By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Adam Raymond spends countless hours poring over video to help Tennessee Tech Football prepare for its next opponent, learn how to improve and grow and showcase some of its best moments.
As a video coordinator, his efforts aren't the ones highlighted on the field, but behind the scenes, what he can accomplish is invaluable as he oversees a staff of film students and breaks down footage from practice and games. It's a day-to-day operation handling the coaches' video to help them figure out what's working and what isn't.
"My job is to help the coaches write the textbook they use to teach the players how to win football games," Raymond said.
Raymond stands this weekend as one of 10 nominees for the College Sports Video Association's FCS Video Coordinator of the Year. The winner will be announced Tuesday and will be advanced into consideration for the national award – the Bob Matey National Coordinator of the Year – and competing against the winners from each FBS conference and independents.
"It's an honor," Raymond said. "I thank whoever it was who nominated me for that award. It's nice to be appreciated for not just this program, but all of the programs I've worked at over the years."
Raymond's competition for the FCS Video Coordinator of the Year includes Jordan Brown (Southern Utah), Hayden Bryant (North Alabama), Quinton Lee (Presbyterian), Chris Gillespie (Southern Illinois), Sokiri Malula (North Dakota State), James Foran (Northern Arizona), Dillon Weithman (Indiana State), Rocky Sabbatini (Samford) and Ronald Williams (Alcorn State).
"It's awesome to be among this group," Raymond said. "So many nominees and winners of this award have gone on to do amazing things. Many guys who have won this award have gone on to become video directors in the NFL. My first boss in the business – the long-time video coordinator at Syracuse – is the director with the Detroit Lions and almost got to the Super Bowl this season. There are many members of the organization that have Super Bowl rings."
Raymond even noted that Pro Football Hall of Fame has opened a section to recognize video staff among its ranks.
"Being able to see all that from the ground level up and seeing the appreciation for something the public probably has no idea about or who we are, it's really neat," Raymond said.
Voting for the award is open through Sunday night and it is open only to members of the CSVA and an FCS institution to vote on the award.
Raymond, currently in his sixth season at Tech, spent 10 seasons at Nevada, two seasons at Washington and five years at Buffalo. He earned his degree in 1998 from Syracuse's prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
The Bob Matey Award is named for the developer of Texas A&M's video laboratory from 1987 until his passing in 1997. He was one of the founding members of the CSVA. Under his watch at Texas A&M, he oversaw the conversion to videotape in 1987, revolutionizing the breakdown and creating an industry standard. He coached as a defensive line coach at Pittsburgh under Johnny Majors and Jackie Sherrill and helped guide Pitt to a national title in 1976. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Iowa State, in 1972.
