Aden Durde has become a landmark figure in the NFL’s growing international narrative, building an unofficial coaching lineage that highlights the sport’s global expansion. One of the most prominent members of his emerging “coaching tree” is former quarterback-turned-coach George Reynolds. The last time I spoke with Reynolds was back in 2020, when he was the inaugural starting quarterback for the pioneering NFL Academy. At that point he was also one of just ten players selected to compete against American high‑school athletes in the NFL Pro Bowl skills contests held in Orlando.
After that experience, Reynolds headed north to the University of Ottawa, where he continued his development on the field before eventually turning his attention to coaching. Since returning to the Academy, Reynolds has split his time between mentoring young talent there, working within the International Player Pathway (IPP) program, and even spending a stint with the Baltimore Ravens during the most recent offseason.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, he explained why coaching felt like a natural next step: "I always knew this was the direction I wanted to go," Reynolds said. "As an international player, the path to the United States was riddled with obstacles. I wanted to clear those hurdles for the guys who follow, because I’ve lived through the whole process. If I can give someone a better shot than I had, that’s rewarding.
That desire pushed me into coaching, and the more time I’ve spent at the Academy, the more I’ve grown in that role. It’s inspired me to aim higher – I believe I can succeed at the highest level." Durde, who made history as the first British coordinator to win a Super Bowl in February, has long spoken about the domino effect his own journey could trigger. He believes more coaches with similar backgrounds will soon emerge, and Reynolds is already living proof of that vision. "I try to emulate what he’s done through my own journey," Reynolds explained, reflecting on Durde’s relentless work ethic.
"Every opportunity he got—whether it was an internship or a coaching role—he seized, learned, and moved forward. He was unapologetically ambitious, always knowing his worth and taking the jobs he deserved. That’s exactly where I want to be. He’s been a mentor, and we stay in contact.
He’s recently given me concrete advice on the steps I need to take and the materials I should prepare to maximize my chances of coaching at the next level." Reynolds’ transition from player to coach began after his Canadian stint when he reached out to former Kent Exiles teammate James Cook, now Senior Director of Player Development for the Cleveland Browns. Cook helped arrange a role for Reynolds at an IPP combine in London, providing a foothold into the professional coaching world. "That was a real opportunity for me," Reynolds recalled.
"I showed up at 6 a.m., was the first at the table, and stayed until 11 p.m. doing whatever was needed. I wanted to prove my value and I was willing to put in the hours." That dedication opened doors to an assistant tight‑ends coaching position within the IPP program—a concept originally devised by Durde—before Reynolds landed his current role as wide‑receiver and tight‑ends coach at the Loughborough‑based NFL Academy. "I worked alongside Steve Hagan, who later became head coach of the Academy," Reynolds said.
"We coached Patrick Murtagh, who suffered an injury after signing with the Lions but still managed to reach the NFL a year later. When Coach Hagan returned to Europe to lead the Academy, he immediately invited me onto his staff." Reynolds was part of the Academy’s inaugural class when it launched in 2019, helping lay the groundwork for a program that now offers a rare pipeline for international athletes seeking college scholarships and professional opportunities in the United States.
Since its inception, more than 40 students have earned U.S. college football scholarships, and 28 alumni are playing Division I football in the 2025‑2026 season.
The current roster showcases 20 nationalities and includes athletes from a variety of sporting backgrounds—some learning American football from scratch, others arriving in the UK for the first time. Coaching such a diverse group demands a unique communication style. "You have to learn to speak a different language to a player who’s been playing football for a decade versus a kid from Nigeria who’s never touched a ball, or an Australian who comes from a rugby background," Reynolds noted.
"If I can translate the fundamentals of the game to someone with no prior experience, it actually makes coaching more straightforward when I later work with seasoned players." Last offseason, Reynolds broadened his résumé with a stint in Baltimore, where he assisted tight‑ends coach George Godsey and offensive assistant Danny Breyer—now the Browns’ passing‑game coordinator. "That was one of the most valuable experiences of my career," he said. "Being around pro players, absorbing their teaching methods, and building relationships that still exist today gave me a clear picture of the standard I need to meet. It also gave me a stepping stone: if my name becomes recognized within NFL facilities, doors open for the next opportunity." Reynolds expressed a deep affection for his work at the Academy, but he also harbors ambitions beyond the UK.
"I love coaching here and could stay forever if the circumstances were right, but as I grow I want to impact a college program or an NFL team. My goal is to help teams win. If that means drafting the playbook in my first year, I’m ready to do it. I just need to be surrounded by the right staff that will allow me to develop." His time with the Ravens came through a Bill Walsh internship—a pathway similar to the one Durde followed when he earned his first NFL position with the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 after interning with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014‑15.
Durde later served as the Dallas defensive‑line coach, then joined the Seattle Seahawks as defensive coordinator under Mike Macdonald in 2024, where he helped craft one of the league’s most feared defenses en route to a Super Bowl victory and secured head‑coaching interviews this offseason. "It’s not surprising that Durde has succeeded," Reynolds observed. "What many don’t see is the sheer amount of work he put in to get there. He’s been an advocate for international football, traveling, coaching, and building relationships across continents.
That’s the blueprint I’m following. You have to constantly demonstrate value to an organization.
They want hardworking people who can contribute immediately. My mission is to impress, bring motivation, and prove I can do the right thing for the team." Durde’s story illustrates that elite football knowledge can be cultivated outside the United States, and Reynolds stands among the brightest of the new generation eager to leave their imprint on a sport that is increasingly global in scope.