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Posted:
29th June 2023 - 8:50am
We’re thrilled to welcome Steve Hagen as the new NFL Academy UK Head Coach.
The Academy moved its UK base to Loughborough in 2022 in a partnership between the College and University and is renowned for giving aspiring young American football players the chance to develop their skills and knowledge of the game.
Coach Hagen, who has more than 38 years’ experience of working in football, spent 11 years in the NFL as assistant coach for the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, in addition to roles at 12 US colleges, including Notre Dame, bringing a wealth of experience in the professional and collegiate game.
The appointment underlines the NFL’s long-term commitment to establishing the NFL Academy as an elite talent development program and a center of excellence for young student athletes in global sport.
, Principal and CEO at Loughborough College, said, “Steve is a world class coach and his pedigree speaks for itself. I am delighted to have him on board as his philosophy is in line with the College’s values of developing elite human beings both on and off the pitch.”
Throughout the partnership with the NFL Academy, Loughborough College provides high-quality coaching, education, accommodation and pastoral support to its cohort of players.
“The appointment of Coach Hagen is an important step in taking the NFL Academy to new heights and we are excited to see his extensive experience in football enhance the experience of our student athletes, helping them realize their potential on and off the field,” said Lamonte Winston, Head of NFL Academy UK. “We are building something very special at the NFL Academy, with world class facilities and education in Loughborough Sport and an elite player development program. Bringing Coach Hagen onboard will no doubt continue to accelerate the impact this program is having on the lives our students and we look forward to welcoming him to the team.”
The NFL Academy, which opened in September 2019, is a major initiative by the NFL, which aims to use American football to create life-changing opportunities for young people all around the world. It offers talented student athletes aged 16–19 a pathway to combine their full-time education alongside a transformative life skills program and intensive training in the sport, under the guidance of an elite coaching team.
“Joining the NFL Academy UK as Head Coach is a huge privilege,” said Steve Hagen, NFL Academy UK Head Coach. “The success of the program to date is impressive, with 20 NFL Academy alumni set to play NCAA football in season 2023-24, and an ambitious and exciting vision to impact many more young lives in the future through the power of football. I look forward to bringing my extensive football leadership experience to the program, as well as my personal passion for the game and elite player development standards, as we look to take the program to new levels.”
The NFL Academy play competitive fixtures across the academic year against US High Schools as well as the best youth football teams in Europe and counts Nike, Wilson, New Era, EA Sports and Riddell as supporting partners.