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

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Brendan Gibbons: Full Circle Kicking Career

Kicking Lessons and PRO Development Camps 
produce results for U of Michigan's 
Senior Kicker, Brendan Gibbons
Brendan Gibbons Works on Technique During One on One Kicking Lesson
For the last two years Shawn Gibbons has invested his time, energy and money to help his son be the best he can be as a college kicker.  Of course what else would a father do for his son.
Shawn and Brendan Gibbons in Phoenix, Arizona For Kicking Lessons
After Brendan started his college career at the University of Michigan with a 1 of 5 field goal start he  and his father Shawn started to check out kicking coaches around the country.

Michigan had just changed head coaches and special teams coaches and Brendan was hoping for a new start.  After zeroing in on a kicking coach Brendan's father Shawn decided to try the Coach Zauner, LLC Programs.

In 2011 they attended Coach Zauner's January PRO Development Camp for kickers.  They followed it up with One on One Kicking Lessons in March, June and July.  They invested time and money and liked the improvement Brendan was making.  
Brendan Gibbons Works Technique and Competes During PRO Development Camp
In the fall Brendan competed in training camp with other kicking specialists and came out on top becoming the starting kicker for the Michigan Wolverines under new Head Coach Brady Hoke. 

Gibbons Kicks Winning Field Goal in 2012 Bowl Game vs Virginia Tech

Sports writer Andy Reid contacted me about Brendan's 'full circle kicking career'.  Hear it in his own words. Click to read article: Take Flight: Hard Work And Perseverance Helped Brendan Gibbons Turn His Career Around

It's been a real pleasure meeting and working with Brendan and I wish him the best of success in the future.
Brendan Gibbons (U of Michigan) and Coach Zauner After Kicking Lesson

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Thursday, December 13, 2012

West Texas A&M Sergio Castillo, Jr. Earns First Team All-America

West Texas A & M Kicker Sergio Castillo, Jr. 
I first met Sergio Castillo, Jr. in 2010 when he came to Scottsdale, Arizona for a One on One Kicking Lesson. Since that time he has come back every year for repeated One on One Lessons to improve his technique and attended PRO Development Camps to get competition. 

Sergio Castillo, Jr. in One on One Kicking Lesson - 2010
In the three years I have been working lessons and have the opportunity to be around Sergio, I can say this young man has a passion for kicking and is committed to becoming the best he can be, not only on the field but also as importantly academically. He has been a pleasure to work with and I can say I only wish the best for him and his family. 

I know Sergio and his mother have sacrificed and saved money to attended PRO Development Camps and to continue taking One on One Kicking Lessons because his goal is to become the best college kicker he can be and have an opportunity to play in the NFL. 

Each year I see improvement and which he continues to receive awards. Congratulations to Sergio for achieving another award for his kicking excellence after his junior season at West Texas A & M. 
Sergio Castillo, Jr. Kicking Competition Finalist at 2012 May PRO Development Camp
3 Buffs players named Daktronics First Team All-America


West Texas A&M junior defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks was named the Ron Lenz Daktronics Division II Defensive Player of the Year, which was released Tuesday morning by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America. Shippensburg (Pa.) junior quarterback Zach Zulli earned Offensive Player of the Year honors. 
In addition to Westbrooks, Buffalo junior place kicker Sergio Castillo, Jr., and senior offensive lineman Manase Foketi were named to the first team. The Buffs had the most first team selections with three and were one of five teams with three selections total between the two teams....
Castillo, Jr., connected on 20 of 23 field goals for the year, including two from over 50 yards and a career-long 56-yarder versus Abilene Christian. He is tied for ninth nationally at 1.33 field goals per game. He was a perfect 16 for 16 in attempts of less than 40 yards to earn top place kicking honors. He average 8.6 points per game ranking 34th nationally. He was a league-best 69 of 70 in extra points.

Click here to read this article in it's entirety.

Sergio Castillo, Jr. Attends One on One Lesson in Scottsdale, AZ - 2010

As a football kicking coach I am grateful to have had the immense pleasure of watching Sergio develop into a fine young man on and off the field.

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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

And The Winner is... Fordham Kicker Patrick Murray


Fordham kicker Murray wins Mitchell award
December 11, 2012|By David Haugh | Tribune Columnist

In 1936, Vince Lombardi played right guard for Fordham University. Lombardi’s position coach was Frank Leahy. Even 76 years later, the legendary nickname for that Fordham offensive line still sits at the tip of at least one Rams player’s tongue at the first mention of Lombardi.

“He was one of the Seven Blocks of Granite,’’ Fordham senior kicker Patrick Murray recalled proudly. “To have somebody like Vince Lombardi associated with this program inspires everybody in it to this day.’’


To this day, daily inspiration for Murray and his Fordham teammates comes from a collection of Lombardi sayings posted on a wall in the Rams’ locker room. Of all the powerful words for any football generation Fordham’s most famous 
 alum has used to motivate players all over America, Murray recited his favorite without hesitation.
“The best one is, 'I never met a man worth his salt who didn’t appreciate the grind,'" said Murray, this year’s winner of the Fred Mitchell Award honoring the top place-kicker among 750 FCS, Div. II,, Div. III, NAIA and community colleges. The honor that rewards exemplary performance on sports and off the field is named for the Tribune’s longtime columnist, a Wittenberg University Hall of Fame placekicker.

Fordham University Kicker Patrick Murray
Click here to read this article in it's entirety.


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Monday, December 10, 2012

Army vs Navy Game

Jeremy Jonas - West Point Military Academy


On Saturday I received an email from Jeremy Jonas who at the present time is deployed in Afghanistan.  

I first met Jeremy in the spring of 2012 when he visited for a One on One Snapping Lesson looking to qualify for my Free Agent Specialist's Kicking Combine.   At 6' 6 260 pounds Jeremy definitely had the size NFL teams want but lacked the snapping consistency. 
Jeremy Jonas Snaps Perfect Laces at 2012 Free Agent Combine
While serving for his country Jeremy also worked on refining his snapping skills, trying to qualify for the Free Agent Combine.  When Jeremy came back for the Combine he had definitely improved.  

Jeremy Jonas Snaps and Blocks at 2012 Free Agent Combine
About a month after the Free Agent Combine, Jeremy was deployed to Afghanistan and is there defending our country and training others to defend theirs. 

My thoughts and prayers are with Jeremy as he serves and defends our country in a foreign land. Just wanted to share a short email from Jeremy and his thoughts with you:

Jeremy Jonas with Afghan Uniform Police
Coach Zauner,

Today marks the 113th matchup between one of America’s most storied college football rivalries.  Army vs Navy.  With that, football is once again foremost in my mind.  I’m sure you will enjoy this photo taken to commemorate today's game as I watch it for the first time as a deployed soldier.  It’s truly amazing to finally see firsthand the impact of the game on soldiers and morale on this tiny FOB here in Afghanistan.  As it stands, we have less than 75 days until we return back stateside.  Since we landed here in June, our sole purpose has been to train and mentor the Afghan Uniform Police, improving them technically and tactically.  As with all things, the mission has had highs and lows but there is finally light at the end of the tunnel.  I look forward to returning home and sharing my experiences here in Afghanistan with you.  I have been able to continue working out in prep for the upcoming 2013 combine.  My return date is scheduled for February 22nd, and sometime following I would like to visit for a one on one lesson prior to the combine to fine tune some things.  Please let me know if anything is available.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,
1LT Jeremy Jonas


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Monday, November 12, 2012

Punting Success for Hallingstad and Lopano


Coach Zauner's Programs: 
One on One Punting Lessons and 
PRO Development Camps Having Positive Impact!


Division 3 punter, Christian Hallingstad - University of Wisconsin LaCrosse and Ivy League Scott Lopano University of Penn are both making headlines and setting records. 

Christian Hallingstad attended my 2012 July PRO Development Kicking Camp in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Scott Lopano came to Milwaukee in late July for a One on One Punting and Kickoff Lesson.  Below are articles on each punters success...

Penn's Scott Lopano averaged 43 yards on eight punts against Harvard 
(Marc Narducci/Staff)

Sunday, November 11, 2012  Marc Narducci 

One of the unsung heroes in Penn’s 30-21 win over Harvard that clinched at least a share of the Ivy League football title was senior punter Scott Lopano.
The only player in school history to amass more than 7,000 career punt yards, Lopano quietly set another school record with eight punts, giving him 192 for his career, surpassing Jeff Salvino, who had 186 between 1994-97.
Yet it was the quality of punts that played such a huge role in the win.
Lopano averaged 43 yards on his eight punts and had six inside the 20. He had a long punt of 53 yards.
“Scott punted inside the 20 six times and probably five of the times it was inside the 15,” Penn coach Al Bagnoli said. “He did a terrific job.”
What is more is that Harvard, which entered the game averaging 7.1 yards per punt return, was able to return just two of the punts, for a total of seven yards.
Penn, which can clinch the outright Ivy League title with a win at Cornell on Saturday, has now won three Ivy League titles in the past four years.
Lopano was a big part of all three championships, and this season has enjoyed his best year. He is now averaging 41.4 yards on 54 punts. His net punting average is 38.5 yards.
Of all the Penn players, Lopano has been among the most consistent and in the biggest game of the year against favored Harvard, he had one was truly at his best.

Christian Hallingstad University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

Christian Hallingstad was not a punting prodigy when he joined the UW-La Crosse football team in 2009.
By his own admission, the Rice Lake High School graduate, hardly knew what he was doing.
But as Hallingstad’s college career ended Saturday afternoon with the Eagles’ 24-0 loss to UW-Whitewater at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex, he could call himself the best at his position in NCAA Division III.
Hallingstad’s talent has not gone unnoticed. After averaging 44.4 yards per punt, with 23 of 50-plus yards and 26 placed inside the
20-yard line, he has been invited to the D3 Senior Classic on Dec. 7 in Salem, Va., and has the opportunity to pursue a pro career.
“I’m the last guy I thought would be able to do this,” Hallingstad said. “I wasn’t recruited to play; I was a walk-on, and I wasn’t even good my first two years. I’ve never been in a situation like this all-star game. I’ve got nothing to lose, and I’m going to go out there and have fun.”
Hallingstad punted eight times for 334 yards, a 41.8 average, and placed four inside the 20 Saturday against the Warhawks.
In the first quarter, he stood at the Whitewater 46 and hit a high, pinwheeling punt that stopped dead at the 1.
Hallingstad played a key role in La Crosse’s upset of No. 6 North Central (Ill.) in the season opener.
With 36 seconds left and the Eagles holding a four-point lead, he punted from his own 47 and drilled a 51-yarder out of bounds at the 2. North Central turned the ball over two plays later.
“He’s a hammer,” Eagles coach Joel Dettwiler said. “I think he’s capable of playing at the next level, it might be a long road, but there aren’t many that are much better than him.”
Hallingstad averaged 36.3 yards per punt as a freshman and 35.2 as a sophomore. He got serious after that, studying technique, lifting weights and practicing a lot.
That resulted in a 42.6 average as a junior and 20 punts downed inside the 20. Hallingstad kept at it this past offseason, attending a special teams camp and punting four days a week with his girlfriend, Sierra, helping out.
“She was great,” Hallingstad said. “I think she was more excited about it than I was.”
Hallingstad said he will go to the D3 Senior Classic and see what happens.
“I have no idea about scouts or anything like that,” he said. “They have workouts the Thursday before the game, and maybe I’ll get some looks.”

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