What happens when you say "yes" to an opportunity you never expected?

In Episode 16 of the She Plays Flag Podcast, I sit down with Breana Sumpter, Head Women's Flag Football Coach at LaGrange College. Coach Sumpter shares her unconventional journey from teaching Spanish and working in mental and behavioral health to leading one of Georgia's growing collegiate flag football programs.

She reflects on starting as a volunteer high school assistant simply because girls deserved the opportunity to play, the mentors who shaped her coaching philosophy, and why understanding people is just as important as understanding football. Along the way, we discuss leadership, player development, building a culture from the ground up, and what it takes to coach female athletes in one of America's fastest-growing sports.

This episode is for coaches, players, and families and offers an inspiring reminder that sometimes the best careers begin with a simple "I'll help."

Topics include:
• Building a coaching career by accident
• Transitioning from teaching to collegiate coaching
• Coaching through a mental health lens
• Leadership and communication
• Mentorship and learning from veteran coaches
• Growing women's flag football
• Building culture and developing athletes

In Episode 15 of The She Plays Flag Podcast, I sit down with Sheldon Miller, head women's flag football coach at Brewton-Parker Christian University in Mount Vernon, Georgia. As one of the newer NAIA programs, Brewton-Parker may not be on every recruit's radar, but Coach Miller explains why schools like his deserve a closer look.

After spending years coaching high school tackle football, Coach Miller embraced the challenge of building a collegiate flag program from the ground up. He shares what it was like learning a new game, leaning on experienced high school and college coaches, and creating a program culture centered on honesty, relationships, and finding the right fit.

The conversation also explores the realities of recruiting young women, earning the trust of parents, and navigating the challenges of an inaugural season with an all-freshman roster and no true quarterback. Coach Miller discusses the adjustments he made, the lessons learned, and how those experiences shaped the future of the program.

Whether you're a player, a parent, or a coach, this episode offers an inside look at what life is really like at an emerging college flag football program.

Topics include:

• Building a college flag football program from the ground up
• Transitioning from tackle football to flag football
• Recruiting with honesty and integrity
• Creating a culture built on relationships and trust
• Lessons from a challenging first season
• Helping athletes gain exposure through film and recruiting platforms
• Why smaller colleges can be a great fit for the right student-athlete

High school flag coaches, players, and families - This is the episode you've been waiting on!

In this special Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) recruiting roundtable, I joined five college flag football coaches to discuss what flag football recruiting really looks like, what coaches are actually evaluating, and how athletes can improve their chances of finding the right college fit.

Featuring:

• Seth Berkebile – Wesleyan College
• Emerson Joseph – Reinhardt University
• Zack Desmarais – Life University
• Sheldon Miller – Brewton-Parker Christian College
• Shaka Long – Point University

Topics include:

• How the college recruiting process works
• When athletes should begin communicating with coaches
• ID camps, showcases, and recruiting events
• Highlight film mistakes and best practices
• What coaches look for beyond athletic ability
• The importance of character, culture, and coachability
• Scholarship realities and choosing the right school
• Advice for athletes and parents navigating recruitment

This episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at one of the fastest-growing opportunities in women's sports.

She Plays Flag exists to educate, advocate, and grow girls flag football by connecting athletes, coaches, and leaders across the game.