Southeast Missouri Assistant Football Coach Desmond Noird recently attended the NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy in Indianapolis.
The three-day professional development program, held Feb. 22-24, brought together more than 45 college football coaches from across the country to engage in leadership training, networking and discussions on the evolving landscape of the sport.
Hosted annually by the NCAA and NFL in partnership, the academy provides current, full-time college football coaches with educational opportunities designed to enhance their ability to lead student-athletes both on and off the field.
"At the NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy, we strive to equip coaches with the tools to grow as leaders, build meaningful relationships and elevate the student-athlete experience," said Mark Trumbo, associate director of leadership development at the NCAA. "The program brings together some of the most dedicated and driven coaches in the profession to learn from one another and from experienced professionals in football and leadership."
Throughout the program, attendees participated in a variety of sessions led by industry experts, covering topics such as leadership philosophy, program management and player development. Several speakers shared insights on coaching strategies, mentorship and the importance of fostering a strong team culture. A few notable speakers included:
• Craig Bohl, executive director at the American Football Coaches Association.
• Grant Leiendecker, Butler director of athletics.
• Nyaka NiiLampti, vice president of wellness and clinical services at the NFL.
• Jessica Gray, director of player engagement for the Detroit Lions.
• Charles Burks, cornerbacks coach for the Cincinnati Bengals.
• Chris Ballard, general manager of the Indianapolis Colts.
In addition to structured programming, the academy provided participants with opportunities to connect with NCAA and NFL executives, as well as fellow coaches from across all divisions of college football. Many past participants have leveraged their experience at the academy to advance their coaching careers at the collegiate and professional levels.
The NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy is an exclusive program that selects a limited number of participants each year through a competitive application process. Coaches leave the program with enhanced leadership skills, a deeper understanding of the coaching profession and a strong network of peers to support their career growth.
For more information on the event, visit the NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy page.
