A walk-on kicker turned All-American linebacker details his Red Dragon coaching experience.
As a Cortland football recruit in 2017, Dylan Dubuque received the news that he was being cut from the roster in the spring of his freshman season.
Freshmen are often given the most opportunity to grow because of their prominence in age. This wasn’t the case for Dubuque. Team 114 was limited in roster spots, leaving a future All-American as a roster casualty.
Still wanting to be a part of the team, the former linebacker chose to join the managerial staff. Student assistants, now including Dubuque, help with equipment, setting up drills, and various one-on-one aid with players.
After a mere month as a student manager, head coach Dan MacNeill ran into kicking issues. Dubuque then weaseled his way into an opportunity to help the team. After joining the team as a kicker, he was invited as a linebacker just in time for training camp. From there on out, history was made.
In a career totaling 160 tackles, including 19.5 for loss, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, six blocked kicks, and three touchdowns during his senior season, Dubuque was able to cement himself as an All-American. He earned Second Team honors as a linebacker from Associated Press Division III and was a D3football.com Second Team special teams contributor.
After his career as a Red Dragon, Dubuque went to Badalona, Spain, where he competed semi-professionally for the local team, the Badalona Dracs.
Despite his prominence overseas, Dubuque felt an intense calling back to Cortland. He said, “Service brought me back. I was looking for a way to serve more people and coaching allowed me to give back.”
And give back he has. While Dubuque would differ his accolades as a coach to the players, the intense film work and technique focus he emphasizes helps to raise players to a new level.
In 2022, senior cornerback Josh Cordero was named an All-American via the Associated Press, AFCA, and D3football.com. Cordero, who is one of Dubuque’s closest friends, had this to say, “Dylan felt more like a teammate. He knew what he was talking about from a defensive standpoint and was always someone to listen to and respect.”
When prompted with the question of how he was able to transition his greatness on the field to the coaching staff, Dubuque said, “It’s not about what you do or accomplish, it’s about who you are on a consistent daily basis. As a young coach, you must be your authentic self to earn the respect of the players. The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.”
One thing is clear to those who know Dylan Dubuque: whatever task he immerses himself in there will be a profound result.