AFCA Virtual Convention Speaker List

A proven recruiter and developer, Huff coached under Nick Saban at Alabama (2019-20), helping Najee Harris become a consensus All-American. His 19-year career includes roles at Mississippi State, Penn State, Western Michigan, the Buffalo Bills, Vanderbilt, Maryland, and Tennessee State. At Penn State, he coached Saquon Barkley, a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and No. 2 NFL Draft pick. A Hampton University graduate, Huff was a team captain his senior year.

Dyce’s coaching career includes roles as receivers coach, offensive coordinator, and interim head coach for the Roughriders in 2015. A former player for the St. Vital Mustangs and University of Manitoba, he began coaching in 1992.

Milanovich brings over 20 years of coaching experience, including five seasons as Head Coach of the Toronto Argonauts (2012-16), where he won a Grey Cup in 2012 and was named CFL Coach of the Year. His coaching career also includes roles with the Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Elks, and Calgary Stampeders, where he worked with legendary players such as Anthony Calvillo, Ricky Ray, and Zach Collaros. Before coaching, Milanovich had a successful playing career, including a 2001 XFL championship with the Los Angeles Xtreme.

O’Shea’s tenure has seen the team embrace discipline and a team-first mentality, fostering a winning culture. As the CFL’s longest-serving head coach, O’Shea has overseen the franchise’s rebirth, with the Blue Bombers ranking as one of the league’s most disciplined teams, including being the least-penalized team in 2023.

A former New Mexico State standout, Pierce played professionally for the BC Lions, where he earned a Grey Cup ring in 2006. He also led the Bombers to a Grey Cup appearance in 2011 and ended his career with BC in 2013. Pierce is ranked in the Lions’ top ten for passing yards and completions.

Ryan Dinwiddie became the 45th head coach of the Toronto Argonauts on December 12, 2019, marking the start of a new era. In his first season, he led the team to a 9-5 record and first place in the East Division, earning recognition as a finalist for CFL Coach of the Year. As offensive coordinator in 2022, Dinwiddie guided the Argos to an 11-7 record, a win in the Eastern Final, and the franchise’s 18th Grey Cup victory, while also being named East Division Coach of the Year.

Before joining the Argos, Dinwiddie spent four seasons as the quarterbacks coach for the Calgary Stampeders, helping Bo Levi Mitchell earn two Most Outstanding Player awards. His coaching career began in Montreal, where he worked as a quality control coach, eventually becoming the offensive coordinator. Dinwiddie had a solid playing career in the CFL, starting with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he played in the 2007 Grey Cup. He transitioned into coaching after retiring as a player in 2011.

Maas joins a prestigious group of Alouettes coaches to win the award, including Marc Trestman, Don Matthews, Charlie Taaffe, and Marv Levy. Alouettes general manager Danny Maciocia praised Maas for establishing a winning culture and ensuring the team’s success, with Maas earning 30 first-place votes from a selection of Football Reporters of Canada and the league’s head coaches.

A dedicated member of the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association (OACA) for 36 years, Pyne’s influence extends beyond wins, having helped multiple players reach the NFL.

Whitaker’s career includes roles at Texas Lutheran, Baylor, Houston Baptist, and the Carolina Panthers, where he contributed to a top-four special teams unit and the NFL’s second-ranked defense in 2021. At Baylor, he helped achieve the Big 12’s third-ranked pass defense in 2018. A former Texas Lutheran standout, he was a four-year letterwinner, three-year starter, and four-time academic all-conference honoree.

As a player, Faunteroy was a standout defensive end at Shepherd, helping win two WVIAC championships before playing for the Manchester Wolves in the Arena 2 Football League. He earned his degree from Shepherd in 2011 and was selected for the NFL and NCAA Coaches Academy.

Bob Benson just completed his ninth season at Penn in 2024 as associate head coach and defensive coordinator. His defenses have played a key role in Penn’s Ivy League titles, including championships in 2015 and 2016. Known for his aggressive, turnover-driven approach, his units consistently rank among the top in the nation for sacks, rushing defense, and scoring defense. In 2023, Penn’s defense ranked in the top 20 in multiple categories, with Joey Slackman earning Ivy Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Benson’s coaching career spans over 30 years, including a 13-year tenure as Georgetown’s head coach, where he led the Hoyas to three MAAC titles and ranked first in total defense in 1995-96. He has also served as defensive coordinator at Albany, Towson, and Colorado Mines, helping the Orediggers reach the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Jay Norvell is in his third season as Colorado State’s head coach, having taken over in December 2021. Previously, he led Nevada to four bowl games in five seasons, highlighted by prolific passing offenses and two MW Offensive Player of the Year honors for quarterback Carson Strong. At CSU, Norvell has focused on cultural and player development, turning a 3-9 debut season into a 5-7 campaign in 2023. That season featured a historic win over Boise State, capped by a game-winning Hail Mary.

Norvell’s recruiting efforts have yielded CSU’s highest-rated class in history, while his community impact includes founding the Grit Run, a 5K benefiting cystic fibrosis research. The first Black head coach in CSU history, Norvell has also championed diversity by creating a Minority Fellowship position on his staff. His career includes stints at Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, and roles with the Colts and Raiders in the NFL.

Braxton Harris is the head football coach at Campbell University, appointed on January 2, 2024. Known as a top FCS recruiter, Harris secured the subdivision’s No. 1 recruiting class at both Campbell (2021-2022) and Houston Christian University (HCU) in 2023. As HCU’s head coach, he led the program to its first winning season (6-5) and first winning conference record (4-3), highlighted by All-American linebacker Jalyx Hunt, the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Previously, Harris served as associate head coach, linebackers coach, and recruiting coordinator at Campbell, landing one of the FCS’s best recruiting classes in 2021. His career also includes head coaching at Howard Payne University (2017-2019) and assistant roles at Texas Lutheran and Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB), where he played quarterback. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in educational administration from UMHB

His coaching career also includes stints with the Winterthur Warriors in Switzerland and Lafayette County High School in Arkansas. With five seasons of European coaching experience, Kent aims to build on Straubing’s recent success, as the Spiders finished third in the GFL South in 2024 before being eliminated in the quarterfinals

Rossomando has previously served as head coach at Central Connecticut State and New Haven, leading both to playoff appearances and conference titles. He has also coached at Charlotte, Rutgers, and Vanderbilt. A four-time conference Coach of the Year, Rossomando was named the 2012 Liberty Mutual National Division II Coach of the Year and has been part of seven conference championships.

Before Hendrix, Buchanan helped restart Louisiana College’s football program and has coached internationally in Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic.

Coach Vince Cashdollar is entering his fifth year with the Hornets and fourth as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Under his leadership, the Hornet offense has thrived in the competitive MIAA, producing three All-American offensive linemen and 12 All-MIAA selections over the past three seasons. Notable players include Sherman Deaton (2023 honorable mention Don Hansen All-American), Xavier Cason (2022 Second Team AFCA All-American), and Conner Lierz (2022 Gene Upshaw Award nominee and All-Region 3 selection). Lierz and Cason also participated in prestigious post-season showcases.

Before joining Emporia State, Cashdollar spent seven years at NCAA Division III Manchester University in Indiana as offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator, and later offensive coordinator. His tenure saw the Spartans set 31 offensive school records and earn 21 All-Conference honors, including 18 during his four years as offensive coordinator.

Kearstin Schweitzer joined the Valpo football staff in 2024 as the first female position coach in both Valpo and Pioneer Football League history, taking on the role of running backs coach. Prior to Valpo, she worked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, participating in the National Coaching Academy Fellowship and returning for training camp as one of five invitees. Schweitzer began her coaching career at Lakeland University, where she became the first female coach in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference as wide receivers coach. She later served as Director of Football Operations and Assistant Wide Receivers Coach at UW-Platteville.

Schweitzer gained invaluable experience with the Bucs under veteran coaches Bryan McClendon and Skip Peete. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management and leadership from Lakeland University and a master’s in sports administration from UW-Platteville. Her twin sister, Madison, is also a coach, leading the women’s volleyball program at Kenyon College.

Rashard Alston joins South Carolina State as the Running Backs Coach, bringing a history of offensive innovation and player development. In 2023, as Offensive Coordinator at Bluefield State, he led a 850-yard increase in total offense and 10 more touchdowns, with the team ranking #2 in CIAA passing offense. In 2022, Alston helped several receivers set school records as Associate Head Coach and Co-Offensive Coordinator.

Alston began at Bluefield State in 2021, rebuilding the program after a 40-year hiatus while coaching running backs and serving as Recruiting Coordinator. He also served as an Offensive Graduate Assistant at Hastings College and Running Backs Coach at North Charleston High School, showcasing his ability to elevate offensive units at all levels.

Juwan Lewis is in his second season as the Running Backs Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Alabama State University. He joined the staff in 2023 after two seasons at Davenport University, where he coached running backs and coordinated high school recruiting under Coach Sparky McEwen. Lewis helped develop players like Caleef Jenkins, a Second-Team All-GLIAC honoree, and Kyshawn Richards, who set a school record with 6.7 yards per carry. His unit set a school record with seven touchdowns in a game and rushed for 1,343 yards on the season.

Before Davenport, Lewis coached at the University of Findlay and Hiram College, and he also served as Run Game Coordinator at Mount Union. A former player at Eastern Michigan and Ferris State, Lewis had opportunities with NFL and CFL teams before a successful Arena and Indoor Football League career. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Media and Theater Arts from Eastern Michigan and a master’s in Education from Ferris State.

Christopher Browne enters his first season as the Offensive Line Coach at Alabama State University, bringing a strong coaching background. In 2023, he helped Iowa win the Big Ten West championship and secure a Citrus Bowl invitation, with five offensive linemen earning All-Conference honors. Browne also participated in the Bill Walsh Diversity Internship with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was named a 2024 FCS Offensive Line Rising Star by Our Coaching Network.

Before Iowa, Browne coached at Mississippi Valley State in 2022, where he developed two All-Conference players and one HBCU All-American. He also served at Southern University (2019-21), mentoring three FCS All-Americans, including Jatyre Carter, drafted into the NFL. Earlier in his career, Browne worked at Louisiana Tech, where he coached three All-Conference USA linemen, and at Morehouse College, where he helped develop a top-ranked rushing attack.

Barry Tripp enters his third season as Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Johnson C. Smith University in 2024. In 2023, his defense led the nation in Total Defense and ranked in the top 10 in Rushing Defense (#6), Pass Defense (#7), 3rd Down Conversion Defense (#2), and First Down Defense (#2). The defense, anchored by linebackers Benari Black (First Team All-Conference) and Jaqurius Smith (Second Team All-Conference), was dominant under his guidance.

Tripp’s expertise was demonstrated at Fort Valley State in 2021, where his defense ranked 3rd in tackles for loss and 7th in Red Zone Defense. At Fayetteville State, his defenses contributed to three CIAA Southern Division Championships, and at Winston-Salem State, he coached Duvontae Covington to CIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors, developing multiple All-CIAA players.

Joey Batson, entering his 39th year as a Strength & Conditioning Coach and 28th as Clemson University’s Director of Strength Training in 2024, is a leader in the field. A Master Strength and Conditioning Coach, Batson’s high-intensity training techniques have helped develop athletes’ explosive power, strength, speed, and agility, contributing to Clemson’s success. His influence extends across the ACC, SEC, and South Carolina high schools, with many former assistants now leading programs.

Before Clemson, Batson was Furman University’s first full-time Director of Strength Training and earned Southern Conference Strength & Conditioning Professional-of-the-Year honors in 1996. He has also worked at Bowling Green State and the University of South Carolina. A former competitive weightlifter, Batson earned Master and Elite lifter classifications in national ADFPA events.

Cortney Braswell joined Cincinnati as inside linebackers coach in 2023, known as one of the top recruiters in the country. Named to the AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, Braswell’s inside linebackers, including Dorian Jones and Jack Dingle, were among the Bearcats’ top tacklers, while Jonathan Thompson had an impressive season with 31 tackles and five QB hurries.

Before Cincinnati, Braswell coached inside linebackers at Army, helping the team to a 15-10 record. He mentored linebacker Arik Smith, who earned the Defender of the Nation Award in 2021, and contributed to Appalachian State’s No. 18 national defense ranking in 2020. Braswell has also led high school teams to the state playoffs at Ridgeland and Chattanooga Central.

Derek Day joined EKU in January 2020 as the inside linebackers coach and co-special teams coordinator. In 2023, his defense led the UAC in fumble recoveries and sacks, with linebacker Matthew Jackson earning All-American honors. Special teams also excelled, ranking second in kickoff return average, and kicker Patrick Nations led the nation in field goals per game.

Before EKU, Day coached at Butler, Tennessee, Iowa State, and Western Kentucky, where he developed All-Conference and NFL-caliber players. At Tennessee, he mentored Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and at Iowa State, he worked with AJ Klein and Jeremiah George. His experience contributed to EKU’s strong defense and special teams.

Featured Speakers

Jeff Monken, Army

Charles Huff, Southern Miss

Bob Dyce, Ottawa Redblacks

Scott Milanovich, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Mike O’Shea, Winnipeg Blue Bomber

Mark Kilam, Edmonton Elks

Buck Pierce, BC Lions

Ryan Dinwiddie, Toronto Argonauts

Jason Maas, Montreal Alouettes

Tim Goodwin, Marion Local

Steve Pyne, Union HS (WA)

Tom Masella, Wagner

Kamau Dumas, Central Oklahoma

Cedric Whitaker, Slippery Rock

Eric Amoako, Campbell

Joey Thomas, Nevada

Kevin Callahan Jr., Monmouth

Julian Griffin, UTSA

Donavan Newman III, Millsaps

Jzavion McGowan, Siena Heights

Ramal Faunteroy, Morgan State

Antoine Mason, Saginaw Valley State

Dan Mulrooney, Lockhaven

Matt Cannata, Lamar

Elijah Hodge, South Dakota

Chris Ehorn

Mike Krysl, Houston

Jericho Silvernail, Long Beach City College

Jeff McMartin, Central College

Philip Vigil, CSU Pueblo

Brian Gamble, UTRGV

Corey Mace, Saskatchewan Roughriders

Jason Smith, Abilene Christian

Marcus Monaco, Montana St.

Peter Jennings, OW-Oshkosh

Mike Thiessen, Air Force

Bob Benson, Penn

Justice Seales, James Madison

Jim Jackson, Harvard

Dan Gritti, Rice

Dave Plungas, Robert Morris

Craig Stutzmann, San Jose State

Chuck Hepola, Evangel

Jay Norvell, Colorado State

Coby Gipson, Lamar

Antonio James

Braxton Harris, Campbell

Ameer Ismail, Edmonton Elks

Craig Kuligowski, Wroclaw Panthers

Cody Kent, Straubing Spiders

Kevie Thompson, East Mississippi Community College

Nick Walker, LA Community College

Pete Rossomando, Lamar

Buck Buchanan, Hendrix

Vince Cashdollar, Emporia State

Kearstin Schweitzer, Valparaiso

Rashard Alston, SC State

Kresean Reed, Akron

Darren Jackson, Hampton

Juwan Lewis, Alabama St.

Christopher Browne, Alabama St.

Barry Tripp, Johnson C. Smith

Joey Batson, Clemson

Cortney Braswell, Cincinnati

Derek Day, Eastern Kentucky