What do you do after you’ve had a successful career in the NFL and business?

One man’s surprising answer:

After two successful careers, one in the NFL and one in the business world, Steve Walsh thought his experience, training and skills would serve him well as a football coach.

He had an offer to coach at his college alma mater, the University of Miami, a well–paying job that might have led to a head coaching position some day. But Walsh didn’t want a salary or a desire for advancement to fuel his new career.

Instead he let family and faith pave the path of his new avocation, and it led him to be head football coach at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach. The 42–year–old father of three feels he has made the right decision for himself and, more importantly, for his family.

“I considered coaching for a long time. As my NFL career drew to an end, I talked to a lot of coaches and they told me if you don’t need the money don’t do it, because you’ll have to sacrifice so much with your family when you coach at a college or NFL level,” said Walsh, a lifelong Catholic who attended a Michigan high school staffed by Irish Christian Brothers. “I heard so many coaches, some on NFL level and some on college level, say the same thing. Their jobs consumed all their time, and they turn around and their kid is graduating from college.”

Walsh didn’t want to risk having a job supersede the opportunity to foster and enjoy significant relationships with his three children, ages 11, 13 and 16. But he still wanted to coach. He spent 10 years in the NFL and served in the mortgage banking industry at a faith–based home bank. His position included leadership training and he enjoyed success for about eight years.

But as that industry unraveled, the job was no longer fulfilling for Walsh. He thought about coaching again, but still did not want to enter at a college level. So when an opportunity came up at his daughter’s high school, Walsh was ready to tackle the challenge. As someone who played football from Pop Warner leagues to the NFL and every stage in between, Walsh understands how coaches can make significant impacts on athletes’ lives. And he said he is humbled by the opportunity to continue that coaching tradition.

“The vast majority of high school football players will never reach the NFL, and perhaps not even college. It might be the last organized team a student might ever play for. But still, these young men tend to remember the things you teach them, phrases you offer,” Walsh said. “I have a lot to offer young men at Cardinal Newman and the football program here. And I see this as an opportunity to return gifts God gave me to next generation.”

Head to the Florida Catholic link for the rest.