“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

Those were some of the passionate words form a dying Jim Valvano during the ESPY awards in 1993 when the legendary basketball coach accepted the Arthur Ashe courage and humanitarian award.
What the legendary basketball coach said rings true in just about every walk of life, especially when it comes to landing that dream job.

In the case of former Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, not giving up has finally paid off.  He reached one of his desired professional goals when he was named the head coach of the United Football League’s New York Sentinels.

It’s not the NFL, but it’s still a milestone in his coaching career.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” said Cottrell.  “It’s something that I always aspired to become and I finally have the opportunity.”

The moment has arrived for Cottrell after an extensive career as an assistant in the NFL.  Cottrell was the defensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills for three seasons before joining the Jets under head coach Herman Edwards in 2001. He spent three seasons guiding Gang Greens defense before his departure after the 2003 campaign.

His stay in New York did not last as long as he would have liked, but Cottrell still enjoyed some success- including two trips to the playoffs and the 2002 AFC East title.

“It didn’t end well, but I have some great memories,” said Cottrell.  Unfortunately, in the third year, we had injuries and the guys got a little older.  The players really played hard and that was all I could ask for.”

Cottrell moved on to Minnesota, where he spent two years as the Vikings defensive coordinator.  He would serve the San Diego Chargers in that same capacity during the 2007 season.  His NFL coaching career began in 1981 as linebackers coach for the Chiefs.

With an impressive NFL resume, Cottrell has been hoping for the chance to be head coach.  After doing due diligence on the new league, Cottrell decided to pursue a job and made contact with UDFL officials.

“It had been in the works for a while,” said Cottrell.  “Things really accelerated right around February.  They made the decision that they were going to launch (the league) this fall.”

In March, Cottrell interviewed with UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue- who is also known from his startup role with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he served as Senior Vice President of Football Operations.  Things went well and Cottrell was offered the head coaching job with the New York franchise. 

As it turns out, Cottrell was just the type of guy that the new league was looking for.
“In addition to the fact that he was hungry for an opportunity to be a head coach, I think he was representative of guys that fall through the cracks, “ said Huyghue.  “It’s not that he was necessarily overlooked, but the process of getting hired for a head coaching job in the NFL is sometimes representative of how it is for the players.”

While some players go through workout after workout and camp after camp looking for a chance to make an NFL roster, coaches go through their own difficult process of trying to land a head coaching job.
Cottrell had several interviews over the years, but nothing ever came to fruition.  But the wait for Cottrell is over as he takes the reins of the Sentinels.

The UFL’s “Premiere Season” kicks off in October and will consist of our teams playing a six—game regular season, with the Championship game slated for Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas.
So far, Huyghue is pleased with the leagues situation leading into its first season.

“I’m satisfied with where we are,” said Huyghue.  “The report card on us will be dictated but the quality of play on the field and attendance.  In terms of the exposure that we’ve already gotten and the familiarity with the product, I think we’ve done a good job.”

Cottrell’s Sentinels will play their three home games at three different venues- CitiField, Giants Stadium, and Rentschler Field at the University of Connecticut, which could be the site of a potential expansion club.  The Sentinels kick off their first season on Saturday October 10 against head coach Jim Haslett’s Florida Tuskers in Orlando at the Citrus Bowl. 

Haslett is one of the three head coaches in the UFL with previous NFL head coaching experience, having led the New Orleans Saints and St.  Louis Rams.  California Redwoods head coach Dennis Green held the same job with the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals, while former Giants head coach Jim Fassel is the head coach of the Las Vegas Locomotives.

“All three of those guys are very good coaches,” said Cottrell.  “They all have NFL experience, so I’m in good company.”

The player pool for the UFL is made up of former NFL players, undrafted college players and Arena Football League players.  Some recognizable names that Cottrell will take to training camp with the Sentinels include former three time Pro Bowl defensive end Simeon Rice, former LSU running back LeBrandon Toefield- who was the Jaguars’ 4th-round pick in 2003- and former NFL quarterback Quinn Gray.

“I’m very pleased, “ said Cottrell.  “I have a nice mix of some NFL veterans and we have some  younger guys who are undrafted by the NFL, but they are very good players and all they need is a chance to showcase their talent.”

Cottrell is very familiar with one particular player on his team, his son, T.J., who was an outstanding tight end for Buffalo State.
Nepotism you say? Cottrell says that’s not the case.

“(T.J.’s) a good football player, “ said Cottrell.  “He would not be a part of this if he wasn’t.  He and I have an understanding.”

T.J. went to training camp with the Vikings when he dad was there in 2007. While you might that that it would be an uncomfortable situation to coach your son, Cottrell made sure that T.J. understood he still has to earn his opportunities.

“When you come into these camps, you are a player trying to make the team,” said Cottrell.  “I’m your dad later on.  You have to make the team and show people that you belong and you have the ability to do that. I would not have encouraged him to pursue his dream if I didn’t feel that he had the talent.”

As a defensive coordinator, Cottrell stamped his personality on the players that he coached, that won’t change now that he’s the top dog.  He follows the theory “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

“You can’t change your personality and be successful,” said Cottrell.  “The main thing is consistency and being who you are.  We will be a no-nonsense team and a team that is very aggressive both offensively and defensively.  We’ll play extremely hard and we’ll hustle.”

That would certainly endear the Sentinels to the very tough New York area sports crowd.  Given the current economic climate, many fans are looking for a bargain- and the UFL just might be the product that people will look at.  With ticket prices starting at just $20, the Sentinels could very well become a hit if they are successful on the field.

Cottrell is hoping that success means being one of two teams that will be at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas for the UFL’s inaugural title contest.

“That will take care of itself,” said Cottrell.  “If you do it the way you’re supposed to do it, we have a very good chance of being in Las Vegas for the championship game.”

The UFL is a league of opportunity for its staff, coaches, and players.

For Cottrell, it’s an opportunity that he has been waiting on for quite some time.