In November 2024, Soldiers To Sidelines (STS) hosted its highly anticipated Virtual Football Coaching Certification Seminar, in collaboration with the New York Jets and presented by Ticketmaster. This comprehensive event brought together military veterans, active-duty service members, military spouses, gold star families, and seasoned football professionals to blend the values of service, discipline, and leadership with advanced football strategies. Over four engaging days, attendees gained valuable insights and inspiration from an impressive lineup of guest speakers.
Day 1: Foundations of Coaching and Leadership
The seminar kicked off with Harrison Bernstein, founder and executive director of STS, who introduced the program’s mission: to empower veterans to transition into coaching roles while enriching their communities. Bernstein was joined by key team members Alyssa Allen (Community Engagement Manager), Carl Little (Operations Director), and Coach Jerod Kruse (Football Director), who provided logistical and technical support throughout the seminar.
The session kicked off with Jesse Linder, Vice President for Community Relations at the New York Jets. Linder shared the Jets’ dedication to this six-year partnership with STS, emphasizing the importance of fostering community ties and providing opportunities for military veterans.
Veteran NFL coach Al Saunders, with 50 years of professional experience, joined the discussion to share his wisdom on teaching techniques and building relationships with players. Coach Saunders served as the head coach for the Sandiego Chargers, Offensive Coordinator for Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, St Louis Rams, and Oakland Raiders. He also served as Senior offensive Assistant for the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Cleveland Browns. Saunders offered participants ongoing mentorship and recounted personal anecdotes that resonated with both new and seasoned coaches.
Another highlight of the first day was the introduction of the Inverted Pyramid of Coaching Success, a model that places people and relationships above play strategies. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their personal “why” and explore the interplay between leadership, management, and coaching.
The evening concluded with a theoretical perspective of Football strategy based on concepts of Space, Numbers, and Time, led by Coach Jerod Kruse.
Day 2: Tactical Coaching Tools and Defensive Strategies
Day two explored advanced tools and strategies for modern coaching. John Mumford introduced the Go Army Edge app, a revolutionary teaching tool developed by the Army that uses 3D animations and virtual reality to create interactive playbooks. Mumford demonstrated its features, including drawing plays, simulating scenarios, and optimizing communication between coaches and players.
Coach Kruse, former NFL player & seasoned coach Mike Pollak, and Del Smith, dove into defensive and offensive fundamentals, including coverage schemes (Cover 2, Cover 3, and Cover 4), the importance of route concepts, pass protection vs pass rush concepts, and the run game vs. run fits.
Day 3: Lessons from NFL Leaders and Coaching Culture
Day three was headlined by Joe Douglas, General Manager of the New York Jets. Douglas drew parallels between military service and professional sports, emphasizing adaptability, teamwork, and dedication. He shared personal anecdotes from his extensive career, which included 15 years with the Baltimore Ravens and roles with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles. Douglas also provided practical advice on balancing personal and professional responsibilities.
The seminar also welcomed NCAA National Champion Coach, Jim Tressel, who spoke passionately about the power of coaching to shape character and instill values in young athletes. Tressel emphasized the importance of understanding players’ individual needs and fostering a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.
Following Coach Tressel, Anthony Gulliver, a former Marine, Soldier Coach, and current defensive coach at UCLA, shared his transition from military service to collegiate coaching. Gulliver offered insights into tackling techniques, defensive strategies, and player development. He demonstrated drills like the “peanut punch” and “cheetah tackle” and emphasized the importance of leveraging personal connections for career growth.
Day 4: Advanced Techniques, Self-Reflection, and Effective Coaching
The final day of the seminar encapsulated the art of coaching beyond technical skills, focusing on personal growth, effective communication, and creating positive team environments. It featured practical knowledge and personal insights from esteemed speakers while incorporating thought-provoking discussions on self-awareness and leadership.
Harrison Bernstein provided a transformative session on the importance of self-reflection in coaching. He urged attendees to regularly assess their own beliefs, interests, and conversational styles to enhance their coaching approach. Bernstein highlighted how introspection can help coaches navigate personal challenges, such as PTSD, and foster growth. Using Tom Hanks as an example, he illustrated the power of communication and the ability to evoke emotions, encouraging participants to wield similar influence in their roles as coaches.
Bernstein also led a conversation on the high human skills required for effective coaching, focusing on empathy, sympathy, and compassion. The team explored the concept of discipleship, with Soldier Coaches contributing insights into how teaching players to self-correct their actions strengthens accountability and growth. This discussion extended to the importance of understanding players, their families, and the broader team community to create a supportive environment. Participants concluded this segment by breaking out into sessions to focus on their favorite position groups.
In his final session, Bernstein delved into the importance of planning and adaptability, drawing examples from his experience with a New York Jets workshop. He stressed the need for coaches to create environments that foster positivity through intentional manipulation of space, including lighting, temperature, and music. Bernstein warned of the dangers of exclusive groups or “clicks” within teams, describing them as detrimental to morale and cohesion. He urged attendees to actively shape environments that prioritize inclusion and collective growth.
The Seminar concluded with position break rooms where Soldier Coaches could focus on a specific offensive position and defensive position. These focused breakouts were led by master football coaches. On the Offensive side we learned from Maurice Allen Soldier Coach and NY Jets Intern, Bob Wylie, NFL offensive line legend, Greg Seamon, former NFL TE Coach, Aaron Brady, Ursinus College Assistant Coach, and John Bear, Offensive Coordinator Bucknell University. The Defensive breakouts were led by Jerod Kruse, David Blake, Soldier Coach and Defensive Coordinator Concord University, and Damione Lewis, Defensive Line Coach University of Colorado.
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