The Quincy Avery Effect: How One HBCU Alum Is Redefining The Modern-Day Quarterback And His Community

Morehouse Roots and the Power of Adaptability

Before Quarterback Takeover, the celebrated quarterback coach played for the Maroon Tigers. Avery credits the HBCU Division II program for providing him with an education in psychology, as well as helping to shape his life as a young black man.  

"You learn how to adapt," Avery said, recalling the trials of navigating long registration lines, obstacles with financial aid, and the resilience built by facing and overcoming those everyday challenges on campus. "You learned unique skills. How to get through and find a solution when a solution is not readily available."

His evolution into a coach utilized these situations to forge the tenacity and resilience he would need in both sports and life.

Lessons from Adversity: Consistency in Chaos

Avery's journey has not been without challenges. He openly discusses episodes of homelessness, a period working unpaid at UCLA, and moments when the next meal was never guaranteed.

"Be consistent during chaos" is a principle Quincy Avery considers one of his superpowers. "It's underrated, and that's the only thing I knew. I knew that I could control my work ethic every single day."   

"Everybody will work hard if they know exactly what's on the other side of hard work. But what makes a true hard worker is being diligent despite not knowing what's on the other end."

For Quincy Avery, the lesson is clear — stay resolute, work hard, and don't be discouraged by the 'no's along the way.

The Quincy Avery Effect: More Than Just Football

Avery's journey is now featured in the documentary "The Quincy Avery Effect," available to stream on Hulu and Disney+. The documentary delves into his unique story. "A lot of people see me now, and what they envision is training NFL quarterbacks, but I do so much more," Avery shares.

The film is both a celebration of Avery's achievements and an honest discussion of perseverance, adversity, and the value of finding solutions even when doors seem closed.

Avery insists that his approach isn't just for football stars. The core of his message—perseverance in the face of adversity—is a universal principle.

"Everybody at some step… is going to go through adversity. When you watch my documentary, you learn the value of persevering and working toward your goals."

Building NFL Stars— and Building Futures

While Avery is known in sports circles as the "Quarterback Whisperer," his impact extends far beyond that. He's trained the likes of Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields, Deshaun Watson, C.J. Stroud, and Jordan Love, but he takes special pride in having "trained more NFL quarterbacks than anybody else."

Avery's unique approach emphasizes not only athletic excellence but the whole person.

Beyond pro prospects, Avery leads programs that have helped generate over $250 million in college scholarships — changing the trajectories of countless young people.  

Through the Avery Effect Foundation, he works to ensure that "finances are not the barrier" for youth aspiring to reach their full potential, whether that's on the field, in college, or in the workforce.

"There was a pivotal moment in my experience here where I was talking to one of the associate ADs, and I was asking them to get suits for the guys because I thought that it was important that it prepared us for life after football. So if you would make the NFL, and they were letting me know that that wasn't necessarily their job. Their job was to win football games, and I understood that. And I appreciated that message because, at that point in time, I knew that I had to do something more than what I was doing."

The mission extends even further. For those who don't secure college scholarships or professional contracts, Avery and his team help find jobs in media, coaching, NFL front offices, and beyond. "The big names are only part of the story," he says. "We're able to do so much more."

Giving Back: HBCUs and the Avery Effect Foundation

Avery is primarily dedicated to HBCUs, running the HBCU Elite Camp for top-level talent and offering free and subsidized opportunities to help HBCU quarterbacks break into the pros.  

"I participate every year in the HBCU elite camp, where we bring together the best quarterbacks, wide receivers, and players from across the HBCU. And we train them to help prepare them for their years in college, but also make sure that we give one to two of those guys every year an opportunity to train just for the draft."

His foundation, the Avery Effect Foundation, is designed to "level the playing field for youth athletes with mentorship, resources, and transformative programs."

By bringing together NFL mentors, media training, and career support, Avery creates pathways for young people inside and outside of sports.

Avery's Legacy in Motion

For Quincy Avery, the work is about creating lasting impact—not only for NFL superstars but for every young person who needs a little help to reach their dreams. His commitment reflects his roots: "Our kids are our legacies," he says, echoing a truth as timeless as it is urgent.

"So many people will see the things that that I've done and the things placed on that, and it looks like luck. However, I was able to turn that luck around. That luck was earned through hard work," Avery reflected.

Quincy Avery's story reminds us that and man, especially a father, with vision, grit, and guidance, the next generation of legends is just getting started.

HBCU LEGENDS PODCAST