The Playbook: A Guide To The 2020 AFCA Convention

The Playbook: A Guide To The 2020 AFCA Convention

It’s almost time for the 2020 AFCA Convention, and as you make your final preparations, here’s your Playbook to get the most out of your visit to Nashville!

Sunday – January 12

Getting Started

This year’s AFCA Convention will be held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, and the Exhibit Hall will open at 9 AM. Be sure to make Registration your first stop since AFCA badges are required for all the events you want to attend. You should also swing by the information desk/ticket booth to purchase your Honors Luncheon tickets.

Route One: Pre-Registration – If you purchased your membership & convention entry prior to the convention will use this route. You can use either your email or phone number registered with your account at a self service kiosk to print your convention credentials.

Route Two: On-Site Registration – If you have not paid your membership dues and/or your Convention fee, you must now register on-site at the Convention. Look for on-site registration lines in the exhibit hall.

Check out the Foundation Booth in the Main Lobby. The AFCF is dedicated to furthering your education and supporting football coaches around the globe.

You’re going to want to spend plenty of time checking out the AFCA Exhibit Hall floor (open 9 AM-5 PM on Sunday and Monday, and 9AM-Noon on Tuesday). There will be over 200 exhibitors on display, coaches teaching on the AFCA Skills & Drills Field, and another great environment to network with fellow colleagues.

Skills & Drills: 9:30 AM-5 PM in the Exhibit Hall

After making its debut at the 2018 AFCA Convention, this has quickly become something you don’t want to miss! This is a chance to watch some of the premiere coaches in the game teach position-specific drills with actual athletes performing live demonstrations. These fast-paced sessions are just under 30 minutes long, and this is an opportunity to ask questions and pick up some new drills for individual practice periods.

Skills & Drills Sunday Lineup

Skills & Drills  Monday Lineup

High School Coaches Academy: 2-5 PM (Check schedule for room assignments)

We have David Cutcliffe (Duke) speaking at 2 PM on the importance of high school football. As well as, Terry Curtis (UMS Wight Preparatory) in the 2 PM time slot. Followed by 3 PM sessions with Gary Joseph (Katy HS) covering program development and buy-in, and Don Bartel (Eastlake HS) discussing his experience as a high school football coach. The National High School Coaches Forum is at 4 PM and features Geoff Collins (Georgia Tech), John Small (East Coweta HS), and Rusty Wright (Tennesse-Chattanooga).

First Timers’ Meeting: 4-5 PM in Delta Ballroom C

If it’s your first time attending the AFCA Convention, make your way on over to the First Timers’ Meeting with Fred Farrier (Alabama A&M). He will help get you set on the right path to ensure your first experience is a great one!

Kickoff Speaker 5-6 PM in the Delta Ballroom A

This year, University of Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck will be getting things started on Sunday evening. Don’t miss out on this exciting session as we set the tone for an awesome Convention!

Buzz Sessions 6-7 PM (Check schedule for room assignments)

Aaron Fletcher (Tulsa), Eric Daniels (Towson), Kwahn Drake (Kansas), Seth Wallace (Iowa), Jonathan Drach (Wilkes), Kyle Skierski (West Georgia), Joe Chango (Metairie Park Country), Travis Burkett (UNLV), Tyler Hopperton (Mount St. Joseph), Brent Grablachoff (Kicking World), Kerry Thompson (Allen), Tyler Funk (Indiana State), Winston October (Edmonton – Canadian Football League), plus a Chalk War with Don Colgan (Annadale HS) and Ryan O’Flaherty (St. Peter’s Prep)

Buzz Sessions 7-8 PM (Check schedule for room assignments)

Woody Blevins (Hawaii), Marcus Woodson (Auburn), Adam Jefferson (Lakewood HS), Blaise Winter (Hand Combat), Jason Haddock (Fort Bend Clements HS), Jason Eck (South Dakota State), Markus Lawrence (Alabama A&M), Brennan Marion (William & Mary), AJ Steward (BYU), Christian Vitale (Formerly Pima), Mike McCabe (One on One Kicking), Ben Gleason (Louisiana Tech), Taylor Chapatte (San Diego), and Duane Taylor (Alabama A&M).

Monday – January 13

High School General Session: 8-11 AM in Delta Ballroom B

Great opportunity to hear from high school coaches including Trent Dilfer (Lipscomb Academy), Jeff Conaway (Shiloh Christian HS), and Dave Nelson (Minnetonka HS).

Junior College General Session: 8-11 AM in Delta Ballroom C

Ross Robinson (Georgia Military College) will be kicking off the Junior College General Sessions, followed by David Slover (Chaffey College). Wrapping up the sessions are Artie Allen (Chaffey College) and Joe Forchtner (New Mexico Military Institute) who will go head-to-head in Chalk Wars.

International General Session: 8-11 AM in Room 216 AB

Check out these sessions as Mzuri King (Skyway Youth Football China), Thomas Lachendro (Kenyon College), and Stefan Pokorny (Danube Dragons, Austrian Football League) share their knowledge and experiences from coaching football around the world! 

Skills & Drills: 9:30 AM-3:30 PM in the Exhibit Hall

The live demonstrations on the AFCA’s Skills & Drills Field continue Monday, but this is your last chance to see it! This year we are also featuring strength and conditioning sessions on Monday, so this is your opportunity to pick up some new drills and exercises to implement in your team’s off-season program!

Graduate Assistants/Career Forum: 9-11 AM in Delta Ballroom D

Every year, this is one of the most popular sessions at the Convention, so be sure to get there early! This year’s lineup features Scott Satterfield (Louisville), Seth Wallace (Iowa), Steve Ellis (South Florida), Chris Hatcher (Samford), and Alvin Parker (Virginia Union) in a discussion moderated by Fred Farrier (Alabama A&M). Come hear what coaches are looking for when hiring assistants and learn from the experiences of those on the panel. Don’t forget a pen and paper, because you’re going to want to take notes! 

Honors Luncheon presented by Amway: 11:30 AM-1 PM

Join us as we take the opportunity to recognize and celebrate fellow coaches who have had a tremendous impact on the game of football! We will present the Outstanding Achievement, Academic Achievement, Trailblazer, and Assistant Coach of the Year Awards. Reminder: this is a ticketed event, and you can purchase tickets at the Information Desk up to 30 minutes prior to the event if you didn’t grab one at Registration. 

General Session: 1:30-5 PM in Delta Ballroom A

Gary Patterson (TCU) will get things started in the General Session on Monday afternoon. Following Patterson is Blake Anderson (Arkansas State) and the day will close with a presentation by Matt Rhule (Carolina Panthers). Don’t miss the opportunity to hear and learn from some of the greatest head coaches in the game!

AFCA Tailgate Party presented by FieldTurf and the NFL: 6:30 PM in Presidential Ballroom ABC

Who will hoist the Crystal Ball? Let’s face it, you’re going to watch the College Football Playoff National Championship—come to this FREE EVENT that features delicious food, cold drinks, massive screens, and fellow coaches! Doors will open at 6:30 PM on Monday, January 13.

Tuesday – January 14

General Session presented by Brand Armor: 8:30 AM-Noon in Delta Ballroom A

The General Sessions wrap up on Tuesday morning with another tremendous slate of collegiate head coaches, including Sonny Dykes (SMU), Dave Clawson (Wake Forest), and James Franklin (Penn State). It’s not X’s and O’s, but the talks focus on the culture and mindset that they ingrain in the people within their programs. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

NCAA Rules Seminar: Noon-2 PM in Delta Ballroom B

Victory Speaker & American Football Coaches Awards: 2-4 PM in Delta Ballroom A

This new addition to the 2020 Convention includes the combination of two events, the Victory Speaker and the American Football Coaches Awards. We’re excited to have Kyle Whittingham (Utah) take the stage as the Victory Speaker. During this session, the AFCA will also be presenting multiple awards across all Collegiate Football Divisions and High School Football. Come hear from Coach Whittingham and see who wins the Werner Ladder AFCA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Coach of the Year!

Outside the Lines: 4-5 PM (Check schedule for room assignments)

There is much more to coaching than X’s and O’s, and we’ve got you covered with some tremendous Outside the Lines sessions on Tuesday afternoon! Make sure to stop by Derek Jones’ (Duke) talk as he shares his first-class coaching tips. Tyler Hopperton (Mount St. Joseph) speaks on becoming a young head coach. Additionally, Frank Frigo (Edj Sports), Kingsley Osei-Asibey (Illinois), Adam Clack (Milton HS) and David Buchanan (Mercer County HS) team up in a new session incorporated to this Convention called, “Understanding Traditional vs. Advanced Football Analytics.”

Breakout Sessions: 5-6 PM (Check schedule for room assignments)

Check out Dan Casey’s (St. David’s School) “Fresh is Fast, Fast is Fun: Prioritizing Speed & Safety to Build a Sustainable Football Program” session in which he breaks down his personal program philosophy. A forum of coaches come together in the “Beyond the Field; Enhancing the Experience of the CFB Player” session. Panelist include Edward Jones (Kansas), Kevin Washington (Texas), Mikado Hinson (Texas A&M) and Roosevelt Boone (Rutgers). Last, but certainly not least is Travis Niekamp (Illinois State) who will be speaking on Illinois State’s Red Bird defense.

The countdown to the 2020 AFCA Convention is nearly over… See you in Nashville!

Note: This information is subject to change. Please check the on-site program or download the AFCA mobile app for the most up-to-date information.