National Collegiate Athletic Association

Latest News

« back to 2012 | Back to NCAA News Archive Index

NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy kicks off in Dallas May 22

The second annual NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy begins Tuesday and runs through Thursday in Dallas.  Developed last year by NFL Player Engagement and the NCAA to boost diversity in the coaching ranks, the program provides former NFL players and current NCAA college coaches with tools and networking opportunities for potential careers as football coaches. 

Many of the participants currently have high school or college coaching positions. NCAA invitees are football coaches who have less than eight years of college coaching experience. 

“Our partnership with the NFL provides a broader base of networking and access to essential information and key influencers for football coaches who want to become head coaches,” said Robert Vowels, NCAA vice president of student-athlete affairs. 

“We look at this Academy as an opportunity that could positively influence the diversity numbers in the collegiate coaching ranks and as a way to get exposure for some of the most talented coaching minds in the football industry. We believe the partnership and the Academy overall will have a positive effect for the NCAA and the NFL immediately and in the future,” Vowels added.

Sessions will include instruction from NFL, college and high school coaches, business leaders and athletic administrators. Topics include how to build a personal and professional brand; managing budgets; successful networking; media messaging; coaching contracts; building relationships in college; effective leadership; understanding the academic landscape; and the interview process. Participants also will experience mock interview sessions. 

Keynote speakers include Baylor University head coach Art Briles, former Notre Dame and Stanford head coach Tyrone Willingham and NFL Network analyst and former Washington Redskins and HoustonTexans general manager Charley Casserly.

"This is an excellent opportunity for players who are looking to continue their careers on the football sidelines to learn leadership, management and administrative skills from football coaches at all levels,” said Troy Vincent, NFL vice president of player engagement.

The NFL also partners with the NCAA on a Life Skills and Professional Development Summit each February.