Hillcrest’s Marquice Cole
Marquice Cole is a former NFL player for the Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, New England Patriots, and the Denver Broncos. As of 2013 he had 72 tackles, 10 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, and 2 recovered fumbles. Cole is a Hillcrest HS alum who currently serves as Head Football Coach.
September 16, 2016
Q: Why do you coach here at Hillcrest?
A: Just to give back to the place that I was at. I know how a little guidance can help and go a long way with the youth, so I decided my Alma Mater would be the best place for me to coach.
Q: Can you explain a typical football practice?
A: Warm-up for 10-15 mins. If anyone was tardy or absent the day before, we all run for it; we take laps for each and every individual that’s tardy or absent. Then after that, we go into special teams for 2 periods – each position goes with their coach to work on individual skills. We also come together for 7 v. 7 with full team passing and running. Last, we go into conditioning as a full team.
Q: How do you handle criticism?
A: I don’t let it bother me at all; it’s just in one ear out the other. I have never been one to listen to what people had to say. Also, it really doesn’t affect me if it’s on the field; I’ll use it as fuel to do something productive.
Q: How do you connect with your players?
A: A lot of different ways: I let the kids know that I’m there for them for any reason they need me. So, I get calls at 3 in the morning from different people asking for help with one thing or another. I can also relate to them because I walk the halls with them, listen to the same style of music, and same type of dressing. It’s really east to connect with them.
Q: What was your Hillcrest experience like as a student?
A: It was great! I played sports, did lots of activities, and always got good grades. I was a model Student-Athlete, and the teachers loved me. It was just a fun experience.
Q: How does it feel to be a former NFL player?
A: It feels pretty good! I set out some goals for myself at a young age and to be able to achieve those goals was awesome. It’s just a great story for my son and the kids that I am coaching.
Q: What college did you attend? What was it like?
A: I went to Northwestern University. It was challenging, one of the most prestigious universities in the world for that matter, a very hard academic school. I’ve never been one to take the easy route to do things and going there gave me the challenge I like. I was a pretty good experience!
