Mike McCoy came to Notre Dame as a 6-5, 270-pound freshman out of Erie, Pa., Cathedral Prep and developed into a consensus All-American defensive tackle by his senior season of 1969. In the final game of the 1968 season, McCoy led a defensive effort against USC that limited O.J. Simpson, winner of the Heisman Trophy that season, to just 55 yards on 22 carries in a 21-21 tie. 

“At one point during the fourth quarter, Simpson looked up and said, ‘Oh no, not you again.’ I guess I left quite an impression on him,” says McCoy.

McCoy was the second player chosen in the 1970 NFL draft, going to the Green Bay Packers, where he played seven seasons of an 11-year pro career, which included two years each with the Oakland Raiders and New York Giants. McCoy was named Packers Rookie of the Year in 1970 and led the Packers in quarterback sacks in 1973 and 1976. Among his other honors was being named the Packers’ Dodge NFL Man of the Year.

“I played pro football a few years too early,” he jokes. “You still had to find a job when you finished playing.”

After several years in the corporate world, Mike found his true calling: ministering to young people, offering a message of encouragement to lead a life of purpose and to be strong-willed when faced with negativity. McCoy speaks about peer pressure and bullying, and how to deal with these outside influences with self-confidence to achieve true success.

“It brings me great satisfaction going into the schools and getting feedback from the kids; to hear exactly what they are going through and figure out how we can help them,” McCoy says. “A lot of students open up to us about serious subjects including depression, drug and alcohol abuse and other problems they are dealing with at home. This feedback allows me to help kids who are in tough situations get the guidance and help they need.”