Utah Cornerback Coach: ‘You Could Not Have Asked For a Better Opener’

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Over the past two months I have had the pleasure of playing golf, and competing against, some pretty big-name, Utah celebrities.

This week was no different as the University of Utah football team’s cornerback coach Sharrieff Shah joined me at Willow Creek County Club in the hopes of pinching either a one hundred dollar gift card to Uinta Golf or a Bushnell Range Finder from me.

Coach Shah’s Journey

Coach Shah has had an interesting life journey thus far.

Growing up in South Central Los Angeles taught him lessons he still uses today.

In 1990 he joined the University of Utah football team where he dominated the strong safety position. Unfortunately, three games into his senior season he suffered a career-ending neck injury.

He never buckled the football helmet again.

When his football career vanished, he pursued law and successfully practiced in Salt Lake City as an attorney for twelve years.

That all changed in 2012 when he took the job as the cornerback coach under Kyle Whittingham. He has held that title for eight years now.

I have nothing but love for @UteReef33. One of the most sincere, funny and caring coaches this world has. Thanks for joining me today, coach! @Utah_Football is lucky to have you. #TheHallowedGrounds https://t.co/9sARkd4694 pic.twitter.com/fCdkvbj4ZK

— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) July 9, 2019

Coach Shah’s Strategy

Coach Shah is a unique individual, to say the least. He is loud and articulate. He is motivating and inspiring. Coach Shah is the type of coach that you want to play for.

He coached some impressive players – from Eric Rowe to Domonique Hatfield and current Ute standout Jaylon Johnson.

Coach Shah gave me some insight about what goes into his strategy, “I think that you should coach your players very hard because football is a tough game and they need to understand that but don’t ever take personal attacks.”

Whether we like it or not, football coaches wear many hats. The mental health of our players is equally, if not more, important than their physical well being at times. I love my guys, and I am always here when you need me. https://t.co/jYrBHfzsqD

— Sharrieff Shah Sr. (@UteReef33) May 21, 2019

The Rivalry Game

Shah spoke to me about the first game, the state’s biggest rivalry, when the Utes take on the BYU Cougars.

The game will take place at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo on August 29, 2019.

“You could not have asked for a better opener. You just want your boys to be dialed in for this particular game because it is the first game. I do not care who you play, you need to put together four quarters of quality football because you believe that your opponent will. In this case, you know that your opponent will. You just don’t want to play tight in a game like this, because it matters,” said Coach Shah.

We Tied

For those who care, Shah and I drew on both the par-five 10th hole and the par-three 11th.

I gave him the one hundred dollar gift card to Uinta Golf and thanked him for joining me.

I have had a lot of fun on the golf course over the years, but I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed my time on the links that much.

Watch the full episode of Hallowed Grounds below.

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