Wilmington College football intern Phil Kaiser was recently selected as one of thirty participants to attend the 2015 NCAA and AFCA Future Football Coaches Academy in conjunction with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Convention in Louisville this week.
"I believe the FFCA is an excellent learning tool for young quality coaches to further enhance their coaching career by getting an in-depth look at the industry as a whole," said Wilmington head coach Stacey Hairston. "For Coach Phil Kaiser to be one of the 30 selected says a lot about the potential he possess as a football coach. Phil has done a tremendous job with us at Wilmington College over the last two years and he has continued to grow as a coach. This opportunity will go a long way in helping Phil achieve his career goals as he looks to further his education by securing a grad assistant coaching position. Our coaching profession needs more young quality coaches like Phil."
Kaiser just finished his second season as the linebackers coach for the Fightin' Quakers. Under his tutelage, linebackers Tarrell Starckey and Nick Williams have earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors.
The FFCA is an educational event for student-athletes who recently completed their collegiate eligibility and select individuals who have shown a desire to enter the college football coaching profession; who want to learn about the industry; and who want to explore coaching careers with the primary focus on intercollegiate athletics. For many, their passion for the game remains as their playing days reach an end, and they have turned to coaching to stay involved with the sport they love.
Participants will also attend various AFCA Convention sessions geared toward the graduate assistant experience, including a panel featuring Pennsylvania State University football coach James Franklin and Southern Methodist University defensive coordinator Van Malone.
The Future Football Coaches Academy is one of three football-centric programs offered annually by NCAA leadership development tailored to the specific points in a football coach's career: The NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy in February provides an opportunity for current full-time position and assistant coaches at NCAA member institutions and current and former NFL athletes to expand their knowledge and insight into the world of college football coaching. In June, the NCAA Champion Forum kicks off a unique, yearlong professional development opportunity for current coordinators, assistant and associate coaches to grasp a realistic view of the role of a head football coach and the preparation necessary to build a successful program.
NCAA leadership development and members from the Association selected the participants for the 2015 Future Football Coaches Academy. The group, which is located at the NCAA national office, coordinates and facilitates cutting-edge education and customized training for student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators from NCAA membership institutions, conference offices and the national office. The staff annually hosts more than 20 programs at little or no cost to the membership, with expert curriculum designed to enhance the well-being and personal development of NCAA student-athletes, and provides ongoing education and topical training to athletics professionals who identify and serve student-athlete needs. For more information, visit ncaa.org/leadershipdevelopment.