Tampa Bay Buccaneers Accepting Applications for 2nd Annual National Coaching Academy

The National Football League’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers are again offering coaches across America an incredible opportunity to get their foot in the door for a possible career at the NFL level.

Applications are currently being accepted by the Bucs for their second annual National Coaching Academy. The team is seeking top-tier coaches looking for their initial opportunity to work in the NFL.

The Academy delivers an intensive, comprehensive weeklong curriculum and the opportunity to participate in the team’s 2025 rookie minicamp held at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Florida from May 5-11.

Last year, six of the 25 finalists were high school coaches. Over 1,500 applicants from the United States, Germany, Denmark, and Brazil applied in 2024.

2024 High School Coaches at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers National Coaching Academy

• Sean Thom, Head Coach – Lassiter HS (Georgia)
• Candice Davis-Price, Performance Coach – Belleville HS (Michigan)
• Nathan Griffin, Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach – Vandegrift HS (Texas)
• Tavon Mason, Sr., Assistant Coach – Westside Macon HS (Georgia)
• Rodney Saulsberry, Sr., Head Coach – Whitehaven HS (Tennessee)
• Steven Steele, Head Coach – Pierre T.F. Riggs HS (South Dakota)

The Academy is open to all persons with three or more years of coaching or work experience in a football program at the high school, college, or semi-professional league level, irrespective of background or status. Twenty-five finalists will be selected from a nationwide search and participants will be awarded full scholarships to cover costs in Tampa for the weeklong Academy.

Finalists receive valuable on-field experience, interactive sessions, business insights, media training, film review, and instruction on key football software with NFL players, coaches and staff. Participants will be given hands-on instruction as well as valuable networking opportunities with Buccaneers coaches and staff members throughout the organization. Buccaneers coaches, scouting personnel, football operations and front office staff were involved in the planning and creation of the Academy and will participate in all aspects of the curriculum.

Applicants must:

• Possess a minimum of three years of coaching or work experience in a football program at the high school, college or semi-professional league level, irrespective of background or status.
• Supply one letter of recommendation from a current or former employer, athletic director, or coach of your choice highlighting your character, work ethic, and coaching credibility (uploaded under “additional documents”).
• Not be a player in a professional or semi-professional football league.

Similar to last season, following the completion of the Academy, five participants will be selected to transition into the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship for training camp and preseason. Created in 1987, the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship was designed to open pathways for minority coaches into the league.

Applications for the 2025 class are open until December 31, 2024, with a rolling admissions program. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. More information can be found HERE.