In order to be successful at something you never stop the pursuit of knowledge.  That is exactly what Western Michigan tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Jake Moreland is doing over the next three weeks as an intern with the Chicago Bears.

Moreland, who enters his fifth season at his alma mater in 2009, is serving a three-week internship with the Chicago Bears in a program designed to give college coaches perspective on coaching in the National Football League, make contacts and pick up techniques and schemes to utilize in the future.  He originally heard about the opportunity through former WMU receivers coach George McDonald.

"He told me about them and he actually participated in a couple while he was with us [at Western Michigan].  He spoke very highly of the experience," commented Moreland.  McDonald left the Broncos to become the receivers coach at the University of Minnesota and is now the receivers coach with the Cleveland Browns.

Even though the idea was there, Moreland still needed to go through the process of obtaining one of these highly sought after internships.  In the world of athletics it is not only what you know, but who you know, so Moreland went to work on contacting former coaches and teammates in the NFL.

"I created a cover letter and updated my resume.  I then searched each of the 32 NFL teams, looking for coaches I played for or teammates I had during my time in the league," said Moreland. 

After a prolific career at WMU from 1996-99 that saw him become the program's record holder for receptions by a tight end (143) he signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets, playing with the Jets in 2000 and 2001, before joining the Cleveland Browns in 2001.  The two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection was named to the Western Michigan All-Century Football Team in 2005.

"Once I located them, I sent my cover letter and resume to let them know I was interested in an internship this summer.  A couple weeks later, my phone rang and it was Coach Smith offering me this great opportunity."

It was Chicago Bears head coach, Lovie Smith, on the other end of the phone line inviting Jake to be a part of the Bears' staff as an intern from June 1 through June 18.  Throughout this time, Jake and the rest of the WMU coaching staff will also be running the program's annual summer camp program on campus and at satellite locations.  If interested, register for one of the Bronco Football camps at www.wmubroncos.com/camps.

"Coach Smith told me about the opportunity, what it entailed and who I would be working with during my time there.  He also told me how he got his start in the NFL by completing one of these internships with the Arizona Cardinals."

Moreland spends Monday through Thursday at the Bears practice facility in Lake Forest, Ill., and then returns to Kalamazoo on Friday and Saturday before heading back every Sunday.  He will also rejoin former fellow WMU assistant coach Chris Tabor while serving as an intern for the Bears.  Tabor, the Broncos' running backs and special teams coach in 2006 and 2007.

These internships, in the past, took place during training camp but with schedules being what they are for a college coach it was nearly impossible for many to get away from their respective programs in order to participate.  Moreland stated that many NFL teams have made the adjustment, the Bears included, and now offer their internships during Organized Team Activities (OTAs).

"OTAs are the NFL's version of spring ball.  There are some differences, such as players are never in pads, but for the most part the practices are similar to what they would do in the fall.  There is plenty of meeting time, film work and about two hours of on-field practice time," Moreland explained.

Jake also explained that the differences between the duties of an NFL coach and a college is how their time is devoted.  In the college ranks he says that coaches have to recruit and make sure the student-athletes are staying on task in the classroom during the off-season.  In the pro ranks, teams have scouting departments to handle recruiting and the only classes the players take part in have to do with football.  The time commitment is similar but the real difference is where your time is committed.

This experience will not only be beneficial to Moreland personally and professionally, but will also be beneficial to the Broncos as we get ready for the 2009 campaign by providing different perspectives on how to do things and Moreland is in a unique position having gone through it as a player and now doing so as a coach.

"By going to a different team and seeing how they go about their business is going to give me a different perspective. Having gone through it as a player, and now seeing it from the other side is a great opportunity. The ability to see different teaching styles and drills and be able to compare them to what our players need here will be great."

Western Michigan football opens the 2009 season at Michigan on Sept. 5 and its home campaign on Sept. 19 against Miami on CommUniverCity Night.  For tickets please call 1-888-WMU-4-TIX or purchase your tickets online at www.wmubroncos.com/tickets.