AMES, Iowa – Iowa State assistant coaches Deon Broomfield and Noah Pauley have been selected to participate in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 2024 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, held Jan. 8 during the AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. They were chosen from a field of over 175 applicants.

Broomfield, a former Cyclone football player, is in his third season on the coaching staff, currently serving as passing game coordinator and safeties coach. Broomfield’s group of players has combined for 11 interceptions this season. Jeremiah Cooper was a First Team All-Big 12 pick, while fellow starters Beau Freyler and Malik Verdon earned honorable mention accolades.

Pauley is in his first season on head coach Matt Campbell’s staff. He coaches a Cyclone wide receiver room that has 140 receptions and 13 touchdowns. Junior Jaylin Noel has 60 receptions and a career-high six touchdowns and earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors. Jayden Higgins, a junior, has 44 catches at a 17.5 yard per catch clip. Higgins has five touchdown receptions.

The AFCA Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program aimed at identifying and developing premier future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.

To be eligible, applicants were required to submit a resume, five references, and a 1,600-word article or 10-minute live instructional video on an offensive, defensive, special teams, or position-specific topic of the applicant’s choosing.