Tyler Almond selected to 2020 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute

FULL AFCA RELEASE

Dixie State football defensive coordinator Tyler Almond has been selected to the 2020 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, which will take place on Jan. 12, 2020, during the AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

In his first season as the DSU defensive coordinator, Almond led the Trailblazer defense to its most efficient season of the program's NCAA Division II era during the 2019 campaign.

Dixie State allowed just 22.4 points and 342.9 yards per game throughout the recently completed season, the fewest in both categories in DSU's 14-year Division II era. Additionally, the Trailblazers allowed just 31 touchdowns, the fewest opponent touchdowns over the same time frame.

The Trailblazer defense finished the season with a program-record 40.0 sacks, and ranked third nationally with 3.64 sacks per game. The DSU defense also posted a program-record 274 interception return yards.

Seven Dixie State defensive players earned All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors in 2019, including Aaron Simpson on the first team and Alex Lilliard on the second team. Simpson also went on to earn D2CCA Super Region 4 second team honors.

The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.

The 2020 class was chosen from a field of hundreds of applicants. In order to be eligible, applicants had to be born on or after Jan. 1, 1985, and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time or head coach. Applicants were required to submit a resume, five references, and a 1,600-word article or five-minute live instructional video on an Offensive, Defensive, Special Teams, or position-specific topic of the applicant's choosing.

Members of the AFCA 2020 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute will be published in the bi-monthly AFCA Magazine, AFCA Insider weekly email blast, and/or have their articles and videos added to the AFCA Educational Library. Additionally, participants will be placed on the AFCA Foundation Committee and become a part of a prestigious network of rising coaches in the profession along with many other great benefits.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#5 Alex Lilliard: DB; 6' 1"; Senior

#24 Aaron Simpson: DB; 5' 9"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#5 Alex Lilliard
: 6' 1"; Senior
: DB

#24 Aaron Simpson
: 5' 9"; Senior
: DB

Players Mentioned

#5 Alex Lilliard

#24 Aaron Simpson

Players Mentioned

#5 Alex Lilliard

#24 Aaron Simpson