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Former Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin may end up being one that got away from the Dallas organization. After plying his trade on the field, Austin latched on with the organization in the scouting department, but he desired to be on the field again, coaching, instead of doing other duties as assigned. With all of the turmoil within the Cowboys’ coaching staff over the last two seasons under head coach Jason Garrett, Austin wasn’t granted the opportunity. As such, he ended up taking an offer from the San Francisco 49ers to be their offensive quality control coach.
Advancing his career within football hasn’t been the only self-improvement journey on Austin’s mind, however. He recently graduated from Monmouth University, the school he left early to join the NFL landscape. Austin’s departure could have all gone wrong, as he was an undrafted free agent who signed on with Bill Parcells’ Cowboys in 2006. 10 years and two Pro Bowls later, he’s a college graduate.
Jerry Carino of the Asbury Park Press (via USA Today) has the scoop.
Austin’s career took a little time to get going, as is the case for most great stories of undrafted free agents. In 2009 he finally got his chance to shine, and exploded out of the gates for a 10-catch, 250-yard debut performance against the Kansas City Chiefs. His effort included an overtime game winner, just about the best fairy tale story for an unsung prospect imaginable.
He would make the Pro Bowl in two consecutive seasons before injuries began taking their toll on his lower body. After 8 years in Dallas he also played a season each for Cleveland and Philadelphia before calling it a career.
Austin didn’t take part in the commencement ceremony, as his duties with the 49ers demand his presence on the other coast. But his effort to gain his degree and do it the traditional way, in the classroom as opposed to online, stands out.
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Advancing his career within football hasn’t been the only self-improvement journey on Austin’s mind, however. He recently graduated from Monmouth University, the school he left early to join the NFL landscape. Austin’s departure could have all gone wrong, as he was an undrafted free agent who signed on with Bill Parcells’ Cowboys in 2006. 10 years and two Pro Bowls later, he’s a college graduate.
Jerry Carino of the Asbury Park Press (via USA Today) has the scoop.
“I went back because I want to be able to tell my kids, finish what you start,” the Garfield native said via phone last week. “I wanted to be in the classroom, I wanted to learn from professors, and history is something I’m passionate about.”
Although Austin won’t be walking at Monmouth’s commencement Wednesday — he is working in San Francisco as an assistant coach with the 49ers — the diploma already hangs from a wall in his Rumson home.
“It’s like opening up a late Christmas present,” he said.
Austin’s career took a little time to get going, as is the case for most great stories of undrafted free agents. In 2009 he finally got his chance to shine, and exploded out of the gates for a 10-catch, 250-yard debut performance against the Kansas City Chiefs. His effort included an overtime game winner, just about the best fairy tale story for an unsung prospect imaginable.
He would make the Pro Bowl in two consecutive seasons before injuries began taking their toll on his lower body. After 8 years in Dallas he also played a season each for Cleveland and Philadelphia before calling it a career.
Austin didn’t take part in the commencement ceremony, as his duties with the 49ers demand his presence on the other coast. But his effort to gain his degree and do it the traditional way, in the classroom as opposed to online, stands out.
Austin carried a heavy load of 19 credits over six classes in the fall, including The American Presidency, The Sociology of Aging, American Countercultures and History of Russia.
“He was an incredibly strong student,” said Patten, a political science professor. “He took all of the work ethic he had on the field and in the weight room and brought it to the classroom setting. His work ethic in the classroom was second to none.”
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