I'm with Al and Clones21, I think Atif is the man we go for right now. I think he fits the young and enthusiastic characteristic of our coaching staff (with the exception of Wally, who is just enthusiastic). From the article I posted below, it seems that he would most definately be qualified. He played while Rhoads was here didn't he??
From: UNI Assistant Football Coach Atif Austin Selected to Attend 2007 NCAA Football Coaching Academy - NORTHERN IOWA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
From: UNI Assistant Football Coach Atif Austin Selected to Attend 2007 NCAA Football Coaching Academy - NORTHERN IOWA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
(Sorry if this has been posted already!)University of Northern Iowa assistant football coach Atif Austin has been selected to attend the 2007 NCAA Football Coaching Academy. Austin is entering his third season as running backs coach with the Panthers.
The Academy, targeted for minority coaches, is a preparatory class for becoming a head coach with participants selected by a committee from the NCAA. It will be held June 30 - July 2 at the Marriott Indianapolis Downtown in Indianapolis, Ind.
Austin was instrumental in helping running back Darian Williams attain Gateway Football Conference Newcomer of the Year honors in 2006. Williams ranked eighth in the Gateway in rushing yards per game (59.4) and ranked second on the team with 653 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. The Panthers' other feature back in '06 was Corey Lewis, who rushed for a team-high 894 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Lewis ranked No. 27 in the nation and No. 5 in the Gateway in rushing yards/game (99.3).
In 2005, Austin helped running back David Horne set the UNI single-season rushing touchdown record with 17. Horne rushed for 1,141 yards to lead the Panthers into the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA I-AA national title game. Along with Horne's accomplishments, the Panthers were able to mix in fellow senior Terrance Freeney into the UNI running game. Freeney rushed 172 times for 656 yards and nine touchdowns in 2005.
Austin served as a graduate assistant at Southwest Minnesota State University (2003-2004), the first working with the secondary and the last aiding with the inside linebackers.
A native of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Austin was a four-year starter as a defensive back at Iowa State University from 1998-2002. He received honorable mention All-Big 12 honors by The Associated Press in 2001 and was presented the 2002 Reuben J. Miller Award, given to the player whose conduct on and off the field has brought honor to ISU. He redshirted in 1998, then compiled 173 career tackles, including 146 solos and 27 assisted stops. He also was credited with 33 pass deflections and two interceptions.
Austin majored in Sociology and Exercise and Sport Science at ISU and earned his master's in Leadership and Education from Southwest Minnesota in January. He was a four-year Honor Roll recipient as a prep. He was a member of Citizens Alliance for Progress, an organization that acknowledges strong academic performance. He was born Nov. 23, 1978, in Tampa, Fla. He and his wife, Tori, are the parents of Djoni, 9, and Amni, 4.