North Harford’s football team acquired a duo of former players, Jon Hammer and his younger brother, Nic Hammer,  to help aid the team during their season, Both alumni were chosen to fill in as assistant coaches with Jon coaching primarily linebackers and running backs, and Nic taking over the quarterback and wide receiving core.

     Nic Hammer described his job on the field stating “The way I see my job is to take everything I have learned over many years of being around this game and do my best to coach players on how to apply those skills to make them better as both individuals and as a team.”

     Coach Jon Hammer played inside linebacker for the Hawks meanwhile coach Nic Hammer played quarterback for North Harford, Hammer spoke of his time at North Harford claiming “In many ways, my football career at North Harford has landed me where I am in my life today.” 

     Both Hammer brothers would take on Shepherd University during their times in college. Nic played for Shepherd from 2014-2016 and Jon played from 2012-2014.

     Jon states“Football taught me discipline, how to interact with all types of personalities, how to be a leader, how to handle failure and success, how to be coach able and it paid for most of my education.” He added that “besides my parents, it’s the biggest part of who I am today.”

     As for how the brothers became coaches, head coach Justin Martinek chose to bring on the brothers after coaching them during their tenure at North Harford. Coach Nic Hammer stated, “Once Coach Marty became head coach at NH, I had a feeling I might end up coaching with him sooner or later. How everything worked out is another one of those things that I think is very surreal and I feel very fortunate for.”

     Jon also spoke on becoming a coach by claiming “I did not plan on ever coming back to North Harford and coaching, I did not think there would ever be a need for me or a spot that would open up, but I am very glad I did. You take a lot of pride in coaching your former team and it’s been an honor and a lot of fun so far.”

      When they’re not on the field, Jon is a manufacturer representative for Telecom Industry and Nic is a salesperson in the technology integration industry.  Nic stated, “Luckily, I have some flexibility with my schedule which made it a lot easier working coaching in.” and Jon claimed “it’s been a little tough to juggle both at times, but it hasn’t been too difficult thankfully.”

     The coaches had the chance to leave advice for their current and future players and Jon used his time to tell players “Never show a lack of effort in anything that you do. Don’t ever doubt that you’ve worked hard enough when It comes to any aspect of life, whether it be school, a sport, a job, physical and mental health and relationships in your life. The best things in life happen to those who work hard for them.”

     Nic used his time to advise the players “Play every play, game or season like it’s your last. Coaching is the closest you will ever get to playing the game of football again, but there is nothing like suiting up on a Friday night under the lights with your team. You will cherish and look back on these memories for the rest of your life. Enjoy the heck out of it while you are in it, and don’t take the opportunity to play this great sport for granted.”