Andrew Kurland is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Barry Goldwater for AZPreps365.com.

In the mind of 24-year-old Wilber Rivera, his days of playing football were over. The former Alhambra High football player found himself at a personal crossroads, until he got a phone call.

On the other line he heard a familiar voice in his former Alhambra coach, Frank Lautt. Lautt, who currently coaches football at Barry Goldwater, presented Rivera with an opportunity of a lifetime: to play football in France.

Rivera played under Lautt for three years at Alhambra as an offensive lineman and linebacker. He never would have believed his former coach would reach out to him with this opportunity.

“When he chose me it gave me like the (thought of), ‘Ok he does see potential in me,'” Rivera said, adding: “The way he treats people, he’s a really caring person.”

In 2019, the Chambéry Eagles, located in southeast France, asked Lautt to lead their football program. Lautt -- who was born in Orléans, France and taught French for 30 years -- had no trouble making the decision. In Europe, each team is allowed only two “imports” from either the United States or Canada, which meant Lautt and Rivera were the only two Americans on the Eagles' roster.

The job would require Lautt, his wife Sherry and Rivera to pack their bags for France for a 10-month season. Upon arrival, it became evident to them how much the players and coaches valued their insight.

“They were so excited to have the knowledge that Frank had. They took it in like sponges,” Sherry Lautt said. “They were like little kids just learning something new for the first time. They took in this information like they were hearing it for the first time.”

Lautt and Rivera were faced with the task of turning the team around from an 0-10 run the previous season.

Rivera, who joined the team knowing little French, often relied on Lautt to translate.

“When they would ask me questions, Coach Lautt would be the one translating,” Rivera said. “They’re very observant and aware, trying to learn more about the game. They trusted what I had to say just because I was from the United States and played football.”

In addition to the increased interest among players, Lautt noticed a significant culture difference between the game in France in comparison to the United States. In America, it’s no secret that football dominates the mainstream. In France, however, he found it to be a different story.

“The dedication level is a lot different,'' Lautt said. "Over there it’s for fun. Here in the United States, it’s a lifestyle.”

Despite the more casual approach, Lautt said he believes football is on the rise in Europe.

“You’d be surprised," he said. "They know a lot about the NFL. They watch games even though they’re at different times. A lot of coaches go to clinics and they learn a lot of strategy. They know a lot about football and are well schooled."

At the end of the season, the club finished 4-6 and defeated several teams that the Eagles had previously never beaten in their 30-year history. The season, in Lautt’s eyes “should’ve been 7-3.”

Despite the under .500 record, the experience in France changed the lives of many involved. For Sherry Lautt, her time in France created lifelong friendships.

“The people who took us in are family now,” she said. “We Skype, we FaceTime. I baby sat one of the player’s sons. I never felt uneasy, uncomfortable or unsafe. They took very good care of us.”

At the end of the 10 months, Rivera also returned home with a new outlook on his life.

“It flipped my whole world when I came home,'' he said. "I came back with a whole different mindset and way I wanted to view life.”

Rivera now works as an offensive and defensive line coach under Lautt at Barry Goldwater. He hopes to use this opportunity to teach kids things he wished he had learned growing up.

“Coaching for Frank and being around these kids all the time, it’s given me an opportunity to see what kind of teacher I can be,'' Rivera said. "I try my best to gain knowledge from these kids, too.”

Long after returning from France, it’s clear the trip still leaves an impact on those who were there. And one thing that was unanimous: They would all do it again.