As we're all well aware, the annual AFCA Convention is just around the corner, so it wouldn't feel like early January without the Official FootballScoop Guide to the 2019 AFCA Convention.
So here it is. Take our advice. Have some fun meeting up and knocking a few back with guys you've coached with, played with, or have built relationships with in this great profession over the years while recharging the batteries for a great 2019.
Make sure you're following
Annual FootballScoop Guide to the AFCA coming out this afternoon….
In advance any local food / drink recommendations?
5k coaches & their wives coming to San Antonio. Some familiar with the area, some not at all.
What y’got?
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) January 3, 2019
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@FootballScoop as well as @CoachSamz and @ZachBarnett for all the latest. Saturday -If you're getting in early, Saturday is always the day to get out, catch up with your boys that are arriving early, and have some fun. The Riverwalk will be the place to be. Catholic Mass will be available Saturday at 5:30pm & Sunday at 8:30am at the Marriott Riverwalk - Alamo Ballroom D. The weather looks like it will be quite nice. Folks coming from the midwest and east coast will surely appreciate it. Saturday NFL playoff games: Colts at Texans 3:35 CT - Seahawks at Cowboys 7:15 CT.
Sunday - Make sure you make your rounds around the exhibit hall early (doors will open at 9am) and throughout the day on Sunday. There are some great people showcasing some really interesting products every year in there. Find a way to make 2019 better for your squad in there. We hear the good people at Front Rush are making things happen. This Skills and Drills sessions, that were a big hit when they rolled them out for the first time last year, are back again and get started at 9:30am Sunday in the exhibit hall. Sunday NFL playoff games: Chargers at Ravens 12:05 CT - Eagles at Bears 3:40 CT. The High School Coaches Academy will take place from 2pm - 5pm and will feature Grant Teaff, Tom Herman (at 4pm) and a number of other solid coaches. Purdue's Jeff Brohm will be the first featured Kickoff Speaker for the masses at 5pm in the Lila Crockrell Theater. You'll want to be there for it. Grab a good seat early. Buzz Sessions will get rolling at 6pm on Sunday and the first round will feature Hawaii's Craig Stutzman, Arkansas' Justin Stepp, Vanderbilt's Chris Marve, Baylor's Josh Nelson, and a host of other solid choices. The 7pm session is loaded as well with Kansas Wesleyan's Matt Drinkall, Wisconsin's Mickey Turner, Boston College's Antoine Smith, Erik DeHaven of St. Pius X HS, and Ola Adams of Villanova.
Monday - If for some reason you weren't able to register Sunday, make sure you knock that out early on Monday. Bright and early, the High School Coaches Academy gets going at 8am-11am and features Masaki Matsumoto (Lincoln HS, WA), Jason Born (Saugus HS, AZ) and Phil Hayford (Keswick Christian, FL) The popular Graduate Assistant Forum is being held from 9a-11a and features PJ Fleck, Mike Norvell, Maurice Linguist and Kenny Dillingham talking about a host of topics tailored to young guys and those hoping to climb the coaching profession, including what they look for when hiring. Stop by and see our friends at TeamWorks in the Exhibit Hall. Before the general sessions get going, be sure to take the opportunity to get your staff together and grab lunch, perhaps with another staff or two. Take care of your graduate assistants and the interns that made the trip if you're able. Monday's General Sessions get rolling at 1:30pm until about 5pm and will feature Syracuse's Dino Babers, followed by North Texas' Seth Littrell, and will end with Houston's Dana Holgorsen. As soon as that is done, the annual FootballScoop Social will be rolling at Bar Rojo in the Grand Hyatt, located just outside the convention center just off the Market Street entrance to the Convention Center. You can't miss it. Coaches, their wives, and families are welcome, and we'll supply the drinks from 5pm-7pm. We and our friends from AstroTurf will be handing out the Coach of the Year awards for all divisions. Stop by and have some fun. For the game, the AFCA is hosting a Free Tailgate Party again this year, featuring food, drinks, and some really large TVs with the game on. Doors open at 6:30. Many guys choose to go to smaller locations where they can enjoy the game with friends.
Tuesday - Like last year, the General Sessions get started early Tuesday morning. The exhibit hall closes at noon. If the featured speakers aren't your thing, great morning to get in there while it is quiet. Troy's Neal Brown, Texas Tech's Matt Wells, and Florida's Dan Mullen highlight the Tuesday morning General Session that gets started at 8:30am and is scheduled to end at about noon. Lunch with your guys is a must. Make it happen before you all hit the road recruiting. From 2pm-3pm there are a number of solid breakout sessions with varying themes featuring Southern Miss' Scotty Walden, William & Mary's Brennan Marion on a panel about faith and family, and Duke's Derek Jones on his personal philosophy and mindset.
Annual FootballScoop Guide to the AFCA coming out this afternoon….
In advance any local food / drink recommendations?
5k coaches & their wives coming to San Antonio. Some familiar with the area, some not at all.
What y’got?
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) January 3, 2019
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@FootballScoop as well as @CoachSamz and @ZachBarnett will be able to provide some suggestions.
LES MILES ALERT - The new Kansas head coach will be the featured Victory Speaker from 4pm-5pm where coaches in the audience will be able to submit questions via their phones for Les to answer. That setup is bound to be entertaining. [editor's insert: Who thought it was a good idea to give Les the one speaking opportunity that is reliant upon technology?]
Tuesday night the AFCA is doing a Coaches Awards presentation. Will update with more info on this; but if that isn't your cup of tea, go out and spend some time catching up with buddies, make some new ones, or go lay some groundwork to land that next job.
Wednesday - FBS head coaches will once again spend most of their morning in a meeting.
For the rest of us, the AFCA has lined up a number of chalk talks for those that stick around.
The last chalk talk session ends at 10:50am, so head home and spend some time with family before you need to hit the road to start recruiting the 2020 class.
Best of luck, and safe travels to everyone. See you in San Antonio.
And now for food & drink recommendations....
Breakfast:
Lunch:
Dinner: