Photo via Midwestern State Athletics

Growing up in the north Chicago suburbs during the Michael Jordan era, football was Adam Austin's third sport of choice, behind basketball and baseball. But when he got to Mundelein High School, Mustangs coach and former Iowa offensive lineman Troy Foster gave him a nudge.

"He inspired me and told me football would take me the furthest," Austin said. 

Foster's advice proved prophetic, as Austin became a standout high school quarterback, earned a scholarship after walking on at Arizona, played and coached for the U.S. National Team, and had two graduate assistant stints before landing at Midwestern State, an NCAA Division II power in Wichita Falls, Texas.

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While Austin had an offer from Eastern Illinois and multiple small-school opportunities, his time in Tucson spawned from family vacations there. The spring of his senior year in 2002, he walked into the Wildcats' football offices with his highlight tape, and sat down with head coach John Mackovic and offensive coordinator Rick Dykes.

"It was after signing day, and they already had their recruiting class, but they said I had a spot there, so I came in as the No. 9 quarterback on the roster," said Austin, who had two Elite 11 QBs ahead of him in Nic Costa and Ryan O'Hara. "I came in as green as green could be. I didn't know coverages. In high school, I was told to drop back and throw to a guy."

Austin worked his way up, and played in six games as a senior, including wins in starts against Stephen F. Austin and Stanford.

Austin won his two career starts at Arizona and had a career-high 192 yards against UCLA. (Photo via Tuscon Citizen)

Mackovic was fired during Austin's second year at Arizona, but the two reconnected in 2007, on the first U.S. National Team, which traveled to the the World Cup of American football in Tokyo. 

"Our offensive coordinator Mike Canales (now in that role at UTEP), who's been a mentor for me my whole career, pulled me into his office and said, 'Hey, would you be interested in this USA Football thing?'" Austin said. "He told me I'd get to represent my country and that Coach Mackovic would probably be the head coach, so I said, 'Heck, yeah!'

"It was unbelievable, the common bonds we had, how quickly we came together as a team. The staff did a heck of a job finding guys who related really well and could also play the game. But we knew if we didn't win, we might as well just stay in Japan."

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The U.S. handled South Korea, topped Germany, then won the title against host Japan on a late field goal. 

"It was surreal, to do it with guys who you bonded with so fast," Austin said. "To this day, I stay in touch with a lot of those guys."

After four years, Austin (far right) and former Arizona coach John Mackovic (center) rejoined forces with the inaugural U.S. National Team.

In Austin's senior season at Arizona, then-running backs coach and current Oklahoma State receivers coach Kasey Dunn told Austin he had the mind to go into the profession, and Canales' positive impact on Austin inspired him to do it.

After one season as a graduate assistant at Grambling thanks to Canales' direction, Austin landed a similar gig at Marshall, where an offensive line GA spot also opened up. Austin immediately called Alex Atkins, a UT-Martin grad and fellow National Team member who's now assistant head coach and O-line coach at Tulane.

"We got to work together for a year, and we've always stayed in contact," Austin said. "I went (to Tulane) over spring break this year to meet with him and their staff to talk some ball."

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Austin earned his graduate degree, and was chosen as an offensive assistant for the 2011 National Team that went to Austria for the IFAF World Championship. Along with the breathtaking drive in from Germany, the plush accommodations and learning from a talent-packed staff, Austin recalled the team's ultra-physical semifinal win over Mexico.

"They talked so much trash, and one of our running backs came out of a pile, helmet off, nose gushing blood. They'd ripped his helmet off, and somebody just started punching him and broke his nose," Austin said. "Nate Kmic was his name. He told the trainer to stick some cotton in there, and he scored a couple more touchdowns."

Kmic, of NCAA Division III power Mount Union (Ohio), earned World Championship MVP honors, as the U.S. beat Canada in the finale. 

The 2011 National Team won the IFAF World Championship over Canada in Vienna, Austria. 

Following that experience, Austin became quarterbacks coach at Midwestern State, where he took over as offensive coordinator two years later at 29 years old. Under the leadership of head coach Bill Maskill, MSU has reached the D-II playoffs five times in Austin's seven seasons out of the difficult Lone Star Conference, which produced last year's national champ, Texas A&M-Commerce.

"Coach Maskill knows how to put a staff together, and really takes the time in hiring with background checks. I think the success we've had is due to him and the people he's surrounded himself with," Austin said. "I love going to work every day at a great university with great people. Each year gets better and better."

With his own playing and coaching exploits, which have stretched the country and globe, Austin has a frequent message for his players.

"I tell them football can take you places you never thought possible," he said. "I'm very thankful for what USA Football has done for me, the life experiences I've had, the people I've been able to meet and the relationships I've had over the years."