Japanese native Tsuyoshi Kawata, better known as ‘T.K.’ since becoming an offensive assistant coach at Stanford University, continues to make his mark within the world of American football having chased his gridiron dream from Japan all the way to California.

 

This spring along with his coaching duties, T.K. showed his appreciation for his football roots in Japan when he gave back to his home country where he launched his football-coaching career.  T.K. coordinated a series of events that allowed coaches from Japan to visit Stanford University and benefit from exposure to American football at the to college level in the United States.

 

T.K. started his football-playing career at Josai University from 1991-1994, twice earning an All-Conference selection, while completing a degree in Economics.  T.K. continued to play American football for the OBIC Seagulls from 1995 to 2003 and was a three-time national champion, was a member of the Japan Gold Medal winning team at the IFAF Senior World Championship in 1999, and was named a three-time All-Japan Selection on the offensive line. 

 

In 2003, he retired from the playing field, but was not prepared to give up football and decided to become an offensive line coach for OBIC Seagulls. After his coaching tenure with OBIC, he took a position with NFL Europe as a scout for youth player development.

 

T.K. made the long voyage to California in July 2007, becoming a volunteer offensive staff assistant for head coach Jim Harbaugh at Stanford, a position he still holds today.

 

T.K. has become an integral part of every aspect of the football program from strategies and development to practices to game day.  He assisted the running backs and offensive line coaches with the development of Stanford’s running game and during practices, he helps organize the scout team defense.  On game day he charts all the offensive plays for the offensive coordinator.

 

T.K.’s opportunity to give back to the Japan American Football Association saw him arrange for a group of coaches from Kobe University, head coach Tanaka and two student assistants to attend Standard’s spring practices from April 2-10.

 

The visiting coaches attended a film session with the Stanford coaching staff and then were given the opportunity to study film by themselves observing practices, game film, and coaching styles.  In the afternoons, the coaches joined the team for offense, defense, and special teams meetings, attended practice, and participated in film break down with the coaching staff.

 

“I could not believe that it was a college football facility,” said coach Tanaka. “The coaches’ offices, green grass, training room, locker rooms, and stadium were great.

 

“I also was surprised by their toughness. They played a lot of ‘live’ hitting scrimmages. I learned a lot of different schemes and techniques from the coaches – it was an unbelievable experience for us.” 

 

On non-practice days, the coaches from Kobe University sat in with the coaching staff during a film breakdown session, joined team meetings, and had the opportunity to sit down and discuss football with T.K.

 

“I was so impressed by coach Kawata (T.K.),” said assistant coach Nobu. “He answered every question simply and perfectly.

 

“He also knows every player’s ability, strength, and weakness – especially the offensive lines.

 

“Thanks T.K. for this opportunity and I would like to come back next year!”

 

T.K. also took his football knowledge back to Japan in the summer of 2009, but was on the opposing side of the ball when he coached with the Notre Dame Football Legends.  Led by head coach Lou Holtz, the Legends team of former Fighting Irish players faced the Japan national team that T.K. had lined up for at the pinnacle of his playing career. 

 

T.K. was the only non-former Notre Dame player or coach on Holtz’s staff and impressed with his knowledge of the game and of Japanese football as the Legends ran out 19-3 winners in the Tokyo Dome.

 

T.K. assisted a second group of Japanese coaches from OBIC Seagulls – a top Japanese X League team based in Tokyo – that visited Stanford from April 15-17 and then visited the University of Nevada Reno for two days before completing the U.S. tour back in Stanford until April 21.   The head coach, special team’s coordinator and defensive line coach were also given the opportunity to learn from the Stanford and Nevada Reno coaching staff.

 

“I had a great experience,” said assistant head coach Shinjo. “It was an unbelievable opportunity to learn a top college football offense that we are not exposed to in Japan.”

 

Defensive line coach Suzuki added, “We need to have more experiences like this to develop Japanese and international football.”  

 

With Tsuyoshi Kawata helping his countrymen improve the game back home through coaching visits, there are sure to be more opportunities on the horizon.