HSPN Sports introduced two new video podcast platforms this year. ‘The Real 💯 Recruiting,’ is aimed at featuring some of the top high school football talent around the country. The other podcast platform, ‘Get in the Game,’ is intended to focus on some of the top high school football coaches around the country.

‘Get in the Game’ is excited to welcome Mike Cofer, Super Bowl XXIII and XXIV champion kicker with the San Francisco 49ers, and current head football coach and director of athletics for the distinctive SLAM Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada. The SLAM Academy, backed by rapper/entertainer ‘Pitbull,’ is a charter school program fostering Sports Leadership and Management [SLAM] opportunities for its students.

In Episode 1 Mike and I talk extensively about his football background leading up to his assignment as the head football coach and athletic director at SLAM Academy. His background in football is both vast and fascinating. He tells amazing stories about the prolific football mentors who influenced his success in the game of football all the way to the NFL and beyond.

Raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Mike attended Charlotte Country Day School where he was an All-State performer in football and baseball combining for four State Championships during his span as a high school student athlete. Mike was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the MLB supplemental high school draft but choose to accept an athletic scholarship to attend North Carolina State University instead. Mike was a four year letterman and all conference performer for the Wolfpack football team as a placekicker setting numerous school and conference records. Mike graduated with degrees in Business Management and Political Science and was a Dean’s List student his senior year.

Following college, Mr. Cofer accepted a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns in 1987 but was released during training camp. Picked up that same year by the New Orleans Saints, he participated in two games before being released. In 1988 Mr. Cofer signed with the San Francisco Forty Niners and played for the professional franchise from 1988 – 1993. During that time Mr. Cofer was voted NFL All Rookie, NFL All Pro, was a two time Mackey Award winner, set numerous 49er and NFL records and was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams. After a stint in professional motorsports in the NASCAR Southwest Tour in 1994, Mr. Cofer returned to the NFL gridiron in 1995 with the Indianapolis Colts. Released after 8 games into the 1995 season, Mr. Cofer decided to retire from the NFL and pursue other endeavors.

Mike moved to Las Vegas in 2001 where he has been involved in motorsports, the golf industry and most recently in the custom athletic apparel business. He has been active in local youth and high school sports coaching both baseball and football in youth and high school programs. Mike received his Masters in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine and is a member of the NIAAA (National Association of Athletic Directors) and the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association).

Mr. Cofer has two sons. Jackson Cofer attended Coronado High School, graduating in 2014, and now attends Utah Valley University. Spencer Cofer graduated from Green Valley High School in 2016 and will be attending the College of Sothern Nevada this fall. Mr. Cofer resides in the Henderson area.

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