Montiese Culton, a former NFL veteran as a wide receiver with the Indianapolis Colts and standout collegiate receiver with Tulsa, joined the A&M-Commerce football coaching staff over the summer via the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) coaching internship program.
Both A&M-Commerce and Culton had to go through a rigorous process to be selected as host institution and a candidate for internship. Applicants for the program are appointed by the NFLPA to NCAA Division II and Division III programs as well as NAIA football schools. The program, established from a partnership by the NFLPA and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), is designed to give former NFL players a chance to gain experience in collegiate coaching. Ten former players were selected from a pool for 75 former players and awarded to 10 schools that applied. 2323
Culton spent the last four years working football camps around the country with former collegiate players and former NFL players, most notable with the Tyjuan Hagler Foundation Camp. His last coaching stop was at Washington High School in Oklahoma.
"He has far exceeded all expectations thus far," A&M-Commerce head coach Colby Carthel said. "He is a professional in every sense of the word, and has really strengthened our staff. Not only have we bolstered our staff, but our kids have been the ones really to benefit. Every college football player dreams of playing in the NFL, now our kids are getting to learn and grow under someone who has done just that. He is more than just a coach to a lot of these guys, he is a role model."
The partnership has already been an advantage for both parties. Carthel appointed Culton to the SAM linebackers on the defensive side of the ball, a decision that has already paid dividends.
"I am an offensive guy, but Coach Carthel wanted me on the defensive side of the ball," Culton said. "He told me when guys go away from what they are comfortable with they become better coaches. I have been able to flip what I know from being a receiver and teach my guys what to look for and how to defend it. It has helped me elevate my coaching experience. I will be able to take what I am learning and carry it into a full-time position."
Culton is working exclusively with the SAM linebackers in defensive coordinator Justin Deason's defense. The SAM is hybrid rover position that covers the wide side of the field, but line up like a linebacker presnap.
"That was the most important need of the team, and the team always comes first," said Carthel of the decision to put Culton in his current role. "A good coach is a good coach, no matter what position he coaches. Plus, we felt like it would help Montiese grow as a coach and expand his knowledge of the game."
Culton was a four-year starter at Tulsa where he amassed 1,333 yards on 87 catches and eight receiving touchdowns. His best individual season came in 2002 when he hauled in 35 catches for 415 yards and four TDs, however his Hurricane team had its best season in 2003 after turning around an 1-11 season into an 8-5 overall record for the best turnaround by a program in the NCAA that season. Ironically enough, Culton joins a Lions' staff that oversaw the biggest turnaround in the state of Texas from the 2012 season to the 2013 season. A&M-Commerce flipped a 1-9 record in 2012 into a 7-5 record in 2013 and its first postseason appearance in 18 seasons.
As for Culton's NFL experience, he caught passes from a guaranteed future NFL Hall of Fame member and arguably the best quarterback of all-time in the league, Peyton Manning. 2322
"He threw the best touch passes," Culton said. "They were always in-stride and perfectly placed. He would throw you open."
Culton, who signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2005, played with the team during the preseason. He led all rookie receivers in reception yards and caught the longest touchdown pass of the preseason when his Colts squared off against the Atlanta Falcons in the Tokyo Dome in the American Bowl.
The Colts, under head coach Tony Dungy and offensive coordinator Tom Moore, had a stellar receiving corps that season featured Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley. Peyton's offense also had pass catching Dallas Clark as a weapon as well.
Culton never saw action in a regular season game and was forced to retire after injuring his hips in the 2006 preseason.
The NFLPA Coaching Internship Program was introduced in 2006 as a NFLPA and NFL Player Development Department initiative. The program is designed to expose retired players to the inner workings of the coaching profession and provide them with an opportunity to network in the field, while learning and building through their experiences.