University of Connecticut Athletics
Meet The Spring Game Honorary Coaches: Alfred Fincher
4/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 16, 2010
Following his senior year of 2004, Alfred Fincher became the first UConn player drafted since 1994 when the New Orleans Saints called his name with the 82nd overall pick in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
Fincher began his career at UConn when the Huskies were still a Division I-AA school, or what is now called the Football Championship Subdivision. His first year as a Husky, and UConn's final season in I-AA, was spent on special teams. Once the program transitioned to I-A, Fincher made the move to the starting lineup.
"Going through that transitional period, it was tough," said Fincher. "Coach (Randy) Edsall did everything he had to do to make the program successful. Everything was in transition and we were trying to get a new idea and new attitude while playing the game."
From the outside, Fincher made the transition look easy finishing his career at UConn with his name all over the record books. His 357 career tackles and 35.5 tackles for loss both rank sixth in the UConn record books after just three full years in the starting line up.
"I remember being ranked 117 at the time out of 117 teams. We were dead last. I remember being embarrassed, but we kept working hard."
Fincher will return to the UConn scene on Saturday, April 17 when he serves as an honorary coach in the Blue-White Spring Game. Fincher will be joined by his fellow 2004 captains Dan Orlovsky and will be opposed by Donald Brown and Tyler Lorenzen.
During his senior season, Fincher's hard work paid off as he made 140 tackles, also sixth in the record books, including a 21 tackle effort against West Virginia, a personal best. The Huskies finished the year 7-4 and were headed to the Motor City Bowl in Detroit, the first bowl game appearance in program history. Fincher's nine tackles and key interception in the third quarter propelled the Huskies to their first bowl game victory, a 39-10 thrashing of Toledo.
"It was amazing to get that first bowl win. To see where the program was, to where we were when we reached the bowl game. In 2003, we started 2-6 and we won the last four which gave us momentum into the next year, where we went to the bowl game."
Fincher's breakout season made him a shoo-in at the NFL Draft and an outstanding NFL Combine showing sealed the decision. Fincher was headed to New Orleans.
The linebacker played for three years in the Bayou from 2005-07 seeing the majority of his time on special teams. After being placed on injured reserve in the 2007 season, Fincher headed up to Detroit to join his former teammate Orlovsky, but moved on to the Washington Redskins before the start of the 2008 season.
After a four-year pro career, Fincher found himself without a home in the NFL for 2009. Never one to rest, he decided to talk to one of his former teammates at UConn, Deon McPhee, who he knew had started a commercial fishing company in the Bahamas.
The Norwood, Mass., native decided this would be his next career move.
"I've been in the fishing business for six or seven months now. It started slow and I am working out all the kinks right now. But it is getting better every day. Deon is from the Bahamas, which is why he began the company down there. We aren't partners but we came together and made this venture work."
Fincher believes that his time at UConn set him up to be very successful in life.
"I love football because it is about more than just playing a sport, it really prepares you for life as far as mental toughness, discipline, working with others and working with a team. All of those things make you a better person and get you prepared for the realness of life. The people at UConn do everything that they can to make sure that your life is better when you leave."
Fincher is excited to be back at UConn as one of the honorary coaches of the Blue and White Game. As for what is on the horizon, Fincher is working to get back into the NFL in 2010, but if he doesn't make it, he is happy for just getting the opportunity to shine.
"If there is another opportunity, then I will play again and if there isn't, life does go on. I have the business and knowing me I have to keep busy. I'll probably get another job!"
--Betsy Devine
