Leadership
Developing confidence, discipline, accountability and the ability to lead others.
NAAAA Texas Chapter
Welcome To The Texas Suite.
The NAAAA Texas Chapter is building a high-level Dallas-Fort Worth network centered on leadership, education, recognition, mentorship and opportunity for student-athletes.
Inside The Suite
A Better View Of What Students Need.
The NAAAA Texas Chapter exists to recognize, educate, mentor, develop and connect student-athletes and other students with meaningful opportunity.
We look beyond the scoreboard — focusing on leadership, academics, character, college access, financial education, exposure, relationships and life readiness.
01
Recognition
Celebrate academic, athletic, leadership, character and community achievement.
02
Development
Build confidence, discipline, life readiness and stronger decision-making.
03
Opportunity
Connect students with colleges, mentors, careers, resources and meaningful experiences.
Why We Exist
Talent Is Everywhere. Access Is Not.
Education
Connecting students with academic, college, financial and professional preparation.
Exposure
Creating meaningful access to people, campuses, industries and opportunities.
Relationships
Building networks of mentors, educators, coaches, businesses and leaders around students.
The Texas Standard
How We Show Up.
Operating with accountability, clarity and respect for the mission.
Building connections that create meaningful opportunities.
Keeping students and families at the center of the work.
Preparing young people and adults to lead with purpose.
Bringing care, dignity and respect into every room we enter.
Our Home Field
Building Strong In DFW. Growing With Purpose.
Dallas-Fort Worth
The chapter is building its current relationships, initiatives and student opportunities across the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
More Of Texas
As strong initiatives and infrastructure are established, the chapter intends to expand opportunities into additional Texas communities responsibly.
Meet The President
Leadership Built Through The Game.
Coach Gordon's relationship with student-athletes was built long before the NAAAA Texas Chapter — through decades of football, education, coaching, mentorship, family and service.
NAAAA Texas Chapter
President • Coach • Mentor • Leader
President's Spotlight
Coach Gordon
President — NAAAA Texas Chapter
For more than two decades, Coach Gordon has worked with student-athletes through football, education and mentorship. His leadership philosophy extends far beyond wins and losses.
At Arlington Seguin High School, Gordon serves in football and athletic leadership, working directly with students, coaches and families. Over the years, he has mentored hundreds of young people and built relationships that continue long after the season ends.
His relationship with TCU student-athlete Jamel Johnson reflects the kind of long-term mentorship Gordon believes young athletes need: adults who remain present, challenge them, advocate for them and care about the person beyond the uniform.
As President of the NAAAA Texas Chapter, Gordon brings his experiences as a student-athlete, college standout, professional football player, coach, mentor, father and entrepreneur into a mission centered on developing the complete student-athlete.
Email [email protected]
“Hey! Hey! It's A Great Day To Get Better!”
Coach Gordon
The Story Behind The Coach
Someone Once Opened A Door For Him.
Gordon's own football journey began with a coach who refused to stop seeing potential in him.
His mother initially did not want him playing high school football. Gordon respected that decision, but an Arlington High School coach continued encouraging him to reconsider — seeing athletic ability, academic potential and a possible pathway to college.
As his family's financial circumstances changed, Gordon began thinking differently about his future. He studied the game, learned the field and ultimately used football as one of the vehicles that helped carry him into higher education.
That experience is part of what makes mentorship personal to him today. Sometimes one adult seeing potential, staying involved and refusing to give up can change the direction of a young person's life.
Gordon's path into football began after persistent encouragement from a coach who saw athletic and academic potential.
Gordon became an accomplished defensive back, earning conference and national recognition during his playing career.
Gordon spent time with the St. Louis Rams and later played in NFL Europe with the Rhein Fire.
Gordon earned his bachelor's degree in criminology, reinforcing a message he now gives young athletes: football cannot be the only plan.
His post-playing career has included recruiting operations at Kansas State, secondary coaching at Mississippi College, and defensive leadership experience at Garden City Community College and Bethany College.
Hundreds Of Young Lives. One Consistent Standard.
Gordon has spent years coaching, mentoring and developing young people. The goal is not simply to make better football players. It is to help develop disciplined students, responsible men, stronger leaders and young people who understand what their future requires.
Mentorship
Coaching Is What He Does. Development Is Why.
Gordon's influence continues after practices, games and graduation. He believes coaches can become part of a young person's support system during some of life's most important years.
That philosophy connects directly to the Texas Chapter mission: surround student-athletes with people who challenge them, advocate for them, open doors and remain present as they grow.
Leadership In Action
Building The Men Who Lead.
Leadership is not something Gordon simply talks about. His men's retreat with members of his coaching staff reflects the culture he works to build — stronger relationships, accountability, personal development and intentional investment in the people who invest in students.
Coach Gordon's Men's Retreat
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Open Men's Retreat Video
Beyond The Sideline
Coach. Mentor. Family Man. Entrepreneur.
Gordon and his wife Angela are parents to four sons — LeAndrew, Sergio, Xavier and Diesel.
Outside athletics, Gordon also operates a BBQ catering business, bringing his work ethic and service mindset into entrepreneurship.
His coaching philosophy emphasizes habits, discipline, preparation, accountability and responsibility on and off the football field.
Gordon leads the Texas Chapter with a focus on stronger pathways, relationships and opportunities for student-athletes and families.
The Leadership Suite
The Team Behind The Mission.
Coach Gordon is featured above as President. The leaders below help build the Texas Chapter's operations, student engagement, funding, community relationships and continued growth.
Chapter Leadership
Milan Holder
Vice President & Director of Chapter Operations
Coordinates chapter operations, communications, board follow-up, partnerships, events, digital initiatives and execution of chapter priorities.
Email [email protected]
Chapter Leadership
Obinna “Obi” Akujuobi
Director of Athletic Engagement & Communications
Supports student-athlete engagement, candidate research, school and family relationships, recognition initiatives and responsible athlete storytelling.
Email [email protected]
Chapter Leadership
Monja Wilson
Director of Grants & Strategic Funding
Develops the chapter's funding ecosystem through grants, foundations, financial institutions, businesses, sponsorship opportunities and responsible reporting.
Email [email protected]
Chapter Leadership
Cynthia Spirlin
Director of Financial Education & Athlete Advocacy
Supports financial education, athlete advocacy, tax and financial awareness, professional guidance and responsible decision-making for student-athletes and families.
Email [email protected]
Recognition
Celebrate The People Moving Students Forward.
The chapter's recognition vision includes both student achievement and adults whose work creates stronger environments for young people.
The Chapter Experience
More Than One Event.
Confidence, communication, discipline and purpose.
Practical financial knowledge and responsible preparation.
College environments and educational pathways.
A developing signature college exposure experience.
Celebrating students and community leadership.
Building a stronger community around student-athletes.
There Is A Seat For People Ready To Build.
Schools, universities, mentors, businesses, foundations, families and community leaders can help create meaningful opportunities for student-athletes throughout North Texas.