ATHLETE, COACH & PARENT TESTIMONIALS
Legacy Special Teams Academy Specialists, Current Athletes & Coaches
Connected to Coach Sam Watts
Buffalo Legacy
A snapshot of the broader Special Teams Academy legacy tree, highlighting the connections between Coach Watts, his athletes, and the programs they’ve impacted across the country.
Buffalo Legacy reflects the meaningful influence Coach Sam Watts and Special Teams Academy have had on youth across Western New York. Buffalo Legacy describes STA camps as well-structured, energetic, and led by coaches who bring expertise, encouragement, and a genuine commitment to each athlete’s growth.
Their players not only strengthened their specialist skills—kicking, punting, holding, long snapping, and returning—but also felt supported, inspired, and respected throughout the experience. Coach Watts’ is known for his steady character, generous mentorship, and the uplifting environment he creates for every young athlete he encounters.
Jake Musialowski
"We want to express our sincere gratitude to Coach Sam Watts for his exceptional coaching and mentoring of our son, Jake Musialowski. Coach Sam has worked with Jake from 8th grade through high school, helping Jake reach his goal to play college football, which he did at St. John Fisher University."
"Not only did Coach Sam help Jake develop his skills as a Long Snapper on the football field, but he also instilled in Jake a sense of confidence and determination that extends beyond the game. His patience and understanding allowed Jake to grow at his own pace, and his positive attitude always motivated Jake to push his limits."
"Coach Sam Watts’ guidance went far beyond just teaching Jake how to be a better snapper; it helped Jake develop as a person, teaching him the importance of teamwork, respect, and perseverance. We are deeply grateful for his impact on Jake’s life, and we are forever thankful for his mentorship and guidance."
— Pete & Lisa Musialowski
Brett Kern
“Coach Sam Watts was an important piece in both my early development and as a top rated punter, leading right up to my first rookie minicamp with the Denver Broncos. During those eight years, Sam spent time with my dad, my mom and me. Even after I went away to college, Sam was still by my side.”
“Coaches like Sam have the ability to help young men succeed and it goes way beyond the daily drills on the field or breaking down film to improve a client’s skill. He can infuse in you a passion to succeed in life, which you carry daily because it becomes part of who you are.”
— Brett Kern
Dominic Sansone
“Coach Watts is the best in the business. His work with Dom over the past 3+ years has transformed a hockey and soccer athlete into one of the most highly rated high school kickers in the Northeast. His organizational and communication skills along with his knowledge of the game and dedication to his athletes and to his craft are unmatched.”
“To have Coach Watts working behind the scenes with Dom on the finer points, techniques and nuances of kicking has proven to be an invaluable asset to me and the McQuaid Jesuit Football program. I cannot recommend Coach Watts any more highly to any kicker or coach looking to take their kicking game and special teams units to a championship level caliber.”
Jacob Herbers
“Dear Coach Sam Watts, I wanted to send you a note thanking you for all the coaching direction and support that has contributed to Jake's success at Minnesota. Jake's college football career has had a few peaks and valleys. Your coaching guidance provided a constant baseline and viewpoint in helping Jake achieve his goal at the Division 1 level.”
“We appreciated your direct and candid coaching direction to Jake over the years. Jake really values your guidance and trusts your judgement on helping him perform his best every day on the field.”
“We would like to thank you again for your coaching insights and wish you and your family well into the future.”
— Greg Herbers
Jake Herbers & Blake Haubeil
Jake became one of the Big Ten’s most reliable punters, leading the conference for two seasons and earning a scholarship at Minnesota through work ethic and precision. Averaging over 41 yards per punt and placing a high percentage inside the 20, Jake built his game on consistency—something Coach Watts has always emphasized.
Blake followed a similar path of steady development. Trained by Coach Watts from a young age, he grew into one of the most accurate kickers in Ohio State history, hitting a 55-yard field goal and finishing his career perfect on extra points with an 80% field goal percentage.
Both Jake and Blake embody the type of disciplined, technically sharp specialists Coach Watts aims to develop, and their success shows what happens when talent meets long-term guidance and high standards.
Rex “Goose” Goosen & Ross Reiter
Both Snappers worked with Coach Sam Watts at Special Teams Academy; a program known for producing disciplined, high-level specialists.
Their shared path reflects the standard Coach Sam Watts has long championed—precision, consistency, and pride in the craft of long snapping. Though their journeys are their own, both athletes stand as examples of the type of dedication and professionalism that connect back to Coach Watts’ larger specialist network.
Their success highlights the ripple effect of strong mentorship, foundational technique, and the culture of excellence Coach Watts continues to cultivate across the country.
Parker Lewis
Parker Lewis, (second from the left) alongside his Saguaro High School teammates, became an All-American kicker in 2019—a level of performance that reflects the exact standard Coach Watts pushes his athletes to pursue. Parker’s drive, skill, and commitment mirror the expectations and culture Coach Watts instills in every specialist he mentors, demonstrating how strong coaching and a disciplined athlete can come together to produce excellence.
Coach Ralph Dewey & Coach Sam Watts
Coach Dewey was the head football coach for Coach Watts at Marcus Whitman High School during the 1979 and 1980 seasons.
Coach Dewey played an important role in shaping Coach Watts into the coach he is today. As the head football coach at Marcus Whitman High School during the 1979 and 1980 seasons, Coach Dewey set the early standards of discipline, accountability, and team-first values that would later define Coach Watts’ own approach to developing athletes.
The lessons Coach Watts learned under Coach Dewey—attention to detail, steady leadership, and the responsibility of guiding young athletes—became foundational to his career. Their connection stands as part of the coaching lineage that helped mold Coach Watts’ philosophy and the way he now mentors specialists across the country.
Cameron Cheeseman & Tanner Harding
Coach Watts (middle) • Cameron (left) • Tanner (right)
Senior Night at Gahanna Lincoln High School in Columbus, Ohio.
Cameron and Tanner both trained by Coach Watts at Special Teams Academy.
Cameron, went on to play long snapper at the University of Michigan and later spent three seasons in the NFL after being drafted by Washington in the sixth round—an uncommon achievement for a pure long snapper.
Tanner, also from Gahanna, became one of the most accomplished kickers in Notre Dame College history, setting multiple school and conference records, including 429 career points, 56 field goals, and 261 extra points, all while earning repeated Academic All-American honors.
Their achievements highlight the kind of discipline, consistency, and character that Coach Watts encourages in every specialist he mentors.
