This May, Soldiers To Sidelines (STS) hosted its premier Football Coaching Certification Seminar, empowering veterans and military spouses to transition from military service to leadership roles in football. Powered by Vehicles for Veterans and proudly supported by Wells Fargo, the seminar was a week-long virtual experience filled with elite football instruction, interactive learning, and inspirational mentorship from current and former NFL and college coaches.

From foundational football concepts to advanced strategy and film breakdown, participants received intensive training while forming bonds rooted in shared values: discipline, leadership, service, and a love for the game.

The event kicked off with Harrison Bernstein, Founder and Executive Director of Soldiers To Sidelines, setting the tone for the week. Harrison emphasized active engagement, mutual respect, and the long-term value of coaching certification. He introduced the STS leadership team—Alyssa Allen, Carl Little, and Jerod Kruse—and extended heartfelt gratitude to Vehicles for Veterans, whose sponsorship made the seminar possible.

Then came a masterclass from NFL coaching legend Rod Marinelli. Known for his time with the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, Coach Marinelli shared timeless wisdom about building individuals first, then players. He championed the importance of consistency, clear communication, and rigorous preparation—principles that mirror military excellence.

Harrison built on Rod’s message by clarifying the roles of coaching, leadership, and managing—three interwoven yet distinct elements of team success. Coaching is about teaching and mentoring. Leadership means modeling high standards and accountability. Managing involves decision-making under pressure.

A highlight of the seminar was STS Football Director, former NFL DB Coach, and current Tennessee State University Special Teams Coordinator Jerod Kruse, whose experience spans elite programs. Jerod delivered a thorough breakdown of football fundamentals, focusing on the three cornerstones of strategy: space, numbers, and time. He explained how personnel groupings, field dimensions, and formations dictate both offensive and defensive tactics.

In his deep dive on run gaps and defensive fits, Jerod emphasized the importance of clarity and simplicity, especially for young athletes. Using film analysis and real-life examples, he illustrated how great coaching bridges gaps—literally and figuratively.

Few sessions were more inspirational than that of Assistant Special Teams Coordinator for the LA Rams Coach Ben Kotwica, a former Army captain and West Point graduate who made the leap to NFL coaching. Coach Kotwica’s story underscored how veterans bring irreplaceable traits to coaching: discipline, communication, work ethic, and resilience. He urged attendees to embrace lifelong learning and cultivate meaningful relationships on and off the field.

Pass rush specialist Aaron Brady and defensive backs guru Mike Rutenberg delivered elite-level content with real-world applications. Aaron’s sessions unpacked protection schemes, route concepts, and pressure strategies, focusing on disruption over destruction. He championed coaching with integrity and explained the nuances of pass protection from both offensive and defensive perspectives.

Mike Rutenberg, currently the defensive Pass Game Coordinator and DB Coach for the Atlanta Falcons, hosted engaging Q&A session where participants could ask any question on their mind. He stressed the importance of clarity, trust, and vision—advising coaches to build authentic relationships and be intentional about the culture they create. Mike’s own journey served as a reminder that perseverance, networking, and mentorship are the cornerstones of coaching success.

Following Mike’s session, Wells Fargo was recognized for its long-standing support of veterans, particularly in financial literacy and career placement. Their partnership with STS reinforces the alignment of mission, service, and long-term opportunity.

One of the seminar’s most anticipated speakers was Kurt Warner, Pro Football Hall of Famer and military spouse. Kurt brought energy, empathy, and deep insight as he broke down quarterback mechanics, decision-making, and play design.

He introduced a framework of five essential questions coaches must ask when designing plays—centered around identifying the primary target, understanding play purpose, addressing potential problems, and ensuring the QB can execute quickly. His breakdown of the “curl” and “POCO” (post-corner-flat) routes was packed with strategic gold.

Kurt’s message was simple yet profound: “Make it about the players. Teach the ‘why.’ Address the problem, not the person.”

To help participants specialize and sharpen their craft, the seminar featured offensive and defensive breakout sessions led by coaches from elite programs and NFL teams:

Offensive Position Coaches:

• Wisly Desire, Assistant Offensive Line Coach, Texas A&M University
• Kade Warner, Offensive Coordinator, Quincy University
• Kelton Copeland, Offensive Assistant, University of Kansas
• Mack Brown, Tight Ends Coach, Seattle Seahawks

Defensive Position Coaches:

• Lamar Bell, Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Backs Coach, Calvin University
• Eric Sanders, Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach, Eastern Washington University
• Clyde Simmons, Defensive Line Coach, Bowling Green State University & Eagles Ring of Honor inductee

These breakout rooms provided a more intimate learning environment where participants could ask questions, discuss drills, and get immediate feedback tailored to their position of interest.

Veteran college coach John Mumford introduced a cloud-based 3D coaching app developed by the U.S. Army. Compatible with VR headsets, the tool allows coaches to draw, simulate, and share plays in a virtual space—an innovation now used by over 1,000 teams nationwide.

John demonstrated features like personnel management, 2D/3D drawing tools, and customized playbooks. He also previewed a fitness companion app that visually demonstrates workouts and enables coaches to design training programs for their teams.

Jerod Kruse returned to lead the seminar’s final technical segment: film breakdown and analysis. He explained the difference between studying film for insights and breaking it down for data. Coaches learned how to track tendencies, analyze alignments, and use platforms like Huddle to dissect opponent strategies.

Whether analyzing QB cadence or decoding running back alignment, Jerod showed how disciplined film study turns knowledge into advantage. As Harrison noted, coaches will have future opportunities to attend in-person workshops with the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets to refine these techniques.

The Soldiers To Sidelines Football Coaching Certification Seminar wasn’t just about learning schemes and drawing plays—it was about unlocking leadership potential, redefining identity after service, and building community through football.

Thanks to the support of Vehicles for Veterans and Wells Fargo, this seminar did more than certify coaches—it launched careers, built confidence, and created lifelong connections.

As Coach Rod Marinelli said, “If you’re not improving, you’re regressing.” This week, a new generation of veteran coaches proved they are not only improving—they’re leading.

The post From Service to Sidelines: Veterans Transform into Football Coaches at STS Certification Seminar appeared first on Soldiers To Sidelines.

Thanks to the generous support of contributing sponsors Wells Fargo and TeamBuildr, the seminar was offered free of charge to our military and veteran community. Their continued commitment plays a vital role in making this opportunity accessible to those who’ve served and are now stepping up to serve in new ways — on the sidelines.

A Whistle Worth Earning: Kicking Off with Purpose

The seminar opened with remarks from Harrison Bernstein, founder and executive director of Soldiers To Sidelines. Harrison welcomed participants into a culture of commitment, explaining that certification required full participation, completed assignments, and active engagement. But more than that, he introduced a mindset: earning your whistle every single day through integrity, effort, and selfless service.

The week’s keynote was delivered by the incomparable Martin Rooney, creator of the Training for Warriors system. With energy, humor, and hard-won wisdom, Martin challenged coaches to define their “why” and find a niche that ignites their passion. Drawing on his own journey from physical therapy to elite performance coaching, Martin’s core message was clear: Coaching is a calling — one that demands relentless perseverance and heart.

The Foundation of Performance: From Philosophy to Frameworks

In the first session, Johanna Zabal, Director of Sports Performance, laid the groundwork for the week. Her comprehensive framework introduced essential pillars of performance — strength, conditioning, speed, mobility, nutrition, sleep, and hygiene. This systems-based view encouraged coaches to think beyond sets and reps, understanding that an athlete’s performance is shaped by everything from training cycles to recovery habits.

Harrison further explored the differences between coaching, leadership, and management, illustrating them with a powerful inverted pyramid. At its foundation? Inspiration. Above it: motivation, fitness, technique, and strategy. Coaches, he argued, must lead with heart first — then apply the science.

Finding the “Why”: Motivation, Inspiration, and Purpose

Throughout the seminar, Harrison returned to the importance of purpose-driven coaching. Using the movie Miracle as a touchstone, he urged coaches to dig deep into their own “why” — and help their athletes do the same. He introduced the SURF model (Safety, Energy, Retention, Fun), encouraging coaches to foster environments where athletes feel seen, heard, and excited to grow.

A key message? Everyone is already motivated. It’s a coach’s job to unlock and direct that motivation — and it starts with connection, autonomy, and competence.

Fueling Performance: Nutrition and Supplements

Christina Schreckengauss, U.S. Navy Commander and performance nutrition expert, led the second session with a deep dive into athletic nutrition. She covered macronutrients, hydration, nutrient timing, and the role of food in performance, recovery, and injury prevention. Her practical, science-backed approach helped coaches understand how to support athletes before, during, and after competition.

She also addressed the complex world of supplementation, warning against products with vague proprietary blends and recommending third-party tested essentials like creatine, vitamin D, and omega-3s. Christina’s military perspective added valuable context to supplement usage in high-performance and high-stress environments.

Later, Annette Zap, a retired firefighter and PhD candidate, tackled common myths about creatine, reaffirming its safety and benefits for both athletic and cognitive performance. Her insights reminded coaches that evidence-based supplementation can be a powerful tool — especially when paired with proper nutrition.

Movement Mastery: Deadlifts, Cues, and Core Control

In session three, Johanna led a detailed look into core stabilization and exercise execution. From intra-abdominal pressure to planes of motion, coaches learned how to teach and cue foundational lifts like the squat and deadlift with precision. Christopher and Ricky, contributing coaches, broke down proper deadlift mechanics, while Aaron highlighted common errors during demos.

The group also explored the seven components of an effective drill, practiced queuing techniques, and discussed the difference between external (outcome) and internal (process) cues. Safety and athlete understanding were front and center, as was the power of concise, intentional language.

Johanna then introduced periodization, helping coaches structure macro, meso, and micro training cycles aligned with athletic goals. She emphasized the importance of recovery, sleep, and smart load management — especially for older athletes or those returning from injury.

Tech Tools in Coaching: Hands-On with TeamBuildr

The final session featured a robust tutorial of TeamBuildr, an innovative online programming platform that allows coaches to build and deliver custom workouts. Led by Melissa Mercado, the demo walked attendees through features like:

• Adding warm-ups, resistance training, and recovery work

• Tracking athlete readiness and performance

• Exporting PDFs and utilizing mobile and tablet views

• Creating circuits and questionnaires

• Adjusting plans based on athlete feedback

Coaches then entered breakout rooms to create custom programs for sports like hockey and football, with varying training phases. The process emphasized individualization, adaptation, and real-time feedback — core skills for any great coach.

Melissa also answered questions about RPE-based programming, load adjustments, and bulk uploading athletes. TeamBuildr even extended full access for an additional two months, giving coaches the chance to apply their new knowledge with confidence.

One Team, One Mission

By the end of the seminar, participants had gained far more than a certificate. They walked away with a deeper understanding of coaching science, a renewed sense of purpose, and the support of a growing community of like-minded leaders. Whether working with youth, collegiate, or professional athletes, the coaches left prepared to make an impact on and off the field.

Once again, a huge thank you to Wounded Warrior Project for presenting this transformational seminar, and to our supporting sponsors Wells Fargo and TeamBuildr for helping make it possible.

For more information on future coaching certifications, in-person clinics, and professional development opportunities, visit SoldiersToSidelines.org.

The post From Soldiers to Sidelines: A Transformative Journey in Sports Performance Coaching appeared first on Soldiers To Sidelines.