David Carr has learned the art of perseverance. After 10 years and numerous hardships, he has landed his dream job as a college football coach.
His journey started when he was coaching at Shepard University which required a master’s degree to teach. While earning his online sport management master’s degree in 2007, Carr and his family were going through a difficult time. His wife was fighting cancer which she ultimately survived.
“There were times that I wanted to postpone my education,” explained Carr. He managed to endure the tough times.
Throughout his studies at CPASS, one of Carr’s mentors was Floyd Jones. “Dr. Jones was everything to me. He was the first person I would call when I needed advice or help,” he said.
After graduation, he bounced from job to job, ranging from coaching positions to communications positions. “I worked as a coach for an inner city high school under three other coaches. We had no comradery,” he added.
While trying to land a job to support his family, he struggled to keep his house and cars. “I was willing to move anywhere for a job.”
This past May things started to turn around for the Carr family. A friend found him a position at a telecommunication company in the DC area. One day, his son called and told him that someone from a camp had contacted the family looking for him. Carr didn’t think much of this, but it turned out that it was a key opportunity about a coaching position at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma.
Carr is now the tight end/full back coach at the university. His hard work has paid off. What is his advice for CPASS students?
“Keep your faith, even though at times it may be very hard. Never give up. Always keep trying to hold your family together and stay healthy,” said Carr.