COACH ZAUNER’S 2010
COLLEGE SENIOR SPECIALISTS COMBINE
BE PROACTIVE IN CREATING
'A PATH TO THE NFL'
As they said in the movie Field of Dreams, "If You Build It...They Will Come!"
DATE: February 20-21, 2010
LOCATION: Phoenix, AZ
If you are a College Senior Kicking Specialist and have aspirations for kicking, punting or snapping in the NFL, your path should start with Coach Zauner's College Senior Specialists Combine being held February 20-21, 2010 (Paradise Valley High School).
This 2-day event is designed for the Top College Senior kickers, punters and snappers who 'WILL NOT' be invited to the NFL Combine February 24 thru March 2 in Indianapolis.
It is against NFL rules to have any NFL coach or scout at an event like this, so following this College Senior Specialists Combine, video of the best potential NFL prospect will be posted to my website (unless a participant makes a request to not have their video posted).
In addition, I will personally take a DVD which includes the results and highlight video of the top specialists who have NFL potential, and ‘hand deliver’ this information to many of the NFL Special Teams Coaches, and Directors of Pro or College Personnel in attendance at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
In 2008 I spent five days at the NFL Combine and talked to a representative from every NFL team. I plan to do the same this year.
However, whether it is by personal contact at the Combine, or by mail, every NFL team will receive a copy of the results and the video.
These kicking specialists will also be featured on a special College Senior Specialists Combine section on my website along with the other 2010 NFL draft prospects.
*Also, every participant will receive a DVD copy of their performance.
WHY A COLLEGE SENIOR SPECIALISTS NFL COMBINE?
I am hosting a
College Senior Specialists Combine as it is my experience the best kicking specialist talent is not seen at their College Pro Day or showcased at the
NFL Combine.
An example of this is when I attended the
NFL Combine in 2008.
At the event, I was immediately struck by the lack of quality kicking specialists talent that had been invited. And when the
NFL Combine was over, I left thinking about all the quality kicking specialist talent available throughout the country that should have been invited but were not.
In fact that Spring I was working and training two kicking specialists who I believed had much more talent than anyone I had seen at the
NFL Combine; punter
Brett Kern (U. of Toledo, Denver Broncos,Tennessee Titan) and This years
Super Bowl Kicker Garrett Hartley (U. of Oklahoma, New Orleans Saints).
And the 2008 NFL season proved this to be true.
During that season, the Denver Broncos called and asked me to find them a young punter and kicker. I recommended both specialists to GM, Jim Goodman and the Broncos signed both Brett Kern and Garrett Hartley to Free Agent Contracts.
Kern made the team and Hartley was released before training camp due to the 80 man roster rule. Hartley later signed with the New Orleans Saints and played 8 games in which he was a perfect 13 for 13 in the 2008 season.
Today, both are still on NFL rosters. Brett Kern with the Titans and Garrett Hartley with the Super Bowl Bound New Orleans Saints.
And they weren’t the only kicking specialists who were not invited to the NFL Combine but were signed to the NFL that year. In fact six kicking specialists who were not invited to the NFL Combine were either drafted or signed as Free Agents and made NFL rosters.
And it’s important to note that only two kicking specialists invited to the 2008 NFL Combine made an NFL roster that year! And neither made it through the season or are playing today.
I don’t know why so much kicking specialist talent is overlooked and therefore not invited to the NFL Combine, but perhaps it is because there is a general lack of knowledge of what qualities, technique and personality it takes to be an NFL Kicking Specialist.
It seems often times a players ability is determined on ‘kicking distance’ or a 'stop watch' reading rather than on a kicking specialists skills and technique.
Regardless the reason, many excellent kicking specialists never get invited to the NFL Combine and therefore never get drafted or signed to the NFL.
I have attended the NFL Combine for the past 18 years and I am very familiar with the quality of talent showcased there. It is my opinion that the ‘top’ College Senior kicking talent has not been invited to the NFL Combine. There is no 'consistency' in the talent represented from year to year. Therefore NFL teams have not seen the best kicking specialists available.
The other troubling issue is many college seniors kicking specialists expect to be seen on their ‘Pro Day' by NFL Special Teams Coaches and Scouts. But the fact is, that does not always happen.
The big universities with the most NFL potential football players will have a big Pro Day, but far too often, many College Senior Kicking Specialists will have no NFL Special Teams Coaches or Scouts at their workout either because the scout needed to get to the next College ‘Pro Day” -and didn't have time to look at the kicking specialists- or no scout showed up at all.
My College Senior Kicking Specialists Combine is designed to ensure the best college kicking specialist talent at all divisions of college football, are not overlooked by NFL teams just because they weren’t invited to the NFL Combine or were not seen at their College Pro Day.
It is my goal to make sure the best kicking specialist talent IS seen by NFL Special Teams and Directors of Pro or College Personnel, so these specialists also have a chance to be drafted or signed as a NFL free agent.
My background and experience have shown I can make this happen for College Seniors.
IN SUMMARY: WHY A COLLEGE SENIOR SPECIALISTS NFL COMBINE
1) Participants will be able to showcase their ability to Coach Zauner and results seen by NFL teams.
2) Participants will be competing against other Top College Senior Specialists.
3) Participants will have an opportunity to evaluate their standing amongst other college specialists and will have an excellent opportunity to evaluate their ability and potential to be an NFL kicking specialist.
MY BACKGROUND:
During my career as an 11 years as a college coach and 13 years as an NFL Special Teams Coordinator I have coached or trained 19 Pro Bowl kickers, punters and snappers and have worked with over 75 NFL kicking specialists.
* All College Senior Specialists Combine participants will be video taped and will receive a 'one-angle, raw and un-edited' version of their workout.
A FEW TESTIMONIALS...
ON MY ABILITY TO EVALUATE KICKING SPECIALISTS:
Brian Billick / former Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens said, “I’ve known and coached with Gary for 28 years! As a College and NFL Head Coach I have seen him not only find kicking personnel but also coach and develop many kicking specialists to be more consistent! He is the best when it comes to finding, evaluating, analyzing and coaching kicking specialists. Gary Zauner is the best in the business!”
Frank Gilliam / former Minnesota Vikings Vice President Player Personnel said, “Gary was responsible for targeting, evaluating and signing many of our kicking personnel. His knowledge and evaluations of kicking personnel were in-valuable to myself and my scouting staff especially when it came to free agency and the draft. I’ve been in the NFL with the Vikings for 36 years and nobody knows kicking personnel and how to coach them better than Gary!”
Dennis Green / former Head Coach of the Minnesota Viking and Arizona Cardinals, and Current Head Coach of the CA Redwoods UFL Team said, “I have hired Gary two times in my Head Coaching career – Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals. Gary is one of the top Special Teams Coaches in the Country. He has a thorough understanding of how to help a player become better. Gary has developed and coached some of the top kickers in the history of the NFL, yet some of his best work is when he is teaching young kickers who are eager to learn. If your organization is looking to find and or develop any type of kicking specialist than Gary is the best person for you!” Comments: 6 / 2007
TEAM TESTIMONIALS FROM MY 2009 FREE AGENT SPECIALIST COMBINE
Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts President said, “With regards to Coach Zauner’s Free Agent Specialists and College Senior Combines being a ‘clearing house’ for NFL teams’ Coach Zauner has demonstrated he has a reputation for evaluating and finding kicking specialist talent of NFL caliber. His Combines certainly have the potential to discover or rediscover quality kicking specialist talent that might otherwise go unnoticed by Professional Football Teams”
Mike Smith, Head Coach Atlanta Falcons said, “Coach Zauner's kicking, punting and snapping combine is the best opportunity for players to be evaluated by NFL personnel. The camp is the largest gathering of quality kicking specialists of who are either veteran or rookie free agents. This does not come as a surprise to me. I've known Coach Zauner for over 28 years, and he is, without question, the best there is in evaluating and coaching kicking, punting and snapping talent."
Bobby DePaul, Senior Director of Pro Personnel for the Chicago Bears said, "This was the best run Free Agent Combine I have participated in during my 21 years working as a coach or scout in the NFL. This effort clearly demonstrated that Coach Zauner has the knowledge needed to run an efficient Combine and effectively evaluate specialists. I will be looking forward to an expanded field of specialists next year."
Jim Fassel, Former Head Coach of the N.Y. Giants & Current Head Coach of the Las Vegas UFL Team said, “Recently my UFL staff attended Coach Zauner’s Free Agent Specialists Combine in Phoenix, Arizona. Me and my staff have participated in many free agent Combines throughout the years searching for football talent and all agreed this was the best run Combine any of us have attended. The field of talent was handpicked and of the highest caliber. This is 'the' Kicking Combine to attend if you’re a professional football team or aspiring kicking specialist.”
Joe Marciano, Special Teams Coordinator Houston Texans said, "Coach Zauner has coached in the NFL as a Special Teams Coordinator for 13 years. Coach Zauner knows the standards that NFL Special Teams Coaches want and need of their kicking specialist's. His Combine was run extremely efficiently for the coaches, Pro Personnel and players. I believe if you're an NFL Special Teams Coach, Director of Personnel or kicking specialist, Coach Zauner's Combine is 'the' event to attend.”
Ray Rychleski, Special Teams Coordinator Indianapolis Colts said,“As a coach I can really appreciate how well and precise the entire event was run. Many of the other special teams coaches and personnel people in the stands who have gone to other combines remarked that this was the best run free agent camp they had gone to and will be back again next year. Coming from the college coaching ranks I would think any college or free agent kicking specialists that wants to get exposure to the NFL should make Coach Zauner’s combine a must to attend."
PLAYER TESTIMONIALS FROM MY 2009 FREE AGENT SPECIALISTS COMBINE
Billy Cundiff 6 Year Veteran NFL Kicker said, "After being out of the league for two years Coach Zauner's Free Agent Combine gave me a chance to showcase my skills in front of a big gathering of NFL Coaches and Scouts. The quality of kickers I competed against was excellent. Because of my performance at the event, the Lions brought me in for a workout during the preseason and signed me for the last two games. After my break in Detroit, other teams had to take notice. From there, I was signed by Cleveland and Baltimore teams that also noticed me at the combine. It feels great to playing again. If you’re a kicking specialist and looking to highlight your talent, Coach Zauner’s event is the place to be." Signed by Lions, Brown and Ravens.
Scott Player, 10 Year NFL Veteran Punter (Cardinals & Browns) said, “I feel that in only the first year of putting together a special teams combine, Coach Zauner has already established that his combine is the major league's of kicking, punting and snapping. There is not another combine or camp out there that even comes close to this with the exposure a player can receive from all the various professional leagues. Coach Zauner is the premier kicking, punting and snapping authority in the country and that is why he has been able to attract some of the best players out there who trust him to help them improve their kicking technique and take their game to the highest level!"
Shane Andrus, Free Agent Kicker said, "Coach Zauner's free agent showcase was a great experience. Some of these showcases always have everyone guessing as to which teams will show up. I knew with Coach Zauner’s reputation, that he would bring the coaches out and did. I thought it was extremely organized, and would recommend it for any kicker who wants to get looked at by an NFL team." Signed Colts, Tampa Bay and 49ers.
Eddie Johnson, Idaho State and Vikings draft pick said, Coach Zauner's camp was organized, efficient, and a great opportunity to showcase one's ability. The follow-up with the workout's #s and other information has been great as well. Not too long after I was offered a tryout with the Cleveland Browns as a direct result of being seen at Coach Z's Free Agent Combine. I've also been offered an opportunity to compete for the P/K job for the Toronto Argonauts. Without the exposure from Coach Zauner's combine, I have no doubt in my mind, that I'd still be sitting at home..."waiting" for somebody to call me. I highly recommend this combine for any aspiring punter/kicker who's looking to create a positive "buzz", and get their name out there." Signed by Toronto Argonauts
Parker Douglass, South Dakota State University said, “I felt that the Combine was a great opportunity to display my talent in front of NFL, UFL and CFL scouts and personnel because there were twenty-four NFL, four UFL and two CFL teams represented at the event. In addition, there were a lot of talented specialists at the Combine. This allowed everyone to compete with other high level players as well as give the scouts an idea of how you stack up among the other specialists. I would definitely recommend this Combine to any specialist who is serious about getting into the NFL, UFL or CFL." Signed by Browns, Jets & UFL California Redwoods
Alex Romero, Free Agent Kicker said, “The Coach Zauner’s Showcase was the best that I have attended. The organization was very professional. Everything had a system and everyone was following it. The quality of competition was unmatched. It is easier to gage your performance when you know that the competition is first class. Also the amount of coaches and scouts was amazing. There were coaches from every league that were willing to sign the people they liked. I would like to thank Coach Zauner for the opportunity to use his showcase as a platform to show my abilities." Signed by 49ers.
Stay Tuned for More of Coach Zauner's Blog!
On Sunday and Monday University of Toledo kicker Alex Steigerwald was in Scottsdale, Arizona for Kicking Lessons.
In the photo above Alex warmed up and starting kicking with a major "Crunch". He told me that was the one thing he learned a long time ago when he started to kick. The coach told him at a kicking camp. When you really feel the "Crunch" you know your kicking well.
During the two days of individual kicking lessons we worked on Alex getting a more consistent foot to ball contact and a better rotation on his kicks.
Next, we worked on eliminating the "Crunch". Alex was a quick study. He liked what I was saying and more importantly he felt like he could kick up and through the ball better. Alex starting kicking the ball higher and straighter with less effort.
Unfortunately I missed my opportunity to get a photo of Alex and myself...sorry Alex! 
