JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Episcopal School of Jacksonville is now home to one of the original Jaguars. Mark Brunell is now heading up Episcopal's football team.
Tuesday was his second day on the job, and he admitted he was little nervous. "I actually had a chance to talk to the football players this morning for the first time. And honestly, a couple of jitters going into that one," he said.
The former Jaguars quarterback says his job at Episcopal offers a new and different challenge. Last year, he was the volunteer quarterback coach at Providence. "This year's different," he said. "This opportunity with Episcopal. I'm the head varsity coach, head of football. A lot of responsibility. And so, in charge of a lot of different things on campus."
Brunell left the Jaguars in 2003. But he says he's always kept a house here and his family considers Jacksonville home. "Friends are here. It's a great place to raise a family. And we feel a part of this community and we feel connected."
Now, he's hoping to connect with his new players. He says almost 20 years of professional play has taught him valuable life lessons he intends to pass along to them. "There's so much you can gain from being on a football team. And I want to create an environment where these kids, they learn how to work. They understand what it means to be on a team, and count on the guy next to them," he said. "A good group of kids, and I'm looking forward to working with them."
