Mack Brown
Branding Coach
Step into the world of Next Play, a vibrant and dynamic mentoring program tailor-made for middle and high school student-athletes. It’s a place where dreams are nurtured, talents are honed, and success is forged both on the field and in the classroom.
Next Play is a transformative journey centered around five pillars: mentorship, financial fitness, brand awareness, mental fitness, and community outreach. Together, these elements create an immersive and empowering experience that sets student-athletes on a path to greatness.
Imagine having a personal champion by your side, someone who has walked the path you aspire to tread. That’s what our mentorship program offers. Our mentors, drawn from diverse backgrounds, ignite your drive, share their wisdom, and inspire you to reach new heights. They are your unwavering support system, guiding you towards excellence in both sports and academics.
In a world where financial know-how is paramount, Next Play equips you with the tools to navigate the financial playing field. From understanding income and expenses to mastering the art of savings and budgeting, you’ll gain the financial savvy needed to make smart choices and secure a prosperous future.
At Next Play, we believe in the transformative power of giving back. Through engaging in community service projects, you’ll learn the value of compassion, empathy, and active citizenship. Together, we’ll make a positive impact, leaving a lasting legacy both on and off the field.
Branding Coach
Branding Coach
Mack Brown is a former NFL running back who is currently attaining his PhD in organizational management. Currently Mack is Speaker, Consultant, and business owner. Mack’s professional football career started in 2015 with the Washington Redskins where he spent three years there. Mack played for the Minnesota Vikings for one season and then with the Oakland Raiders in 2019. In 2018 Mack launched the Built Tough Foundation. The Built Tough foundation looks to educate the youth and improve the community. In January of 2018 Mack launched his real estate and investment company. In order to perfect his craft as a business owner, Mack Brown has attained his dual MBA in finance and real estate development in December 22’.
Mental Fitness Coach
Mental Fitness Coach
Claudia Matteo, PsyM, PMP® has been a Project/Program Manager at IBM for about 25 years. She was inducted into the Inclusive Design Guild Leadership Squad, Trusted Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence (CoE), and Academy of Technology (AoT), a society of about 600 leading thinkers and problem solvers, for her ability to design innovative solutions.
She has a BS in Computer Science and Technical Communications and an MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology along with various training from humane tech to life coaching. Claudia received the first ever Loudoun County Resilience Award and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Northern Virginia Youth Education Champion Award for mental health contributions like co-implementing roundtables to better support abuse survivors and serving as lead presenter of Ending the Silence (ETS), family support group facilitator, and
board member collaborating in multiple health and human services networks of nonprofits and healthcare providers to ensure access to support for holistic needs of the community.
Life Skills/Outreach Coach
Life Skills/Outreach Coach
Cecil Hunt is an insurance professional with nearly 30 years of experience in the personal and commercial lines industry. Cecil Hunt is known for bringing a strong work ethic, integrity and innovative leadership to the various insurance carriers he’s worked with and consulted. Cecil Hunt is a native of Chicago, IL and attended Illinois State University. Cecil has resided in Atlanta for 25 years and currently manages a team of senior claims examiners in litigation, commercial general liability and subrogation for a Florida based third party administrator, which consults commercial insurance carriers. Cecil Hunt has traveled the country consulting insurance clients on state mandates and compliance as well as managing a team of adjusters. Cecil has been very involved in his Gwinnett County community as a youth football and baseball coach, community service leader as well as mentoring. Cecil Hunt continues to do a great deal of volunteer work with his church and is very active with his fraternity, focusing on community impact that includes volunteering and awarding college scholarships to local students. Cecil Hunt remains in Gwinnett County with his two adult sons.
Life Skills/Outreach Coach
Life Skills/Outreach Coach
Coach Thomas, a native of Atlanta, Georgia and a product of Atlanta Public Schools, is in his twenty fifth year of coaching and teaching the youth of the city of Atlanta. He graduated from Fredrick Douglass High School where he excelled in academics along with athletics. Coach Thomas was named as a senior captain of both the football and baseball teams. Coach Thomas served as a peer tutor to under classman in several subjects. After high school, he continued his education at Fort Valley State University where he earned his degree in Middle Grades Education as well as his Masters in Middle Grades Education. While in college he was voted by his peers as an SGA officer during his junior year of college. Coach Thomas played collegiate football at Fort Valley State University under head Coach Doug Porter.
After graduating from FVSU he began his career in the field of education he began working with Atlanta Public Schools. While an educator he was drawn back to his love of sports began coaching football and baseball within the district. For the past twenty-five years Terrence Thomas has poured into the heart and souls of thousands of student athletes by pushing them to be the best version of themselves. He was teacher of the year in 2005 and has been recognized numerous times for his top performance of growing data and bridging gaps in student’s deficits.
Before moving in to the King football family, he was coaching at Douglass High School, where in the past he’s served as both defensive and special team coordinator. Coach Thomas started his coaching career at Price Middle School, where he started as an assistant coach on both sides of the ball, then moving on to become the head coach of the program. He has coached athletes that have graduated from high school and gone on to play college football, joined the arm forces, and even played professionally. Coach Thomas has a passion to bring out the best from on and off the field out of his scholars. He builds relationships with his scholars and athletes so that they understand that he wants the very best for them. These relationships have proven to be successful because he still communicates as stays abreast of former student-athletes from the beginning of his career.
Terrence is married to Nadia Thomas and the father of an adult daughter Chyna, and two teenage sons Collin and Chance Thomas. He is a lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Incorporated. When not on the field supporting his kids Coach Thomas enjoys drag racing motorcycles and traveling.
Financial Fitness Coach
Financial Fitness Coach
Jonavon (Coach Jay) Stephens is a high school/collegiate coach turn Financial Advisor. Jonavon brings over 20 years of investment & Merger and Acquisition knowledge to Next Play. Jonavon goal for “Financial Fitness” program is teach to all the mentees in the program the following techniques of financial success.
As a Financial Rep. Jonavon works tirelessly to ensure that each client has a secure plan that has income/asset protection with written Instructions that provides a legacy for their families and the next generation to come!!
As President of Aquarius Vision, LLC, of Alpharetta Georgia a company founded in 2002, that serves as the parent Company for AQV MUSIC, AQV Sports Management, AQV Films and AQV Talent Management. In addition to the stellar team of approximately 20 experts he leads at AQV, Jonavon brings over 20 years of business management experience, specializing in elite client finance portfolios, funding and managing budgets and providing oversight for film and TV Projects, music production, concert tours, and sporting events. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the sports and entertainment industries.
Christopher Scott is a dedicated father and husband who values his family above all else. A Corporate professional who loves to have fun and joke. Sports hold a special place in Christopher’s heart. He believes sports are a great barometer for life and a guide to living it.
A former University of Florida student athlete (student first, athlete second), letter winner and BCS National Champion. He has coached high school football in 3 states.
Chris loves to spend quality time with his family. He has traveled to most of the world wonders with his wife, Natalie. He has two young, bright boys full of zeal and are his greatest accomplishments.
Timothy has Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a Centration in Administration. I’m originally from Greenville, MS and I moved to GA in 2000. I went to Coahoma Community College where I played football. I graduated with an AA in Criminal Justice. After leaving Coahoma, had several scholarship offers but decided to attend Mississippi Valley State University and not play football anymore. I decided to focus on academics, and I obtained both BS & MS degrees. I’m a member of the GREATEST Fraternity in the land Alpha Phi Alpha, Frat., Inc. I have over Twenty plus years of professional and managerial experience in the State of Georgia’s Criminal Justice and other government agencies.
I have worked as a Juvenile Corrections Officer & Sargent, Adult Probation and Juvenile Probation Officer. Ten years, I was the Chief Juvenile PO for the State of GA Juvenile Justice in Gwinnett. This included supervising, guiding, and/or instructing work assignments of subordinate staff and oversight of a million-dollar budget. This also included monitoring program operations to ensure effectiveness, develop, prepare, and implement program budgets, while conducting pre-hearing and pre-screening investigations. Currently, I hold a Senior level position as Court Support Manager II (Court Administration) with Fulton County Superior Court where I manage Fulton County Superior Court facility projects. I have been married for over 21 years and I have 1 daughter and an Adopted son that was one of my wife’s students. “Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals” ― Lou Holtz
Edward attended the University of Florida where he played football from 1994-1999 and graduated which a Bachelor’s of Science. Edward has been married 20yrs to Lisa Chester and has 2 children, Natalie and Kaleb. After graduating Edward became a counselor at the Boys and Girls Club of Alachua County for five years where he was a Teen Director. In 2008 he moved to St. Petersburg, Fl to start his current career as a Certified Personal Training. He is also a certified Life Coach.
Jeffery Littlejohn owner and operator of Littlejohn Express Inc. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the world of logistics and transportation. From my early days of competing on the football field to now running my own successful business, every step of this journey has been fueled by my passion for delivering exceptional service and creating efficient solutions.
Jeff Littlejohn is a former American football defensive lineman who played in the Arena Football League (AFL) for the San Jose Saber Cats, Jacksonville Sharks and Georgia Force.
Jeff Littlejohn was a defensive force for the Blue Raider football team in the early to mid-2000s. Middle Tennessee State University 2023 Hall of Fame Littlejohn was named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2005, becoming one of just five Middle Tennessee conference players of the year at that time. He was a force at defensive tackle, leading one of the top run defenses in the nation in 2005
I believe in collaboration, encouragement, or skill-building. My goal as a mentor is to empower others , like build confidence, enhance skills, etc. I value open communication, and I am committed to creating a supportive environment where mentees can grow and explore their potential.
What I Offer:
As a mentor, I can provide guidance on such as career development, skill enhancement, networking strategies, etc. I aim to help mentees meet specific goals, such as navigate challenges, set career objectives, etc.
Fun Fact:
In my spare time, I enjoy golf, being around family, splitting wood or volunteering, which fuels my creativity and inspires my work.
I look forward to the opportunity to connect and support you on your journey!