Dave Brock is the wide receiver coach for the Atlanta Falcons. He is entering his second season with the Falcons, this season being his first as the wide receivers coach. In his first year in Atlanta, Dave assisted with the wide receivers where the receivers had 214 receptions for 2,848 yards and 13 touchdowns. Brock became a Falcons member after four years as the head coach for the University of Delaware. Before coaching the Blue Hens, he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Rutgers University in New Jersey. 

Coach Brock has been a collegiate coach for 29 years. He coached at Kansas State, North Carolina, Temple , Hofstra, Salisbury, and West Connecticut State. He played one season of college football as a linebacker at Ferrum College before becoming an assistant coach at Salisbury. Brock spent several years as a recruiting coordinator during his tenure at these schools. 

2aDays: Being that you were a college football coach you know what the recruiting process is like for high school athletes. What is the best piece of advice that you can offer to a high school athlete who is looking to play at the next level? 

The high school student-athlete needs to understand that to be recruited, they must excel both ON and OFF the field. Find a place that is great for you, academically and athletically. 

2aDays: What advice can you give to a college football player who is looking to play in the NFL? 

My advice would be that you are working to get the opportunity to play in the NFL – what you do on the field determines your opportunity, your film is your resume. Play really hard and really well, and believe in yourself and your ability. 

2aDays: Should college coaches be adaptable to injuries? Meaning if a football player gets injured his senior year should colleges stop looking at them or pull their scholarships or should the coaches work with the injured player? 

The decision of how to deal with an injured recruit is directly tied to the school and the individual coach. You would hope that things are handled properly, but that certainly is not always the case. 

2aDays: When coaching in college, what was the main character that you looked for and why? 

I was interested in people that wanted to excel on the field and in the classroom. We looked for those who had leadership ability, captains, multisport athletes, etc.

2aDays: Does social media matter to you? Do you think social media should matter, or do you feel what you do in your personal life should not fold over into the athletes' sport? 

Social media matters in college because ultimately you are representing yourself, the team, and the school you attend. Everybody has individual rules and regulations, but realistically it comes down to common sense and responsible behavior. It is a big topic in college athletics. 

2aDays: What is the biggest don't that a high school player can do when getting recruited at the college level? 

I think being dishonest is probably the biggest issue. You are going to invest a large amount of money in the player and trust is critical. 

2aDays: How would you best describe your coaching style? 

Very hands-on, detailed, and honest. Create opportunities for your players to improve. 

2aDays: What is the funniest way that an athlete marketed themselves to you when you were a college coach? 

Crazy videos were probably the best. It didn't work but I definitely had some laughs. 

2aDays: When you were a college coach what did a parent do for you to scratch their head and say, what the heck is going on here? 

Most parents mean well and are great, but they also are all in for their son. They want the team to do well but they are really invested in their son doing well which can create some conflicts at times. 

LRT: What is the most rewarding part about being a coach?

I think it is the lifelong relationships you build with the players you coach. I am in touch with people that I coached 20 years ago and I know their wives and kids, it really is a cool opportunity. 

2aDays: What coach influenced you the most? 

Joe Gardi, the head coach at Hofstra University. 

2aDays: What is the funniest thing that happened to you out on the field, during a game? 

I got totally wiped out on the sideline by a player being tackled and my players had the film of it and watched it for enjoyment! 

* Originally published on November 4, 2019, by Keri Caputo