Jake Zweig is a results-driven leader who has brought the standards of excellence in teamwork, focus, and toughness from his former world as a Navy SEAL to college football.  Mr. Zweig utilizes proven motivational techniques and sincere mentorship to develop his players into tomorrow’s leaders.  His unique background blends the intensity of his military Special Forces training with his commitment to the success of his football team.

Coaching Highlights

Mr. Zweig is currently a leadership development coach focusing on the C suite.

Formerly joined NFL great Lovie Smith’s team at the beginning of the 2017 season and immediately initiated a comprehensive program review.  He provided new assessments of division opponents and targeted training and game tactics.  His efforts resulted in the special teams squad achieving three blocked kicks—one of which was the decisive game-winner against Western Kentucky.  He created structured practice plans to bolster their defense against kickoff and punt returns, as well as preventing their own kickers from getting blocked.  Additionally, he fostered team leaders to maintain the team’s focus and intensity during every game.

In 2017, he was appointed to the Illinois Athletic Department Executive Council for Leadership Development.  Mr. Zweig created the curriculum for the Council’s first class of student-athletes using corporate best practices and his own leadership development methodology—Dynamic Leadership Discovery.  He assessed 45 applicants to the Illinois Executive Leadership Academy using this methodology and created a robust profile of their leadership abilities, selecting the top four.  In 2018, he conducted a workshop with the coaches and administrators of the Langston University Athletic Department where he taught them techniques to evaluate and develop leaders.    

Mr. Zweig formerly served as the co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at the University of Findlay.  Following his arrival in 2014, he propelled the performance of the defense from the bottom of the division to the middle of the team’s bracket.  He employed battlefield tested leadership methods along with the latest coaching apps and social media tools to engage his millennial football players.  During a coaching clinic stop at Ohio University, he led the team and staff through a leadership program comprised of leadership skills training, problem solving scenarios, and, of course, a rigorous team bonding Navy SEAL workout.

During the 2012-2013 seasons, Mr. Zweig was the special teams and outside linebacker coach at the University of the Incarnate Word.  He targeted the team’s play execution process and their workouts, which resulted in significant game-time improvements.  In 2013, he coached the first top 10 finish in UIW special teams history; finishing at #7 in net punting and #8 in punt return defensive.  With the move up from Division II to FCS, the tremendous performance of the special teams and outside linebackers was instrumental in the program’s first winning record.  During the 2011 season, he coached with the Bryant University defense staff.  He challenged the Bulldog defense to stretch for ambitious goals and re-define their knowledge of defensive tactics. 

At the University of New Hampshire, he was the defensive line and special teams coach.  Mr. Zweig boosted the New Hampshire defense to 21st in the nation in sacks—up from 109th the previous year—and coached two defensive players who earned All-League status.  Mr. Zweig’s arrival at New Hampshire followed a successful season as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Iona College.  Prior to Iona, he spent two seasons as the defensive line and special teams coach at the Catholic University of America.  At Catholic, his special teams earned top conference honors in both touchdowns scored and punt return yards.  Mr. Zweig can personally relate to prospective players and their parents by drawing from his own experience of setting and achieving difficult goals.  As a result, he was instrumental in recruiting the largest class in the history of Catholic football.  A true mentor to his team, Mr. Zweig charted and executed academic progression plans, identified academic problems early, and created incentives for consistent performance which led to significantly higher grade point averages.  Prior to Catholic, he began his coaching career at the University of Maryland staff as a graduate assistant working with the Terrapin wide receivers.

Outreach

Innovative leadership and reaching young people through mentorship and team-building are cornerstones of his coaching.  As a result, Mr. Zweig pursues opportunities to collaborate with coaching and leadership professionals and to connect with audiences.  Some of his outreach efforts include the following:

·      Served as the expert for all of the major news stations during the Thailand Cave rescue.

·      As part of the Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship in 2016, he spent six weeks with the Minnesota Vikings.

·      Mentor and advise seven minority officers through Navy SEAL training and in the SEAL Teams.

·      Attended the first class of the ACE Academy for future head coaches in partnership with the NCAA and NFL. 

·      Expanded his coaching perspective by participating in the NCAA Expert Coaches Academy in Orlando, Florida. 

·      Engaged with the Oakland Raiders defensive line and special teams staff and players where he gained valuable insight into their off-season development program. 

·      Earned appointments to the University of New Hampshire President’s Commission on the Status of Disabled People, the President’s Commission on the Status of People of Color, and the NCAA’s Football Coaches Academy.

·      Hosted numerous video features on Scout.com that showcased his military background and football coaching methodology.

·      Participated in several speaking engagements with Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder highlighting veteran’s issues.

·      Created a series of leadership essays, posted to his LinkedIn.com profile, drawn from his experiences and personal values that have been used as educational supplements for current military leaders and educators.

·      Keynote speaker at the annual North-South All-Star game, as well as, several high school speaking engagements.

Off the Clock

Mr. Zweig enjoys competing in physical and mental challenges.  Some of his “off the clock” activities involve the camaraderie of military-style activities with friends and veterans.  Other activities have tested his problem solving skills in extreme and inhospitable environments—including one survival contest in the Namibian desert that challenged his sanity.   

·      Co-hosted the Discovery Channel series titled “Dude You’re Screwed” that pitted Special Forces veterans and survivalists in a competition to survive the world’s harshest places.  Mr. Zweig notably defied the freezing peak of an Icelandic mountain and a scorching desert in southwest Africa.

·      Competed in the History Channel’s “Top Shot” marksmanship show.  Mr. Zweig eagerly competed against law enforcement officers, military snipers, and professional shooters with his usual full-throttle approach.

·      Scuba diving and parachuting with friends to raise awareness for veteran’s charities and for recreation.

·      Managed to actually break 80 at Canterwood golf course.

Background and Education

Jake Zweig earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from the U.S. Naval Academy.  His athletic record at the Naval Academy includes playing nose guard, varsity wrestling, and an intensive swimming routine in preparation to be a Navy diver.  In the Navy, he served as a surface warfare officer onboard the USS Merrimack before reporting for Navy SEAL training at the Basic Underwater Demolition School.  SEAL training is the most grueling and demanding physical and mental regimen in the world and Mr. Zweig not only personally excelled at the challenge, but mentored the other trainees through the program and was named the leader of class 217.  Following his training, Mr. Zweig reported to SEAL Team 8 in Little Creek, Virginia, and attained the rank of Lieutenant.

A native of Steilacoom, Washington, he attended the Charles Wright Academy of Tacoma where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of the 1989 State runner-up football team.  He was also a State “A” wrestling champion and a member of the varsity golf team.  He is married to the former Sarah Claud of Stony Creek, Virginia, and they have three sons Zembiec, Lewis, and Xavier.

Coaching Timeline

2017-Present: University of Illinois – Assistant Coach/Special Teams

2016: Minnesota Vikings Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship

2014-2017: University of Findlay – Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach

2012-2014: University of the Incarnate Word – Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach

2011: Oakland Raiders Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship and Bryant University

2009-2010: University of New Hampshire – Defensive Line/Special Teams Coach

2008: Iona College – Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach

2007: Catholic University of America – Defensive Line/Special Teams Coach

2006: Catholic University of America – Wide Receivers/Special Teams Coach

2005: University of Maryland – Intern Wide Receivershness from his former world as a Navy SEAL to college football.  Mr. Zweig utilizes proven motivational techniques and sincere mentorship to develop his players into tomorrow’s leaders.  His unique background blends the intensity of his military Special Forces training with his commitment to the success of his football team.