DVD selected for the AFCA 35 under 35

AFCA Announces 2025 35 Under 35 Participants

The AFCA is pleased to announce the selections for its 2025 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. This year's class was chosen from a field of over 200 highly qualified applicants.


The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.

Members of the 2024 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute receive a stipend to assist with expenses incurred while attending the AFCA Convention. They will be published in AFCA Magazine, AFCA Insiderweekly email blast, and/or have their articles and videos added to the AFCA Educational Library. Additionally, participants will be placed on the AFCA Foundation Committee and become a part of a prestigious network of rising coaches in the profession along with many other great benefits.

To be eligible, applicants had to be born on or after January 1, 1989, and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach. Applicants were required to submit a resume, five references, and a 1,600-word article or 10-minute live instructional video on an offensive, defensive, special teams, or position-specific topic of the applicant’s choosing back in the summer.

Those interested in applying for next year’s class, submissions for the 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute will run from July 1-31, 2025.

Congratulations to the 2025 Class!