The AFCA Convention: A Guide for the 2026 Convention and a Look Back at Convention Experiences

January for the last decade of my Coaching career has meant a trip to usually Nashville, San Antonio, or Charlotte for the AFCA Convention. My family, friends, colleagues know it's where I'll be this time of year. For years it's been a great opportunity to connect with old friends, make new ones, learn some football, and always some great fellowship. We'll look at this year's convention the speakers, the events, what to do, and what not to do as well as look at some fun stories I've had or heard in past conventions.

The convention it might be with age seems to be less than it was earlier in my career with the new recruiting calendar less Coaches in town due to visits, not lining up with the national championship game still feels odd, but we are in odd times. It is also no doubt due to getting older people in general but especially in the coaching profession need some down time with family and it isn't always everyone's cup of tea.

The convention was something I looked at longingly before I even started coaching. I remember seeing posts on the football scoop and the AFCA website about it while still being an undergrad. When I got back to campus later in the month our Coaches would tell stories about the trip, connections made, and new things they wanted to study or implement. Also loved the story of our Head Coach bringing his wife because she loved the trip, but also she was a great buffer to introduce to people he may have forgotten the name of.

Finally as a young Coach I got the opportunity many reading this have done where you get 6 guys in a rental or school car and take a 10 hour car ride to a city I've never been to to put as many guys as you can afford in a hotel to go learn at the convention. That first convention was great learned about stick zero coverage, heard Don Brown speak on Michigan's defensive Philosophy, broke my neck looking at all the different logos from programs from all over across levels. First time I went I met an old College Coach who was the first person I met who was fired and there looking we had some different views on the event and the profession at the time. That was a right of passage I had not yet experienced at that point in my career. Still myself and some friends posted our resume on the board, we sat in the GA session with dreams of going to the big programs James Franklin at PSU and Bobby Wilder at ODU spoke moderated Van Malone. Took thorough notes, connected with people, took in the night life, and remember saying Coach in a room full of coaches and every head turning. Van Malone gave the advice to get involved with a committee and that's what urged me to get involved with the rooming committee which I have done every year since. We went back to our school full of ideas and knew more of the profession but hadn't experienced the stories we had heard of going down and interviewing in a hotel room where a coach had been sitting doing interviews all day or walked to greet you at the door naked ot see how the interviewee responded.

Conventions came and went. Stories accumulated with each one, new friends were made, logos on shirts changed. I had my own stories after years of going of seeing a recently fired P5 FBS coach over imbibed at a bar, chasing down connections bar to bar or viewing party to viewing party to try to bump into coaches, had once met a friendly young G5 coordinator who was kind and got to know me at the convention and spoke with me when he didn't have to no information shared but the young Memphis OC; Kenny Dillingham just by taking the time to talk and offer advice made a fan for life. I remember working the door one year when Bob Chesney was at Holy Cross and awkwardly having the ask the FCS Coach of the year to find a seat for the welcome and keynote speaker, I remember sitting listening to Villanova's DC Ola Adams sharing their defense and coverages calling out a fellow CAA coordinator at the time; Brennan Marion for taking thorough notes, or a buddy saying look at how big that guy was who stumbled out of the diner and it being a current Big 10 Head Coach. I remember my first but probably not last time going down needing a job and spending time connecting but also seeing friends and letting them know I was recently fired and needed a job. Most of all I remember bumping into creating new connections, building new relationships, and seeing how much they've grown throughout the year.

Enough of the reminiscing on old stories let's look at some general advice, advice on the convention in charlotte this upcoming year, a look at the speakers, and then thoughts on the move to February in the future.

General Tips:

• Do not chase logos or people. Everyone is there to learn and connect with people some with people they know some with new friends.

• Be respectful of people be curious if you learn something and you don't like how they do something don't do it that way but say thanks for sharing. Chasing people around a city trying to bump into them ends up a silly story where you often don't get a job and waste time you could be with friends.

• Be present where you are and who you're talking with. No one likes having a conversation with the guy looking past them for others to talk to.

• Do not over imbibe. You don't need to imbibe to have fun but if you do don't be the drunkest guy at the bar, everyone remembers seeing the guys falling asleep at the bar or stumbling into the river at the Opryland or in San Antonio.

• Similar have found going out without logos on clothing has been how I have operated. If you have logos on people will approach or avoid you based on logos plain quarter zips or professional attire is a good look for clinics or socializing.

• Get involved! The AFCA convention is an awesome experience get involved in a committee forces networking and gives back to our great profession.

• Connect and network but remember to not put yourself in dangerous positions. Had a buddy meet a Coach at a Whataburger they ended up talking 3-3 defense and then they ended up at his hotel trading film and talking football until late in the evening. This was the moment he realized he could've been coerced into a van with film not candy as a kid.

• Bring a notebook to your sessions take notes, some presenters may have contact info and most I have emailed after have been willing to share presentations, film, or even jump on zoom.

• The past two years they've had open rooms to set up clinics after the buzz sessions end. These are awesome, we were talking special teams last year until midnight talking shop with anyone who wanted to come by trading ideas and film helping each other problem solve. Would recommend this will definitely be doing the same thing this year.

• Some side clinics happen in conjunction with the convention. There have been meetings by positions, leagues, friends, any chance you get to go to these on the side there is traditionally great conversations going on to be a part of or listen to. Some are on site, some are off site usually these are invitation only.

• Plan your buzz sessions or main speakers so you know where you're going when. Allow yourself some wiggle room. Don't over do it if there's two sessions you like at once see if a buddy will trade notes.

• Not sure what to do? A walk around the exhibitors hall is a good way to bump into friends or see some cool things, can check out the field sessions there as well.

• The AFCA hosts a viewing party with free food and drinks tying in with a game. If you don't want to attend that XOs, DVSport, GoRout, Football Scoop, and other vendors have been known to host events to help with their sales and are good spots to socialize and eat.

• Download the convention App. Will have all of your information as they happen.

Charlotte Tips:

• There's some food at the convention center and spots to get coffee, if looking for a free breakfast traditionally the FCA will have a breakfast, or there are cheaper shorter lines for lunch options around the convention center.

Any tips I'm missing add them let me know will update with tips from locals or coaches with with general tips.

The 2026 Convention:

The 2026 convention will be a great one. Expecting less coaches than traditionally come due to the new portal window but there are plenty of great speakers, events, and opportunities to network, and learn. Below is the general schedule and some of the speakers that have been announced for sessions.

Schedule for the convention attached to a link for the AFCA Website with the speaker list, schedule, and Floor plan.

As you can see there is an outstanding line up of Coaches with some great knowledge to share on everything from program building, technique, scheme, and everything in between. Looking forward to connecting with Coaches will be different doing it next year in February hopefully the it being on Valentines day won't limit Coaches from attending.

Looking forward to connecting with Coaches in Charlotte and talking some football reach out and let's grow the game.