Aden Durde has become a household name in the NFL’s growing international narrative, and his influence is now evident in the career of his protégé, George Reynolds. Durde, the first British defensive coordinator to win a Super Bowl, has built an unofficial "coaching tree" that stretches across the Atlantic, and Reynolds is one of its most promising branches. The last time I spoke with Reynolds was back in 2020.

At that point he was the inaugural starting quarterback for the pioneering NFL Academy, a program designed to nurture talent from outside the United States. He was also one of ten young athletes who took part in the NFL Pro Bowl skills competition in Orlando, where they faced off against top American high school players. That experience marked a turning point for Reynolds, exposing him to the level of preparation required to compete on the world stage. After his stint at the Academy, Reynolds headed north to the University of Ottawa in Canada, where he continued his development as a player.

However, his path soon veered toward coaching. He returned to the NFL Academy, took on responsibilities within the International Player Pathway (IPP) program, and even secured a role with the Baltimore Ravens during the most recent offseason. "I always knew coaching was where I wanted to end up," Reynolds told Sky Sports. "As an international player, the route to the U.S.

was full of obstacles. I want to tear those down for the guys who follow me, because I’ve lived through the whole process. If I can give someone a better chance than I had, that feels right.

That’s why I got into coaching, and the Academy has helped me grow every day. I feel ready to take the next step and prove I can succeed at the highest level." Durde's own journey—becoming the first British coordinator to lift the Lombardi Trophy in February—has always been framed by him as the start of a domino effect. He believes his story is just the first of many similar breakthroughs, and Reynolds is living proof of that vision.

"I try to mirror what he’s done through my own journey," Reynolds explained about Durde. "He was relentless—any internship or coaching gig that came his way, he grabbed it, learned from it, and moved forward. He was ruthless in the best sense; he knew his worth and pursued the positions he deserved.

That’s exactly where I aim to be. He’s also been an incredible mentor. We stay in touch, and he’s given me concrete advice on the steps I need to take, the materials I should prepare, and how to position myself for a coaching role at the next level." Reynolds’ transition to coaching truly began when he returned from Canada and reached out to his former Kent Exiles teammate, James Cook, now Senior Director of Player Development for the Cleveland Browns. Cook offered Reynolds a chance to assist at an IPP combine in London.

"That was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up," Reynolds recalled. "I arrived 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." That dedication opened doors. Reynolds later served as an assistant tight ends coach for the IPP program in the United States—a concept originally conceived by Durde—and eventually secured his current role as wide receiver and tight ends coach at the Loughborough‑based NFL Academy. "I worked with Steve Hagan, who is now the Academy’s head coach," Reynolds said. "We coached Patrick Murtagh, who suffered an injury after signing with the Lions but still made the NFL a year later.

When Coach Hagan moved to Europe and took the head job at the Academy, he called me straight away and asked me to join his staff." Reynolds was part of the Academy’s inaugural class in 2019, helping to lay the groundwork for a program that now provides a pathway for international athletes to earn U.S. college scholarships and, ultimately, professional opportunities. To date, more than 40 students have secured college football scholarships, and 28 alumni are playing Division I football in the 2025‑2026 season. The Academy’s roster today features athletes from 20 different nationalities, many of whom are learning American football for the first time or have just arrived in the United Kingdom from other sports backgrounds.

Coaching such a diverse group demands a unique communication style. "You have to learn to speak a different language to a kid who’s played football for ten years versus a teenager from Nigeria who’s never set foot on a gridiron, or an Australian who comes from a rugby background," Reynolds explained. "If I can translate the fundamentals of the game to someone with no prior exposure, it actually sharpens my own coaching abilities.

It forces me to break concepts down to their essence, which makes it easier when I later work with seasoned players." Reynolds also broadened his résumé during the previous offseason with a stint in Baltimore. He worked alongside then‑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 playbook, and building relationships with NFL coaches has been priceless.

Those connections keep me in touch with the league and give me a clear sense of the standards I need to meet to coach at that level. If my name becomes known in those circles, it opens doors for the next step in my career." Reynolds is passionate about his work at the Academy and envisions a long‑term future there, but he also acknowledges the pull of higher‑level opportunities. "I love coaching at the Academy and could stay forever if it made sense," he said. "However, as I grow, I want to impact a college program or an NFL team.

I want to help teams win. If that means drawing up plays for a year, I’m ready to do it.

All I need is the right staff and environment that will allow me to continue developing." His time with the Ravens came through the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship, a pathway similar to the one Durde used to break into the league. Durde began his NFL career as an intern with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014‑15, moved to the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 where he rose through the ranks, and later returned to Dallas as a defensive line coach before joining the Seattle Seahawks as defensive coordinator in 2024.

Under his guidance, Seattle’s defense became one of the league’s most feared units, culminating in a Super Bowl victory and multiple head‑coaching interviews this offseason. "It’s not surprising that Durde has reached this level," Reynolds noted.

"What people don’t see is the sheer work ethic he’s put in. He’s been an advocate for international football, traveling everywhere, coaching, learning, and proving his worth. That’s the blueprint I’m following.

You have to show value to an organization. They want hardworking people who bring something unique.

My goal is to impress, to motivate, and to demonstrate that I’ll do the right thing for the team." Durde’s story illustrates that elite football knowledge can be cultivated far beyond U.S. borders, and Reynolds stands among the brightest young minds eager to leave their imprint on a sport that is rapidly becoming global.

His journey—from a pioneering quarterback at the NFL Academy to a budding coach with NFL experience—embodies the very ripple effect Durde envisioned, signaling that more international coaches will soon follow in their footsteps.