With retirement on the horizon for the Burton Albion skipper, he has been preparing for life after his playing career.
Throughout his time at the likes of Derby County, Wigan Athletic and Brewers, Buxton has been a natural leader in the heart of each respective defence.
Now, at 34 years of age, the centre half has turned some of his attention to the art of coaching, currently working towards his national A license.
“I’ve nearly completed my A license for the coaching side of it, so it is something I want to do. I want to stay in the game for as long as I can do and carry on enjoying it.
“The main thing is the routine. People say footballers have an easy life, and we do.
“We get up every morning, have a bit of breakfast, bit of training out on the grass, come back and have a bit of food, might do a bit of video stuff then you go home.
“That’s a routine I want to carry on. If that’s showing people how to train, how to do video meetings, that’s the routine I want to live for a long time to come.”
In the process of obtaining his coaching A license, Buxton has taken up a role in Derby County’s academy, a club he has represented on 159 occasions. The 34-year-old has progressed well in a short space of time at Moor Farm.
“I applied to get on the A license last year and was refused due to the fact that I wasn’t coaching a team, so I had to take up a post at the academy to do so.
“I didn’t think I’d enjoy coaching 13-year-old kids, but it was amazing. I’ve loved every minute of it.
“I’ve now progressed to doing the 15s and 16s combined, down at Derby County, which has been another learning curve for myself.
“It’s different because you’re coaching different attitudes and kids who are at different ages. It’s just good experience for myself for when I do make that decision to hang up my boots.”
Buxton noted the confidence that he had gained from coaching the Derby youngsters, a role that will prepare him well for any coaching jobs that become available to him in the future.
“I’ve done the ground-work and I’m not just stepping out of football and learning on the job with a first team or with an under 18’s.
“I’m ready and I feel comfortable enough to stand in front of a group of players, be that men or under 18s.
“I can produce something that I know is going to work. What I would do with a men’s group is what I’m trying to do with my 15s and 16s now.”