ANAHEIM, Calif.- Monmouth offensive coordinator Scott Van Zile recently returned from the three-day 2010 NCAA Expert Coaches forum.

Van Zile, who is entering his 11^th season with the Hawks and his third as offensive coordinator, was one of 20 assistant coaches accepted into the program.  The program was designed to invite assistant coaches, with a minimum eight years experience, and have them learn from a series of workshops and guest speakers with the ultimate goal of improving and reinforcing various aspects of securing, managing and excelling in head football coaching positions.

"It was a great opportunity to learn and network with experts in their field from across the country," said Van Zile.  "It turned out to be a great professional development opportunity."

Van Zile applied in April of 2010 and was accepted a month later to the program which took place from June 22-24, 2010 at the Anaheim Convention Center.  The three-day workshop featured guest speakers and exercises on a number of integral areas, including communications, fiscal responsibilities, compliance considerations, academic issues and the keys to building a successful program.

Some of the guest speakers included Derrick Gragg (Director of Athletics -Eastern Michigan), Wally Renfro (Vice-President and Senior Advisor to the President-NCAA), Bob Williams (managing Director of Public and Media Relations-NCAA), Kevin Sumlin (Head Coach University of Houston) and Dr. Bernard Franklin (Executive Vice President of Membership and Student-Athlete Affairs- NCAA) among others.

"The overall message of the three days was in order to prepare yourself to interview for future coaching positions, you really need to have an overall program plan, which consists of everything from budgeting, to hiring a staff, to preparing yourself to meet with athletic directors and presidents," said Van Zile. "

"Taking part in the NCAA Expert Coaches Academy was a great honor for Scott," said MU Head Coach Kevin Callahan.  "It was a valuable experience, he learned a great deal, and I'm happy that he was able to be included in such a fine program."