Most collegiate athletes want to turn professional once their eligibility is up.

This is especially true for football and men basketball players who dream of making it to the big league for as long as they can remember.

However, the sad truth is that this dream doesn't always come true. In fact, it mostly never comes true.

So what do athletes do after college?

One former UA football player, Donald Horton, has stayed in Tucson to become a strength and conditioning coach for the UA football team.

After graduating last May with a degree in family studies and human development, Horton was unsure if coaching was what he wanted to do.

"I wanted to go into counseling like at high schools," said Horton.

Director of performance enhancement Corey Edmond said Horton had a lover for the weight room that could take him to the next level. The next thing Horton knew, he had an offer from Edmond to become part of his staff as a strength coach.

"Donald was that type of person, he was willing to go that extra mile, to go that extra route to be that way," said Edmond.

As a strength coach, Horton is responsible for the workouts for a specific group of players. In the mornings, he meets up with a group of D-linemen, and in the afternoon, Horton's attention is focused on small skilled players.

One player Horton is responsible for is defensive back Trevor Foster. Foster and Horton's relationship is unique in that Foster and Horton were also teammates prior to Horton becoming a coach.

"As one of out strength and conditioning coaches, you're seeing a new side to (Horton) and you're seeing him grow as a human being into what he'll probably do for the rest of his life," said Foster.

Horton said that his favorite part of his job is watching the players grow and get stronger overtime.

"Just to see that transformation and the work that you put into it, that's the most satisfying part," said Horton.

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