Mike McCoy enjoyed success at the University of Alabama under Mike Shula and Nick Saban; however, the former wide receiver turn business owner and athletic trainer understands that life is bigger than football.
For McCoy, it is about taking all that he has learned (both good and bad) and passing down life lessons to the next generation of athletes that want to become great.
One of the closets bonds he has formed is with ex-Tide quarterback, Blake Sims.
Sims, the ultimate team player at Alabama, secured one season as the starting quarterback and turned in masterful numbers in 2014. He compiled 3,487 passing yards – school record – with 35 total touchdowns to 10 interceptions, helping the school win a conference championship.
After stints in the National Football League and Canadian Football League did not work, the native Georgian has decided to sign with the new Alliance of American Football League.
Sims will have a fresh opportunity to play quarterback and be reunited with two former teammates from Alabama, Trent Richardson and Chris Black for Birmingham Alliance.
While Sims and Richardson are currently with McCoy at Warehouse Performance Institute, McCoy shared with yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine his goal for one of the Tide’s most underrated signal callers in program history before he takes a snap on this new journey.
“I want Blake to slim down,” McCoy said. “I want him to be less than his playing weight at Alabama, so probably around 200 to 195 pounds is where I want him. This will provide him with better quickness and faster decision making.”
In terms of Sims’ arm, McCoy said “he has not missed a beat.”
“We just finished a quarterback drill today and he was zipping the ball,” McCoy spoke on Sims’ passing mechanics. “You don’t see too many guys master playing different positions, so for Blake to have had one year starting at quarterback and the success he had on a high level, if this team can get a quarterbacks coach similar to Lane Kiffin, you don’t know what his potential holds.”
The AAF League will begin on Feb. 9, 2019, one week after the Super Bowl.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
