Former football star Willie Ponder returns to Southeast Missouri State to coach, finish degree

Jackson graduate and Southeast Missouri State redshirt freshman tight end Stephen Dunn charged up the hill between fields of the Rosengarten Athletic Complex Tuesday afternoon with undergraduate assistant Willie Ponder close behind.

Dunn, who may have had a slight head start, beat Ponder to the top of the hill and teased, "I thought you played in the NFL."

The 34-year-old Ponder spent four seasons in the NFL following a standout two-year career at Southeast.

He's reminded of those six years of his life nearly every day that he walks into the football offices at Rosengarten.

The entrance halls to the offices are adorned with wall art, and large photos of former Southeast players in the NFL are one of the first things you see when you open the doors. Ponder is one of four players pictured on the wall.

A few feet farther down the wall are two former players in their cap and gown on graduation day -- the reason Ponder returned to Cape Girardeau.

Ponder was working as an assistant coach at his alma mater -- Tulsa Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma -- but knew that someday he wanted to be a head coach, which he'd need a college degree to become.

He got in contact with Southeast athletic department Academic Services Coordinator Sharon Burgard, who had worked in the same position when he attended Southeast in 2001 and 2002. He thought he'd take online classes to finish up the 20-something hours that stood between him and his general studies degree so that he could stay in Tulsa.

But then Minnesota assistant coach Brian Anderson called him, and the plan changed.

Former Southeast Missouri State and NFL football player, Willie Ponder, has returned to Southeast to continue his education and help coach the football team. Ponder stands outside Rhodes Hall of Science last week. (Laura Simon)

Anderson coached at Coffeyville Community College with Southeast coach Tom Matukewicz and defensive coordinator Bryce Saia when Ponder redshirted there in 2000.

He broke the news to Ponder that Matukewicz had been hired as Southeast's coach, and Ponder asked him to give Matukewicz his phone number and let him know he was interested in coming back to help in any way he could.

"Coach Tuke -- he made it happen for me," Ponder said.

Ponder joined the football coaching staff in February, which meant moving away from his family. He has three kids -- two daughters that live in Texas and a son that lives in Oklahoma.

"It was tough a little bit because I miss my kids -- I have two daughters and a son -- and prior to me coming up here I was a full-time dad so that part of it (is tough), but other than that it's just business," Ponder said of coming back to school. "It's something that needs to be done, and I'm taking on the challenge and taking it full speed ahead. This is just a blessed moment for me right now."

He took classes during the spring semester and is currently finishing up the nine hours he needs to graduate in December.

"I'm going through the ceremony and everything," Ponder said. "I'm going to be the first one in my family to really get a college degree, so that's going to be big. I'll have my family up. It's a big deal. Even though as old as I am -- I'm an old fart -- it's going to feel good. I don't want to say it'll take a weight off my shoulders, but it'll just be a good accomplishment for me and I know it'll make other people around me happy. It's another example for guys that do look up to me or listen to me, like 'Dang, he went back and got it even though he started then had some mess ups and then he went and finished.'"

There are a few football players in his Earth Science class that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He sits on the side of the lecture hall opposite them so that there's no distraction for him or the players.

When asked whether the players give him any trouble, Ponder laughed but explained that the players are respectful and focused on the class.

School wasn't always Ponder's top priority. He played football at Tulsa as a true freshman but admits he had bad grades and "no focus" and was dismissed from the team for academic shortcomings before he landed at Coffeyville.

Willie Ponder, shown here in 2001, played at Southeast for two seasons. He set multiple records that still stand and was named an All-American. (Missourian file)

"It was just that point where I felt like I let people down," Ponder said of turning his grades around. "It was just like, 'OK, what are you going to do? Are you going to run the streets or are you going to get it together?' ... When I got to Coffeyville it was just like a whole new path. It was a grind. The coaching staff -- Tuke and them was there -- and it was just serious, like either do right or go home, and I wasn't trying to mess up anymore. I had learned my lesson."

Ponder transferred to Southeast before he ever played a game at Coffeyville and was a star during his two seasons on the team in 2001 and 2002. He was an Associated Press, Sports Network and American Football Coaches Association All-American and first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection.

His name's still atop the Southeast record book in multiple categories -- pass receptions in a season (87), career receiving yardage (2,543), season receiving yardage (1,453 yards in 2002), career receiving touchdowns (26), season receiving touchdowns (15 in 2002), receptions per game for his career (6.83) and receptions per game for a season (7.25 in 2002).

Matukewicz has always wanted Ponder on his team, and recalled an ill-fated attempt to recruit him.

It was his first season as an assistant and recruiting coordinator at Southern Illinois University, and Matukewicz admits "we didn't really know the process."

So the SIU football staff flew Ponder in to St. Louis where he got on a small plane for Marion, Illinois.

A winter storm hit while Ponder was en route to Marion, the small plane had to return to St. Louis and Ponder eventually chose Southeast over being a Saluki.

"He's everything I love in a player," Matukewicz said. "He's an ultimate competitor. Even though he's a skilled player, he played tough. He blocked just as well as he ran with the football, which a lot of players don't do, and so I really appreciate that."

Willie Ponder played four seasons in the NFL and led the league with a return average of 26.9 yards in 2004 while playing for the New York Giants. (Bill Kostroun ~ Associated Press)

Ponder, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, spent three seasons with the team. He was the team's kick returner in 2004 and led the NFL with an average kick return of 26.9 yards. He was a member of the Seattle Seahkawks and St. Louis Rams in 2006.

"That's one guy I can learn a lot from," senior receiver and returner Spencer Davis said. "He's played in the NFL, and he shows me a lot of different things. Returns, that's what I do and that's what he did in the NFL, and he's been one of the best return coaches that I've had in my career at Southeast. He knows what he's talking about.

"One thing I like about him is that he's coached me up on how the kicker's kicking the ball and let's me do everything else on my own. That's what I like. Being a returner you can't have too much pressure on you or you'll drop the ball, and that's what coaches don't want you to do. He's done a good job at the receiver aspect, too, showing us different ways, how to beat a corner and this and that. He's a real good coach, a real good guy, and I'm learning a lot from him just in these past couple months being around him. He's somebody I can look up to."

Ponder, who Matukewicz said should be inducted into Southeast's Hall of Fame someday, has quite the influence over the Southeast players.

"Every single person here wants to do what he did, so all I have to do is bring him in front of them and tell them to listen because '0He did what you want to do and knows what it takes,'" Matukewicz said. "Of course, he's been coached at a high level. Some of the best coaches that have ever walked this planet have coached him and he's played at a high level, so just from a role model (standpoint). Even stuff like sleeping, take care of your body -- I could say that stuff, but when he says it it means a little more."

Ponder understands that his experience is beneficial to the team, and he answers as many questions the players have for him.

He'll also run through extra drills after practice with some of the players if they ask him.

"When I talk to the guys and they ask me questions it's like they're beamed in on me, and I can't let them down," Ponder said. "I'm going to give them whatever they want."

Willie Ponder coaches from the sidelines during at game at Southern Illinois earlier this season. He returned to Southeast in February to finish his degree and serve as an undergraduate assistant for the Redhawks. (Fred Lynch)

He was unsure of himself as a coach for awhile, but a mentoring class with Burgard and a lifestlye enhancement class that he took last semester, as well as a book by legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, helped him understand that the reason he's coaching is to help players in whatever way he can.

"That's all I'm about is just helping and being there for other people, and when Coach Tuke gave me this opportunity, I had to hop on it," Ponder said. "Then with those classes it just kind of meshed everything together for me. I think it's really my calling to just take it to the highest level I can and stay on as long as Coach Tuke will keep me around."

Matukewicz's response when asked if he'd like to keep Ponder around?

"For sure."

"I want to stick it out with Coach Tuke," Ponder said. "I'm loving this thing. These guys have really responded to me well."