NLFA: Development Begins With Coaching

Only about 0.023% to 0.08% of high school football players make it to the NFL, meaning the odds are roughly 1 in 1,282 to 1 in 4,000 players. On top of that staggering percentage, only 6.5% of high school seniors play in college and less than 2% of those college players get drafted. The odds are exceptionally low, with most pro players having played in college first.

With this being said the constant attempts at alternative football leagues and opportunities for players have always been an important need. In recent years, the surge in spring football has never been higher, and the ability to get film and in-game reps at any level after high school/college graduation has been a focus within the sport.

Table of Contents

1 Need for Developmental Leagues Leads to Launch of NLFA

Need for Developmental Leagues Leads to Launch of NLFA

With the above-mentioned facts, this helped lead to the creation and formation of the North Louisiana Football Alliance (NLFA). The NLFA was established in 2019 and played its first season in 2020. The league was the first to introduce nine-man to the southern region. It was created as an alternative for athletes between the ages of 18 and 24 a chance to participate in a high level of football post-high school.

The league has already proven to be an opportunity to advance to the professional level, including both indoor and outdoor professional teams signing players who have participated in the NLFA. Utilizing a hub system with two locations; the first being Bossier City, LA and the second being Longview, TX.

Rules and Regulations

The NLFA has rules that are specific to the league, most notably being no kicking extra points and using theXFL/UFL styled kickoff. Some additional rule differences as noted directly from the league are as follows:

• The spot of the kickoff is set at the kicking team’s 30-yard line. However, members of the kicking team (excluding the kicker) line up at the receiving team’s 35-yard line, and blockers on the receiving team must line up at their 30-yard line. Only the kicker and returner(s) can move until the ball is either caught or three seconds after it hits the ground.

• Kickoffs that go out of bounds, or fall short of the receiving team’s 20-yard line, come to the kicking team’s 30-yard line. (Slightly different from the XFL due to the size of the playing field.)

• 30-second play clock

• Running clock until the last two minutes of each half

• Only 5-man rush allowed

• Receivers only need one foot in bounds to complete a catch

• The NLFA does not allow gunners; all players on a punting team must remain on or behind the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked. (Taken from the original XFL.) NO fake punts. However, if the punter muffs the snap or the ball goes over his head, it then becomes live, and the defense is allowed to make a play on the ball.

• After a safety, the team that was scored upon must kick the ball from its own 20-yard line.

• In overtime, after a touchdown has been made, the scoring team has the option to go for a 2-point conversion from the 3-yard line (run or pass play) or a 3-point conversion from the 5-yard line (run or pass play).

• After the first offensive team has either scored or turned the ball over, the opposing team has the same scoring opportunity from the same 20-yard line in the same direction.

• If the score is still tied after each team has had an offensive possession, then the game will also be declared a tie.

Development Begins with Coaching

Last, but certainly not least, I wanted to introduce the coaching staff for this year’s NLFA season. Collectively they bring depths of knowledge and experience to the league. They look to coach and mold players not just into great football players on the field but also great human beings off the field. With the different backgrounds and paths that led them to the NLFA, the expertise to guide this league and all players involved to success for another season is certain.

Your Coaches for the 2026 NLFA Season:

Coach/President Holland Witherspoon

Holland Witherspoon is the founder and president of the North Louisiana Football Alliance (NLFA) and a retired U.S. Air Force veteran based in Bossier City, Louisiana. Originally from Uniontown, Alabama, he began coaching in 2017 and launched the NLFA in 2019 to provide developmental opportunities for post-graduate athletes. As a head coach, he led the NLFA Bombers to two league championships and four title game appearances and guided the NLFA Lumberjacks to the league’s second-best record in 2025.

Coach Kevin Marshall

Kevin Marshall is a Longview, Texas native and U.S. Navy veteran who began his coaching career after spending five years coaching AAU basketball. He joined the North Louisiana Football Alliance in 2021 as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator and has served as the head coach of the NLFA Wranglers since 2023. Marshall also serves as the league liaison for the Longview Hub, helping coordinate team operations and facilities for NLFA activities in East Texas.

Coach Travis Cain

Coach Travis Cain, a native of Rayville, Louisiana, joined the NLFA Bombers coaching staff in 2021 as Defensive Backs Coach before being promoted to Defensive Coordinator in 2022. A key member of Coach Holland Witherspoon’s staff, he has been part of every Bombers championship appearance and helped lead the team to two NLFA titles and an undefeated 2025 season. His football legacy continues with his sons, Tramone Cain (Bombers) and Travis Cain Jr. (Lumberjacks), both playing in the NLFA for the 2026 season.

Coach Rodriguez Coleman

Coach Rodriguez Coleman is a former Marine Corps serviceman and semi-pro running back who played at Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer, Alabama, and later with the Fayetteville Ruff Ryders. He also won back-to-back ASFL championships (2012–2013) with the West Jefferson Devil Dawgs. Coleman later coached with the Catonsville Stars in Maryland, helping develop multiple playoff and championship youth teams before joining the NLFA.

Coach Kyndel Hutson

Coach Kyndel Hutson brings five years of coaching experience and a strong playing background to the NLFA. A former offensive lineman, Hutson earned 1st Team All-Conference (Sagamon Valley) and Kankakee Daily Journal All-Area honors at Momence High School before continuing his career with the Illinois State Redbirds. His experience from youth football through the collegiate level now helps guide and develop the next generation of athletes in the NLFA.

Coach Demoses Jenkins

Shreveport native Demoses Jenkins played at Woodlawn High School and later earned a track scholarship to Baylor University. A former NLFA Bombers defensive back during the team’s back-to-back championship run, Jenkins now serves as a defensive coach and was part of the staff that led the Bombers to an undefeated season in 2025. He enters his second season helping develop the Bombers’ defense.

Coach Ryan Brockett

Ryan Brockett, originally from Longview, Washington, is a football enthusiast and analytics-minded coach with experience in multiple flag football leagues. He spent four years coaching a Little League 9/10U travel team, helping young athletes develop strong fundamentals. Now in the Shreveport–Bossier area, Brockett is focused on developing local players and giving back to the community through football.

The 2026 season kicks off 3/14 at Freedom Fields in Bossier City, LA. If you enjoyed this article check out our other recent content.

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Also, check out our new Live Events channel dedicated to broadcasting any games we are able to get the broadcast rights to. We have broadcast many different sports, and leagues, and now heading into 2026 we have partnered with the North Louisiana Football Alliance to simulcast their games on our network. These games will not be live, but they will drop on our channel as soon as the footage becomes available.

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