FirstDown PlayBook Promotes 3 & Welcomes 3 More!
FirstDown PlayBook is excited to announce that we have added three new staff members and promoted three others. FirstDown PlayBook and FastBreak PlayBook are both subsidiary branches of PlayBook Tech, Inc. Over the past 15 years FirstDown PlayBook has established itself as the leading football playbook tool created for coaches, by coaches.
Our approach has fueled growth across multiple levels of football, flag football and basketball. This has ranged from youth and high school to college programs and beyond. The strategy is simple: FirstDown PlayBook provides proven, high-quality coaching tools created by real coaches, while giving coaches the flexibility to customize it for their own teams and athletes.
As we celebrate this success, we want to take a moment to recognize our team. We would like to congratulate those who have earned well-deserved promotions. We would also like to welcome three new members to the FirstDown PlayBook family.
Kendall Acho – Chief Executive Officer
Kendall Acho has previously served as Chief Operating Officer over the past nine years. She has guided us for nearly a decade as we have grown FirstDown PlayBook. As a former college basketball player, she has also been instrumental with the launch of and vision for FastBreak PlayBook and your brand new Basketball Coaches Community website.
Kendall brings a great balance of hands on experience with PlayBook Tech from top to bottom. This experience along with her leadership and organizational skills will ensure PlayBook Tech’s future growth.
Adam Gum – COO & Director Of High School/College Football
Adam has been an integral part of the FirstDown PlayBook team for the past three years, contributing across multiple areas. From product development and strategy, to direct support for our coaching community, Adam has continuously demonstrated his value and expertise. His most impactful work has been his hands-on collaboration with coaches at every level of the game. This has included, youth, flag, high school, and college football coaches across the globe.
A former public school educator, Adam brings a teacher’s mindset to his role, helping guide and support coaches as they develop their programs. His background as a college football player, and a high school football and basketball coach, gives him firsthand understanding of the challenges coaches face and the tools they need to succeed.
Adam’s attention to detail, leadership, and strong work ethic make him an exceptional fit for his new role. As Chief Operating Officer and Director of High School/College Football at FirstDown PlayBook his impact has already been obvious in his new role.
Corey Heinz – Director of Youth Football
Corey Heinz is our third current team member who is sliding into a new role. Coach Heinz has previously worked with our high school and college football coaches as well as assisting us in the flag football area. He has also been a college football coach at Tulsa University and Missouri Southern.
Corey served as the Offensive Coordinator for Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado last season. In July, he joined the offensive staff at newly formed Richland High School in football hotbed Texas. He has repeatedly stepped in where needed with FirstDown PlayBook. Our youth football coaches will be the beneficiaries of his work with FirstDown PlayBook youth football.
Tiffany Allen – Director Of Marketing
We’re thrilled to announce that Tiffany Allen has joined FirstDown PlayBook as our new Director of Marketing.
A North Carolina native, Tiffany earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one of the nation’s most storied athletic programs. She went on to pursue her Master’s in Sports Administration from Georgia State University, further cementing her passion for sports and leadership.
Tiffany has built an impressive career across several organizations, including sports industry powerhouse, Learfield. She brings valuable experience and vision to our team, helping FirstDown PlayBook and FastBreak PlayBook continue to communicate our products and services with clarity, creativity, and consistency to coaches everywhere.
Tiffany’s diverse marketing background and strategic mindset will be instrumental as we continue to expand and elevate our offerings.
Ty Johnson – Director Of Flag Football
We’re excited to welcome Ty Johnson, a four-time Coach of the Year and 15U National Team Evaluator, as our new Director of Flag Football. In this role, Ty will lead the development of innovative resources and virtual coaching tools designed specifically for flag football coaches at every level.
Johnson brings an impressive blend of experience as a player, coach, and evaluator in the rapidly growing sport of flag football. She is in her sixth season coaching at Pace Academy in Atlanta, GA. Johnson recently led her team to a runner-up finish in the state championships.
Ty is a standout athlete in her own right. She has been ranked as high as 11th nationally as a flag football rusher. She continues to serve as a talent evaluator for USA Football’s 15U Flag Football Program. Ty has also represented USA Flag for more than 15 years, competing both domestically and internationally.
Ty’s deep expertise, leadership, and passion for the game will be instrumental as FirstDown PlayBook continues to expand its commitment to supporting flag football coaches and athletes around the world.
Ben Knudson – Coach Relations & Sales Associate
We’re pleased to welcome Benjamin Knudson as our Coach Relations and Sales Associate. Ben recently finished a graduate assistantship with the UNLV Sports Innovation Institute. There he received his Master’s degree in education, sports management. He graduated in 2022 from Boise State University with a bachelor’s in political science and government. With internships at Wasserman and Endeavor, Ben brings helpful experience to our team.
