Kris Kemp, a junior wide receiver for the Taylor University football team, received a unique opportunity to view the game through a coach's eyes as part of the NFL Pro Bowl weekend this past January.

"For me, I was on the other side of the table," Kemp said of his position as a graduate assistant coach in the first ever "Team USA vs. The World" Pro Bowl game. "Usually I'm sitting in meetings just taking notes, but now I was teaching it."

The game pitted a group of players aged 19 and under from outside of the United States spanning five continents ("The World") vs. USA Football's 2010 Junior National Team ("Team USA") on Saturday of the NFL Pro Bowl weekend following the AFC and NFC team practices.

A native of Freeport, Bahamas, Kemp's position on The World's coaching staff came about seemingly by chance. While at home for his sister's wedding, Kemp crossed paths with Lisa Anthony, an American ambassador for Bahamian Youth Football and family acquaintance. Anthony was searching for a qualified candidate to nominate for the graduate assistant position and asked Kemp if he was interested.

"She said she needed to know by the end of the week," Kemp recalled. "I told her right then, ‘I'll do it!'"

The coaching staff reported to Miami one week before the event to review the play book and prepare for the players' arrival the next day. It was an intense week of preparation, one in which Kemp was more involved than he anticipated.

"I just expected to put out cones and pick up balls," Kemp said. But on the first day, offensive coordinator and Japan native Masato Itai placed Kemp, along with tight ends coach Peter Tos (Australia), in charge of the wide receivers.

Working to fit into a well-established global staff that included national team coaches from Sweden, Canada, France, and Mexico among others, Kemp said he fell back on his Taylor training and incorporated many of the drills and techniques that Trojan wide receivers coach Greg Wolfe instills in him.

"I think it's reassuring to know I can tell my teammates that what we're doing [at Taylor] is legit. They're teaching Division I guys the same way as us."

This past season, Kemp recorded 13 catches for 272 total yards while helping the Trojans to a 7-3 record, their best finish in 10 years. He expects the coaching experience to translate into a wider perspective of the game that will help him understand his role on each play as it affects the team.

"This was a great opportunity for Kris to plug into and contribute to high school football and The World team while he is still a student," Trojan head coach Ron Korfmacher said, "and to connect with coaches from all over the world. Being invited to be a part of such an event is quite an honor."

Aside from the coaching opportunity, Kemp echoed his coach's recognition of the global network he was able to initiate and the chance to invest in the game. In an effort to advance the game in his home country, Kemp returns to the Bahamas annually to assist with the Commonwealth of American Football League Summer Camp.

"I told them that whatever I get here I'm going to bring back with me," Kemp said.

The Bahamas is in the process of establishing a federation for American Football which is close to fruition, Kemp said. "It's a start. We're on the map now. Maybe in five to seven years it will be more established, and hopefully I can be a part of it."

A chemistry major, Kemp admits he originally did not have aspirations to be a coach, but he has not ruled out the possibility.

"Overall, I just appreciated every bit of it. Yes, I had some secretary duties; I was the rookie, but I loved every bit of it. When are you ever going to get an opportunity like that again?"