Kickers and punters flock to Abingdon from far and wide to learn from him.īlevins says, “I first started experimenting with my cousin and other young high school kickers and I quickly determined that I was able to very easily discern what they were doing and always make the appropriate corrections. The kickers competing in this year’s Super Bowl, David Akers of the San Francisco 49ers and Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens, were both coached by Blevins. He was not chosen for induction, but, he says, “Just to be nominated is an honor I can’t put into words.”īlevins experienced his most satisfying moment as a coach when he watched one of his prize students, Adam Vinatieri, win Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 for the New England Patriots when he kicked a 48-yard field goal as time expired. Blevins says he has no idea who nominated him. He was delightfully shocked to receive the news from a journalist who contacted him seeking his reaction. Last fall Blevins was nominated for induction into the NFL Hall of Fame. He became a kicking guru with a reputation so stellar that aspiring kickers have sought his tutelage for over a decade. I started learning the game from the coaching perspective and it turned into a passion that ultimately led to a career.”īlevins developed a specialty coaching kickers. This position was nothing more than a vehicle for me to participate in football. “So, when it came time for me to participate in Pop Warner football here in Abingdon,” Blevins says, “they made me the Junior Commissioner of the league. But he couldn’t play football and he never would because he was born with cerebral palsy. “From that moment forward, I knew that I wanted to make my living working in professional football in some capacity,” he says. Watching that game from his warm home in Abingdon, Virginia, changed Blevins life. That legendary game has come to be known as the Ice Bowl because it was played in a temperature of 17 degrees below zero. Kicking Coach Doug Blevins Creates Champions from his Chairīy Mike Ervin, Chicago Abilities Expo Ambassadorĭoug Blevins was only four years old on New Year’s Eve, 1967, when the Green Bay Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys in the final seconds of the National Football League championship game. Cholla Crest Trail, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. At an amateur and professional levels, Coach Zauner, LLC programs and events provide a kicker, punter or snapper ‘ A Specialist’s Path to PRO Football’ ®.Ĭoach Zauner, LLC. Kicked Around: Football's Lonliest Position!Įmphasizing ' 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. He has made a difference in my career and can do the same for you!” IR season, I am back 100% physically and working with Gary again this summer on fundamentals and drills! I’veīeen around a lot of kicking coaches in my time and Gary is the best punting, and kicking coach in the Country. Stayed with me and have been a major impact on my success throughout my career. I got betterĮach year and finally was selected to my 1st Pro Bowl in the 1999 season. We created a punting style and routine that has worked for me. Gary’s expertise working with punters paid dividends for me! He gave me fundamentalsĪnd drills to work on everyday. ![]() Like most punters, I knew I had the talent, but needed the right ![]() I had been cut from 6 NFL teams when Coach Zauner and the “I owe a lot of my NFL career to Coach Zauner. ![]() Mitch Berger #17 - 12 Year NFL Punter & KickoffsĮagles ▪ Vikings ▪ Rams ▪ Saints ▪ Arizona
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