Emphasizing ‘A Natural Style of Kicking and Punting’®, Coach Zauner’s teaching philosophy facilitates an environment where kicking specialists develop the skills, technique, and confidence to achieve their maximum physical and mental potential. At an amateur and professional level, Coach Zauner, LLC programs and events provide a kicker, punter or snapper ‘A Specialist’s Path to PRO Football'®...Coach Zauner, LLC Mission Statement

Friday, December 16, 2011

Tom Lynch Wins Fred Mitchell Award

St. Xavier Kicker Tom Lynch Wins Second Straight
Fred Mitchell Award


Fred Mitchell Presents Tom Lynch With Award

For the second year in a row, Tom Lynch (St. Xavier, Ill.) has beat out dozens of the nations top kickers to take home the Fred Mitchell Award.

The award is given to the top kicker in FCS, Div. II, Div. III, NAIA, and NJCAA for both excellence on the football field and in the community. Tom has not only had a successful season and career, but has also been instrumental in helping his team reach the NAIA National Championship this weekend!

Tom Lynch wins Field Goal Competition at Coach Zauner's 2011 
January Arizona PRO Development Kicking Camp

Having a record-breaking career, this award only adds to Tom’s list of accomplishments. This season, Tom set the school record for points by a kicker in a season with 128, set the single game scoring record with 21 points against Taylor University, while going 19 of 26 in field goals on the season. 

Tom also set school records for career scoring at 359 points as well as setting an NAIA record for extra points with 230.

Tom Lynch works on (FG) Technique During PRO Development Kicking Camp

In addition to his feats on the football field, Tom is also very dedicated to helping the community, which is what makes Tom a truly unique player and person. To name just a few activities he is involved in, Tom participates in his school’s annual service day doing community projects, volunteers at Misericordia helping those with developmental disorders, and lends time at the Kids Enjoy Exercise Program for children with disabilities.

Tom Lynch Working Field Goal Technique During One on One Kicking Lesson
Milwaukee, Wisconsin in July 2011

When Tom first contacted me, I did not know much about him except that he had previously won the Fred Mitchell Award. He was interested in attending my Arizona January PRO Development Camp to improve as a kicker.

During the camp, I noticed that he had a very strong leg, but he was kicking hard instead of a nice fluent motion. I knew that if he could control his power, he would be able to be more consistent. Also, during this camp he was one of the finalists in the field goal competition in a very talented field that included college and free agent specialists. 

Tom Lynch Working on Hurdle Kickoff Technique During
Milwaukee PRO Development Kicking Camp

Tom then returned for a One on One Kicking Lesson and my July Milwaukee PRO Development Kicking Camp to refine his technique. He is also very interactive during film sessions by asking questions and trying to  understand my 'Natural Style of Kicking'.  Since I have worked with Tom, he has shown great improvement and has become a very good ball striker. 

I can only say it was an honor a pleasure meeting and working with Tom Lynch.  He truly has a passion for kicking. He has worked hard to take his game to the highest level and I wish him the best. 

Once again, Congrats on winning your second consecutive Fred Mitchell Award and I wish you and your team the best of luck in the NAIA Championship Game vs Carroll College (Montana)!

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Click To View:  Randy Bullock Wins 2011 Lou Groza Award

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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Randy Bullock Wins Lou Groza Award


Randy Bullock Texas A & M University
2011 Lou Groza Award Winner
All American Kicker


On Thursday night, senior and now All American Texas A & M Kicker Randy Bullock was awarded the prestigious Lou Groza Award for the nation's best kicker in FBS college football. In addition to having an extraordinary season this year, Randy has also had a very impressive career surpassing several school records and is on pace to break more before the seasons end. 

Randy Working on KO Technique at 2009 Arizona PRO Development Camp
This season, Randy made 25 of 29 field goals setting a school record for most field goals in a season while also leading the nation with most field goals per game at 2.08. Randy also ranks second nationally in points with 127, which is also one point shy of the school's single season record.

Randy Working a Field Goal Drill During a One on One Lesson in 2011


Randy's 58 career field goals also rank second in the Texas A&M record books and he has the school record for most points scored in a career at 349. In addition, he was named to the Walter Camp All-American Team as well as the AFCA All-American Team.

I first met Randy in 2009 when he attended my Arizona PRO Development Kicking Camp.  The first time he kicked a ball I took notice.  He has what I call the Woooo factor.  When someone kicks or punts a ball and you hear that Sebastian Janikowski type explosion - you turn around and say 'Woooo'  who and what was that? 

It was immediately clear to me that this young man had NFL potential.

The past two years Randy has come to Phoenix, Arizona to work One on One Kicking Lesson to refine his technique and improve on his consistency.  I would say that he accomplished that goal.

I must say it has been a pleasure meeting and working with this young man.  He has a passion for kicking and has worked extremely hard to accomplish his goals.

Next up for Randy is the Meineke Car Care Bowl against Northwestern and the NFL Draft.

Congratulations Randy and good luck!
Randy Bullock 
One on One Lesson in Phoenix, Arizona


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Friday, December 9, 2011

Lessons & PRO Camps Produce Results

One on One Lessons and PRO Development Camps Produce Results
These Specialists Attend PRO Development Camps & One on One Lesson:
Randy Bullock (Texas A & M) - Drew Butler (U. of Georgia)
Tom Lynch (St. Xavier) - Kyle Martens (Rice University)

One of the most satisfying feelings for a football kicking coach is to see his players winning and being recognized for their achievements on and off the field. Several of Coach Zauner's One on One students and PRO Development Camp attendees have had exceptional seasons this year.


Throughout my coaching and consulting career I have worked with 20+ Pro Bowlers and over 80 Pro Specialists during my career. From Gary Anderson's perfect season in 1998 to kickers and punters of today like Sebastian Janikowski (Raiders), Josh Scobee (Jaguars) and Jon Ryan's (Seahawks) record setting kicks and excellent seasons, has made me very proud of working with these specialists.


However, my satisfaction as a kicking coach and teacher comes from seeing players from all levels which I have had the opportunity to work with, improve and succeed. I would like to take some time to give recognition to a few college players that I have worked with over the past few years and acknowledge their accomplishments. 

As I always say, ‘Coaches Coach, and the Players Play’.
Drew Butler Recipient of the Ray Guy Award
Drew Butler Working Techniques
Drew Butler (U. of Georgia), the 2009 Ray Guy Award Winner, has worked with me for three years.  Drew attended a PRO Development Camp in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 2009 and each year, he has come for One on One Punting Lessons during March and July, first to get ready for Spring Ball and secondly to tune up for training camp. Drew was also recently recognized as one of the recipients of the National Football Foundation (NFF) Scholar Athlete Award and two time Academic All American Award.  Next challenge is the NFL Draft.
Randy Bullock Accepts Ray Guy Award
Randy Bullock Working Drills
Randy Bullock (Texas A & M) who just recently won the 2011 Lou Groza Award is another prize student. I first met Randy when he attended my PRO Development Camp in Casa Grande, AZ in 2009 and it was immediately clear to me that he had a very strong leg but needed to become more consistent.  Last year and this year Randy came back for a One on One Kicking Lesson to work on his technique and improve on his consistency.  This season he is currently leading the country with 25 field goals and has scored 127 points. Also, he broke the school record for most points surpassing the old record of 325, along with many other school records.  I guess he accomplished his goal of becoming more consistent.  Next up is the NFL Draft
Tom Lynch Attends PRO Development Camp
Tom Lynch from St. Xavier, an NAIA school in Illinois, has had an excellent season and career. Tom first attended my January 2011 PRO Development Camp and in the summer followed up with a One On One Kicking Lesson and another PRO Development Kicking Camp in July in Milwaukee.  He improved each time we worked together. In 2010 Tom won the Fred Mitchell Award for the nation’s top college kicker in FCS, Div II, Div III and NAIA, going 13 for 15 on field goals and scoring 121 points. This year Tom is 13 of 18 for field goals while scoring 122 points including two field goals over 50 yards.
Brendan Gibbons Refining His Technique
Brendan Gibbons of the University of Michigan has also been seeing success as we have been working together. Brendan came to Phoenix for the January and May Pro Development Kicking Camps, and followed up with some One on One Kicking Lessons prior to Spring Ball and training camp. Brendan's success first came from winning the starting job outright during camp and secondly finishing the season 10 of 14 on field goals.  Brendan has a passion for kicking and has worked extremely hard to improve his technique and take his game to the next level. 
Montreal Alouettes Draft Brody McKnight
University of Montana placekicker/punter Brody McKnight also attended a PRO Development Camp and followed with One on One Kicking and Punting Lessons. Brody was named honorable mention all-conference kicker finishing the season 21 of 27 on field goals in a conference that had a couple excellent (FCS All-American) kicking specialists. Brody had success not only being an excellent field goal kicker but turned out to be a very effective punter averaging 44 yards per punt! Being a valuable combination kicker/punter can be very attractive to PRO teams, especially the CFL where Brody was drafted in the first round by the Montreal Alouettes in the 2011 CFL draft
Chris Rogers Attends One on One Kicking Lessons
Sacred Heart University (FCS) freshman kicker Chris Rogers, came to me for private One on One Kicking Lessons last year to improve his kicking technique and form. Throughout the three days I saw major improvements in his kicking game. When Chris returned to Sacred Heart he won the starting kicking job as a red-shirt freshman and continued to work on his technique.  Chris finished the 2012 season a perfect 11 of 11 and First Team All-Northeast Conference Kicker!
Kyle Martens Perfecting His Technique
Another successful specialist is Kyle Martens from Rice University. Kyle took a One on One Punting Lesson and attended my May PRO Development Camp this summer in Phoenix, AZ. Kyle was already a very good punter, but he wanted to improve his technique to be a more consistent player. This year was Kyle’s third consecutive year as a Ray Guy Candidate while he averaged 43.8 yards on career high 78 punts. He also finishes at Rice having the highest career and season average yards per punt.
Jonathan Plisco Working Punting Techniques
Jonathan Plisco (Old Dominion) and (FCS) who took a One on One Punting Lesson, is another punter with excellent potential.  Along with Kyle, Jonathan came to me boosting an already impressive résumé with a very strong leg, but wanted to improve his technique for more consistency.  Jonathan has been named an FCS All-American and one of the nations leading punters for the past 3 years. This year, he ranks second in FCS punting average with a career high at 46 yards while placing 12 of his 51 punts inside the 20. Jonathan being a junior still has even more time to impress the NFL scouts for the 2012 season. 
Coach Zauner Evaluates Paul Layton
This summer Paul Layton, University at Albany attended my Wisconsin PRO Development Kicking Camp. Paul had a strong freshman season. When I first saw Paul punt, I could see some inconsistencies in his drop, however it was evident he had a strong leg.  As a matter of fact, he won the long punt contest during the camp that weekend. When Paul left, I felt that he had improved his drop and knew with his work ethic he would continue to excel. His hard work has paid off by averaging 43 yards with 21 of his 51 punts going inside the 20. Paul spent part of the season leading the FCS in punting and was named First Team All-Northeast Conference Punter.
Cody Morrow Attends PRO Development Camp
Cody Morrow of Mid American Nazarene a combination kicker/punter was named Honorable Mention Punter of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (NAIA). Cody first came to me to work on field goal technique but in training camp had the opportunity to punt for his team as well. He attended my Arizona PRO Development Kicking Camp in May to learn more about punting and improve his technique. Cody was very attentive in learning both my 'Natural Style of Kicking and Punting' techniques' and then applied both on the field and has continued to improve.
Garrett Maloney Working Drills
Garrett Maloney, from the University of St. Thomas (MN), is another punter that has taken several One on One Punting Lessons over the past few years and has also attended my Minnesota and Wisconsin Pro Development Camp.  Garrett being an excellent athlete continues to improve. Garrett is also a duel athlete who played on the 2011 St. Thomas National Championship basketball team. This year, Garrett averaged 41 yards on 31 kicks while placing 10 punts inside the 20. 


It has not only been a pleasure to work with each of these young men but also very gratifying for me. Each specialists has shown dedication, hard work, and the ability to be coached and has taken it upon themselves to become a better player. Note: If there is any specialists that has taken One on One Kicking and Punting Lessons or attended a PRO Development Camp and has had an outstanding season, please send me your information and I will try to mention you in another blog.


Kudos to these players, and again as I always say, ‘Coaches Coach, and the Players Play.’  All the credit goes to the players for performing under the pressures of the game. 


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