Coach Marshall teaches at practice.

When he's not preparing the best young talent in the world for the annual International Bowl, World Team head coach Greg Marshall is busy coaching championship teams at the University of Western Ontario in London. Since Marshall took over as head coach in 2007, he has led the Western Mustangs to three Yates Cup conference championships: 2008, 2009 and 2010. In 2008, Marshall and his team reached the Vanier Cup, the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) football championships.

Marshall is back in Austin as head coach of the IFAF World Team in the International Bowl for the second consecutive year. In 2010, Marshall was the offensive line coach for the World Team in the inaugural International Bowl.

"It's good to be back here. There are a lot of familiar faces. It's [about] renewing old friendships and acquaintances and getting an opportunity to work with some great kids-kids from around the world that are all very, very motivated. It's a lot of fun," Marshall said after Friday's afternoon practice.

Some faces in Austin are more familiar than others, as the World Team roster features four current Mustang players. Offensive tackle Winston Miles returns for his second International Bowl. Wide receiver Matt Brazier, defensive back Kalvin Johnson and defensive lineman Daryl Waud are participating in the International Bowl for the first time.

Marshall is known to challenge his players, but ultimately, he is a passionate coach who cultivates a winning environment in which his athletes love to play.

"It's awesome [to play for Coach Marshall]. He's a fantastic coach. He's demanding guy, but at the end of the day, he's a guy you want to work for," said Waud. "He knows how to win and you've got to lay it all out on the line for a guy like that. He takes care of you if you're on his team and you've got to respect him. I'm thoroughly enjoying my time at Western with him. It will be a good week here with him, too."

Marshall sets high standards for his team at Western.

"He's one of the guys who expects a lot from you. It's a good thing because it keeps you in line and makes sure you're focused at practice and on game day. His style can be in your face, but it's a good way to win. I like his coaching style, so I wouldn't want it any other way," Waud explained.

Marshall demands the same of his World Team athletes as he does his Mustang players.

"Certainly, I don't know all these kids early in the week, but I will get to know them," said Marshall. "I have the same expectations: practice hard and be prepared. When you come out here, make sure that you know your assignments and you're able to execute them."

Nevertheless, Marshall does acknowledge that he must tweak his coaching style slightly to account for the international nature of the World Team, as well as his comparatively brief time with World Team players.

"We're trying to win a football game, no different than we're trying to win a football game back home," Marshall said. "But I think back home, I have a lot longer time to get to know the players. So they know that if I'm intense, not to take it personally. They know I care about them. Here, it's a little bit different. You don't have time to build that kind of trust, so you have to make sure you come at it a different way."

Miles, who competed under Marshall in the 2011 International Bowl, as well as the 2011 season at Western, noticed Marshall's modified approach, but is honored to play for him on both stages.

"I think he's definitely nicer to everybody here. At school, he's a little bit more intense. He kind of keeps it under wraps here and is on his best behavior. But he's a very intense coach and he's a very smart coach. He knows what he's doing, so it's a privilege to play for him here and at school," Miles said.

On their own initiative, the World Team's Mustang squad has spent the last month training together in preparation for this week's practices and, ultimately, the International Bowl. The extra training time has allowed them to bond.

"When we found out we were all coming [to Austin] together, we all starting training together and that's when I feel like we really started to mesh. We've been training together for about month now, so I'm hoping that we keep the same intensity," said Johnson.

The Western players hope their cohesion will help the rest of the World Team unify.

"Hopefully Team World picks up on the fact that we are trying to blend the whole team together," Johnson said.

The Mustang athletes and their World Team teammates share a common purpose: to prevail over the US Team on Wednesday evening.

"I want to win. The last couple games have been pretty close, so I think we have a shot this year. We have a good team. The goal is to win," said Brazier.

Miles is thrilled to be competing in the International Bowl again and is optimistic about the World Team's shot at victory in 2012.

"It was really fun play with players from all around the world [last year] and seeing that there is good football outside of the states and Canada. I'm excited to be back for this year," said Miles. "Last year was close. I think this year [the World Team is] better and older. If we just keep doing what we did last year, stick to the game plan and make sure we have a good week at practice, I think we definitely have a chance."

Win or lose, the future of global American football is in Austin this week. Coach Marshall may be at the forefront of football coaching on both the Ontario university and international stages, but the new generation of coaching may be among his ranks at Western.

"What I'd like to do in the long run is coach high school kids," said Johnson. "Back in Toronto, there are a lot of kids that don't get good looks. I'd like to go back and help them. Hopefully I can learn about coaching from the coaches here [at the International Bowl]. That's the big thing. Coach Marshall-he helps a whole bunch of kids."

Marshall and the World Team will take on the US Team at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in Austin, Texas on Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET. American football fans outside of the US will be able to tune in live via a webcast at www.USAFootball.com/InternationalBowl.