By Kyle McCaskey

It may sound like coach speak, but Sherrone Moore credits hard work and dedication in what became an illustrious collegiate football career.

Now, he plans to pass along those traits to up-and-coming athletes.

Moore, a 2004 Derby High School graduate, was recently named the tight ends coach for the University of Louisville. Louisville competes in the Big East Conference.

“I feel like I’ve worked pretty hard these past few years with the staff. It’s a great honor,” Moore said. “I try to have fun with these guys every day, but at the same time, they’re here to work.”

Moore was a two-year starter at left tackle for Butler County Community College. In that time, the Grizzlies captured two conference championships. He then signed at Oklahoma, where the Sooners won two Big XII titles. His time at both schools taught him nothing would be given to him, he said. 

After his junior season at Oklahoma, Moore began to envision a career in coaching. It is not uncommon for linemen to develop shoulder and knee issues, and Moore wanted the opportunity to raise a family in a pain-free lifestyle.

He joined the Louisville staff as an offensive graduate assistant in 2008. While he has bigger aspirations, he is focused on the present.

“I think every coach that’s in the business wants to be a head coach, for the most part,” Moore said. “Ultimately yes, but I’m not really taking it that far yet. I’m just taking it a day at a time.”

The conversion from offensive line to tight end is not rare. Tight ends are expected to know run and pass blocking techniques. Some programs group tight ends and offensive tackles into the same coaching tree. 

“As an O-line guy, your expertise is in the run game, but as you develop in coaching, you learn the more you know about it, the better you’ll be,” Moore said. “I studied it quite a bit while working with the offensive line, and that helped me out in my transition with working with the tight ends.”

Charlie Strong is the head coach of the Cardinals. Moore said Strong brings a family atmosphere to Louisville. The role of Strong’s coaching staff is simple – help enrich the lives of the athletes. 

“It’s about the player,” Moore said. “We grind and we grind, but at the end of the day, you have to know you’re doing this for the guys that are going to strap on the helmet.”

Louisville finished the 2011 regular season at 7-5, including wins in five of its final six games. The Cardinals lost a 31-24 contest with North Carolina State in the Belk Bowl.

Despite the notoriety of jumping into the major college coaching ranks, Moore remains humble.

“I’m just very blessed,” he said. “I’m not going to take it for granted.”

User Comments

• Fuels Distro.System Operator/Maytag Aircraft

  "I am Sherrone's Dad,currently working in the Middle East/Qatar. My son worked his butt off from the day he started playing football.After graduating Derby High,and prior attending Butler,he said"Dad I will get to a Division School". After he accomplished that goal,he had a passion for coaching and followed his dream.His Mom and I just supported him in whatever he wanted to pursue.We could not dream of a better son. Thank you for publishing the article. Note: Sherrone was sick on the day when the College Coaches went to Butler but he gave it all,and impressed the Coaches from some of the top schools in the nation."

  Posted by Michael B.Moore on Feb. 14, 2012