UTSA football alumni have supported the program since high school.
SAN ANTONIO — This could be a really good problem for Coach Traylor. But whatever you call it, UTSA football's recent success creates an interesting situation for the Roadrunners' head coach and the players who have come through the program and are now coaches.
“We're going to be in charge of the 2-1-0 whenever we can,” Northside Stevens assistant coach Brady Brown said.
“I think there are four players, myself included, who have transferred from here at Judson to UTSA,” Rockets assistant coach Jahvion Williams added. “So if we can continue to fuel the pipeline, we would love to do that.”
Brown was a cog in UTSA's offensive line when the program first started more than a decade ago. Williams, on the other hand, was a good fit for UTSA as a running back. Former UTSA defensive back Mauricio Sanchez also serves as an assistant coach at Sotomayor High School.
UTSA football is only 13 seasons old, but several program alumni are pursuing coaching careers and are taking their first steps here in the Alamo City.
“I'm always trying to sell where I'm from,” said Seth Grubb, a former UTSA wide receiver and current member of the Alamo Heights football staff. “As an alumnus, I take great pride in that.”
Brown said Traylor, who oversaw UTSA's transition from a fledgling program to a college football powerhouse, was once in that position himself, albeit at North Texas. He said he understands the importance of maintaining relationships with area high school coaches.
“We were able to really connect with him,” Brown said. “This has really helped with recruitment.”
“Who wouldn't love this story?”
Just think of what a relationship like that could do between Traylor and UTSA alumni who want nothing more than to keep local talent in San Antonio. They know first-hand how the program works and can pass on that knowledge.
“We can shoot them almost straight at them,” Grubb said. “It’s the kids who we know and who trust us.”
These players-turned-coaches are able to tell future college hopefuls about daily life within the UTSA program.
“If I can just provide some information about the program and UTSA in general, I'm happy to do that,” Williams said.
Traylor said all former Road Runners have his cell phone number. And they always attack him with abiding pride in his alma mater.
“It's a great story,” Traylor said of UTSA's rise. “Who doesn't love this story? Everyone loves a good underdog story. And now we're there, swinging with the big boys and connecting more than we would otherwise.” I have.”
There's someone who knows trailers better than anyone else. That person is Kevin Brown, a former UTSA official who is currently an assistant football coach at Boerne Champion High School. He also appreciates that fact regarding his relationship with Traylor.
“When you build these relationships and have someone in town who can call and say, 'Hey, tell me about this kid,' he's able to get real information. Because he Because they have genuine relationships with people,” Brown said. “And they respect that.”
Roadrunners alumni can be found all over the San Antonio football scene, from Judson ISD to Alamo Heights, from the North Side to the South Side. They're everywhere, and a local pool of former Roadrunners talent can only help UTSA's current program goals.
“We're going to do everything we can to keep San Antonio's top talent here at UTSA,” Grubb said.
“It's important to me to keep our players in San Antonio,” Brown added. “Anytime we have a D-1 athlete, we want to be in the best position possible.”
