Christmas 2025 was one to remember for Kamron Bryant. He just graduated from Bridgewater College with his Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and wrapped up an internship as a football strength coach for the University of Virginia (UVA).
Now he was telling his family that in less than two weeks, he’d be moving nine hours away from Richmond, Virginia, to Muncie, Indiana.
He laughs as he recalls how neither he nor his family knew where Muncie was. In fact, the first time Kam heard of Ball State University was from UVA’s head football coach, Adam “Smo” Smotherman.
The UVA and Ball State Connection: Football
How did the head coach of the University of Virginia football team hear about Ball State University? It may have something to do with T. J. Greenstone and the fact that Smotherman and Greenstone have known each other since their college football days.
Adam Smotherman and T.J. Greenstone were teammates on the Vanderbilt football team from 2007-2010; both played defensive tackle and were named co-captains for the 2010 season.
So, when Ball State University Football hired Coach T.J. Greenstone as the director of strength and conditioning, Smotherman encouraged Kam to look into Ball State.
“[Coach Smo] said that it would be a good chance for me to get my master’s [degree] and that I should give [Coach Greenstone] a call,” says Kam.
Kam made the call. Coach Greenstone talked about the master’s degrees Ball State offered, specifically the Master’s in Athletic Coaching Education, and how he wanted Kam to fill the Strength and Conditioning Graduate Assistant position with the football and men’s and women’s tennis teams.
Once Coach Greenstone mentioned the Master’s in Athletic Coaching Education, Kam “knew it would be a great chance to grow” in his coaching knowledge and skills.
From the Online Classroom to the Weightroom: Finding His Coaching Style
Kam puts his education into action every day working with the football and men’s and women’s tennis teams through his graduate assistantship. One of the biggest lessons he’s learned while developing his coaching style: knowing everyone is different—from players to coaches, to athletic trainers to the equipment staff.
“Everybody has different personalities, but we’re all working towards the same goal. You may not coach Player A the same way you coach Player B,” says Kam.
“And that’s okay because all that matters is that they get to the same point. So, you may have to change your coaching style [for each player].”
The courses let him read about coaching style development and athlete interactions, but working while pursuing his master’s degree gives him more insight into the assignments he’s completing.
“When you see it in real life, you take a step back and realize this is what the professor was trying to get us to understand,’ says Kam.
“No One Wants to See You Fail”
Often, online college students think they will be completely on their own during their educational pursuit. Ball State’s online degree programs integrate student collaboration and discussions into assignments.
“You’re not alone as an online student. You may have to take a little bit more to reach out, but once you do, you realize that people are here to help you,” says Kam.
“Nobody wants to see you fail. That’s the, that’s the big thing, like, that I’ve taken away from this is that they’re not trying to fail you; they want to see you succeed.”
And just with on-campus classes, the faculty also make it a point to know their students, connect, and be available when needed.
“It’s really the same as if you were going in person. Being an online student is pretty great because the professors understand that you have a lot going on throughout your week—people have jobs, people have graduate assistantships, we’re working—they don’t hold that against you,” says Kam.
Nobody wants to see you fail. That’s the, that’s the big thing, like, that I’ve taken away from this is that they’re not trying to fail you; they want to see you succeed.
Preparing for Graduation and Beyond
Kam is set to graduate in December 2026 and aspires to become a head strength coach. Just as the timing worked out for his graduate assistantship and adventure to Ball State, it could be perfect again, since January is when coaches hire.
While Kam admits he’ll be sad to end this adventure, he sees it as a blessing he’s enjoyed to the fullest.
And for those on the fence about going back to school to earn their Master’s in Athletic Coaching Education online, Kam has only one thing to say:
“Do it. Just 100 percent do it. If you’re thinking about it, do it. It’s a win-win, honestly. I don’t think you can lose by trying to get this master’s program, so if anybody’s out there thinking about it, you should definitely do it, 100 percent.”