Back in the early 1970s when Broncos Head Coach John Fox attended Castle Park High School in Chula Vista, Calif., he was coached by Jan Chapman.
Today, Chapman had a chance to watch Fox do some coaching of his own at Dove Valley.
Chapman, who has coached football for nearly 40 years, said that he saw qualities in Fox as a player that made him think that Fox would make a good coach down the line.
“He really studied what we were doing,” Chapman said while watching Fox lead the Broncos practice on Wednesday. “He understood everything we were doing. I just thought, if that’s what he wants to do, he will do it.”
Fox played tight end and safety for his high school team during his sophomore and junior seasons while Chapman was an assistant coach.
The two reconnected when Fox worked as the San Diego Chargers secondary coach from 1992-93. Chapman served as the statistician for the Chargers during those years and said the pair talked daily during their time in San Diego together. They stayed in touch when Fox continued on his coaching path.
“It’s very refreshing because he is such a great guy,” Chapman said. “He’s so easy to talk to and I just love the guy.”
Chapman said that Fox’s leadership qualities made him a well-respected player among his peers and coaches.
“He was a quiet leader,” Chapman recalled. “He wasn’t a loud, boisterous guy at all. But he was a leader.”
Chapman remembers Fox as an extremely undersized player who excelled thanks to his toughness and effort on the field.
“He was only 150 or 155 pounds in high school, and that may have been giving him some,” Chapman laughed. “Then he went to junior college, did well in junior college, walked on at San Diego State and started for them. He played hard. As little as he was, I couldn’t believe it. He was tough. He was super.”
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: Head Coach John Fox, Jan Chapman
LOL well, I just see the credit due to other people than you do. Sorry.
He has won more than he lost… and that is better than most in the NFL… but Very Successful is a falsehood, that’s all I’m getting at
ANd I get that, so I said that I should have said more respected than successful.
Wow. It is simply amazing for me to read what you guys say and see how you think… Because it is mind boggling to me because I think so differently.
I feel the exact same way cat… I have to scratch my head and say ‘Huh, did I read that right?’
You don’t have to deal with the video of Rexxy if you do not wish. He is a part of the NFL and therefore intriguing whether I like him or not. Besides, he is now Tebow’s head coach.
Shoot, I hope Fox and Manning take the next five SB’s together and JE / Shanny become ancient history and a distant memory for the Broncos. (Except that every team is going to want to hire their SB winning QB as VP of Operations) I hope your love fest just blossoms into the greatest era of Bronco football ever. I hope the Broncos become so dominant that they become the first undefeated team in a 19 game season. I hope that Manning’s 6 SB rings and victories vaults Manning into an uncontested 1st place for top QB of all time.
How’s that for a rant?
What? How is Rex Ryan not his head coach? No! I wanted you to rant about Ryan because I wanted to have something to agree with you about!
Love your sarcasm. It’s so much appreciated.
Oh, LOL I read what you wrote wrongly, ignore that.
DB!!! I second that Commotion!!!
OK guys and Gals… I gotta head to bed! I promise to check in Sunday and start an Debate/Arguement like only Turtle Can!!! It will be fun (for some of us!!!)
One Love in Broncos Country
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
Von Manning Football 2012! Superbowl or Bust!!!
Done watering for the night. Got to go to bed. Dads birthday tomorrow and a funeral in Cheyenne Saturday and Fathers day Sunday. Probably won’t see y’all til Monday! Have a good weekend.
Good Morning Broncos Country!
Well, the mini camp is over and I’m sure it was extremely beneficial to the entire team. Like coach fox said, I hope they all use this time off to get in better shape and come prepared to compete in training camp. They’ll have to put on their big-boy pants and a lot of players will be competing for a roster spot.
Interesting to read the Weber was number 2 on the depth chart…………it’ll be interesting to see if he can hold on to that and maybe Hanie gets cut. He deserves a shot at least………..cause he has played well when given the opportunity. One thing’s for sure……….there won’t be any sort of QQ coming this training camp! LMAO
I’ll be taking off here in a bit and prob won’t be around until Monday but I might try and pop in over the weekend. So, to all my fellow dads out there I say Happy Father’s Day! Everyone enjoy their weekend!
GO BRONCOS!
Oh…………and just get the deal done with prater ALREADY!
This is verygood news for PM fans, that being me lol, cant wait to watch ILMSDBF
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d829d93ee/article/peyton-manning-looks-good-as-broncos-break-before-camp?module=HP11_headline_stack
Good Morning Broncos Country! Happy Friday to all!!
This article reflects on OT Ryan Clady protection concerns with a srambling QB. He should do better with a pocket passer.
This coupled with the possiblility Clady may not have been quite at a 100% last season. PMs’ super quick release will definitely help the O-line.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_20861842/peyton-mannings-presnap-maneuvers-make-him-almost-unsackable
Nobody know Peyton Manning better than his former OC Tom Moore.
Best wishes to Coach Moore with his knee replacement.
New blog.