University of Tennessee Athletics
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Vol Profile - Reggie Coleman
September 17, 2001 | Football
Sept. 17, 2001
Vol Profile: Reggie Coleman
Vol Profile: As a Senior on the offensive line, how do you plan to assume a leadership role to the younger players?
Coleman: I think the way people should always assume a leadership role is simply by doing what they are supposed to do. There is an old saying that actions speak louder than words so if you perform like you tell them to perform or you do it on the field and they see what you are doing , then they want to take those same footsteps. So I think it is more actions than trying to be a vocal leader, you've got to do what you say you are going to do.
Vol Profile: What is the greatest satisfaction you get from playing on the offensive line?
Coleman: Knowing that you are the one that wins the ballgames. The game is played in the trenches, it's either the offensive or defensive line and whoever wins the war of the trenches, usually wins the ballgame. Sometimes fans don't realize that, but being a football player and knowing the game, that's something I know and everyone on the team knows, that if you win the war of the trenches, you win the ballgame.
Vol Profile: How do you think the schedule this year will affect the motivation?
Coleman: I think it affects it a lot, some people say that it's the toughest schedule in the country. We've just have to go out there and play. The level of competition is always going to be there. No matter who you play every week, you're going to have someone probably that is a top 25 team if not a top 10 team, so you have to go out there and be ready to play, it leaves no room for error.
Vol Profile: Any goals you've set for yourself this season?
Coleman: Just to meet my potential. I think the coaches have a great standard set for me as well as I do for myself, if I meet it then nothing but good things can come about.
Vol Profile: Who do you look to for motivation?
Coleman: I think motivation a lot of times has to come from yourself. If you're not willing to get out of bed and say, look, I'm going to play today or practice today and give my very best, then you're in the wrong sport. I think people are looking to other places for motivation, and I think the prime place you need to start is yourself. After that you look to other people that can lead you. There are a lot of people on the team that you can look to for that, on the offensive line you can look at Fred, or on defense you can look at Joe or Dominique. I think it first has to start with yourself.
Vol Profile: What is your favorite or most memorable moment on the field?
Coleman: That came twice, the first time I was on crutches, wasn't even suited up on the field, but on the sideline, when we beat Florida in 1998. I didn't play a snap, I wasn't even in shoulder pads, I was on crutches with a cast on my foot. I think just the atmosphere was something that can't even be imagined. Then of course when we won the National Championship in Arizona, those are the two biggest moments that stand out in my mind. I've never felt that feeling before, those two would have to be the most.
Vol Profile: What are your interests outside of football?
Coleman: I enjoy going out with the football players, everything I do is kind of football related. I think we are probably the most tight knit group, at least one of them in the country, just because we do a lot of stuff together. So when I'm not here or in class, I'm usually hanging out with Fred, Dominique, Joe or somebody like that, shooting pool, watching games, playing video games, just hanging out and relaxing, but it's usually with the guys on the team.
Vol Profile: Do you have any pre-game rituals you do for luck?
Coleman: I wouldn't call them rituals, just moments that I go off by myself and listen to my head phones. I picture the game, and play a whole game in my head before I even go out there, and the game consists of me performing at a very high level, and I see the whole game and I try to meet that same vision that I see. So I wouldn't say they are a ritual, it's just something that I do to get motivated for the game.
Vol Profile: Is there any certain type of music that you listen to?
Coleman: It's usually something with a high tempo and a great amount of bass, it's not a romance CD by any means, it's kind of something up tempo that I can bob my head to and gets my blood flowing. That can be from any numerous artists, it just kind of depends on the day.
Vol Profile: After you graduate, what would you like to be remembered for?
Coleman: As a hard worker, and someone who tried to meet his potential. I think God blessed everyone with a level of performance they can play up to, and some people reach it and some people don't, and hopefully I'll be remembered for someone who strives to meet his top potential. That's what I'm striving for and if I can get that done, I think I'll have accomplished all I want to accomplish, especially in college.
