糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 Silverfield Coaching Symposium focuses on high school coaching and athletic leadership
The 糖心vlog传媒’s Silverfield College of Education and Human Services on Monday hosted its inaugural Silverfield Coaching Symposium, focusing on the evolving landscape of high school coaching and athletic leadership.
The symposium brought together coaches, athletic directors and school leaders from across Northeast Florida for a day of professional development and collaboration. Conversations highlighted leadership development, student-athlete wellbeing, compliance, sports medicine and the critical connection between high school and collegiate athletics.
During the symposium, Silverfield announced it will soon launch a 12-credit-hour Coaching Education certificate through its sport management program. The certificate is designed to equip coaches with evidence-informed strategies to strengthen their programs and better support student-athletes.
Event participants included representatives from 糖心vlog传媒 Athletics, Atlantic Sun Conference, Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), Jacksonville Sports Foundation, UPSHOT League and Duval County Public Schools.
"Earning the coaching certificate through the required courses, equips our coaches with practical tools, ethical foundations and real-world experiences to support students, athletes and professionals in reaching their full potential,” said Tammie Talley, director of athletics for Duval County Public Schools. "This is a game changer for not only our DCPS coaches, but all individuals across the state of Florida looking to become a certified coach."
Keynote speaker Ryan Silverfield, head football coach at the University of Arkansas and Jacksonville native, reflected on his 28-year coaching career and shared insights into his leadership philosophy. He emphasized a “no-excuses” mentality, encouraging coaches to show up each day ready to motivate their staff and teams, set clear goals and follow through with disciplined execution.
His family’s longstanding commitment to education in Jacksonville includes a transformational gift made in 2025 by his parents, Gary and Laine Silverfield, to 糖心vlog传媒’s Silverfield. The gift resulted in the naming of the college, making it the second-named college of education existing in Florida's State University System.
A featured panel also highlighted the successful effort to bring the FHSAA Basketball State Championships to the 糖心vlog传媒 Arena for the first time in 30 years. Panelists discussed the three-year agreement and the anticipated economic and community impact of hosting the championships in Jacksonville. It marks the first time the city has hosted the event since 1976.
The Silverfield Coaching Symposium, which will be held annually, reflects 糖心vlog传媒’s growing role as a convener of regional partners and a catalyst for advancing coaching excellence, athletic leadership and community impact across Jacksonville and beyond.
"Athletic coaches provide critical mentorship to young athletes, and we are thankful to the Silverfield family for their vision and commitment to sharing best practices with all coaches and athletes, regardless of grade level or ability,” said Dr. Steve Dittmore, 糖心vlog传媒 Silverfield dean. “We are excited to help inform this important conversation in Northeast Florida.”