Staff

National Team

Bobby Rome

Head Coach/ OC / Former NFL Player

“ A tremendous work ethic, an in-depth knowledge of coaching football, and unquestionable integrity and reliability,” says National Bowl Founder/President Michael Quartey Esq., are three qualities exhibited by Coach Bobby Rome. After being named Head Coach of Team America in the 2016 Globe Bowl, Coach Rome responded with 3 blow out victories. Coach Rome has recently been named the 2017 Head Football Coach for the National Bowl. The National Bowl consist of the country's top NFL Division II NCAA prospects, a game that has produced over 64 NFL Players since 2015.

Regarded as one of the bright young minds of football, Coach Rome started his head coaching career as an Interim Head Coach of the Indoor Football League, Carolina Force Arena Football Team. Coach Rome lead them to a 5-2 record in their 2012 inaugural season. With early success as a head coach, Coach Rome received an invitation for a Visa to Russia to be named the 1^st Head Coach at Far East Federal University, in Vladivostok, Russia, in 2013.

Having to build a program from scratch, Coach Rome collaborated with various sponsors, including the U.S. Consulate and Russian government, to sponsor growth of the football program, and gained financial sponsorships from the General Director of Russia's GDP. Coach Rome was successful in doing this by organizing and actively participating in philanthropic endeavors, fund-raising initiatives, promotion, and public relations activities, including monthly visits to children hospitals and orphanages, conducting approximately 5 team fund-raising events annually.

In 2014, The Far East Federal University Wild Pandas took the field for the first time under the leadership of Coach Rome under the regulation of FAFR (Federation of American Football of Russia). The Wild Pandas' season opener was a lop-sided victory 56-6 in front of a sold-out home crowd on the Far East Federal University Campus, in Vladivostok, Russia. After finishing the remainder of the season 10-0, The Wild Pandas closed out the season given the university it's first Far East Regional American Football Championship. Coach Rome would go-on to win back-to-back Regional American Football Championships, as well as being named back-to-back Russia's National Coach of the year after going 21-0 over the span of two season at Far East Federal University.

Coach Rome returned home to the United States in January, 2016. Shortly after being name the Head Coach of The University of North Carolina Non-Scholarship Program, Coach Rome demonstrated again his capacity to 'jump-start' college football programs with this team who's program had been discontinued since 2012. In the Tar Heel's 1^st game in four years, the Tar Heels cruzed to a season opening victory, finishing the season 4-4, giving the Tar Heels their 1^st winning season in their NCFA's history (National Club Football Association).

As a championship Football player and Coach, Coach Rome has been mentored and coached by the following individuals: University of Maryland Asst. Head Coach, Chris Beatty; Florida International Head Coach, Butch Davis; University of Texas Wide-Receiver Coach, Charlie Williams; University of Florida Offensive Line Coach, Brad Davis, University Arkansas Asst. Head Coach Sam Pittman; Former New York Giant Head Coach, Jim Fassel, Indianapolis Head Coach, Chuck Pagano; Texas State Head Coach Everett Withers; New York Jets Running Back Coach Marcel Shipp; Former Oakland Raider's Offensive Coordinator, John Shoop; Arizona Cardinals Defensive Coordinator, James Bettcher.

A 2009 Graduate of the University of North Carolina and Chapel Hill, Coach Rome was a Four Year starter who was a Standout at Fullback, and was Named Team Captain During the 2008 and 2009 season with the Tar Heels, as a Professional football player, Coach Rome was signed as a Undrafted Free agent During the 2010 season and invited to Mini Camp with the Green Bay Packer, with short stints in Pittsburgh and Kansas City. Coach Rome Found his Stride in the United Football League playing for the Las Vegas Locomotives under former New York Giant Head Coach Jim Fassel. As their Starting fullback in 2010 the Loco's Won the 2010 United Football League World Championship. After back to back Championship run's, Coach Rome was Named 1^st Team All-UFL in 2010 and 2011, Coach Rome retired from playing football in Russia in 2013 after playing for the Moscow Patriots and being named Russia 2013 National Player of the Year.

Coach Rome Resides in Durham, NC with his fiance Latosha Phillips who are due to be Married the Fall of 2017, the family has 2 daughters Tanaysia Rome 12 and Gia Rome 6.

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Kentwan Balmer

Defensive Lineman Coach

Coming from the Tar Heel State, Kentwan Balmer brings a vast amount of experience to the the coaching world. Being 1 of 4 Defensive Linemen selected in the 1^st round of the 2008 NFL draft, Coach Balmer has played for a number of Superbowl Winning Coaches in his playing career: Pete Carroll, Mike Shanahan, Butch Davis, and Defensive Line Guru, John Blake. Coach Balmer also played for 2 Superbowl Runner-ups, Ron Rivera, and Dan Quinn. John Blake, former Buffalo Bills Defensive line coach, describes Balmer as “One of the smartest and most technically sound players I’ve ever coached”. Balmer closed his career at UNC as an All-American and All-ACC caliber player and was selected as the 29^th overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Coach Balmer would go on to enjoy his best NFL season with the Seattle Seahawk’s 4-3 scheme playing defensive tackle under Dan Quinn, now the Atlanta Falcons Head Coach. The Seahawks would win the NFC west division championship and advance to the divisional round in the 2010 NFL playoffs. At the conclusion of his Playing Career in 2013, Coach Balmer would hit the ground running with immediate coaching success at the High School Level, earning him an opportunity to coach at the collegiate level at Shaw University. As a Shaw Bear Defensive Line Coach and Special Teams Coordinator, Coach Balmer helped the bears improve in eight statistical categories. Coach Balmer resides in Atlanta, GA, with is wife and son.

Quan Sturvian

Linebackers Coach

Quantavius "Quan" Sturdivant (born December 5, 1988) is a former American football linebacker. He played as a middle linebacker for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. He was considered one of the top linebackers in the Atlantic Coast Conference(ACC). Sturdivant was drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals at pick number 171.

Coach Sturviant As a true freshman for the Tar Heels in 2007, Sturdivant saw action in all 12 games as a linebacker including five starts. He also played a role on special teams. Sturdivant also recorded 47 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, one quarterback sack, one interception, and one blocked punt.^[1] In 2008, Sturdivant played in all 13 games and recorded 122 tackles including 87 solo, two sacks, one forced fumble, and two interceptions for 89 yards and a touchdown.^[5]Sports Illustratednamed him an honorable mention All-American.^[6] For the 2009 season, Sturdivant was moved from weakside to middle linebacker, in order to replace Mark Paschal who graduated.^[7] He was moved back to the weakside, however, to recapture his success from the previous year. Scout.com included him among its 120 Players You Need to Know feature series, and said of him, "In just two seasons ... he has developed into one of the top young linebackers in the ACC."

After year's as a successful Defensive Coordinator for one of the top high School defense in the State of NC, Coach Sturviant was been invited to Coach at the National Bowl, a game that consist of the Country top NFL Division 2 NCAA Propects.

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Erik Highsmith

Wide Recievers Coach

Erik Highsmith stepped on the Kenan Stadium field as a true freshman in 2009 and made an instant impact. By the time he concluded his Tar Heel career he had amassed 166 receptions (4th all-time at UNC), 2,047 receiving yards (8th), and 14 receiving touchdowns (7th).

The Vanceboro, N.C. native signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, but didn’t make the final roster. Next was a foray into the AFL, before opting out of a bad situation. Highsmith kept training to potentially prolong his playing days before ultimately making a decision on his next career move into the coaching world, Coach Highsmith was a four year starter for the Tar Heels and was coach and mentor by University of Texas Wr Charles William's and Florida International University Head coach Butch Davis. Coach Highsmith was responsible for mentoring a young Ryan Switzer while a leader his Sr year for the Tar Heels. After a short stop in the Military, coach Highsmith return to the sideline where he resides in Fayetteville, NC .

Donald Goold

Football Operations / OL/DL

National Bowl, Globe Bowl, and Team America Coach

Tolbert Matthews

Assistant Coach

Coach Matthews is currently a Physical Education Teacher for Wake County Public Schools. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Elizabeth City State University, where he was also Linebacker from 2008-2012, and earned a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Liberty University in 2016. Matthews has worked with prestigious universities such as the North Carolina State University Football Recruiting Department, Duke University Sports Information Department, and now serves as the Head Coach for the University of North Carolina Club Football team that competes in the NCFA (National Club Football Association). On the high school and middle school level, Matthews coaches multiple sports including the linebackers of the Wake Forest Cougars, the defending 4-AA High School State Champions. Derived from a passion of giving back to the youth, Coach Matthews is the Founder of CoOoL Kids Mentoring throughout the Raleigh & Wake Forest area.

Markus McElveen

Offensive Line Coach

Markus McElveen has shown tremendous talent in the world of football. He graduated from Bridgeton Academy in 2007 and began his extraordinary football career at Shaw University. As a freshman, McElveen started as left tackle and was elected to the CIAA All-star Rookie team. He was also named Shaw's Rookie of the Year. During his football career, he helped Shaw amass 3 CIAA championships (2007,2008, & 2010), with 3 years all conference honors and two on the Lindsey All American team. Coach Rich McGeorge helped to mold him as an outstanding player, only to discover that McGeorge had his own success in football. McGeorge was inducted into the Elon Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, the NAIA Sports Hall of Fame in 1980, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. Having McGeorge as an example helped McElveen to later become a coach at his Alma mater, Shaw University, coaching for 6 seasons as an assistant offensive line coach and later defensive line coach. McElveen also assisted in the development of Division ll First Team All American offensive lineman Jeremy Gaston as well as recruited and coached CIAA First Team defensive lineman Venson Jones. McElveen continues to make an impact on young football players as Norwalk High School's defensive coordinator after serving as the school's defensive line coach.

Reginald Byarse Jr.

DB Coach (Lincoln U)

American Team

Matt Diniak

Head Coach (Pro Arena Arkansas HC)

Coach Matt Diniak was named the Head Coach of the Pro Arena Arkansas team of the NGL. Previous to that Diniak coached in our FBS Tropical Bowl while a coach at Stetson University (D1/FCS). Diniak came to Stetson from St. Stephens Episcopal in Bradenton, Fla., where he served as offensive coordinator during the 2013 season. He previously served as an offensive quality control assistant at the University of South Florida during the 2012 season.

A native of Gladstone, Michigan, Diniak played receiver and defensive back at Grand Valley State University where he played for current Notre Dame head ooach Brian Kelly. Following his collegiate playing career, he spent one season played in the Arena Football League for the Grand Rapids Rampage.

He started his coaching career at his alma mater in 2001, working as an assistant receivers coach on Kelly’s staff.

He moved on from there to the University of South Florida in 2002 where he spent three seasons on Jim Leavitt’s staff as assistant defensive backs coach.. He went to work for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2005 season, working as an offensive scouting intern, a position he remained in until after the 2008 season.

Diniak returned to college coaching in 2008 at Assumption College in Massachusetts. During four seasons there he help multiple jobs, including quarterabcks coach, special teams coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator.

Diniak and his wife Angela have two children, son Braylon (11) and daughter Liliana (7).

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Darrell Sutherland

OC / RB Coach

Coach Sutherland has been teaching / coaching for 26 years: Shawsville HS, Virginia 1992-1997, Bridgewater College 1997-2000, and Bartram Trail HS, Florida 2000-Current. I’m also honored to serve as a trainer for Heads Up Football / USA Football, a board member for the Florida Coaches Association (FACA), and a Youth Coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

My wonderful wife Mary and I have been married for 26 years and we’ve been blessed with two sons, Caleb (19) and Elijah (14) and daughter, Elle (16)

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Tod Creneti

QB Coach

Tod Creneti has been coaching high school and college football for 27 years. Spending time in Virginia, Washington D.C., South Carolina, and Florida. Creneti has been the Head Coach at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School since 2011. During that time, the Falcons have appeared in four independent state championship games, winning two. Creneti is also a USA Football Certified Master trainer serving in that role for six years.

Creneti lives with his wife Tanya and his two girls in Parrish, FL. He also owns and operates his own business called Foundation Coaching.

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Chris MIller

WR Coach

Led Admiral Farragut to a 12-2 record, Regional Championship and State runner-up in 2011
Was selected as the S.A.F.C.A 2011 Coach of the year by his peers
Was selected Coach of the year by the St. Petersburg Times (2011)
Coached 4^th round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers Rayshawn Jenkins for 4 years
Became All-Time leader in wins in Admiral Farragut history (2010) at the age of 28
Developed Twenty two county All-Stars
Coached 31 players who are currently playing in college or have finished their college playing career
Became the youngest Varsity Head Football Coach in the state of Florida at 22 years of age in 2005
Lifted the number of players in the SHS football program from 17 to 125
Established youth coaches clinic
Established youth player clinic
Established leadership council that performed monthly community service activities
Coordinated an offense that set a school rushing record for one season at two different High Schools
Coordinated offense that set a single season yardage record at two different High Schools

Chris Parker

OL Coach

Chris Parker began his coaching career after playing for both Ron Zook and Urban Meyer at the University of Florida. During his time for the Gators, he spent his time as an Interior Offensive Lineman.

Parker is currently going into his 7^th season as Offensive Coordinator at Seminole High School in Seminole, Florida. During his time with the Warhawks he has conducted an offensive attack that has broken several school records. He also mentored Brandon Walton who is currently the starting right guard at FAU and a future NFL prospect.

Prior to Seminole, he spent time as an Offensive Coordinator at Boca Ciega High and as an Offensive Line coach at Admiral Farragut Academy. While at Admiral Farragut, he helped a team turnaround that eventually led to a run at a State Championship. He has helped more than a dozen Offensive Lineman achieve their goal of playing at the Collegiate level.

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Jim Phelan

Defensive Coordinator / LB

Steve Gulash

DL Coach

Pierre Penn

DB/SS/Nickel Coach

Penn graduated from Heritage High School in Lynchburg, VA in 2004 … four-year letterwinner … helped Heritage Pioneers to their first AA State Championship as a junior, finishing the season with a perfect 14-0 record in Division 4 … finished the state championship game with 178 yards receiving and two touchdowns, bringing his season total to 19 touchdown receptions on the year. He also was a part of the AA State Championship team in track in 2002. After high school Penn got a scholarship to play football at the time D1-AA Liberty University as a receiver where he played all 4 years, but was converted to a DB/Nickel and recorded one defensive touchdown in his career and helped Liberty win their first Big South Championship in school history in 2007. After graduating, Penn played one year of arena ball for the Richmond Raiders, now owned by rapper Jim Jones, then returned home to coach at his alma mater under former Under Armour National High School Coach of the Year Doug Smith. Penn also served as the Defensive Backs coach at VUL in their first season having a football team. Penn then tackled the task as Head coach of a local semi pro team called Hill City Stampede where he led them to an undefeated season in their first year. Penn is currently serving his 4^th year as the Assistant Head Coach at Brookville High School under Head Coach Jon Meeks where he concentrates on the Receivers and Defensive Backs. Penn recently witnessed his 4 year player WR/FS Micah Glaize sign a full D1 scholarship to Liberty University to play Safety. Also Ryan Perry WR/CB under Penn received a full D2 scholarship to Charleston University last year as a cornerback. Penn is vying to sharpen his craft in coaching and become a position coach in college again.

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