April 8, 2012
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - I just had to know. What does he do? How was it possible? I had to find out.
As someone that has learned that one's voice in broadcasting is their livelihood, I know one must learn their limits in how you use that voice. Over the years I have had many instances where I found myself having to call a game and not having a voice. There are many things one can do or take to try and get the voice back. But the reality is few things really work. But on occasion I have heard of ancient secrets passed down over centuries that work.
So with that in mind, I had to find Brent Key. Yes, that Brent Key. UCF's offensive line coach of eight years was someone that must be confronted. Why?
Attend any UCF practice and it is easy to find Brent Key. Well, maybe not find Key, but hear Key. His voice roars amongst the whistles, collisions and fellow coaches making their points in a strong vocal tone.
Key just has that tone that can be picked up anywhere. He screams. He yells. He shouts. He makes his point. By the time the practice ends Key has no voice. Nothing. It's gone. This tall, strong, powerful man becomes a whisper. His voice is gone in the matter of a couple of hours. Yet, somehow, someway it returns the next practice. Just who does this guy think he is?
He is one of the top assistant coaches in the country and no one has been on George O'Leary's staff as long as Key. He has worked with numerous players in his time at UCF that have gone on to play in the NFL. Jah Reid is the latest example of those that have worked with Key and moved on the pros. Reid was a third round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in last year's NFL Draft.
Ok, we get it, Key is a great coach, but can we get back to the voice thing? I need to know how this is possible. How can he scream for two hours, lose his voice and then get it back in a matter or 48 hours?
After Saturday's scrimmage I was on a mission. I was going to corner Key and demand answers. And there he was. He was coming off the field at Bright House Network Stadium and headed to the UCF offices. I made my move. He was not getting away. He was going to come clean and tell the truth.
As I approached Key he has no idea what was coming. Perhaps he thought I was interested in how the offensive line blocked the A and B gap during the scrimmage. It was the furthest thing on my mind. Perhaps he thought I might ask him about which tackle is getting off the line best. Please, this is something far bigger.
Finally, he was cornered and had to answer my questions. What was the secret formula? What special powder or liquid are you taking? Is it Yoga? Is it something you order on line? Is it passed down from the ancient Mayans? Did this special ingredient in getting your voice back come from the Great Wall of China? What is it Key? What do you take?
"Walgreen's throat lozenges," said Key.
What?
"Walgreen's throat lozenges," he said again.
I'm not buying that Key. What else? What else are you taking?
"Gatorade," said Key.
What flavor?
"Red," said Key in a whisper I could barely hear.
So I am supposed to buy that the only thing you take to get your voice back after screaming all day at practice are throat lozenges and red Gatorade?
"Yup," said Key.
Key will drink about seven Gatorades after practice and down a few lozenges and try to keep his talking to a minimal because he knows he has practice coming in another day.
It's one of the reasons Key loves twitter (@CoachBrentKey) because he doesn't have to talk, he can communicate in 140 characters.
Other assistant coaches have no idea how Key does it when it comes to losing and then finding his voice. They marvel at his unique ability.
As I was attempting to break Key down and find out his little secret, George O'Leary wondered what I could be doing in interviewing Key. O'Leary's point was you can't hear him. He has no voice.
But whether it be O'Leary, fellow assistants or the offensive linemen Key works with, no one doubts come Tuesday morning the roar will return. Should you get to practice all you need to do is listen. You will hear it and you will know. That's Brent Key. The guy whose secret formula for getting your voice back after losing it is over-the-counter throat lozenges and 224 ounces of a sports drink. Red flavor...
Knights notes and more: We start with one of, if not, the fastest woman in the world. Freshman Octavious Freeman ran the fastest 100 meters in the world this year on Friday at the Florida Relays. As if that was not enough, she then posted the fastest 200 meter time in the world this year. Both performances guarantee her a spot at the US Olympic Trials later this summer...UCF baseball continues their solid season with a big week featuring non-conference games at home against Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman before a C-USA series at Southern Mississippi. Among the highlights from last week was the win at Miami and Sunday's dramatic 8-7 win in the 9th. At 26-7 and 7-2 in the league, UCF is knocking on the door of a top 10 ranking...UCF Spring Football Game this Saturday at 2:00p at Bright House Network Stadium. Highlights from this past weekend's scrimmage include running back Storm Johnson and wide receiver Breshad Perriman on offense and linebackers Terrance Plummer and Jonathan Davis...Final thought: Honored to be ask to serve as emcee at Mike O'Donnell's birthday celebration this past Friday. Wish I could tell more but that confidentiality agreement I signed means our coverage of the event ends here...