Soldiers To Sidelines is proud to announce Brady Nix as our November Soldier Coach of the Month! A U.S. Army veteran and former Sergeant, Brady has seamlessly transitioned his leadership skills and service-driven mindset from the military to the coaching world. Serving as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach, Team Chaplain, and Character Development Program Coordinator for Concord University’s NCAA Division II football team, Brady embodies what it means to mentor and inspire. His commitment to empowering young athletes both on and off the field stems from his own journey of resilience, service, and a lifelong dedication to building character and community. Whether he’s on the sidelines or in the weight room, Brady’s impact is felt through his players’ growth—not just as athletes but as individuals. Most special of all, Coach Nix worked tirelessly for Soldiers To Sidelines to help grow this organization to over 2000 Soldier Coaches, and he has positively influenced every one of them. Join us in celebrating his remarkable journey and the positive difference he continues to make in the lives of others! Read about his journey in the interview below.
STS: Tell your story about how and why you go into coaching. Discuss how coaching has impacted you as a person.
Coach Nix: My journey to coaching was shaped by a lifetime of experiences that taught me the power of investing in others. Growing up, I had the privilege of watching both my parents dedicate themselves to teaching and coaching. My mother in her classroom, my father as a high school football coach in Texas—both were role models who knew the importance of pouring into others. Their work was never just about passing on information or winning games; it was about shaping lives. I saw how students and athletes came back, years later, to thank them for the impact they’d made. That left an indelible mark on me, planting the idea that a life of service, measured by the impact I have on others, could change lives in ways I couldn’t fully understand yet.
Then, 9/11 happened. Like so many others, I felt the pull to serve, and answered that call by joining the U.S. Army as a Combat Medic assigned to the 10th Mountain Division based out of Fort Drum, NY. Once I became a Noncommissioned Officer, I was given the responsibility of training and leading soldiers, young men and women who looked to me for leadership and guidance. The pride I felt watching them grow and the sense of purpose I received in shaping them into a team as a servant leader were the same feelings I’d seen my parents experience throughout their careers. I realized that serving as an NCO was about more than just orders and duty; it was about mentorship, resilience, and helping my soldiers grow into the best versions of themselves.
After my military service, I took a short break and became a professional hunting guide. But the sense of impact and deeper connection to people that had defined my time in the Army was missing. Eventually, I began to seek out opportunities to have that impact and sense of purpose again.
Now, coaching full-time, I feel that same sense of purpose again. On the field, I see myself in my father’s shoes, encouraging my players, challenging them to push harder and become better, not just as athletes but as people. Coaching reminds me of the legacy my parents created and the impact I had as a leader in the Army. Each player I coach is a continuation of the service I dedicated my life to. I am carrying forward a lifelong commitment to making a difference in the lives of others and contributing to creating better leaders for our country.
STS: How has your military experience influenced you as a coach?
Coach Nix: My military experience has significantly shaped me as a coach, especially in ways that make a difference both on and off the field. Being in a high-operational tempo, team-driven environment in the military naturally flowed into coaching team sports. In the Army, you quickly learn that success depends on each person’s contribution, trust, and communication within the group—qualities that are directly relevant to the dynamics of a sports team. This intense, mission-oriented environment taught me how to build unity, hold each person accountable, and motivate people to give their best, which are skills I bring to my coaching.
The lessons I learned from military operations, particularly in combat, provide unique life experiences that most people haven’t had, and this gives me a powerful perspective when mentoring athletes. The stakes were high, and the consequences were real in the Army, which taught me the importance of preparation, resilience, and adaptability. Now, as a coach, I use these experiences to help players understand that, while the field may not be a battlefield, the mindset and discipline needed to push through challenges are similar. Teaching young athletes about mental toughness, teamwork, and leadership with the depth that comes from personal experience has a lasting impact, helping them develop skills that go beyond sports and into their lives.
In short, the structure, discipline, and teamwork I gained from my military service have become the foundation of my coaching style. I can inspire athletes to push beyond their limits and build a team that operates as a cohesive unit. Through my military experiences, I’m able to mentor my players in a way that prepares them not just to be athletes but to be strong, resilient individuals, ready for whatever life throws at them.
STS: How has Soldiers To Sidelines impacted your life?
Coach Nix: When I first decided to get into coaching, I was at one of the lowest points in my life, searching for meaning and purpose. I had been through a lot, and the transition from military service and other personal hardships had left me feeling disconnected and uncertain about my life’s direction. I had just relocated to Washington, DC and was searching for something I could do that would provide structure and purpose to my life. Then, one day, I read an article about an event that Soldiers to Sidelines had at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and something clicked. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I knew I had to see what the organization and opportunities were all about.
I showed up at Georgetown’s football facilities one morning in early August 2019, not knowing a soul. But Coach Rob Sgarlata welcomed me right in, making me feel like I belonged from the moment I walked in. A few days later, I met Harrison Bernstein, the Executive Director of Soldiers To Sidelines. He shared his vision with me, a vision of empowering veterans to bring their leadership skills to coaching and impacting young athletes’ lives. Given my background as the son of educators and my experience in the Army, I saw it immediately. I understood how meaningful this work could be—not just for athletes but for veterans, too. I was hooked.
From that day forward, I volunteered to help grow the organization. I found myself diving into every opportunity to support our mission, and it wasn’t long before those efforts turned into a full-time position as the Director of Community Engagement. When I first started volunteering with STS, we had around 100 Soldier Coaches certified and coaching football and lacrosse. The Covid 19 pandemic, while devastating to many organizations, offered us the opportunity to take the curriculum virtual, and over the next few years we certified close to 1500 Soldier Coaches across 6 different sports, impacting the lives of tens of thousands of young athletes every year.
While the growth has been amazing, the most rewarding part of this journey for me has been the relationships I’ve built. I’ve had the chance to connect with Soldier Coaches from around the world and learn from professional coaches at the very top of their fields. The staff, board members, sport directors, donors, and more who have given their time and effort to create this incredible organization will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s a community that feels like family, bound by shared values and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of our athletes and a way each of us can continue serving our nation.
Soldiers To Sidelines hasn’t just changed my life—it’s given me a new sense of purpose and direction. Working with this organization has allowed me to reshape my life around something meaningful, to take my experiences and turn them into something that can help others. It’s been a journey from feeling lost to finding a purpose that matters, and for that, I’m grateful every day.
STS: Describe a coaching interaction with a player, or group of players, that has a special place in
your heart?
Coach Nix: This year, coaching wasn’t even on my radar. I had set out on a very different path, one of personal and spiritual growth. I was actually on a Christian pilgrimage, walking around 150 miles from Jerusalem to Capernaum in Israel, seeking a deeper connection to my faith. Just one day after arriving in Capernaum, my phone rang—it was David Blake, Concord University’s Defensive Coordinator, Navy veteran, and a fellow Soldier Coach. He asked if I’d be interested in taking on the Defensive Line job at Concord. Without hesitation, I accepted, and soon enough, I was on a plane back to Texas. From there, I drove 20 hours straight to Athens, West Virginia, ready to step into this unexpected chapter.
The next morning, I was out on the field, meeting my players for the first time at practice. Most of the guys were freshmen or had recently switched over to the Defensive Line from other positions to help us build depth. Each one had their own story, unique background, and specific challenges they were facing in their personal lives. Spending time with them, getting to know their personalities and struggles, and guiding them through this season turned out to be a journey that helped me, too.
What made this experience truly rewarding wasn’t just the progress on the field but the growth I saw in each of them as individuals. Beyond football, I watched these young men mature in their faith, grow as students, and adapt to their new community with resilience and character. I’m incredibly proud of each and every one of them, knowing they’re building a foundation not only as players but as young men of character. In a way, it feels like this opportunity was meant to be—another step in a journey that continues to deepen my sense of purpose and service.
STS: What are your aspirations in coaching?
Coach Nix: I am committed to positively impacting as many lives as possible. While I love coaching football, my role as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach allows me to spend more time with the athletes and impact their lives on a deeper level. I would love to become a strength coach at the highest level of sports. NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, etc.
STS: What was the most difficult challenge you have experienced in coaching, and what have you
learned from that experience?
Coach Nix: The most difficult challenge I’ve experienced in coaching has been adapting to the demands of the role while learning on the fly—like drinking from a fire hose. Taking on the job at Concord University, I was thrown into a fast-paced environment where every day required me to learn, adjust, and make decisions quickly. Meeting my players for the first time on the practice field, I was faced with a group that was mostly freshmen or athletes who had just switched to the Defensive Line. Each player came with different needs, skill levels, and backgrounds, which meant I had to figure out how to bring them together as a cohesive unit while coaching them individually.
What I learned from this experience is the importance of patience and adaptability. I had to assess each player, not just as an athlete but as a young person adjusting to the college environment, which requires a whole different level of mentoring. Building relationships was essential; I needed to understand their personalities and motivations to help them grow, not just as players but as people. This approach has taught me that coaching goes beyond drills and strategies; it’s about connection, guidance, and resilience.
Learning to balance all of these responsibilities has made me a better coach, and I’m grateful for the challenge. It’s reinforced the value of being present, staying adaptable, and embracing the process, no matter how intense or overwhelming it might feel. The experience taught me that growth is often uncomfortable, but it’s through those moments that we truly become better for our players and ourselves.
STS: Is there anything else you can share with us about your coaching story?
Coach Nix: Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!!
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