Former Cowboys NFL offensive lineman, Bill Nagy joins Pro Mindset host Craig Domann and shares his football journey from playing high school football in Ohio to college football for the Wisconsin Badgers to the Dallas Cowboys. Bill played offensive line and was drafted in the 7th round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Bill was drafted the year (2011) the NFL locked the players out until the first week of August. Consequently, Bill did not get to participate in any off-season program with the Cowboys his rookie season. The day after the lockout ended, he signed his rookie contract and reported to training camp with Cowboys. Bill started from the jump for the Cowboys (opening game starter) less than 35 days later. He was a quick study and his experiences with the Badgers prepared him for the NFL.
After the NFL, Bill went into college coaching and was on Coach Chryst’s staffs at Pittsburgh and then at Wisconsin before Bill decided to go into the private sector to have more time with his family. His wife, Jessamyn, played volleyball at Wisconsin, and they have three young children. Bill currently works as a risk management consultant at Hausmann-Johnson Insurance in Madison, WI.
Bill goes down memory lane as he shares his experiences and challenges with the Badgers who eventually had 14 of the 15 offensive linemen play in the NFL. He earned himself a starting position going into his third season only to have it taken away when he was in a moped accident (lady ran a red light) just two weeks before the start of Fall camp. He gives an account of watching his starting and playing opportunities that season fade away as his rehab took longer than expected. The title of this pod is in reference to the mental battles he had while dealing with the emotions of earning a starting spot only to lose it because of a freak accident off-the-field.
Bill talks about the most impressive player that he played with at any level, DeMarcus Ware, and Ware’s strong belief system. According to Bill, Ware’s excellent performances came not just from his outstanding athletic abilities but also from his unmatched confidence and belief that he was the best.
Bill and Craig discuss the business of college football and how the business side of the college game mirrors the NFL. College players today are far more knowledgeable and sophisticated in terms of their rights, opportunities, utilization of the transfer portal, branding and positioning themselves for the NFL.
Craig and Bill talk about old-timers Drew Brees and Tom Brady related to their passion and love for the game and their competitive fires. They agree that both Brady and Brees have the uncanny ability to have a rookie mindset and passion that defies their age.
Bill and Craig talk about many other topics including:
•Would Bill allow his son to play football and why,
•Who is one of coaches that he respects and learned the most from,
•What makes the University of Wisconsin and Badger football special, and
•Bill shares his perspective as a college football coach (Pittsburgh Panthers & Wisconsin Badgers).