In his second season back, Panther defensive line coach Bryce Paup, who coached the D-line from 2013-2016, is happy to be coaching at his alma mater again after spending the 2017-18 season with the University of Minnesota.

“It’s nice; the community and the university supported me, gave me a great opportunity and now it’s my time to give back and help other people do the same thing that I did,” Paup said.

After an All-American career at UNI, Paup went on to play 11 years in the NFL, highlighted by four Pro Bowl selections and being named the 1995 Defensive Player of the Year after leading the NFL in sacks with 17.5. 

The Jefferson, Iowa, native played with Bruce Smith and Reggie White, the No. 1 and 2 NFL sack leaders respectively, and passes the vast knowledge that he accrued to current Panthers.

“He talks about how [Bruce Smith] worked and how he was able to move his body to fit in whatever gap he needed to at, like,  270 pounds,” defensive end Elerson Smith said. 

“He also played with Reggie White and [talks about] how powerful he was.  He teaches us Reggie White’s hump move that he studied from him, and learned first hand from Reggie White.  So that’s pretty cool having a primary source like that.”

Seeing players have success with his guidance is what it’s all about for Paup.

“Seeing kids get it like doing the hump move and beating a guy,” Paup said. “Sometimes it’s just them seeing the light pop on and doing something they never thought they could do, or actually being successful when they didn’t think they could.”

However, it’s bigger than the game for Paup, as he builds relationships with all of the players that he mentors.

“That’s what I love about him; he cares about me and people outside of the sport,” former defensive tackle Bryce Douglas said in an interview with Panther Sports Talk. 

“He’ll tell you in the meetings that he’s here to build relationships because he knows if he builds a good relationship with you off the field, everything on the field will be taken care of.  That’s the motto he preaches by.  He’s just been a great influence on me.”

“To me it’s one of the most important things,” Paup said. “It’s a cliche but people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  For me it’s real because I made some dumb mistakes growing up and had some hard times, and for me football was my way out […] I just thought, ‘you know what, I wish somebody would’ve done this for me when I was coming through.’”

Paup now relishes the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of fellow Panthers.

“It’s a blessing to have a coach like him,” defensive lineman Brawntae Wells said.  “A true person that cares about your life, and that’s one thing to guide you in the path of success at all times.”

Paup’s life has come full circle being able to coach for UNI, where he got his start, and making a strong impact in the relationships that he builds.

“So, I use [my] experiences to help these young men get past themselves […] and help them become better human beings,” Paup said.  “For me, that’s what really gets it.”