This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring TJ Vernieri, the Wide Receivers coach at Gannon University. In this episode, Coach Vernieri shares how he started out as a young coach, his experience coaching different position groups at different levels, and what the AFCA 35 Under 35 Program means to him. Coach Vernieri recently transitioned to Gannon University after stints in both the CFL and the USFL and was a member of the 2023 AFCA 35 Under 35 class.  

Follow Coach Vernieri and Gannon Football on social media.  

@TJVernieri & @FootballGannon 

Show Notes:  

0:33 Introduction 

0:42 When did you know you wanted to be a coach?  

1:24 First coaching experience at UConn 

2:36 Experience as a Student Assistant coach  

4:37 Eye-Opening Experiences starting out as a coach 

6:53 Transition from UConn to first coaching opportunity  

8:20 Experience in first interview for a coaching job 

11:35 First few years as a position coach  

13:33 Transition to CFL Coaching opportunity  

19:00 Experience as a CFL coach 

21:50 Uniqueness of CFL and Roster Management  

26:55 Transition from the CFL to the USFL  

29:21 Takeaways from coaching multiple positions at different levels  

30:40 Feelings of getting stuck at a specific level of coaching 

32:30 Experience with the AFCA 35 Under 35 Program 

34:06 Conclusion