The Reese’s Senior Bowl serves as an annual opportunity for some of the top NFL draft-eligible players from college football to make a strong first impression in front of NFL executives and coaches.
The same can be said for the NFL assistant coaches who coach in the college football all-star game showcase.
Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone will coach the National and American teams in the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
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As noted by the Senior Bowl’s website, it is the third year that the Senior Bowl is using a “Coach Up” format for the National and American team’s coaching staffs. The “Coach Up” format puts coordinators and assistant coaches from NFL teams into elevated or different roles from the ones they serve during the NFL season for the Senior Bowl.
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Here’s what you need to know about who is coaching at the Senior Bowl on Saturday:
Who is coaching the National Team at the Senior Bowl?
New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is serving as the head coach of the National team at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Kafka, who is one of the up-and-coming offensive coaches in the NFL, is coming off his third season as the Giants’ offensive coordinator and first as Brian Daboll’s assistant head coach.
“It’s an honor to be selected as one of the head coaches for the Senior Bowl! I look forward to getting to know some of the best college athletes in the country both on and off the field, as well as getting to work with a variety of talented coaches from around the NFL,” Kafka said in a statement.
The former NFL quarterback has been a finalist for three NFL head coaching jobs in the previous two coaching cycles. He reportedly had his second interview with the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, Jan. 25, per ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Before joining the Giants ahead of the 2022 NFL season, Kafka spent the previous five seasons in Kansas City, serving in several roles on Andy Reid’s staff. Kafka’s first position working for Reid, who was his coach from 2010-11 with the Philadelphia Eagles, was as an offensive quality coach. By the end of his tenure with the Chiefs, Kafka served as the team’s quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.
Kafka’s first two seasons in New York were successful ones, as the Giants offense saw improvements from year to year under the now 37-year-old coach. When the Giants made their first playoff appearance in six years in 2022, Kafka’s unit improved its total offense by 46.6 yards per game and finished with the No. 4 rushing offense in the NFL.
“Mike deserves the opportunity he has as one of the head coaches in this year’s Senior Bowl. His experience as a player and coach is invaluable to these young men who will soon be professional players. He is an exceptional coach and will serve as a resource for everyone involved throughout the week,” Daboll said in a statement.
Who is coaching the American Team at the Senior Bowl?
Cleveland Browns assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone is serving as the head coach of the American team at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
The 2024 NFL season was Ventrone’s second serving as Kevin Stefanski’s assistant head coach and special teams coordinator in Cleveland. Before joining the Browns ahead of the 2023 season, Ventrone spent four seasons in Indianapolis as the Colts’ special teams coordinator.
“It’s truly an honor to be part of the premier college all-star game and I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to coach this extraordinary group of seniors. I watched the Senior Bowl Reveal show on NFL Network this morning and I couldn’t believe how many great prospects were committed to the game. My staff and I will have these guys ready to roll!,” Ventrone said in a statement.
Returning to the Browns was a homecoming of sorts for Ventrone, who played for the NFL franchise from 2009-2012. In those three seasons, Ventrone racked up 31 tackles on special teams and appeared in 56 games.
He started his playing and coaching career with the New England Patriots, where he played and coached in two Super Bowls per his Browns profile page. In his first season with the Browns in 2023, Ventrone’s special teams units set several franchise records and led the league in blocked field goals.
“Bubba is an incredible coach who has immediate credibility with his players due to his decorated playing career. As the special teams coordinator, he does an outstanding job coaching all of the players on our roster in the special teams phases. He’s a master motivator and he gets the most out of every player,” Stefanksi said in a statement. “He will do a great job leading the American squad in this year’s Senior Bowl.”
Senior Bowl National Team coaching staff
Here’s a full breakdown of the National Team’s head coach and coordinators at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl:
- Head coach: Mike Kafka (Giants’ offensive coordinator)
- Offensive coordinator: Jason Vrable (Packers’ pass game coordinator)
- Defensive coordinator: Jacques Cesaire (Browns’ DL coach)
- Special teams coordinator: Perry Carter (Titans’ coaching assistant)
Senior Bowl American Team coaching staff
Here’s a full breakdown of the American Team’s head coach and coordinators at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl:
- Head coach: Bubba Ventrone (Browns’ assistant head coach and special teams coordinator)
- Offensive coordinator: Joel Thomas (Giants’ RB coach)
- Defensive coordinator: Matt Raich (Colts’ senior assistant DL coach)
- Special Teams coordinator: August Mangin (49ers’ special teams quality coach)
Senior Bowl start time
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 1
- Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium (Mobile, Ala.)
The 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl will take place in Mobile, Alabama at Hancock Whitney Stadium, the home of the University of South Alabama Jaguars.
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