Weis saw coaching as his calling in life
BOCA RATON — His parents never wanted him to go into the profession.
When Florida Atlantic offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. told them that was his plan, they immediately warned him on the negatives. His father, a former NFL coach, made him aware of the stressful environment and the pressure to always win.
None of that mattered to Weis. He wanted to be next in the family line.
“Coaching, I felt was my calling to help people,” Weis said. “Not just the schematics and the fun of all that stuff, but helping young players develop and become better people. I think that part to me overrides, ‘One day, you’ll get fired.’ ”
At 25, Weis is the youngest at his position at the Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) level. He met with reporters for the first time Sunday at the school’s media day at FAU Stadium. So far, there have been no complaints about the coordinator who is only a few years older than most of the players.
Although his age helps him better relate, he still has earned respect in a short time.
“He’s doing a great job,” head coach Lane Kiffin said. “I’ve said it before, if you shut your eyes in a meeting and listen to him you have no idea how old he is. He commands the players’ respect. … That comes from how you treat people. That comes from your knowledge. They respect him because his knowledge is way beyond his years.”
Weis, who began his coaching career at 18, is experienced well beyond his age. For years, he shadowed his father on the sidelines. The stops included the New England Patriots, Notre Dame and University of Kansas.
Before leaving his job as offensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons to join FAU in January, he worked with Kiffin and Nick Saban at Alabama.
“When coach Kiffin called and offered me the job, it was a blessing,” Weis said. “It was an easy decision to go. I’ve been involved in football my whole life. It’s something that I’ve kind of known. At the same time, it is crazy to think about. I’m just so blessed to be where I’m at. I don’t really think about it a whole lot. … I just love being here.”
Weis is one of several staff newcomers but easily the most intriguing because of his age. First-year defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro is still amazed at Weis’ maturity despite being born in 1990s.
Pecoraro said there was “no way” he would have been ready to hold a position this high at this stage of his life.
“Not at 25,” Pecoraro said. “At 25, I was still a puppy.”
Gaining experience alongside his father, who lives in Wellington, helped offset the fact Weis never played football. He developed a high football IQ while working his way up from low-level positions to his current status.
“It’s obviously different,” Weis said. “I don’t try to hide from the fact that I didn’t play. Growing up early on and getting involved in coaching, I think it did help give me a [head] start. That has helped me tremendously in terms of knowing the game and providing the players all the information that I can provide.”
Added quarterback Rafe Peavey, “He’s really awesome. I know he spent time with the Falcons and in NFL rooms across the country. He really is one of the better [coordinators] I’ve had. He’s very detailed. I feel like he’s got an answer for every situation that he comes across.”
The biggest question entering the season is how much freedom Kiffin will give Weis. Considered an offensive guru, Kiffin has often called most of the plays as a head coach. Last year, he did the same with offensive coordinator Kendal Briles but he has hinted he plans to take a relaxed approach this season.
Still, Weis is comfortable with whatever the boss decides.
“We definitely had discussions about it,” Weis said. “At the end of the day, coach Kiffin is the brilliant offensive mind that he is. So whatever decisions he comes to … I’m all game for it.”