Coaching lineages are a staple of NFL culture, and Aden Durde is quietly building his own branch as the British figure who helped the sport cross oceans and claim a Super Bowl ring. One of the protégés who has benefited from Durde's mentorship is former quarterback-turned-coach George Reynolds. The most recent conversation I had with Reynolds dates back to 2020, when he was still the inaugural starting quarterback for the pioneering NFL Academy. At that time he was also among a select group of ten players who traveled to Orlando to take part in the NFL Pro Bowl skill challenges against American high‑school athletes.
After that experience Reynolds headed north to the University of Ottawa, where he continued to hone his football knowledge. Rather than chasing a playing career, he soon pivoted toward coaching, dividing his time between the Academy, the International Player Pathway (IPP) program, and a stint with the Baltimore Ravens during the previous offseason.
"I always knew coaching was my next step," Reynolds told Sky Sports. "As an international player I hit a lot of roadblocks trying to get to the U.S., so I want to clear a path for the guys who follow. If I can give someone a better chance than I had, that feels right.
That’s really what sparked my interest in coaching, and the more time I spend at the Academy the more I realize I can grow into a top‑level coach." Durde, who made history as the first British coordinator to win a Super Bowl in February, has long spoken about the ripple effect of his own unlikely journey. He believes his story will inspire a new generation of coaches from outside the traditional American pipeline, and Reynolds is a living example of that vision. "I try to emulate what Aden has done," Reynolds explained.
"He was relentless—any internship or coaching gig that came his way, he seized it, learned from it, and moved forward. He knew his worth and fought for the positions he deserved. That’s exactly the mindset I’m adopting.
He’s also been a fantastic mentor; we still talk regularly, and he’s given me concrete advice on the steps I need to take and the materials I should prepare to get a foot in the door at the next level." Reynolds’ transition from player to coach began after his return from Canada when he reached out to former Kent Exiles teammate James Cook, now Senior Director of Player Development for the Cleveland Browns. Cook helped him secure a role assisting at an IPP combine in London.
"That was my foot in the door," 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 through sheer hard work." That dedication opened the door to a position as assistant tight‑ends coach for the IPP program—a concept originally created by Durde—stateside. It eventually led to his current appointment as the wide‑receiver and tight‑ends coach at the Loughborough‑based NFL Academy. "I worked with 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 made it to the NFL a year later. When Coach Hagan returned to Europe to lead the Academy, he called me straight away and asked me to join his staff." Reynolds was part of the Academy’s inaugural class when the program launched in 2019. The Academy was designed to give international athletes a clear route to U.S.
college scholarships and, ultimately, professional opportunities. Since its inception, more than 40 students have earned scholarships to American colleges, and 28 alumni are competing at the Division I level in the 2025‑2026 season. The current roster features athletes from 20 different nations, many of whom are learning American football for the first time or have recently left their home countries to train in the UK.
Coaching such a diverse group demands a unique communication style. "You have to speak a different language to a kid who’s played football for ten years versus a teenager from Nigeria who has never set foot on a gridiron or an Australian who comes from a rugby background," Reynolds noted. "If I can break down the fundamentals in a way that resonates with someone who’s completely new to the sport, it actually makes coaching more straightforward when I later work with seasoned players.
It forces you to be clear, concise, and adaptable." During the most recent NFL offseason Reynolds spent time with the Baltimore Ravens, working under 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 the way they teach the game, and building relationships with coaches who are still in the league has been priceless. It gave me a realistic benchmark of the standard I need to meet to coach at that level, and it also gave me a name that people recognize in NFL circles, which can open doors when I’m ready to take the next step." Reynolds is clear about his long‑term ambitions.
"I love coaching at the Academy and could see myself there forever if the circumstances were right," he explained. "But as I grow, I want to test myself at a college program or an NFL team and help those squads win. If that means drawing up plays for a year‑old playbook, I’m willing to do it.
All I need is to be surrounded by the right coaching staff that will push me forward." His time in Baltimore came as a Bill Walsh internship—a pathway similar to the one Durde used to break into the NFL, beginning with an internship with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014‑15, then a role with the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 that eventually led to a defensive‑line coaching position in Dallas, and later a defensive‑coordinator slot with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024. Durde’s rapid ascent culminated in a Super Bowl victory and head‑coach interviews this offseason. "It’s not surprising to see Durde succeed," Reynolds said. "What people often overlook is the sheer amount of work he put in to get there.
He’s been an advocate for international football, traveling everywhere, coaching wherever he could, and proving his worth at every stop. That’s the blueprint I’m following—show value, work hard, and earn the trust of the organization." Durde’s story proves that elite football knowledge can be cultivated outside the United States, and Reynolds stands among the brightest of the new wave of coaches eager to leave their imprint on an increasingly global game.