Two weeks ago, Buddy Green received a text from one of his former players.
It was Paul Quessenberry, telling Green he was about to fly across the country for a free-agent tryout with the New England Patriots.
Green, who retired in 2015 after 13 years as defensive coordinator at Navy, had received a few similar messages from other players in the past, but this time was different: Quessenberry was getting a look after spending five years out of football, instead serving in the military during that time.
“I was like, ‘Wow,’” Green said. “‘This is awesome.