Baltimore Ravens open up to HBCU coaching staffs
|
Posted By: Sofía Montiel on May 30, 2023 For Morgan State and Bowie State coaches, getting an invitation to shadow Baltimore Ravens coaches for a full day at OTAs was a gift they eagerly embraced. “I’m not going to lie, I’m not going to want to leave when the day’s over,” said Antone Sewell, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator at Morgan State. The HBCU coaches were guests of Head Coach John Harbaugh and his staff, on Wednesday, offering the type of practical hands-on experience and networking opportunity that can lead to career advancement. The coaches spent a full day at the facility, attending meetings both before and after practice while getting one-on-one time with members of the Ravens’ staff. It was a meaningful experience for Sewell, who has been a college football coach for 20 years, grew up in Maryland, and can drive from his residence to the Under Armour Performance Center in less than 10 minutes. However, he had never attended a Ravens practice until Wednesday. The day opened a new door for Sewell – one that could lead to more doors opening for all the coaches who attended. “The NFL is football at its highest level,” Sewell said. “It gives us an opportunity to sit down with these guys, talk over some strategies, confirm some things we already know and pick up some new things. This Ravens staff has been great to us from the time they reached out. They’ve really been transparent about anything that we’ve asked about.” As a Black coach at an HBCU, Sewell is passionate about creating more opportunities for qualified minority coaches. Sewell played at Bowie State and knew he would pursue a coaching career once his playing days ended. He loves the game and wants to make sure talented coaches at all levels have a legitimate chance to advance. Sewell saw the invitation from the Ravens as a steppingstone in that direction. “I think it’s very important,” Sewell said. “In coaching and in most businesses, it’s who you know and who knows you. It’s a chance for us to get in front of these guys. Coaches want people around them who are not only good coaches, but good people. Now, if my name or one of our other coach’s names comes up, they can say, ‘I remember that guy. He’s a guy that I wouldn’t mind bringing into our organization, or I can recommend them to another organization.'” Coming from a family of coaches, Harbaugh has always been passionate about the profession, and this was another example of his desire to give back. “It’s a chance for us to make a connection,” Harbaugh said. “These guys are good coaches. Creating opportunity, that’s exactly what we’re trying to do.” The visiting coaches sat in on team meetings and asked questions of Baltimore Ravens coaches, getting an all-access window into their daily routine. After observing the defensive team meeting led by Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald, Avery Williams said he enjoyed sitting down one-on-one with Ravens Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver. Bowie State head coach Kyle Jackson talks into his microphone during a 2022 game. (Steven J. Gaither/HBCU Gameday.) “We talked in depth about a lot of things they do in terms of scheme, techniques they teach, etc.” said Williams, Bowie State’s Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator. “That’s extremely beneficial in terms of developing myself as a coach, how he runs his stunts up front, which stance is best, reading people’s eyes. To sit down with an NFL defensive line coach and pick his brain for an extended period of time was just a phenomenal opportunity for these coaching staffs. “We’d like to see more HBCU players drafted, more opportunities for HBCU coaches, but I’m starting to see more opportunities presented. It’s a matter of networking a little more, having opportunities like this, having conversations with the right people.” Sewell will return to the Ravens practice facility in June as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. He’ll be counting the days. “As much as I’m welcome here, I plan to be here,” Sewell said. “Coaching is not a profession where you can just cold call somebody or send a resume and get a job. People have to know you, trust you and feel comfortable being around you to bring you into their circle. “There are a lot of qualified African American coaches on all levels – Division II, Division III, high school. But if you don’t know the people who are doing the hiring, it’s going to be a struggle for you. That’s why I appreciate what the Ravens did here, allowing us to make a face-to-face connection. It was beneficial for everyone involved.” SOURCE HBCU Gameday Available at https://hbcugameday.com/2023/05/30/baltimo... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Sofía Montiel
HBCU Connect, Customer Success Engineer Spelman College class of 2017 Member Since November 2022 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest News
 |
Arrest Made in connection with 1996 Murder of Tupac Shakur, 27 Years LaterPolice took several items in July from a home connected to the man arrested in Tupac Shakur's murder
Police took various electronics and other items from a house they searched in July in connection ...more
Sofía Montiel • 526 Views • September 29th, 2023 |
 |
Popular AAMU-Inspired Brew Returns for Homecoming!Alabama A&M University and partner Straight to Ale brewing have announced the re-launch of Alma Mater - the popular AAMU-inspired brew this weekend. In time for Homecoming 2023, fans can once again en ...more
Sofía Montiel • 79 Views • September 29th, 2023 |
 |
North Carolina A&T Trusting its Process as it preps for Norfolk StateEAST GREENSBORO, NC — It’s no secret to anyone that North Carolina A&T football is undergoing a rebuild — and that includes head coach Vincent Brown.
NC A&T enters Saturday’s game at Norfolk State ...more
Sofía Montiel • 258 Views • September 29th, 2023 |
 |
Morgan State University to lead HBCU Wrestling renaissanceKenny Monday and Morgan State University are looking to be the leaders of an HBCU wrestling renaissance when the Bears make their return to the mat for the first time since the 1996-1997 season.
Ke ...more
Sofía Montiel • 234 Views • September 29th, 2023 |
 |
Black Surgeon Successfully Performs First Ever Transplant Surgery to Cure DeafnessA pioneering surgical procedure using 3D-printed middle ear bones, developed by Professor Mashudu Tshifularo and his team at the University of Pretoria (UP) Faculty of Health in South Africa, may be t ...more
Sofía Montiel • 64 Views • September 29th, 2023 |
Popular News
