Getty ImagesThe man once called an “idiot kicker who got liquored up” can now be called coach.
The Indianapolis Star passes along word that former Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt has been hired to develop a football program for the Marco Island Academy in Florida. Last in the Arena League, Vanderjagt’s kicking career appears to be over after ugly ends in Indianapolis and Dallas.
He’s already worked with kids in soccer, football, and basketball.
“Basically, coaching at this age is like an artist’s version of a blank canvas,” Vanderjagt said. “You can kind of mold them to be a good player because they have no preconceived notions in general about sports.”
For some reason, it amuses us that a player that was often a pain in the neck for coaches has become one himself.
And considering this could wind up being the last Mike Vanderjagt PFT post in history, it’s cool to see him go out on a high note.
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he still shouldn’t have missed that kick against pittsburgh, a chump forever
What does he know about football other than the obvious KICKING PART?
Not bad for a “stupid drunk kicker”….P. Mannings words not mine.
He’ll be a good coach, serving as an example of what NOT to do
He was called an “idiot kicker” who got liquored up–get it straight.
Maybe he can hire Manning in a season or two!
Wait, so they want a kicker to develop a football program? In other news, they’ve signed a former figure skater to develop their ice hockey program.
How about an indefinite moratorium on stories where a kicker is the central subject?
Vanderjagt it wide left.
This piece of garbage should be remembered like Scott Norwood and Steve Bartman. I can still see that kick against Pitt fluttering out of my TV screen…
I’ll always have a warm spot in my heart for MV. After the Steelers almost blew that playoff game on the way SB XL he made sure they won by not just missing the kick but barely getting it over the endzone. Thank you Mike.
Vanderjagt’s wide right misses were the result of trying to “nudge” the ball through the uprights instead of simply blasting away at it as usual and trusting one’s pre-kick alignment and aim. His critical misses in a preseason game versus Minnesota were evidence of that.
(Yes, I used to be a kicker.)
He missed that kick on purpose against Pittsburgh – it was his way of flipping the bird to Peyton Manning. love it
Before I read this I thought the “new role” would of been directing airplanes on the runway…seeing as he got alot of experience watching the refs do that after his kicks.
Be sad to see him go, “Vandershank” is one of the all-time great nicknames.