Book Lessons with Coach Jay

My name is Jay. I’m also known by my athletes as Coach Jay. I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, but I reside in Shelby County. I am a husband and father of four. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Talladega College, a Master of Science in Sport Management from Troy University, a Graduate Certificate in Bible Exposition from Liberty University, and an currently working on my PhD in Bible Exposition at Liberty University. I love the game of football, flying drones, and spending quality time with my family.

Most athletes have the potential to be great, but miss the mark of achieving that level of greatness because they fail to train properly. The athletes who stand out are those who have a significant amount of discipline, drive, and endurance; all characteristics that start with the way one thinks and believe. I help athletes transform their raw talent into superior, marketable performance by first training their minds. Such include educating athletes on the importance of a healthy diet, proper rest, training, and conditioning. Additionally, I help athletes overcome any barriers that may affect their academic performance. I not only focus on making an athlete better in the game of football, but as an overall individual, skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. These small - seemingly insignificant - things make a world of difference and separates the good athletes from the great ones.

I begin every training session with intensive conditioning. Next, we go over skill and fundamental training, working on areas of need and introducing new skills to improve performance. We end with cool down exercises, taking water breaks as needed. I then host a mini chat session to have a conversation concerning nutrition, rest, and academics.

My career has afforded me a myriad of opportunities and experiences. I’ve worked jobs in Corporate America as well as in the field of education and coaching. The most fulfilling of any jobs I’ve worked has been coaching and education. Together with my wife, I founded an online private Christian school for 9th-12th grade students. By far, this has been my greatest accomplishment. I love making a positive impact in the lives of young people, sharing my story of achievement despite setbacks and challenges with them, to inspire them to do the same.

Coach Nathaniel Kelly was my high school football coach. I grew up without a father, only having my grandfather and maternal uncle as positive male role models as a young man. Coach Kelly took me under his wing and poured into my life like I was his son. He told me shortly before he passed away that I was one of the best players he had the privilege of coaching and that he resented not being able to do more for me. What he didn’t realize, and I made sure to share with him, he made a world of a difference by just being my coach. He saved me from a life crime, drugs, and destruction with his stern and discipline hard nose coaching style. I’m forever grateful for him.

I am a Godly, Christian man, full of integrity, and love for young men who pursue athletics, specifically football. I am a lifelong learner and a fierce advocate for education. I am a family man. I live by the philosophy, “If I can’t help you, I definitely won’t hurt you.” With that being said, I take my work seriously and I don’t require more than I’m willing to give or have already given.