Updates

The NFL and NCAA will host the sixth annual NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy in Tampa, Florida, Feb. 19-21. The three-day academy hosted by NFL Player Engagement and the NCAA, will provide 58 coaches and coaching prospects — including 29 former NFL players — with training and education to encourage effective coaching and to improve student-athlete well-being at all levels.

Keynote speakers for the 2016 academy include former NFL general manager Charley Casserly; NFL senior vice president of Football Operations and former NFL general manager Rod Graves; University of South Florida athletic director Mark Harlan; University of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel; and former NFL head coach and general manager Mike Sherman. Other guest speakers and panelists will include coaches from the high school and professional levels.

“The NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy offers an opportunity for former NFL players who are currently coaching at the high school and collegiate levels to learn firsthand from experts about the personal values, individual behavior styles and viability of a career in coaching,” said Charles Way, vice president of NFL Player Engagement. “This education and training helps to create a positive environment for players, coaches and staff at all levels of football.”

“Continuing the education of coaches can provide a better, more complete, experience for athletes, whether on campus or in the professional arena,” said Bernard Franklin, NCAA executive vice president of education and community engagement and chief inclusion officer. “The partnership with the National Football League has a positive impact on the sport and those charged with developing the game and its participants. The exposure of aspiring coaches to a collection of the top minds in football is crucial now and in the future.”

In keeping with NFL Player Engagement’s peer-to-peer model, participants will learn about coaching in workshops and interactive discussion panels with NFL, NCAA and high school coaches, business leaders and athletic administrators.

In addition to coaching strategies and philosophies, participants will learn how to effectively communicate with campus and community constituents and the importance of building a developmental culture to help their athletes succeed on and off the field. They will also have the opportunity to develop a professional network of fellow coaches, NCAA and NFL staff and other key resources in the sport.

2016 NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy Participants

Steven Aycock, Offensive Line Coach, Jackson State University

Antonio Banks (MIN), Assistant Strength Coach, University of Tennessee (2011-2012)

Christopher Barber (CIN, TB), Defensive Coordinator, Lakeland High School

Donnell Bennett (KC, WAS), Head Coach, Coral Springs Christian Academy

Chadd Braine, Defensive Coordinator, East Stroudsburg University

Diaello Burks (CAR), Head Coach, LaGrange Grangers (GA Force Arena Football League)

Noah Burroughs (JAX), Assistant Coach, Nassau Community College

Ben Buys, Running Backs Coach/ Azusa Pacific University

Tyler Card, Offensive Line Coach, Sul Ross State University

Matthew Clark, Tight Ends Coach, University of Louisiana at Monroe

David Clowney, IV (BUF, CAR, GB, NYJ), Wide Receivers Coach, ASA College

Ryan Crow, Offensive Coordinator, Baldwin Wallace University

Montiese Culton (NYJ), Assistant Linebackers Coach, Texas A&M University at Commerce

Thabiti Davis (NYJ), Wide Receivers Coach, Winston-Salem State University

Aaron De La Torre (DAL, PIT), Head Coach, Irving High School

Autry Denson, Jr. (CHI, IND, MIA), Running Backs Coach, University of Notre Dame

Abe Elimimian (CHI, SD), Secondary Coach, University of Hawaii

Christopher Ellis (BUF, PIT), Defense Ends Coach, Christopher Newport University

Hebron Fangupo (KC, SEA, WAS), Graduate Assistant, Brigham Young University

Darrell Fullington (MIN, NE, TB), Assistant Coach, Miami Northwestern High School

Keith Goganious (BAL, BUF, JAX), Head Coach, Bishop McNamara High School

Ben Gray, Assistant Football Coach, Elmhurst College

Ryan Hansen, Co-offensive Coordinator, Maryville College

James Harrell (DET, KC, TB), Defensive Coordinator, Plant High School

David Hart, Wide Receivers Coach, Morehouse College

Deon Henry, Secondary Coach, Rowan University

Joseph Henry, Tight Ends and Fullbacks Coach, Prairie View A&M University

Felton Huggins (JAX, BUF), Wide Receivers Coach, LaGrange College

Leonard Humphries (IND), Defensive Backs Coach, Football University

Bruce Jackson, Defensive Coordinator, Stillman College

Donovan Jackson, Offensive Line Coach, Savannah State University

Rodrek Jones (CIN, STL, WAS), Athletic Director, Central Collegiate Academy

Theron Jones, Linebackers Coach, Fayetteville State University

Adam Kirby, Offensive Line Coach, McMurry College

Jeff Kopp (BAL, JAX, MIA, NE), Head Coach, Providence High School

Kyle Kramer (CLE), Tight Ends Coach, MidAmerica Nazarene College

Cleo Lemon (BAL, JAX, MIA, SD), Wide Receivers Coach, University of Findlay

Charles Lockett (PIT), Running Backs Coach, Bethany College

Todd McComb, Outside Linebackers and Safeties Coach, Winston-Salem State University

Lorell McCook, Offensive Line Coach, Cheyney University

Dell McGee (ARI, DET), Running Backs Coach, University of Georgia

Chuck Miesbauer, Defensive Backs Coach, University of Mary

Adam Morris, Wide Receivers Coach, Campbell University

Bemi Otulaja, Defensive Line Coach, Marist College

Lamar Owens, A-Backs Coach, Georgia Tech University

Cory Peoples (PHI), Cornerbacks Coach, Charleston Southern University

William Pluff, Jr., Defensive Coordinator, Utica College

Mario Price, Running Backs Coach, University of Louisiana at Monroe

Anthony Scott, Offensive Coordinator, Lincoln University

Antone Sewell, Defensive Coordinator, Bowie State University

Dwight Sutton, Cornerbacks Coach, Eastern Kentucky University

Hurley Tarver (SF, CLE, DAL, GB, TB), Head Coach, Tampa Bay Patriots (Minor League Football)

Chip Vaughn (NO, PHI, IND), Defensive Coaching Intern, Winston-Salem State University

Marlon Watson, Defensive Backs Coach, Alabama A&M University

Jen Welter, Defensive Coaching Intern, Arizona Cardinals

Chad Williams (BAL, SF), Defensive Coordinator, Valdosta State University

Roosevelt Williams (CHI, CLE, NYJ), Defensive Coordinator, Lincoln University

Raymond Woodie, Defensive Coordinator, University of South Florida