Boyd finds second career in coaching

Though football has been a huge part of Stephen Boyd’s life since he suited up for the Valley Stream Green Hornets in the late 1970s, he never envisioned himself as a coach and mentor until the opportunity presented itself.

Boyd, who played seven NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions, retired after the 2001 campaign and began a new career a year later after being named Chaminade High School’s junior varsity head coach.

“The challenge intrigued me right away,” Boyd said of teaching youth football. “It’s not so much about how much knowledge you have, it’s about communicating and teaching and motivating the kids. I’ve done it 10 years now, and I really enjoy it.”

Boyd, who lives in Atlantic Beach and has served as the Flyers’ varsity head coach since 2009, last week held the inaugural Get The Edge Football Academy for students entering ninth grade through freshman year of college. Unlike most gridiron camps, strength training and conditioning was the focus.

“The foundation to being a better football player is to first become a better athlete both physically and mentally,” said Boyd, a 1990 Valley Stream Central High School graduate who as a senior led the Eagles to the Nassau Conference II championship. “It’s not like basketball, baseball or lacrosse where the game can be played throughout the offseason,” he added. “Someone has to work on all the different skills. This academy introduced a training curriculum where the kids can take away 80 percent of it and do on their own.”

Frank Accardi, a two-way starter for Valley Stream South set to enter his senior year, said Get The Edge was the fourth football camp he’s attended this summer. “I’ve learned so much about speed and strength training,” Accardi said. “I’ll definitely come back next year.”

Anthony Cestaro, a junior with hopes of making South’s varsity roster, said he felt his conditioning level improve after a couple of days. “I’m sore and tired, but it’s great,” he said. “I’ve never done a lot of the things they’re teaching us.”

Boyd, who brought in daily guest lecturers to educate campers on topics such as nutrition, sports psychology and injury prevention, said he’s looking to expand the Academy next year by adding one or two more weekly sessions. “I’m very happy with how the week turned out,” he said, “and I think the kids learned a tremendous amount.”