The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Question & Answer: UAB's Men Behind The Masks
9/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 7, 2010
Head Athletic Equipment Manager Brian Coutras and Assistant Equipment Manager Chris Ouren sat down with Athletic Media Relations Assistant Sarah Fitzpatrick to discuss what it's like to manage equipment for UAB's football team.
How did you get into this profession?
Brian: "I was a high school athlete who realized I didn't have the ability to play collegiately, but I wanted to stay involved. I planned to teach and coach, so I thought working with equipment would be a great opportunity to be around a football program on a daily basis and take in the coaching side of it. I ended up falling in love with equipment and went into it as a profession. I've been very fortunate about where it has taken me to this point. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State, I did an internship at Indiana. From there I took my first full-time position at Cincinnati and worked there for two years before I ended up at Marshall for my first head job. I got out of it for a while and came back."
Chris: "During my freshman year of high school, my brother's friend on the football team got injured and worked with equipment, so I started helping him out. My buddy and I went up to Iowa State for college and planned to help out with the team. He ended up not doing it, but I stayed on. Then I had to do an internship as part of my degree, so I went up to Harvard and worked with two guys that knew Brian, and they helped me get down here."
Walk me through a typical game week for you during the season.
Brian: "Typically our week starts as soon as the game ends on Saturday. Every game's a road trip for us, so after the game we pack up and move back, whether we are at Legion Field or in El Paso, Texas. First we do the game laundry, which takes three to four hours. Then we go home, get a little sleep, go to church, see the family and return Sunday around noon. At that point players are turning in travel suits, we are putting away laundry, and then we are getting prepped for the next game at the same time.
"Monday we send out dry cleaning for the coaches' game day clothes. I'll go to a staff meeting and Chris starts working on game helmets. He pretty much handles game helmets, which includes re-striping, maintenance and repair. Occasionally I will chip in, but that's Chris's baby and it's a two-day job.
"The players come back Tuesday and practice. We rely heavily on our six student managers for practice. Without them we couldn't do what we do. They set up the practice fields in the morning, help out with segments on the field and handle practice laundry.
"Wednesday it's putting the finishing touches on everything, and then we load up the 53-foot truck Thursday. Depending on where we are at, we'll have a walk-through Friday and then go to the stadium and set up."
Chris: "I fly out in advance on all flight trips. We load the truck up and get it out Thursday afternoon, then I fly out that night. I'll meet the truck at the stadium Friday morning and we unload the truck. The first thing I do is unload the players' bags, set up the lockers the way they need to be and put out the apparel they need for games. Depending on when the team gets there, I'll get everything set out so the next day we just have to shine the shoes and helmets, set up the headsets and then we're ready to go."
How many people do you do laundry for during the season?
Brian: "Laundry falls under our umbrella for the players, coaches and support staff. We are handling laundry for 140 people, so the volume of laundry we do is pretty astounding. A typical full-padded practice is nine loads. We do two loads of jerseys, three loads of loops and pants and two sets of coaches gear. Head-to-toe for about 140 people on game day."
What are your duties during football games?
Brian: "I have my students running the pregame operation and Chris and I make our rounds on the field. Players need air in their helmets, chinstraps tightened, etc. Once we come off the field we get towels and wipe sweat off. I'm the last one out of the locker room after the team takes the field because I'm getting prepped for halftime. Then I get out there and each of us is responsible for a bench. Chris takes the defensive bench and I take the offensive bench. When the offense is out on the field, I'm standing behind the ball, watching the players coming off the field with footwear or equipment issues, so I can catch them and get it taken care of to eliminate them missing as many snaps. If they're coming out for one play - get it fixed in that one play so they don't miss a rep."
How do you prepare to solve equipment problems during the game?
Brian: "Chris is an Eagle Scout, so I try to feed off him. Our motto is `be prepared.' We have a trunk with helmets that we can grab and put on the players. We also have backup shoes. We try to troubleshoot and look ahead as much as possible. Basically, when we go out to the field, we make a portable equipment room. Any problem that could arise we have a solution for. We have backup jerseys for our skill guys, then after that point it's a fill-in. We also have become self-taught seamstresses. I had my mom teach me, and Chris has learned through watching me. We'll do all our repairs and fixes during the week, but our major stuff we'll hire out."
Do you manage all the equipment that is issued to the players?
Brian: "We are blessed. Coach Callaway's rule is that nothing goes out of here because it's intended for UAB football use, which makes my job easier. It makes those kids accountable and responsible, but at the same time we're not wasting money and just flying through inventory. It's pretty well regimented and controlled because of that rule. The kids probably don't like it because not everyone in our department has that policy so they get a little envious, but that's what Coach Callaway wants and what I like."
How do you think that rule benefits the players?
Brian: "We eliminate guys worrying about packing or washing clothes on Thursday nights. We put out travel gear in their locker while they're out at practice on Thursday. They come in off the field and their clothes for Friday and Saturday are ready. All they need to do is focus strictly on football. They turn it in on Sunday and we wash it, dry it and store it and get it ready for the next week."
What's your favorite part of the job?
Brian: "The relationships and when the team's successful. The one thing that I want to see here is UAB reaching a bowl game. These kids deserve it. They've worked hard and paid their dues, especially the seniors who came in as true freshmen and have worked with coach since his first year. Those guys deserve this reward for the commitment and hard work that they've put in."
Chris: "Being in our locker room with the kids. We really enjoy the few that come in every day and see us. It makes it an easier day when you have that instead of people just coming in with equipment issues."
Your offices are located in the football locker room. What is that like?
Brian: "It smells, it's loud and it's a little bit of everything, but it's a necessity. The only downfall is that we are in an open space and there are times when the players don't realize that it is our office. But, all in all, it's where we have to be in order to be accessible to those guys on a daily basis."
Chris: "You become immune to the smell. I don't know how many people walk through and complain about the smell, but it doesn't bother us anymore."
What is your favorite memory with UAB football?
Brian: "Coach Callaway's first win. I was able to get him a game ball and present it to him. That, for me, was the greatest memory at this point."
Chris: "The year we beat Marshall in 2008. After working with Brian and knowing how much that meant to him, it was really fun to be a part of. After the game we were in the locker room and Coach Callaway called him up and gave him the game ball. It was a really great moment."
