ATLANTA -- Georgia State assistant coach Josh Stepp has been chosen to participate in the American Football Coaches Association's (AFCA) 2019 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute.
Stepp, the Panthers' tight ends coach, just completed his second season on head coach Shawn Elliott's staff. He originally joined the GSU program in 2017, when he coached tight ends and running backs. Before coming to Georgia State, Stepp was a successful prep coach in South Carolina, including four seasons as the head coach and athletic director at Lexington High School. In 2015, he was honored as the 4A Lower State Coach of the Year and Region V Coach of the Year after guiding Lexington to a 13-game winning streak and berth in the state title game.
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.
Stepp is the second straight GSU assistant chosen for the program, following safeties coach Chris Collins in 2018.
In order to be eligible, applicants had to be born on or after January 1, 1984, 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.
The AFCA 2019 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute will take place on Sunday, January 6, at the AFCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
2019 AFCA 35 Under 35 Participants
Ola Adams, Villanova University, Special Teams Coordinator/Cornerbacks
Shawn Bell, Baylor University, Offensive Line
Tyler Bowen, Penn State University, Tight Ends
Bryan Brown, Appalachian State University, Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks
Shane Fidler, Waccamaw HS (SC), Head Coach
Joe Jon Finley, University of Missouri, Tight Ends
Erik Frazier, Western Illinois University, Wide Receivers
Kory Gribbin, University of Akron, Tight Ends/H-Backs/Assistant Special Teams Coordinator
Gino Guidugli, University of Cincinnati, Quarterbacks
Chris Hampton, Tulane University, Defensive Backs
Todd Hartley, University of Miami (Fla.), Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends
Nick Hill, Southern Illinois University, Head Coach
Justin Hood, Western Carolina University, Outside Linebackers
Tyler Hopperton, Mount St. Joseph University, Head Coach
Collin Klein, Kansas State University, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Jordan Langs, Indiana Wesleyan University, Head Coach
Kelly Ledwith, Santa Monica College, Head Coach
Brennan Marion, College of William & Mary, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Taylor Mazzone, University of Arizona, Outside Receivers
Man Naghavi, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Offensive Line
Bryan Nardo, Emporia State University, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Jake Olsen, Northwestern State University, Safeties/Recruiting Coordinator
Tim Plough, University of California-Davis, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Justin Rascal, Formerly at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Former Offensive Coordinator
Doug Samuels, Ravenna HS (MI), Head Coach
Nate Scheelhaase, Iowa State University, Running Backs
Joshua Schumacher, Concordia University-Chicago, Head Coach
Kyle Segler, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends
Austin Silvoy, Middle Tennessee State University, Wide Receivers
De'Rail Sims, James Madison University, Running Backs
Josh Stepp, Georgia State University, Tight Ends
Patrick Toney, University of Louisiana, Safeties
Scotty Walden, University of Southern Mississippi, Wide Receivers
Demario Warren, Southern Utah University, Head Coach
Jake Waters, University of Texas-El Paso, Inside Wide Receivers
