FLORENCE, Ala. – When one starts a new career or job, it is important to show gratitude to those who were instrumental in the process of getting there.
This is what Kade Glenn has done in regards to his new graduate assistant coaching position at North Alabama. He made sure to thank two of his coaches when he was a high school football player and a college football player.
Glenn spoke on Keiser head coach Doug Socha, who gave him a chance to play at safety for the NAIA program a few years ago.
“Coach Doug Socha is my guy,” Glenn said. “At the end of the day, he wants to best for you. He will push you to be the best overall human being and football player. If I didn’t have the opportunity to play for Coach Doug Socha, I probably wouldn’t be where I’m at today. He pushed me to be the best leader I can be. He pushed me to be the hardest worker and never give up.”
Glenn had more to say about Socha.
“Something I took from him and the first day we met as a program was, ‘There’s going to be hard days. There’s going to be days you don’t want to do something, but you have to “Find a Way”’. I use that to this day. I use that in my daily life. Yes he is a great football coach, but he is an even better life coach. Him and Coach David Padilla, the strength coach at Keiser back then, ingrained a mindset in me. I still talk to Coach and he still gets super excited for me living my dream.”
Glenn vividly remembers his high school football experience at Jensen Beach, where he played for longtime head coach Timothy Caffey. The Treasure Coast area product made sure to give special thanks to Caffey for his growth and development down through the years.
“Coach Caffey is that guy,” Glenn said. “He came in my sophomore year of high school and was my head coach my junior and senior years. He has helped me so much from when I graduated in 2015. He gave me an opportunity to coach the DB’s at Jensen for two years and then I went on to Keiser. I got to coach Jamien Sherwood (New York Jets linebacker), Tyrese Jackson, Dre Dames, Liam Zacheo, and others. I know I’m leaving more out.”
Glenn summed up Caffey in the best way possible.
“From playing for him being the quarterback and leader of the team, he has done so much for me and is always there for me,” Glenn said. “He still is, and I still talk to him. He’s a family guy. I have met his family, and he has met mine. They still message me and congratulate me on my accomplishments. All he wants to do is give these kids an opportunity to play football after high school. He doesn’t care how big you were or what you look like. He gave me the opportunity to me and many more kids that were similar to my size. I can’t thank Coach Caffey enough for what he’s done for me.”