Isaiah Moore: "I Can't Wait"
Former NC State star Isaiah Moore is slated to coach linebackers in the Military Bowl and he recently met with the media to discuss this opportunity.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.
What is it like from here to be a coach? I mean, is it still something you're getting adjusted to?
Yeah, it's different. I had that same coach across the street at Cardinal-Gibbons. Their expertise and all the players. I got to Coach a little bit there. But, no, it's a privilege, man. I thank Coach Doeren and Coach Freddie for giving me the opportunity and trusting me with the group. And, I just, I can't wait to go to grad school boys and do what we do.
How was your time at NC State? You made both success and some injuries. How does that help prepare you for your role?
Yeah, I think, playing in that position and being at the mike in this defense, you know, being able to call it, see it, kind of being an on-the-field coach for the guys is really, preparing me a lot to be verbal and vocalize what I want on my guys and be clear, concise, and give them the exact direction of what they need to do. I mean, that's my experience there. That's helped me a lot in the injuries and stuff like that that I've been through and stuff that I can pass on, you know, to these young guys. I've had a lot in my life and in my time here. And if I can prevent some of those things from happening to the guys coming after me and you guys in this room, that's all I want to do.
How much does it help that, you know, you were a Devon Betty where you're the veteran and you've been to every practice for four or five years. But then at one point, you're also the Cannon Lewis who is still learning his craft. Now, how do you kind of impart where obviously the veteran is in one position and younger guys are learning?
Yeah, I mean, the biggest thing, you know, is just follow the vets. The vets, you know, they know what to do and they know what not to do as well. So the biggest thing I tell my young guys is watch the people in front of you. You can watch the people in front of you. You can be a great mimicker or you can be a great learner in that from watching. You can be a great learner in every other aspect, you know, as well.
How do you view this opportunity? Is it kind of a thing that gets your feet wet in coaching or is it kind of an audition maybe for a role like this?
I mean, it could be both. But, I mean, this opportunity for me is really just not, it's not about me. It's about, you know, getting these guys being the best that they can be, you know, on December 28th when we play, you know, ECU. And then if it turns into something further, you know, it will. But my entire focus is on putting all my energy and getting these guys to play the best football they can, you know, in two weeks.
Getting your taste at Cardinal Gibbons. Football is different at that level in terms of, just you're not dealing with that high up. You're not dealing with some of the other stuff. You're getting a taste of what it's like at this level. Do you have a preference moving forward?
No, not really a preference. I just want to coach ball. And wherever grass is and football is, that's where I want to be. So that's my whole thing. I know coaching at Cardinal Gibbons has helped me a lot as far as, y that is a lower level where we are here, so you have to be very clear and very concise and very exact, you know, in what you want from your players. I think that's helped me translate that here with our guys right now.
What was it like for you when you found out that this was an opportunity that Coach Doeren or whoever wanted you to?
Yeah, man, it's very, like I said, I don't take it for granted, you know, at all. It's a big responsibility. I do believe I'm ready for it. Not to get, you know, overly emotional about it, but it definitely means a lot to me. Just to what better opportunity to be able to coach at your university, the position you played under the coach you played for. You know, there's no other storybook telling it. You can tell me that.
Dave mentioned that he likes to give former players an opportunity. Coach, for the reason you just mentioned, what, how unique of an opportunity is it to coach somewhere where you have all of those things now?
Yeah, it's extremely unique, and it's very like Coach Doeren. We have a lot of former players working in the building. And, you know, it just speaks to what kind of family we have at NC State, right? Guys want to come back. Guys want to work. They want to give back to the program. I think that speaks volumes to the culture that we have here. It is not on the football team, but across the campus as well. You always see alumni coming back, trying to, whether it's giving money or volunteering their time or speaking. They're always trying to pour back into the kids here, and that just speaks to what a great community we have at NC State.
Beginning of the season, you were working with recruiting, and then you've been on the sideline all season with the headset on. What's your role been like kind of for this whole season and how it's developed?
I worked in recruiting for a little bit, but as soon as that ball hit the field, I needed to be on the grass. Yeah, so I had to, whatever we needed. Coach Gibson, when he was here, whatever you needed from me on the grass, allow me to be out there. They had no problem doing that, and it's just been transitioning. I've worked alongside Coach Gibson, you know, with him on the sideline, playing alongside Coach Frederick on the sideline, so it's just been a natural transition. It's not, you know, immediate, but I've been, you know, nicking and nuggings off of notes.
Hey, man, I can be on the field for you if you need me to be, you know, so I've just been doing that, and it's been good.
Did you talk much with Grayson McCall after his transition? Since you kind of have a similar background in terms of being the same age?
Yeah, I just told him to take as much time as he needs to process, because, dealing with my situation when I had to stop playing football, it was definitely tough, mentally, and Grayson is a super strong kid, super mentally strong, but for anybody, when football, when your football life ends, it's very emotional, and it can be very, traumatic in that sense, and so he'll take as much time as he needs, and whatever he needs to do, whatever he needs to talk to, I'm always here for him.
You're in a new role, and Coach Freddie, you're going to be able to lead the defense as the coordinator going to the bowl.
I'm excited, man, super excited. Coach Freddie has always been a very vocal guy around our defense, around our guys, and I know all the guys on the team trust him and believe in him, and we as coaching staff believe in him as well, and he's going to do a great job. He's already done a great job, throughout his time here, and now that's elevated, so I'm going to continue to elevate our team.
How would you describe his coaching style?
It's very him, I would say. Coach Freddie's not a super, like, loud guy. Like, no, he's not, like, a super outwardly spoken guy all the time. He kind of plays the role that he's in, and now he's in an elevated role, and now you're seeing him speak out more and direct the entire defense, not just his position group, you know, but we would always hear Coach Freddie on the field talking to his nickels, and now we hear him talking to the other defense, which is a great sight to see.
Between the coaching staff and the strength and conditioning staff who has the most tackles?
The most tackles? I think Coach Thunder is, he's second all the time, right? He's second all the time? I think Coach Thunder has it. Yeah, I think Coach Thunder, he might have it. I don't know, me and Freddy combined might push him, but, yeah, it's close, though.
Your perspective on football, how has it changed since you became a coach, and how much knowledge of the game has grown since you made this transition?
I think, for me, from a football standpoint, man, I think the biggest thing that I've learned, at least over the past year, is that this game can be taken away from you at any given moment for a variety of reasons, and that it is a truly, it's truly a gift any time you step on the field and be around football. That's the biggest thing I'm trying to point to you guys, that every moment we step on the grass is a gift, and don't take it for granted, because when that life ends, when your football life ends, you'll miss those times where you get to suit up, put that helmet on, and be out there with your guys, so don't have any regrets.
And knowledge of the game?
Knowledge of the game, man, like I said, I ran this defense, you know, for four or five years, playing the Mike position. I had my opportunity with the Chiefs, learned a great amount of deal from them, and that's been able to help me transition back. I mean, I've played in the four down, played in the three down. All that factors into why I feel like I can get these guys ready to go.