Took job in same capacity for the Buffs at Colorado in 2013.
Was in Boulder through 2017 before hopping over to coach for Steve Spurrier and the Orlando Apollos of the AAF in 2019.
Coached in the XFL 2020 with the Dallas Renegades before the COVID pandemic killed the league.
NOTES:
So I’ve been after Jim since I got him way back at Westlake High School when the Cowboys had a scrimmage there in… 1991 I think? He had a really nice Fleer card, that I even drew into a larger picture later. Beyond that I had set needs with the Pro Set 89 and the Action Packed card that have emerged over the years.
The 2019 AAF Certified HACK card is one that I made well after the league folded. I remember asking for his autograph after the Orlando Apollos beat the Commanders in San Antonio. He just glared at me and stormed away. It was one of the few times I feared for my life asking for an autograph. Ha ha.
Jim doesn’t sign TTM so to get him via a paid signing for such a nice price, it was totally worth it.
CARD: Topps AAF 2019 Certified ACQUIRED: 2019, Personal Break
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
A tweener with the ability to line up at DE or OLB, Jake Pugh played for FSU from 2014-’17.
Seeing action in 36 games over his college career, he recorded 108 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 4 pass deflections, 3 fumble recoveries- of which he returned 1 for a TD.
Considered an EDGE in the pros, he went undrafted but saw some preseason action with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.
He then joined the Orlando Apollos of the AAF in 2019.
Unfortunately he sustained a neck injury before the first game of the season and didn’t see any action that season.
In 2020, he’d play for the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL.
Then he tried his hand in the CFL with the Stampeders in 2022 but didn’t make the squad.
So right after I got De’Veon on a few cards at the Roughnecks event way, way back in 2020, the XFL Topps set was released. In 2023, when the Brahmas played the Renegades in SA, I finally figured out my strategy for getting autographs, but it was only after the Renegades game that I settled in. It’s pretty much worked like a charm since.
After the Brahmas beat the Renegades, I was able to get De’Veon to come over. Any of the players who were ex-AAFers gravitated towards me to give me props. De’Veon for example played for Orlando.
I also reminded him that I was that fan that flagged him down at the scrimmage that the Vipers had against the Roughnecks back in 2020. He smiled widely and said, “I REMEMBER YOU!!!” We exchanged pleasantries and I tried to get his glove off of him but he had already promised it to the kids across the way. No big deal. Next year!
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
