But a travelling nurse company here needed someone like his wife Rylley. And the Lunkers needed a tackling machine at linebacker like Travis. “Kind of just made family here,” Travis said. “And we’ve been here ever since. And we kind of started to grow our life, grow our career together, we love it here.”
He’s felt right at home in the middle of the Lunkers defense, as the league’s leading tackler in year one. And settling in as a pass rusher in year two. This year he’s added another role to his resume. It’s one that makes him feel like an even bigger part of his new community. “I literally went on google and searched, ‘coaching jobs near me,'” Travis said.
What he found was a fit right under his nose. Or actually, behind his back. “I live like a mile and a half away from [Springfield] Catholic [High School],” Travis said. “I didn’t even know it was back there.”
Springfield Catholic head coach Wes Page had a spot for Travis on his staff. And Travis was part of one of the biggest turnarounds of the season. The Irish had lost their first six games the season prior. This year they won their first seven. “It was all hands on deck,” Travis said. “We have a great staff there. Wed had a great staff last year. I got to learn a lot from Wes.”
Perhaps the Fightin’ Irish just listened to Travis’s message. “I take great pride in that no one’s going to outwork me,” Craig said. “I think that’s what makes me such a good football player. I’m not the most talented, the biggest, the fastest, or the strongest. But I work hard and that’s all you can ask.”
Coaching is what Travis wants to do. But first thing’s first. “Just trying to enjoy my little kid fantasies of playing football while I can,” Travis said, with a laugh.
Who knew The Ozarks could be just the place to do it.
