What We Do

America’s #1 Developmental Pro Football Program.

Headquartered in Southern California’s Coachella Valley, the SoCal Coyotes are a nationally recognized non-profit, faith-based pro football ministry, dedicated to restoring hope in personal lives, families and communities. The Coyotes viciously ‘Defend the Shield’ of Faith, Family and Football, and rely on sustaining support from sponsors and private donors.

More than 1,000 young men have matured in the Coyote program, with many advancing to camps in the National Football League, Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League. With priority on faith, fatherhood and family values, the Coyote organization has been recognized by the Desert Christian News for “Building Champions, Building Men.”

“Faith, Family and Football’ is the real mission of the Coyotes off the field – and not surprisingly, something that dates back to the great Vince Lombardi in 1959. More than game tape. More than a weight room. More than a 40 time. The Coyote mission reaches so far from the actual gridiron that developing well-rounded young men is just as, if not more, important to the entire organization.

The SoCal Coyotes are the nation’s only non-profit sports leadership organization to field a professional football team, and were named ‘America’s #1 Developmental Football Program’ by The Football Educator, operated by former Denver Broncos GM and two-time Super Bowl winner Ted Sundquist.  To read the entire article in The Football Educator, click here.

Healthy and Positive Youth Development Programs.

Each year, the SoCal Coyotes are ‘boots on the ground’ throughout communities, shaping the lives of thousands of kids and teens from all walks of life by introducing them to core principles and values such as integrity, respect and perseverance. Boys & Girls Clubs,  the YMCA, the Desert Strength Academy, the Boys & Girl Scouts of America, Rotary International and dozens of middle schools are among those who benefit each year from the efforts of the staff and players of the SoCal Coyotes, who partner with communities to develop leadership and effect change to improve the lives of youth.

The SoCal Coyotes support programs that aid the youth and families of their region, and assist programs that foster cultural diversity, education, family and health. The Coyotes take special interest in youth programs that encourage education, creativity and development of character.

Coyote Leadership Curriculum.

Coyote players annually administer their published leadership curriculum to more than 50,000 students, and their efforts range from guidance to at-risk youth, to motivational leadership symposiums, to coaching clinics, and intramural football.

The centerpiece of Coyote Leadership Curriculum is the Coyote Leadership Quiz, which provides youth measurable results and an attainable blueprint for progress.

Coyote programs achieve –

-Focus on all aspects of a youth’s development;

-Develop cognitive social, emotional, and physical skills;

-Work in deep partnership with communities, responding to questions posed by partners;

-Bridge the gap between research, practice, and policy;

-Generate actionable knowledge through regular and iterative exchanges.

Head of Household Work Leadership Program (HOWL).

The Coyotes are respected for their strict Player Code of Conduct and Head of Household Work Leadership program (HOWL), which trains players in demonstrable skills that aid them in all walks of life. The HOWL program matches players with sustainable income and employment opportunities, many of whom are participating employers/sponsors.

Focus on Mentoring, Fathering and Family Values.

More than 20 million children live in a home without the physical presence of a father. The SoCal Coyotes support and share the efforts of the National Center for Fathering, and strive to improve the lives of children and establish a positive fathering and family legacy that will impact future generations by inspiring and equipping fathers and father figures to be actively engaged in the life of every child.

Better Fathers, Better Husbands, Better Men.

The odds facing today’s modern man are bleak. Recent polls indicate that men among the modern culture, ages 18-45, are the highest consumer group of pornography; spend 2.5 hours a day on a smart phone; average only 3.5 minutes a day talking with their kids;  just 17 minutes a week talking to their wives – and 50 percent cheat on their spouse.

The SoCal Coyotes are confronting these social issues head on. We believe in heroes – not only on the field, but in our homes, in our marriages, with our children, with our friends, and in our communities.

Skillful, Intentional, On Purpose: ‘Above the Line’ Men.

We develop ‘Above the Line’ men who live a life that is skillful, intentional, and on purpose, uncommon men with unpopular common sense. We stand upon ‘Above the Line’ core principles and values, outlined in Colossians.

1. Fear of the Lord. An Above the Line Man fears the Lord and discovers freedom through obedience. He honors the Lord, honors his wife and cares for his family.

2. Godly character: An Above the Line Man is meek, gentle, caring, loving, forgiving, supportive, wise and cautious. He is not stingy but honest. He avoids temptation. He leads his children without harsh words, but with action, and attention.

3.  Love for his wife. An Above the Line Man loves his wife with all his heart and is not ashamed to let anybody know. He expresses love to his wife at any given opportunity.

4. Great Communication. An Above the Line Man speaks the truth in love and is always positive in his reactions to his wife, his children and his circle of influence.

5.  Vision. An Above the Line Man influences everyone around him. He leads by example. People follow him without force. He shines light in the darkness. He doesn’t wait for opportunity – he creates it. He is never a boss, but an intelligent director of wisdom.

6.  Diligence. An Above the Line Man is not lazy. He knows that favor accompanies labor. He puts his hands to work and makes bread available to his family.

7.  Peaceful. An Above the Line Man is a man of peace, with no space in his heart for fighting, arguments, abuse, cursing, shouting, malice, bitterness, resentment, bickering or hatred. He is a navigator of truth and source of stability and understanding.

8.  Committed. An Above the Line Man is a man who can be trusted and counted upon, in all circumstances, but particularly in time of need.

Defend the Shield. Or Be Carried Out Upon It.