing.

As part of the creed of the school.

So you say that every morning.

Every day.

Okay.

We have, how we from Brighton on the line.

Hi.

How are we?

How are you?

I'm doing great.

And I'm so happy that you're featuring, Vernice and these young men from Vernice.

Because it's so important that they tell their story, not only about football, but the fact that these young men are getting educated, around sports, around education, because they are the future of the Rochester community.

They're going to be leading our workforce.

They're going to be leading our businesses.

And these young men are getting an amazing education, very well rounded.

And, I'm just proud that they're being featured on your show today.

Thank you.

Thank you.

How we thank you so much.

creating the future, right?

Yeah, that's what I've heard this is about.

That is.

Yeah, yeah.

How are you here, you guys, I know you're smiling and you're here enjoying this moment, but, are you feeling that Vernice High School is preparing you for that future in in sports, and football is preparing you for that future?

Yeah, absolutely.

other schools I've been to, I don't think they really focus this much.

I students themselves, they focus on their academics here.

But like the student themself, I don't think they really focus on that how they're doing outside school, how their day to day life is, you know, so, average day really check on that.

You preceptors.

it's more like personal counselor early.

You could go to them, tell them any problem you want, and they're hoping you solve it, and they won't stop until they do.

Yeah.

Okay.

So.

So that's a good point.

So is this something I don't know if it is available in other schools.

Right.

But is this something unique to to Vernice.

Yeah.

The preceptor position is is unique to Vernice.

it's not in any other school.

and it's really honestly, it's I like I like to call it the backbone of the school.

like he said, we we don't stop if there's a problem, that you need help fix it.

We don't every day.

We don't stop.

We every day we up to bat.

if we can't figure it out, we lean on each other and we figure it out.

So, yeah.

Preceptor.

The present is unique.

Diverse.

Yeah.

And as a preceptor and an assistant head coach.

Right.

That's.

Yeah.

He's double.

You're double doubling up.

Yeah.

But honestly, it's it's there's no different if you come to, if you come to versus, the language is the same whether that's in the classroom, in the hallway on a football field, a basketball court on the baseball field, it doesn't matter.

the language is absolutely the same.

And we're all striving to, again, build leaders of character in our community.

So, it's really easy for me to, to kind of flip hats on off.

So.

Yeah.

And the principal, Levi Bennett, when I, when I spoke with him, he did mention that is something that you and him, Mo and Mo Mo and Mo, that you that you had in common your mission.

Yeah.

For, developing these these men into successful, young men with with good morals, good character was something you guys shared in common.

Can you can you tell us a little bit about that interview?

Right.

That that talk that you and Levi Bennett had the principle of Artis?

I know that's one of the moments that made you realize, like, this may be the right fit for me.

Yeah.

even before I went into that interview, when I first met Levi, I did my research on the school and when I learned more about the preceptor position, I was like, man, this this is this is something that needs to needs to catch fire.

Like like this needs to happen everywhere because the the men and women in those positions have literally vowed to take on these kids as their own kids.

Right?

Making sure that their mental health, their physical health and everything is intact.

So these men can go out into the world, and make it a better place.

And for, for, for, for anybody to agree to do that and put that pressure on themselves with 20, you know, up to 20 kids, you got to be a special person.

Yeah.

Right.

So when I went into the meeting, I'm like, you got this many preceptors this minute.

And then when you go into the building, you there's no way you won't be blown away.

There's no way you won't be blown away.

Because the vibe in the building, the energy in the building, the way we start the morning meetings in the building is, is, is nothing like I've been to college.

I went to Syracuse and there's nothing like that.

I've never seen anything like that.

And it just it it puts a good vibe.

And if you're having a bad morning, it's going to stop right there, right after that first meeting.

And I know that's what it's for too.

So, I guess and then, you know, going and sitting with Levi, he explained, you know, that the mission of artists and things like that.

And then you read the signs in there that the boys read every day, and the creed that they speak every day.

And, you know, one of the things that stuck out to me from Levi was that he said that, verdict is a place that is not afraid to go outside of the box to help the kids.

Right.

And that's what it takes today.

like that, like the young lady that just called in.

So with the climate of the world today, you need to do things differently.

You need to do things the correct way in verdict is doing all that.

And you know.

Yeah.

And I can attest to this environment, right.

When I, when I got there I it was so welcoming.

The energy was amazing.

I felt like, listen, okay, I'm going to do a good story.

You don't have to try to, you know, woo me.

I'm going to do good.

That was it.

But this is the exactly the environment there.

Right.

And the young men are very respectful, especially to women.

and, I can really attest to the environment that you're creating at vertex.

so I want to commend all of you.

Thank you for for what you're doing for young black men, for young black men, and for you fellas, I know you've been to other schools.

What makes vert is different?

like I said, the preceptor position definitely makes it different.

I've never seen anything like that in school where someone they have so close to you.

nothing is the learning.

They make sure you really understand.

Like they really try to get it across the student they don't like when a student just wants to give up the work or doesn't want to do it, they really want to make sure it gets done.

They get in contact with parents.

You know, sometimes they know, you know, that thing that was important.

Part of the job is that if when someone stops nagging, that means they don't care anymore, right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

That's the relationship.

Sue.

Right.

When she stops nagging, she doesn't care anymore.

I just got a lesson from the one who's got a lesson.

And for you, this preceptor position.

how did how did that.

How does that have influence on on you, Michael?

I feel like what our preceptor is more like they're helping you with the real world instead of, like, only helping you with, like, academics.

Because with other schools, they only want you to learn.

But I feel like here, in fairness, they feel like they want you to learn and know about, like, the real world and how you should, you know, go about it.

So well, there we go.

There we have it.

All right.

I want to thank all of you for for joining us, Mo Jackson, the head coach at Verdi's high school football.

Maurice Rice, the lead preceptor and also the assistant head coach.

And my two players, Julio Medina and Michael Rogers.

I wish you a great season right on your new position.

Yeah.

And I'll check in and make sure that he's doing his job.

Okay.

All right, fellows.

Thank you so much for having us.

Right.

You're welcome.

Stay tuned for the next hour of connections.

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