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Former NFLer, Ole Miss standout a welcome addition to Scott Stidham’s first Eagles staff
A growing trend in the Middle Tennessee high school football ranks is bringing in former NFL players as assistant coaches. Another new face has popped up on that list as Dexter McCluster joined the Independence staff under first-year head coach Scott Stidham.
McCluster, who has lived in the area for the past eight years, also runs McCluster Fit as he is a fitness coach locally. He trained several of the Independence players and that’s how he connected with the Eagles’ staff.
“I think it was destiny, man,” McCluster said. “I’ve been here in Tennessee for about eight years now raising my family and I just want to give back. This is my second home now and I’m gonna be here for a while. I found a great opportunity to come in and help change the culture around here.”
Stidham said some of the players McCluster was training had learned of an opening for a running backs coach on the staff and that’s how they connected.
“He was training some of our kids and they found out about the position,” Stidham said. “He contacted me about it. Now he’s helping us coach and it was a big thing for us.”
McCluster said he’s really enjoyed the dynamic on Stidham’s staff so far.
“(Stidham’s) a great guy,” McCluster said. “He’s always God-first, a great man. He’s a pro’s pro. What I mean by that is he allows the coaches to coach, he’s respectable and the guys respect him.”
The former Ole Miss standout went to Kansas City in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft, spending four years with the Chiefs before joining the Tennessee Titans in 2014. He found a home in the area and has lived here ever since, even though he had a short stint with the San Diego Chargers in 2016 and the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts in 2018. He also played six games for the National Arena League’s Massachusetts Pirates before retiring as a player.
Now, he’s on the sidelines with the Eagles on Fridays.
“This was different, man. I love it. I’m used to being on the field and playing,” McCluster said. “Coaching those guys and seeing them every day in practice, and then watching them really put it to work, man, it’s bringing a smile to my face. ‘Coach McCluster’ sounds pretty good to me right now.”
Bringing the same energy to the sidelines
Training camp is a little different nowadays as a coach, but the itch to lace up the cleats still sneaks in from time to time.
“They put in work,” McCluster said. “We’ve got a major hill over there at Indy and we ran that thing a lot.”
After seeing HBO’s Hard Knocks and watching Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell do up-downs with his players, the question had to be asked – would McCluster run the hill at Indy with the players?
“Yes, I definitely did (watch Hard Knocks), McCluster said. “My knee was a little swollen. But guess what, you better believe I got my cleats. So when that thing’s feeling good, I’m going up that hill, baby.”
The energy he had as a player still exists in those practices, too.
“At practice, if they punt the ball and I can get to it, I’m getting to it,” McCluster said. “If they’re throwing the ball and I can get to it, if they intercept the ball on defense, I’m chasing after it, so I’m having fun out there. I pride myself on still having it. So I’m definitely going to keep pushing those guys.”
Mentoring the next wave
Passing along his knowledge to senior Tre’ Hartwell and the rest of Indy’s backfield is now his primary goal.
“You know what? He loves kids,” Stidham said. “And he’s a really good football coach. He does a great job teaching the game. And I didn’t mention he’s a former NFL player. If he was just average, he’s a great coach. So that says a lot about him as a person. He adds a lot to us and brings a lot of energy.”
McCluster added, “I just saw another opportunity to give back to these kids. I’ve played with the best of the best. I saw guys that did it the right way, so I feel it’s my duty to show these guys the right way the hard work and what it takes to be successful.”
Hartwell, who is starting to draw more recruiting interest, also gained an ally in that department.
“He’s a special kid,” McCluster said of Hartwell. “He has the size, he definitely has the football smarts. We’ve just got to get him to believe it every time and he’s shown some spurts. We’ve just got to keep rolling and allowing him to gain confidence and get more carries.”
Hartwell has turned his focus to the field as the season has begun, but understands how strong those connections can be.
“I went to Ole Miss before the season started, and you know, him talking to Ole Miss and because he went to Ole Miss, that was that was a big help as well,” Hartwell said. “I have four offers right now, but I’m really focused on the season. And you know, when the time is right, I’ll commit, but I’m really just focused on the season, but I’m grateful for everything I have so far.”
Hartwell was one of the players who trained with McCluster, so the relationship transferred seamlessly to the field.
“Oh, that that just opens my eyes up a little bit more because, you know, my dream since I was five to go to the NFL, you know, him (being on the coaching staff) just shows he went to the NFL and he knows what he’s doing,” Hartwell said. “I think me listening to him is just the big picture.”
In an area where more former NFL players are calling home, his experience should prove valuable to the Eagles in the 2022 season and beyond. “I think I’m that light, I’m that spark as I was on the football field,” McCluster said. “I’m able to show people to connect why I was able to do what I was able to do in the league being small, because of my heart, my passion and my love of people. And I think it’s rubbing off on these guys.”
Follow Chris Brooks on Twitter @Brooks_615 and follow 615 Preps on Twitter and Instagram @615Preps.
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