BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College offensive coordinator Tim McGorry spent February 20 to 22 as one of 30 NCAA coaches from across the country at the 2015 NFL and NCAA Coaches Academy in Louisville, Kentucky.

The academy was developed in 2011 as a collaborative effort between NCAA leadership development and NFL Player Engagement to positively influence diversity numbers in the college game and as a way for talented football coaches to gain exposure. Taking place during the annual NFL and NCAA Summit, the academy enables college coaches to meet NCAA athletics professionals, student-athlete affairs administrations, NCAA national office staff and NFL representatives and current and former NFL players.

"It was a great experience, to have the opportunity to share ideas with coaches from around the country as well as current and former NFL players who are looking to get into coaching," commented McGorry. "Overall, I thought the academy did a great job of touching on all aspects of the game."

McGorry was selected to attend the Academy from over hundreds of applications filled out throughout the nation

"I couldn't be happier for Tim to have the experience of attending the NFL and NCAA Coaches Academy," stated Moravian Head Football Coach Jeff Pukszyn. "Tim has brought some new and innovative ideas to our program and is always looking to help the Greyhounds continue their improvement both on and off the field as well as in recruiting and what it will take for us to challenge for a Centennial Conference Championship."

McGorry was one of four NCAA Division III coaches among the 30 attendees that ranged from associate head coaches and coordinator positions to video coordinators and interns.

"It was really interactive with the NFL guys and the current college coaches. There wasn't really any type of a divide," McGorry said. "The NFL guys asked a lot of guys about the coaching profession and getting there foot in the door. It's tough to put that many college football coaches in one room and not have a lot of X and O talk. Obviously, there was a lot of drawing on napkins and sharing ideas which was great to talk football with guys at all levels of football from FBS to Division III."

At the academy, coaches were trained in a variety of areas that encourage effective coaching and improve the athletes' well-being at both the college and professional levels. The coaches gained knowledge from workshops and interactive discussions. Topical education and conversation during the academy included: effective communication with campus and community constituents; the importance of building a culture focused on the overall success of athletes on and off the field; budget management of a football program; coaching strategies and philosophies.

"The topics really touched every corner of the profession, everything from game planning an opponent, how to take the next step in your career, player development, and all the way to contract negotiations," McGorry explained. "The topics I thought had the biggest impact on me were recruiting and the evaluation process NFL teams go through prior to the draft. It gave a great perspective on the type of players you want in your program or organization."

There were also several keynote speakers for the weekend including Dennis Green, former NFL and NCAA head coach; NFL Network analyst and former NFL general manager Charley Casserly; and University of Memphis Director of Athletics Tom Bowen as well as others.

"Getting the chance to hear a Hall of Famer like Mike Singletary, who played the game at such a high level as well as being a Head Coach in the NFL, was great. I definitely took a lot away from hearing Coach Singletary speak," stated McGorry. "I thought Dennis Green was great. Coach Green has had a lot of success as a head coach in the NFL, and really talking about the process from starting as an assistant coach at a small school all the way to the NFL was great to hear. Felicia Hall Allen was unbelievable to hear speak, and she was phenomenal. I really gained a lot from hearing her talk about a range of topics, and I was extremely impressed with her."

McGorry and the other coaches at the Academy were able to grow a professional network of individuals that includes NCAA and NFL staff and other key resources in the sport.

"The NFL guys we're great to talk with," McGorry commented. "Some were active guys and some guys we're retired but all of them were there because they want to get into the coaching profession. Talking to Josh Cribbs of the Indianapolis Colts was great. He had a lot of great input from a players' perspective. I spent some time with Eddie Whitley, who is with Arizona Cardinals, and Brian Rimpf, who played in Baltimore."

The academy is one of three programs that NCAA leadership development and the NFL collaborate on annually, all tailored to specific points in a football coach's career. The Future Football Coaches Academy is held in January for student-athletes who recently completed their eligibility and select individuals who have shown a desire to enter the college football coaching profession. In June, the NCAA Champion Forum kicks off a unique, year-long professional development opportunity for current coordinators as well as assistant and associate coaches, providing a realistic view of the head coach's role and the preparation necessary to build a successful program.

Part of release from NCAA Leadership Development