In the classroom, everything has gone according to plan for Brett Foley. It's been the exact opposite on the football field.
This season, as a fifth-year senior, Foley started a master of business administration program at San Jose State, right on track with the plan he laid out as an 18-year-old. After graduating from Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Foley knew he wanted to redshirt as a freshman so he could finish his undergraduate studies and start an MBA program while still playing football.
"Taking a redshirt and getting that fifth year to start a MBA was my plan from the beginning and it ended up working out," said Foley, a 2019 San Jose State Dean's Scholar and two-time Academic All-Mountain West honoree More recently, he was one of five Spartans recognized by the National Football Foundation as a college graduate continuing to play the game as a graduate student. "I'm very excited about that."
His plan for football after finishing high school? That ended up being a little more complicated.
After his junior year of football at Archbishop Mitty, the high school quarterback and pitcher had surgery on his throwing shoulder. His arm was never quite the same. One season after being named the San Jose Mercury News' Freshman of the Year in baseball, he was forced to give up pitching.
FOOTBALL STILL AN OPTION
But with the throwing motion of a football less straining than that of a baseball, Foley was still able to play quarterback. He was named first team All-West Catholic League as a senior after throwing for 904 yards and 10 touchdowns and running for 599 yards and 11 more scores.
Despite the accolades, he knew a position change was likely at the college level. Having played both sides of the ball for the Monarchs, the 6-foot-3 Foley marketed himself to college recruiters as a defensive player.
The San Jose native eventually chose to stay at home to play college football, signing with the Spartans in 2014. Foley redshirted the 2015 campaign before playing sparingly the next two seasons.
"With a couple coaching changes, we shifted our schemes a few times." Foley said. "I went from outside linebacker to defensive end and then back to linebacker. I was moving all over the place."
HIS BEST MOVE IN FOOTBALL
Prior to his junior season, one more change was proposed. This time to the offensive side of the ball.
"Moving to tight end was the best move I made at San Jose State, I love it so much more," Foley said. "It suits me far better than linebacker ever did. Running in space, using my speed, my athleticism. I like having the ball in my hands, running around the field. In high school at quarterback, I ran a lot. I threw a lot. Making plays on offense was something I always loved."
Foley played in all 12 games his junior season. He made his first career catch in a win against UNLV, a one-yard touchdown from Josh Love. This season, in a win against New Mexico, he tallied a career-high three catches.
Foley believes being close to family is a big reason why he was able to navigate all the ups and downs of his collegiate career. It's just an eight-mile drive from Foley's high school stadium at Archbishop Mitty to his current home field, CEFCU Stadium.
"Growing up in the area, it was the best decision of my life to come to San Jose State," Foley said. "Being close to my family has been amazing. They come to every game. My mom has about 30 people at her tailgate, all my family friends, everyone I grew with up has been here, supporting me all the way. It's been the best time of my life."
PURSUING A SAN JOSE STATE M.B.A.
There is yet another change on the horizon for Foley, the switch from student-athlete to a career in business. After this season, he'll have one year left in the university's MBA program before moving on to a full-time job.
"Doing the MBA, I'm hoping to get as much experience as possible and meet as many people as possible to get my career started," Foley said. "Playing football my whole life, I don't really have much job experience. I've been pretty much a full-time athlete since the day I started walking. The MBA is helping me see what I like and don't like. What areas I'm good in and what areas I might not be good in."
Foley has also used his past three summers to gain experience and make valuable connections. He first worked with Ameriprise Financial in the summer of 2017, then the Xactly Corporation in 2018. Last summer, Foley worked at Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale.
"They were all different types internships and that's what I was looking for," Foley said. "Broaden my perspective on what profession I might get into."
"Coach Brennan really encouraged it too. I'm not sure about other programs but I think that's pretty rare. He was all about me finding internships and getting experience that will help me the rest of my life."
However the rest of Foley's life unfolds, he will certainly have a plan and also be able to roll with the punches.