Warren Sapp reflects on the difference between playing, coaching: 'I have to let someone else drive'

Colorado graduate assistant coach Warren Sapp is no stranger to what it takes to win at the highest level in football — as a player, at least. But this new role of coaching is taking some adjusting for the legendary defensive lineman.

Speaking with reporters after a recent practice, Sapp explained how he’s learning about his role and how football has changed as much as the players are learning about their assignments and responsibilities and techniques. The biggest change, though, is having to go hands off and trusting the teaching sunk in with his players when the time comes.

“Nah, coaching’s a whole different thing,” Sapp said. “This is the first time I’m going for a championship that I’m not leading. And that’s the beautiful thing that now, I have to really push the wheel and let somebody else drive. It’s a beautiful thing to watch my kids day in and day out get a little better.”

Sapp is also not ignorant to the fact that the progression for the defensive linemen he’s working with won’t be linear.

But he’s happy to see the little gains, and is confident the whole thing will come together sooner, rather than later.

“When you come in and you go slap, club, rip and they’ve never done it — I’ve been here 90 days. I’m thinking 120 we’ll have got it right, you know what I’m saying?” Sapp said. “So we’re just going at it each and every day and the best part about it is I’m learning every day. They’re teaching me, too. Because the game ain’t the same. It’s a different game. And the way I played it, you can’t play it like that anymore. So you’re just mixing and matching and doing it right. It’s 21st century football. So I’m learning, they learning and we’re going to learn together.”

Sapp seems to love his coaching role

Sapp didn’t envision himself coaching football after his career ended. The Pro Football Hall of Famer got a call from Deion Sanders, though, and decided to jump in as a senior quality control analyst at Colorado this season.

So far, Sapp is soaking in every minute of his first training camp in Boulder. He also has a new attitude about coaching than he did after retiring from the NFL.

“For someone that never wanted to do this, I’m really addicted to this right now,” Sapp said Tuesday. “The babies have really given me a purpose in life. I’m enjoying it.”