In May 2021, my son Szymon Gawlick, who had already played collegiate soccer as a freshman, decided to change sports. This decision to reinvent himself as a placekicker has contributed to my son’s immense athletic and personal growth, none of which would have occurred without the extraordinary guidance of Brendan Cahill. Coach Cahill was recommended to us by Matt Thurin, a special teams coordinator and a defensive assistant coach with the Boston College Eagles, as one of the best and most sought-after kicking coaches in the Northeast.
I cannot begin to express how life-changing the past 16 months have been for my son while working with Brendan.
Brendan’s technical expertise helps young kickers learn the art of kicking to develop a style that most effectively draws on the individual athlete’s capabilities for maximum success. He not only assists with every aspect of developing an effective technique, but also shares his invaluable insights into how to work towards, maintain and cultivate healthy kicking practices.
These are as critical as learning to kick correctly since the physical strain of kicking is often overlooked and requires expert understanding in order to ensure kicking longevity and the physical health of the athlete. Brendan’s instruction helps his kickers learn correct practices, routines, and find the critical balance of when to do what and how much.
To this end, Brendan also always offers to connect his kickers to his numerous collegiate and professional contacts in order to learn important stretching, mobility and strengthening regimens so that his charges learn how to most effectively and efficiently take care of their bodies and the physical demands of kicking. Learning how to become and be a kicker, learning all that is involved on and off the field has changed my son’s life!
In addition to his expert technical instruction, Brendan’s coaching addresses what is as important as the kicking itself: the mental side. He teaches strategies how to cope with what is in effect a very solitary and intensely stressful position. His numerous podcasts that he makes available to his kickers as well as always being available to talk, listen, advise and help his kickers learn to help themselves is an invaluable strength of his coaching. In fact, this goes far beyond coaching, he teaches life skills.
As an educator all my life, I profoundly appreciate and am in awe of the manner, the ease, the gracious humor, and relaxed yet always focused way in which Brendan communicates with his kickers. I witness this every time I watch the frequent group sessions he offers, or when I see him engage in private instruction. His gentle expert demeanor puts athletes at ease and so they maximally listen to him and internalize his advice. As all parents will know, one’s own children will often resist listening to their parents; with Brendan they have not only a coach and mentor, but also a friend with whom they can entrust sharing the challenges and pressures of being a high-level athlete For a parent, this is priceless!!!
Knowing that my son is in such caring, expert and good hands gives a peace of mind that is priceless.
Lastly, let me share Brendan’s singular ability to help kickers and their families navigate the oft overwhelming process of finding the college that best fits the individual kicker.
His advice is gold; for Szymon, he was critical in helping identify SCSU as the optimal program for my son to transfer into. And then, once there, Brendan has been a most trusted mentor for my son as he learns, grows and develops on and off the field!
Most importantly, Brendan teaches his kickers how to maintain a healthy outlook and perspective through the lows and highs that are inevitably bound to this position.
Brendan is a blessing in my son’s life and it is a true privilege bearing witness to all that he is giving him and offering him, and patiently teaching him with the skills to pursue his goal of kicking at the highest level.