Thomas and Margaret Austin are no strangers to adversity and new routines. The couple met in 2005 while attending Clemson University, began their married life while still attending school, and began a family while Thomas' NFL career was coming to an end, moving from city to city nearly every year. But it would be those NFL vagabond type roots that the Austin's would draw on during these new challenging COVID-19 times. 

"He'd spend months on the road in the NFL, then when the season would end, we'd have large chunks of time together under the same roof during the off season," Margaret said. "Minus the pandemic it's a lot like what we are going through now, with nobody to rely on except one another, holed up in our house." Thomas started coaching with the Panthers back in January of 2019, after a 4-year stint as a graduate assistant with the Clemson Tigers from 2014-2018. 

Austin's big break into becoming a position coach came via Coach Elliott just over a year ago, but the real play caller is Margaret, the Head Coach of the Austin household.  She's had to audible many times in their marriage, and this is just another adjustment. The new personnel is a welcomed change for Coach Margaret because the couple had their fourth child a week after Thomas returned home from the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl game with the team back in December.  Three months ago seems like an eternity, "Thomas always teases me, and calls me the Coronavirus Expert", as many of us are these days. However, Margaret had about a 3.5 month start on many of us as she was awaiting the birth of Walt as she was able to do a tremendous amount of reading up on the now pandemic. She went on, "the best thing about having Thomas home is the morning rush. He was usually out the door for work by 6:30 a.m. at the latest, and that left me to get the newborn, and three other kids up, dressed, out the door to various schools." 

The Austin's have a nice little gaggle of kids in East Atlanta, Adam in 2^nd grade, Isaiah in Kindergarten, "Hurricane" Hazel (as Coach Elliott likes to call her) in Pre-K, and Walt the newborn. The home schooling has been quite an adjustment but having Thomas home with the morning routine has been a huge benefit, plus Margaret indicated "his breakfast game is strong." 

"Once breakfast ends, we have a don't disturb Daddy room in the house, which gives Thomas the privacy he needs to do what he needs to do," Margaret said. "It's hardest on Adam, he's like a koala bear, stuck to Thomas whenever he's out of the do not disturb Daddy room. The thing that is most ironic now is we are shifting and making acceptable everything we were teaching our kids pre COVID-19. Parents are now encouraging their kids to use electronic devices to stay in touch with friends, instead of going outside and playing with them."

Strange times for sure, but just like the Austin's, everyone is taking it one day at a time. Margaret did go to say, "We love our family walks in the evening. We are learning so much about each other during this time, and that part we are cherishing." 

Well said coach! We tend to learn about one another in adverse times. Keep up the great play calling!