Tennessee Titans running backs coach Tony Dews and director of pro scouting Brian Gardner will take part in the first ever NFL Coach and Front Office Accelerator program.
Here’s more information on the summit, which will take place from May 23-24 in Atlanta and include more than 60 head coach and general manager prospects from 32 teams, per the NFL:
The program will provide senior women and minority prospects with leadership development sessions with football operations experts and facilitators, as well as time spent networking directly with club owners. The effort is designed to continue building a diverse hiring pipeline for future head coach and general manager positions throughout the League.
Each club nominated rising prospects to participate in the two-day Accelerator. In addition to leadership development and sessions on the business of football, attendees will engage in candid discussions on how to take the next step in becoming a coach or front office executive.
“The NFL is committed to diversity and inclusion, and this program is the latest in a series of steps designed to improve our hiring practices and create opportunities for advancement,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “The program helps ensure that clubs receive exposure to high-performing, up-and-coming NFL talent and candidates get a chance to learn the business on a working level from team owners and executives.”
After almost two decades as a college coach, Dews was hired as the Titans’ running backs coach in 2018. Since then, the Titans have seen Derrick Henry notch a pair of rushing titles, one of which included a 2,000-yard season.
Gardner has been working in the NFL for 28 years, eight of which has been spent in Nashville. He also spent time with the Houston Texans and in the Canadian Football League, Arena Football League, and United Football League.