On Saturday, May 11, 2024, Soldiers To Sidelines delivered another fantastic Football Coaching Workshop powered in part by the Wounded Warrior Project at Georgetown University. Georgetown University Football rolled out the red carpet for Soldiers To Sidelines and the local military community to improve football coaching impact.

Georgetown University Head Football Coach, Rob Sgarlata, welcomed this tight class of 24 Veterans, Active Duty, and military spouses with an authentic and candid insight into the power of coaching football. He gave the group a tour of the beautiful facilities for a look at how football programs operate at the D1AA collegiate level.

Georgetown_Football_Workshop

The morning continued with a guided discussion about coaching and leadership led by Soldiers To Sidelines founder and Executive Director Harrison Bernstein. “The class was extremely engaging and brought incredible insights from their past experiences in military service and sports participation,” says Harrison.

After lunch, STS Football Director, Jerod Kruse, blew everyone’s mind about coaching the eyes of football players to see the little things that yield tremendous competitive advantage. Coach Kruse said, “Eyes are the key to understanding football, and I feel confident that these Soldier Coaches have a deeper understanding of football. It was an honor to work with this group of positive leaders.”

Georgetown_Football_Workshop

Following Coach Kruse, Soldier Coach Curt Kline took the podium to present Georgetown Football’s approach to running Inside Zone.  Coach Kline certified through STS after decades of service in the U.S. Navy, completed our continuing education program, and then earned a coaching internship at Georgetown. This was his first opportunity to present to his peers, which is an invaluable growth opportunity. It was a perfect example for the class to experience what lies ahead for them within STS.

Georgetown_Football_Workshop

The workshop culminated with Coach Kruse discussing middle-of-the-field open and closed run fits. His reductionist approach ensured everyone firmly grasped the concepts of run defense from a space, numbers, and time perspective. With the generous support from our partners like the Wounded Warrior Project and individual donors, this workshop was a massive success!