By James Thrash
NFL Player Engagement
The 2013 Coaches Academy was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 60 participants had the opportunity to glean from some of the best in the business. The Coaches Academy provides a unique opportunity for current and former players who are hoping to further advance their careers in coaching. The program was beneficial to all levels of coaches. Kimble Anders put it best when he stated, "I felt that the NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy was necessary for me in order to succeed at the NFL level because without this Academy, I didn't have the entire picture of being a coach at the next level. It was truly eye-opening! Being around experts from several fields related to football - from administration to legal to coaching - allowed me to be able to think seriously about my career. The detailed and expert information provided in the two days was so intense and thorough that it was more than I received in my entire Sports Administration Masters program!”
The keynote speaker, Ron Rivera, Head Coach of the Carolina Panthers, gave an inspiring and motivating presentation. He shared detailed advice on how to become a successful coach. His presentation went in-depth with how to prepare and go after what you want. He gave personal insight into his own coaching journey, and told the audience about the need to be flexible. One thing that he made clear was to not just have a vision, but have that vision in writing. For the visual learners, Coach Rivera brought many of his own coaching manuals that he has put together over the years. There was a manual for transitioning from a position coach to a coordinator, a manual for the transition from coordinator to head coach, and many others. He was gracious enough to give each participant a copy of his coaching guide.
During their time in Charlotte, the men had the opportunity to network with the speakers and presenters, as well as one another. The atmosphere was one of encouragement and positive guidance. One can never underestimate the positive impact that even a small number of people can make. It is important to understand that each person has an influence. What kind of influence it will be is up to that individual. Do something you love and you will never have to work a day in your life. Being a coach puts a person into a position to change lives. We must never forget that fact.
The coaches and aspiring coaches walked away with practical knowledge, as well as the encouragement to be elite. As stated by former player, Isaiah Charlton IV, “if it’s knowledge you seek, the NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy is the place to become ‘Elite’… the questions I had about coaching and networking were more than answered and this gave me a leg up on the transition process!”