Aden Durde has become a household name in the NFL’s growing international narrative, and his influence is now echoing through a new generation of coaches. One of his most vocal protégés is George Reynolds, a former quarterback turned aspiring coach who is determined to follow in Durde’s footsteps and make his own mark on the sport.
The last time I spoke with Reynolds was back in 2020, when he was still the pioneering starting quarterback for the inaugural NFL Academy class. At that time he was one of only ten players selected to compete in the NFL Pro Bowl Skills Challenge in Orlando, where they faced off against top American high‑school talent. That experience was a watershed moment for him, showcasing the possibilities for athletes coming from outside the United States. After his stint at the Academy, Reynolds headed north to the University of Ottawa in Canada to continue his playing career.
While his time in Ottawa was valuable, his true passion soon shifted from the gridiron to the sidelines. He began splitting his schedule between the Academy and the International Player Pathway (IPP) program, eventually earning a short‑term coaching 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 path to America felt like a massive wall.
I wanted to tear that wall down for the guys who come after me, because I’ve walked that road myself. If I can give someone a better chance than I had, that’s a win for me.
That’s really what sparked my interest in coaching, and every day at the Academy has helped me grow in that direction. I feel ready to take the next step and prove I belong 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 unlikely journey could create.
He believes his story is only the beginning, and that more British‑born coaches will soon follow his trail. Reynolds echoes that optimism.
"I try to mirror what he’s done through my own path," Reynolds said of Durde. "He was relentless—whether it was an internship or a coaching gig, he seized every chance, learned, grew, and moved forward. He was ruthless in the best way: he knew his worth and went after the roles he deserved. That’s exactly where I want to be, and he’s been an incredible mentor throughout.
We stay in touch; I’ve spoken with him several times recently, 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 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 Reynolds secure a role at an IPP combine in London, a chance Reynolds describes as a turning point. "That was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up," he recalled. "I was up at 6 a.m., the first person at the table, ready to help wherever needed.
I stayed until 11 p.m., doing whatever tasks were thrown my way. I wanted to prove my value, and I was willing to work any hours to do it." That dedication opened doors to an assistant tight‑ends coaching position within the IPP program—a concept originally conceived by Durde—and eventually led to his current role as wide‑receiver and tight‑ends coach at the NFL Academy in Loughborough. "I worked with Steve Hagan, who is now the head coach of the Academy," Reynolds explained. "We coached Patrick Murtagh, who unfortunately got injured after signing with the Lions but still made it to the NFL a year later.
When Coach Hagan moved back 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 created to give international athletes a clear pathway 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 playing Division I football in the 2025‑2026 season. The current roster represents 20 different nationalities and includes athletes from a variety of sporting backgrounds—some learning American football for the first time, others arriving in the UK from abroad for the first time. Coaching such a diverse group demands a unique communication style.
"You have to learn to speak a different language to someone who’s been playing football for ten years," Reynolds said. "If I can explain the fundamentals to a kid from Nigeria who’s never touched a football, or to an Australian who comes from a rugby background, it actually makes coaching more straightforward.
It forces you to break concepts down to their core, which ultimately makes you a better teacher for anyone, regardless of experience." Last offseason, Reynolds added a valuable stint with the Baltimore Ravens to his résumé, working under then‑tight‑ends coach George Godsey and offensive assistant Danny Breyer, who is now the passing‑game coordinator for the Browns. "That was one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had," he said.
"Being around pro players, seeing how they teach the game, and building relationships with those coaches has been priceless. I still keep in touch with many of them. It gave me a clear picture of the level I need to reach to coach at the NFL level, and it also gave me a stepping stone—if my name is recognized in those circles, doors open more easily when I’m ready for the next step." Reynolds is passionate about his work at the Academy and sees it as a long‑term commitment, but he also harbors ambitions to move up the coaching ladder.
"I love coaching at the Academy and would stay forever if the circumstances were right," he admitted. "But as I grow, I want to test myself at a college or NFL team and help them win. If that means drawing up plays for the first year, I’m ready to do it. I just need to be in the right environment with the right staff that allows me to continue developing." His time with Baltimore came as a Bill Walsh internship—a route similar to how Durde, a former London Warriors coach, broke into the NFL with an internship at the Atlanta Falcons in 2016.
Durde’s own path began with a Dallas Cowboys internship in 2014‑15, followed by a five‑year stint with the Falcons, a defensive‑line coaching role with Dallas, and a defensive‑coordinator position with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024, where he helped craft one of the league’s most feared defenses on the way to a Super Bowl victory. His success has even earned him head‑coach interview opportunities this offseason. "It’s not a surprise that he’s where he is now," Reynolds noted about Durde. "What many don’t see is the sheer amount of hard work he put in to get there.
He’s been an advocate for international football, traveling, coaching, and building relationships across the globe. That’s the inspiration for my own journey. He always told me to show my value—bring something useful to an organization.
Teams want hardworking people who can add value, and that’s the mindset I’m trying to embody every day." Durde’s story proves that football expertise can be cultivated far beyond the United States, and Reynolds stands among the brightest young minds eager to leave their imprint on an increasingly global game. As the NFL continues to expand its international footprint, coaches like Reynolds—shaped by mentors such as Durde—are poised to become the next generation of leaders who will bridge continents, cultures, and the love of football.