Chambers named coach of local college team
Chris Chambers felt like coaching was the next chapter in his life, and while the former Miami Dolphins receiver had conversations with a few college programs — and a handful of NFL teams — he was hesitant about leaving South Florida.
Then an opportunity surfaced to be part of a new upstart university embarking on its inaugural year of athletics.
The University of Fort Lauderdale, a commuter school that recently joined the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), needed to find head coaches for all their sports teams.
A friend connected Chambers with Ernest Jones, the school’s Vice President of Athletics, and when the two hit it off Chambers was convinced becoming the school’s football coach was the right move.
“This is a big jump for me, becoming a head coach. But it happened naturally,” said Chambers, who owned and operated a sports performance training company called Chamber Fitness from 2012-17, and worked as a position coach at University School, a high school in Davie, the past few seasons. “With everything I’ve been doing here, with the community and the kids, all the different resources I’ve developed, I thought it was a great opportunity.
“I don’t think God would put anything in my way that I couldn’t handle,” said Chambers, who spent six of his 10 NFL seasons playing for the Dolphins (2001-06). He also played for the San Diego Chargers (2007-08) and Kansas City Chiefs (2009-10).
Chambers, who was drafted by the Dolphins in the second round in 2001 out of Wisconsin, was named to the Pro Bowl in 2005.
The University of Fort Lauderdale, which is located in Lauderhill, will compete in 14 intercollegiate sports with plans to expand to 22 sports in the coming years. Chambers is the school’s first hire since joining the NCCAA.
“His commitment to the university, community and our athletic department will help elevate UFTL football program to new heights,” Jones said.
Chambers hasn’t talked to any of the 89 student athletes committed to joining his football team in the fall. He hasn’t hired one assistant coach yet, and needs to find five more opponents for the school’s upcoming season. So his to-do list is fairly long.
“We want to put a really good coaching staff together, and I’m looking for guys who need an opportunity themselves,” said Chambers, who had 540 receptions for 7,648 yards and 58 touchdowns during his NFL career. “I’m not afraid to ask people for help. I feel comfortable being able to do that. To give athletes everything they need, strength and conditioning wise, emotional and spiritually.”