When the McCaffrey sons were young, they often used football trading cards to come up with plays. Max and Dylan McCaffrey are still doing that, but now they’re using actual players and games are on the line.
Max joined the University of Northern Colorado staff last year as the wide receivers position coach after UNC hired his father, Ed McCaffrey, for the top spot. It was a chance to jump-start what he hopes is a successful coaching career.
“I was actually still playing. I was in the XFL about to try to latch on to someone in the NFL for the spring season,” Max said during the UNC fall media day on Wednesday. “But once I found out about that opportunity, I knew … long term this is what I wanted to do. I really couldn’t have seen a better opportunity to transition from player to coach, you know, just getting a coach with my dad, (Defensive Coordinator Scott) Darnell and people that feel like family to me.”
The oldest McCaffrey son jumped around NFL teams after his college career at Duke, but he said he’s happy with the decision to work with his dad and brother. He is now the offensive coordinator after Dave Baldwin left the program this spring.
Ed previously told the Greeley Tribune that he works hard to balance coaching and fatherhood by using his assistants to coach his sons directly.
When it comes to Max, it’s a little bit different. There isn’t an intermediary when they’re both in leadership positions and acting as peers. But things are working out well, they say.
In fact, they’re often on the same page when it comes to the offensive scheme, because they know how to communicate with each other and have similar backgrounds in football. There are times when they disagree, but they know how to handle things maturely and come to a common conclusion.
“I’ve had a lifetime of experience working with him, so it’s not anything new for me,” Max said. “It truly is a blessing, and I’m having an absolute blast here coaching. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Dylan receives most of his instruction from Max and quarterback coach JJ Raterink, and said it’s cool to hear his older brother calling plays during practice or getting the offense huddled up.
“It’s definitely more official now, but it’s nice to have that little nostalgia attached, too,” Dylan said, recalling their times as kids drawing up plays. “It’s a blast, and it’s nice to really just trust the play, trust the play caller.”
Ed, despite joking about Max being grounded during fall camp, spoke highly of his eldest son and the knowledge he’s added to the staff. Even with their similar backgrounds, there are things Max experienced that his father didn’t, and they’re getting to collaborate and hopefully turn the UNC football team into a strong, consistent program.
The two plan to split play calling duties this fall, likely with Max handling a lot of the offense, which Ed said he mostly just “tweaks.”
“He’s really brought so much expertise from the teams that he’s played for in the NFL and added quite a dynamic to what we were doing,” Ed told the media on Wednesday. “I’m really excited about what he’s accomplished up to this point. And even more excited to continue working with him throughout the season.
“I think if done right, it can be one of the greatest blessings in a coach’s and the player’s life. If done wrong, it can be tragic, but it’s worked really well for our family.”
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August 13, 2021 at 07:01AM
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Max McCaffrey settling into UNC offensive coordinator role alongside family - Greeley Tribune
"Max" - Google News
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