Staff

American Team

Brian Ferguson

Head Coach / Former Jacksonville Sharks (AFL)

Brian Ferguson is set to head coach the Blue Nation in the 5th Annual National Bowl Game at Ocean Bankf Field at FIU Stadium in Miami, FL. Brian A. Ferguson offers more than fifteen years of accomplished experience in the coaching profession. Coach Ferguson is entering his fifth year as an assistant coach (Offensive Coordinator) in the Arena Football League with the Jacksonville Sharks. During his three year stint with the Jacksonville Sharks, Coach Ferguson has help lead the team to three conference championships and one Arena Bowl Championship. While coaching with the Sharks, Coach Ferguson has produced six All Arena players and has developed nine players that moved up to the Canadian and National Football League. Prior to joining the Sharks, Coach Ferguson spent two years as the running game coordinator/ offensive line & running back coach at Tiffin University.

Coach Ferguson started his coaching career in 1998, as a wide receivers coach at Largo High school. Following his one year stint at Largo High, Coach Ferguson was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an assistant strength coach. After spending the 1999-2000 seasons with the Buccaneers, Coach Ferguson moved on as the running backs coach/ head strength coach with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, a developmental league associated with the NFL. During his three year stint with the Fire, Coach Ferguson coached in back to back World Bowls. Following the 2000-2003 seasons Coach Ferguson accepted a position as an assistant strength coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Following the one year stint back in the NFL, Coach Ferguson became the running back coach at Jacksonville University. Upon leaving JU, Coach Ferguson took the running backs job with Team Alabama of the All American Football League. When the league folded Coach Ferguson was rehired by the Jacksonville Jaguars. While serving as an assistant strength coach in 2008, Coach Ferguson also volunteered at Bartram Trail High school as the offensive coordinator.

Coach Ferguson completed his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley CO. He is now in the process of completing his Masters of Arts in Human Performance and Physical Education with an emphasis in coaching. Along with the degrees held, Coach Ferguson is certified as a USA track and field Level 1 coach, USA weight lifting sports performance coach, and physical education teaching in the state of Florida.

Coach Ferguson has developed a passion for helping players develop into the best football players they can become. His coaching philosophy is to use coaching as a tool to help develop athletes intellectually, physically, socially, and morally so that they may use their gifts and talents to impact lives. Coach Ferguson strongly believes in developing the fundamentals of football through; explanation, demonstration, practice, praise and correction, and repetition. Coach Ferguson’s goal is to become the best football coach and someday become a head football coach.

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Nathaniel “Lou” Seaward

Assistant Coach

Nathaniel Seaward brings 15 years of collegiate and high school coaching experience to the National Blue Team this year. Affectionately known as “Coach Lou”, he has coached 6 players who have gone on to play professional football and a dozen others who have played college football at all levels. During his career, “Coach Lou” has been an assistant coach at Missouri Western State University and Indiana State University. While coaching high school football in Northeast Florida, he has held the positions of Offensive Coordinator, Special Teams Coordinator and Head Coach.

A 1994 graduate from Winterset High School in Winterset, Iowa, Seaward was a member of two state playoff teams (1991, 1993) and received All-District honors as a Corner Back (1992, 1993). He attended the University of Northern Iowa graduating with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a minor in coaching. With the Panthers, he was a member of three consecutive Gateway Conference Championship Teams (1994-96). His Defensive Backs Coach at UNI was Dick Moseley.

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Stanley Wrubluski

Iowa Barnstromers (IFL)

Wrubluski enters his third season in the Arena Football League as the Defensive Line Coach and Special Teams Coordinator for the Barnstormers. Prior to the 2014 season, Wrubluski was in his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida coaching for the Jacksonville Sharks and has also spent time with the Orlando Predators. He spent one year with the Jacksonville Tomcats of the AF2 and a season in the Indoor Football League with the Eastern Kentucky Drillers. Wrubluski’s varied college oaching experiences include tenures at the University of Texas-El Paso, Valdosta State, Jacksonville University, University of Pikeville, and Lambuth University.

Jake Grande

Defensive Coordinator -Former Defensive Coordinator (AFL)

Jake Grande began at JU in 2011 at the same time he was coaching with the Jacksonville Sharks of the Arena Football League. Since arriving on campus, Grande has coached safeties, linebackers and defensive backs and those playing under him have shown big improvement because of his efforts. In 2013, the Dolphins’ secondary was ranked second in the Pioneer Football League in pass defense and it included defensive back Andre Addison who was selected first team All Pioneer Football League after a season in which he recorded 68 tackles (four for losses) and had 10 pass breakups. That same season, two of his players, Ed Foley and Antonio McCrae, were named honorable mention. As linebacker coach in 2012 he helped mold a defensive unit that ranked high not only in the PFL, but nationally as well. That season, the Dolphins finished first in pass efficiency defense, pass defense and total defense in the PFL and the team was seventh in the FCS in pass efficiency defense and 14th in sacks with 32. The entire starting linebacker group earned PFL honors in 2012 as Tre Davis and Lane McCombs were second team All PFL and Taylor Marsh honorable mention. His first season of work with JU brought immediate results in 2011 as safeties coach. The secondary was 12th in the FCS in pass defense and 11th in pass efficiency defense. That year’s team saw safety Leonard Smith named to the PFL’s first team; Lacy McDougald to the second team (he led the conference in interceptions with five) and sophomore Schon Thomas honorable mentions. Before coming to JU, Grande was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Sharks from 2010 to 2013 and was a big part of the team’s 2011 AFL championship. He is a Wilkes University graduate where he was a second team all-conference corner and team captain for two seasons as he helped Wilkes win its first conference championship in 10 years.

James Rowe

Assistant Coach

Since coming to JU in 2012, James Rowe has been involved in a great deal of Dolphin success on both offense and defense. In 2013, Rowe helped mold one of the top receiving corps in the nation as part of a passing game that was sixth-ranked at 331.5 yards per game. That was part of a record-setting offensive year where the team finished averaging 522.7 yards per game. During that season, Rowe tutored first-team All-America wide receiver Andrew Robustelli who finished with a school record 1,063 yards on 51 catches and 11 touchdowns. He also coached wide receiver D’Andre Randle who finished with 865 yards and nine touchdowns. In 2012, Rowe came aboard as a graduate assistant working with cornerbacks and because of his efforts the team finished seventh in the nation in pass efficiency defense and first in the Pioneer Football League in that category, pass defense and total defense. Prior to coming to JU, Rowe helped coach the Bethel University Wildcats to the West Division Mid-South championship. That led to a playoff appearance and a number 14 ranking in national polls. As part of that team, he coach All Conference performer Joe Skinner. He began his coaching life with Cocoa High School in 2007 and stayed through 2010. During that time the Tigers won state titles in 2008, ’09 and 2010 and he coached Class 2A state Player of the Year Matt Younger. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and played baseball at USF from 2004-07.

Nick Navarro

Wide Recievers Coach

Nick Navarro joined the Jacksonville University program in 2014 as coach of wide receivers after gaining experience in both the college and high school ranks. Navarro began his coaching career at Mountain View High School as a position coach with defensive backs and wide receivers in 1999 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2002 and continued in that position until 2006 when he moved to the University of Georgia. At Georgia, Navarro was defensive program coordinator and he then became freshman defensive coordinator at St. Francis High School (Mountain View, Calif.) in 2008. In 2009, Navarro was promoted to varsity offensive coordinator where he coached quarterbacks and wide receivers. During his tenure, he implemented the West Coast offense. In 2010, he was named head coach and offensive coordinator at St. Francis. Navarro received a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from St. Mary’s College (California) in 2004 and has a Secondary Education Credential from Notre Dame de Namur University (Belmont, Calif.).

National Team

Bobby Rome

Head Coach/ OC / Former NFL Player

“ A tremendous work ethic, an in-depth knowledge of coaching football, and unquestionable integrity and reliability,” says National Bowl Founder/President Michael Quartey Esq., are three qualities exhibited by Coach Bobby Rome. After being named Head Coach of Team America in the 2016 Globe Bowl, Coach Rome responded with 3 blow out victories. Coach Rome has recently been named the 2017 Head Football Coach for the National Bowl. The National Bowl consist of the country's top NFL Division II NCAA prospects, a game that has produced over 64 NFL Players since 2015.

Regarded as one of the bright young minds of football, Coach Rome started his head coaching career as an Interim Head Coach of the Indoor Football League, Carolina Force Arena Football Team. Coach Rome lead them to a 5-2 record in their 2012 inaugural season. With early success as a head coach, Coach Rome received an invitation for a Visa to Russia to be named the 1^st Head Coach at Far East Federal University, in Vladivostok, Russia, in 2013.

Having to build a program from scratch, Coach Rome collaborated with various sponsors, including the U.S. Consulate and Russian government, to sponsor growth of the football program, and gained financial sponsorships from the General Director of Russia's GDP. Coach Rome was successful in doing this by organizing and actively participating in philanthropic endeavors, fund-raising initiatives, promotion, and public relations activities, including monthly visits to children hospitals and orphanages, conducting approximately 5 team fund-raising events annually.

In 2014, The Far East Federal University Wild Pandas took the field for the first time under the leadership of Coach Rome under the regulation of FAFR (Federation of American Football of Russia). The Wild Pandas' season opener was a lop-sided victory 56-6 in front of a sold-out home crowd on the Far East Federal University Campus, in Vladivostok, Russia. After finishing the remainder of the season 10-0, The Wild Pandas closed out the season given the university it's first Far East Regional American Football Championship. Coach Rome would go-on to win back-to-back Regional American Football Championships, as well as being named back-to-back Russia's National Coach of the year after going 21-0 over the span of two season at Far East Federal University.

Coach Rome returned home to the United States in January, 2016. Shortly after being name the Head Coach of The University of North Carolina Non-Scholarship Program, Coach Rome demonstrated again his capacity to 'jump-start' college football programs with this team who's program had been discontinued since 2012. In the Tar Heel's 1^st game in four years, the Tar Heels cruzed to a season opening victory, finishing the season 4-4, giving the Tar Heels their 1^st winning season in their NCFA's history (National Club Football Association).

As a championship Football player and Coach, Coach Rome has been mentored and coached by the following individuals: University of Maryland Asst. Head Coach, Chris Beatty; Florida International Head Coach, Butch Davis; University of Texas Wide-Receiver Coach, Charlie Williams; University of Florida Offensive Line Coach, Brad Davis, University Arkansas Asst. Head Coach Sam Pittman; Former New York Giant Head Coach, Jim Fassel, Indianapolis Head Coach, Chuck Pagano; Texas State Head Coach Everett Withers; New York Jets Running Back Coach Marcel Shipp; Former Oakland Raider's Offensive Coordinator, John Shoop; Arizona Cardinals Defensive Coordinator, James Bettcher.

A 2009 Graduate of the University of North Carolina and Chapel Hill, Coach Rome was a Four Year starter who was a Standout at Fullback, and was Named Team Captain During the 2008 and 2009 season with the Tar Heels, as a Professional football player, Coach Rome was signed as a Undrafted Free agent During the 2010 season and invited to Mini Camp with the Green Bay Packer, with short stints in Pittsburgh and Kansas City. Coach Rome Found his Stride in the United Football League playing for the Las Vegas Locomotives under former New York Giant Head Coach Jim Fassel. As their Starting fullback in 2010 the Loco's Won the 2010 United Football League World Championship. After back to back Championship run's, Coach Rome was Named 1^st Team All-UFL in 2010 and 2011, Coach Rome retired from playing football in Russia in 2013 after playing for the Moscow Patriots and being named Russia 2013 National Player of the Year.

Coach Rome Resides in Durham, NC with his fiance Latosha Phillips who are due to be Married the Fall of 2017, the family has 2 daughters Tanaysia Rome 12 and Gia Rome 6.

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Quan Sturvian

Linebackers Coach

Quantavius "Quan" Sturdivant (born December 5, 1988) is a former American football linebacker. He played as a middle linebacker for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. He was considered one of the top linebackers in the Atlantic Coast Conference(ACC). Sturdivant was drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals at pick number 171.

Coach Sturviant As a true freshman for the Tar Heels in 2007, Sturdivant saw action in all 12 games as a linebacker including five starts. He also played a role on special teams. Sturdivant also recorded 47 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, one quarterback sack, one interception, and one blocked punt.^[1] In 2008, Sturdivant played in all 13 games and recorded 122 tackles including 87 solo, two sacks, one forced fumble, and two interceptions for 89 yards and a touchdown.^[5]Sports Illustratednamed him an honorable mention All-American.^[6] For the 2009 season, Sturdivant was moved from weakside to middle linebacker, in order to replace Mark Paschal who graduated.^[7] He was moved back to the weakside, however, to recapture his success from the previous year. Scout.com included him among its 120 Players You Need to Know feature series, and said of him, "In just two seasons ... he has developed into one of the top young linebackers in the ACC."

After year's as a successful Defensive Coordinator for one of the top high School defense in the State of NC, Coach Sturviant was been invited to Coach at the National Bowl, a game that consist of the Country top NFL Division 2 NCAA Propects.

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Donald Goold

Football Operations / OL/DL

National Bowl, Globe Bowl, and Team America Coach

Erik Highsmith

Wide Recievers Coach

Erik Highsmith stepped on the Kenan Stadium field as a true freshman in 2009 and made an instant impact. By the time he concluded his Tar Heel career he had amassed 166 receptions (4th all-time at UNC), 2,047 receiving yards (8th), and 14 receiving touchdowns (7th).

The Vanceboro, N.C. native signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, but didn’t make the final roster. Next was a foray into the AFL, before opting out of a bad situation. Highsmith kept training to potentially prolong his playing days before ultimately making a decision on his next career move into the coaching world, Coach Highsmith was a four year starter for the Tar Heels and was coach and mentor by University of Texas Wr Charles William's and Florida International University Head coach Butch Davis. Coach Highsmith was responsible for mentoring a young Ryan Switzer while a leader his Sr year for the Tar Heels. After a short stop in the Military, coach Highsmith return to the sideline where he resides in Fayetteville, NC .

Reginald Byarse Jr.

DB Coach (Lincoln U)

Kentwan Balmer

Defensive Lineman Coach

Coming from the Tar Heel State, Kentwan Balmer brings a vast amount of experience to the the coaching world. Being 1 of 4 Defensive Linemen selected in the 1^st round of the 2008 NFL draft, Coach Balmer has played for a number of Superbowl Winning Coaches in his playing career: Pete Carroll, Mike Shanahan, Butch Davis, and Defensive Line Guru, John Blake. Coach Balmer also played for 2 Superbowl Runner-ups, Ron Rivera, and Dan Quinn. John Blake, former Buffalo Bills Defensive line coach, describes Balmer as “One of the smartest and most technically sound players I’ve ever coached”. Balmer closed his career at UNC as an All-American and All-ACC caliber player and was selected as the 29^th overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Coach Balmer would go on to enjoy his best NFL season with the Seattle Seahawk’s 4-3 scheme playing defensive tackle under Dan Quinn, now the Atlanta Falcons Head Coach. The Seahawks would win the NFC west division championship and advance to the divisional round in the 2010 NFL playoffs. At the conclusion of his Playing Career in 2013, Coach Balmer would hit the ground running with immediate coaching success at the High School Level, earning him an opportunity to coach at the collegiate level at Shaw University. As a Shaw Bear Defensive Line Coach and Special Teams Coordinator, Coach Balmer helped the bears improve in eight statistical categories. Coach Balmer resides in Atlanta, GA, with is wife and son.

Tolbert Matthews

Assistant Coach

Coach Matthews is currently a Physical Education Teacher for Wake County Public Schools. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Elizabeth City State University, where he was also Linebacker from 2008-2012, and earned a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Liberty University in 2016. Matthews has worked with prestigious universities such as the North Carolina State University Football Recruiting Department, Duke University Sports Information Department, and now serves as the Head Coach for the University of North Carolina Club Football team that competes in the NCFA (National Club Football Association). On the high school and middle school level, Matthews coaches multiple sports including the linebackers of the Wake Forest Cougars, the defending 4-AA High School State Champions. Derived from a passion of giving back to the youth, Coach Matthews is the Founder of CoOoL Kids Mentoring throughout the Raleigh & Wake Forest area.

Markus McElveen

Offensive Line Coach

Markus McElveen has shown tremendous talent in the world of football. He graduated from Bridgeton Academy in 2007 and began his extraordinary football career at Shaw University. As a freshman, McElveen started as left tackle and was elected to the CIAA All-star Rookie team. He was also named Shaw's Rookie of the Year. During his football career, he helped Shaw amass 3 CIAA championships (2007,2008, & 2010), with 3 years all conference honors and two on the Lindsey All American team. Coach Rich McGeorge helped to mold him as an outstanding player, only to discover that McGeorge had his own success in football. McGeorge was inducted into the Elon Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, the NAIA Sports Hall of Fame in 1980, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. Having McGeorge as an example helped McElveen to later become a coach at his Alma mater, Shaw University, coaching for 6 seasons as an assistant offensive line coach and later defensive line coach. McElveen also assisted in the development of Division ll First Team All American offensive lineman Jeremy Gaston as well as recruited and coached CIAA First Team defensive lineman Venson Jones. McElveen continues to make an impact on young football players as Norwalk High School's defensive coordinator after serving as the school's defensive line coach.