COACH ZAUNER’S 2010
FREE AGENT SPECIALISTS COMBINE
DATE: Saturday-Sunday, March 27-28, 2010
COST: $575 until March 15; $625 after March 15 (for kicking specialist participants)
-fee is 100% refundable for specialists signing with professional team prior to event-
LOCATION: Paradise Valley High School, Phoenix, AZ (see below for address)
REGISTER: click for Registration Form
CONTACT: 612.239.9529
EVALUATIONS TO QUALIFY FOR COMBINE:
(For those who have not been evaluated previously by Coach Zauner)
DATE: Thursday-Friday, March 25-26, 2010
LOCATION: Paradise Valley High School, Phoenix, AZ (see below for address)
COST: $275 (applies to Combine Registration Fee for those who qualify)
CONTACT COACH ZAUNER: 612.239.9529 (to schedule evaluation appointment)
As they said in the movie Field of Dreams, "If You Build It...They Will Come!"
It was Joe Marciano who asked me at the 2008 NFL Combine Special Teams Coaches dinner, to build my Field of Dreams; a Free Agent Kicking Combine which assembled elite kicking talent for the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League (CFL) and United Football League (UFL) Coaches and Pro Personnel to evaluate.
On April 6, 2009 that dream came true when 32 teams and Pro Personnel came to Phoenix, Arizona to watch 41 kicking specialists showcase their talent.
This year I will be hosting the 2nd Annual Free Agent Specialists Combine on March 27-28, at Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona (see below for site location).
Last year I believe I gathered a solid group of Coaches, Pro Personnel and Scouts who represented 26 NFL, 2 CFL and 4 UFL teams. You can find the complete list of Coaches and Pro Personnel who attended here.
This year I am hoping to expand the number of NFL, CFL and UFL teams who attend the Combine.
Last year it was my goal to make sure this event was comprised of the highest caliber specialists, so only those individuals I had worked with, evaluated and invited were allowed to compete.
The fact that 17 of the 41 kicking specialists who attended this Combine were eventually signed to NFL, CFL or UFL contracts during the 2009 season, attests to the quality of the talent who competed.
For those I hadn't previously worked with, there was a one day 'evaluation' session which I used to qualify individuals for my Free Agent Specialists Combine.
I will be conducting a similar 'evaluation' process this year as well to ensure the 'quality' of specialists participating meets -or exceeds- the needs of the teams attending.
I have adjusted the date for the 2010 Free Agent Specialists Combine to be a bit earlier this year to avoid interfering with teams preparing for the NFL's Draft. Hopefully this will make it easier for the teams to plan their schedules.
Arizona's weather is great even in late March, so for those who want to fly in a day or two early, there are some wonderful golf courses in Phoenix to be enjoyed.
I look forward to seeing you at my 2nd Annual Free Agent Specialists Combine. Whether you are a team looking for talent, or talent looking for a team, I'm sure you will find it a very valuable experience.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have.
Coach Zauner
Contact: 612.239.9529
e-mail: CoachZauner@coachzauner.com
TESTIMONIALS FROM MY 2009 FREE AGENT SPECIALIST COMBINE
TESTIMONIALS BY NFL GM’S, HEAD COACHES AND DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL
Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts President said, “With regards to Coach Zauner’s Free Agent Specialists and College Senior Combines being a ‘clearing house’ for NFL teams’ Coach Zauner has demonstrated he has a reputation for evaluating and finding kicking specialist talent of NFL caliber. His Combines certainly have the potential to discover or re-discover quality kicking specialist talent that might otherwise go unnoticed by Professional Football Teams.”
Mike Smith, Head Coach Atlanta Falcons said, “Coach Zauner's kicking, punting and snapping combine is the best opportunity for players to be evaluated by NFL personnel. The camp is the largest gathering of quality kicking specialists of who are either veteran or rookie free agents. This does not come as a surprise to me. I've known Coach Zauner for over 28 years, and he is, without question, the best there is in evaluating and coaching kicking, punting and snapping talent."
Jim Fassel, Former Head Coach of the N.Y. Giants & Current Head Coach of the Las Vegas UFL Team said, “Recently my UFL staff attended Coach Zauner’s Free Agent Specialists Combine in Phoenix, Arizona. Me and my staff have participated in many free agent Combines throughout the years searching for football talent and all agreed this was the best run Combine any of us have attended. The field of talent was handpicked and of the highest caliber. This is 'the' Kicking Combine to attend if you’re a professional football team or aspiring kicking specialist.”
Bobby DePaul, Senior Director of Pro Personnel for the Chicago Bears said, "This was the best run Free Agent Combine I have participated in during my 21 years working as a coach or scout in the NFL. This effort clearly demonstrated that Coach Zauner has the knowledge needed to run an efficient Combine and effectively evaluate specialists. I will be looking forward to an expanded field of specialists next year."
TESTIMONIAL BY NFL SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATORS
Joe Marciano, Special Teams Coordinator Houston Texans, "Coach Zauner has coached in the NFL as a Special Teams Coordinator for 13 years. Coach Zauner knows the standards that NFL Special Teams Coaches want and need of their kicking specialist's. His Combine was run extremely efficiently for the coaches, Pro Personnel and players. I believe if you're an NFL Special Teams Coach, Director of Personnel or kicking specialist, Coach Zauner's Combine is 'the' event to attend.”
Russ Purnell, Special Teams Coordinator Jacksonville Jaguars said, “Gary put together a highly organized, efficient and competitive NFL Free Agent Specialists camp that featured very realistic skills tests and top level participants. Coaches and scouts were able to evaluate punters, kickers and long snappers in a structured environment. The weather and facilities were outstanding. The time spent was an investment in the future. It was as good a camp as I have been to."
Darrin Simmons, Special Teams Coordinator Cincinnati Bengals “I thought Coach Zauner’s Free Agent Specialist Combine was very well organized and ran efficiently. As a Special Teams Coach, it is a great resource to see a lot of players in one location, but also with all these specialists being there at one time, you also get to see them in a competitive environment as they compete against not only one another, and how they perform in front of other Coaches.”
Ray Rychleski, Special Teams Coordinator Indianapolis Colts said,“As a coach I can really appreciate how well and precise the entire event was run. Many of the other special teams coaches and personnel people in the stands who have gone to other combines remarked that this was the best run free agent camp they had gone to and will be back again next year. Coming from the college coaching ranks I would think any college or free agent kicking specialists that wants to get exposure to the NFL should make Coach Zauner’s combine a must to attend."
PLAYER TESTIMONIALS FROM MY 2009 FREE AGENT SPECIALISTS COMBINE
Billy Cundiff, 6 Year NFL Veteran Kicker said, "After being out of the league for two years Coach Zauner's Free Agent Combine gave me a chance to showcase my skills in front of a big gathering of NFL Coaches and Scouts. The quality of kickers I competed against was excellent. Because of my performance at the event, the Lions brought me in for a workout during the preseason and signed me for the last two games. After my break in Detroit, other teams had to take notice. From there, I was signed by Cleveland and Baltimore teams that also noticed me at the combine. It feels great to playing again. If you’re a kicking specialist and looking to highlight your talent, Coach Zauner’s event is the place to be." Signed with Lions, Browns and Ravens.
Scott Player, 13 Year NFL Veteran Punter (Cardinals & Browns) said, “I feel that in only the first year of putting together a special teams combine, Coach Zauner has already established that his combine is the major league's of kicking, punting and snapping.There is not another combine or camp out there that even comes close to this with the exposure a player can receive from all the various professional leagues. Coach Zauner is the premier kicking, punting and snapping authority in the country and that is why he has been able to attract some of the best players out there who trust him to help them improve their kicking technique and take their game to the highest level!" Signed with UFL New York Sentinals.
Shane Andrus, Free Agent Kicker said, "Coach Zauner's free agent showcase was a great experience. Some of these showcases always have everyone guessing as to which teams will show up. I knew with Coach Zauner’s reputation, that he would bring the coaches out and did. I thought it was extremely organized, and would recommend it for any kicker who wants to get looked at by an NFL team." Signed by Colts & Tampa Bay
Eddie Johnson, Idaho State and Vikings draft pick said, Coach Zauner's camp was organized, efficient, and a great opportunity to showcase one's ability. The follow-up with the workout's #s and other information has been great as well. Not too long after I was offered a tryout with the Cleveland Browns as a direct result of being seen at Coach Z's Free Agent Combine. I've also been offered an opportunity to compete for the P/K job for the Toronto Argonauts. Without the exposure from Coach Zauner's combine, I have no doubt in my mind, that I'd still be sitting at home..."waiting" for somebody to call me. I highly recommend this combine for any aspiring punter/kicker who's looking to create a positive "buzz", and get their name out there." Signed by Toronto Argonauts
Alex Romero, Free Agent Kicker said, “The Coach Zauner’s Showcase was the best that I have attended. The organization was very professional. Everything had a system and everyone was following it. The quality of competition was unmatched. It is easier to gage your performance when you know that the competition is first class. Also the amount of coaches and scouts was amazing. There were coaches from every league that were willing to sign the people they liked. I would like to thank Coach Zauner for the opportunity to use his showcase as a platform to show my abilities." Signed by 49ers
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