COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Four Mountain West football coaches have been selected for the AFCA’s 2025 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. This year’s class was chosen from a field of over more than 200 applicants.
Air Force inside linebackers coach Ken Lamendola, Colorado State linebackers coach Adam Pilapil, UNLV cornerbacks coach Akeem Davis and Wyoming defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Aaron Bohl represent the MW on the list.
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.
Members of the AFCA 2025 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute receive a stipend to assist with expenses incurred while attending the AFCA Convention. They 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.
To be eligible, applicants had to be born on or after Jan. 1, 1989, 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 assistant or head coach. Applicants were required to submit a resume, five references, and a 1,600-word article or 10-minute live instructional video on an offensive, defensive, special teams, or position-specific topic of the applicant’s choosing back in the summer.
