HIGHEST LEVEL STAFF

TAKING YOUR GAME TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL

RUSSELL BOO SHAW

Founder

Russell Shaw personifies the slogan, “Success starts when you believe in yourself”. Shaw is a native of Los Angeles, California where he was a three sport star in football, basketball, and track at Inglewood High and Locke High, earning him the recognition in being a Blue Chip All-American.
     Shaw attended El Camino Junior College and was a standout wide receiver, punt and kick returner. He received numerous accolades and holds the record for the most touchdowns in a career by a wide receiver (25), and ties for the most touchdowns received in a single game (4). Shaw was also recognized as the #1 Junior College wide receiver in the county. He also was the first junior college football player to receive a full Athletic Scholarship to the University of Michigan. He received his Associates of Art degree in Education.
    Shaw made an instant impact for Michigan that catapulted the Wolverines football team into the 1997 National Championship Title. Shaw received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Sports Management and Communication in the field of Kinesiology. Shaw also received his Masters of Science Degree in the field of Kinesiology from California State University Dominguez Hills. Shaw went on to play professional football with the St. Louis Rams, Los Angeles Avengers (Arena League) and Chicago Rush (Arena Football League 2006 Champions).
      Shaw started his coaching journey with the Los Angeles Demos Youth Organization, Exposition Panthers Youth Organization, Westside Jaguars Youth Organization, and Inglewood Chargers Youth Organization. Shaw later served as the wide receiver Coach at View Park Prep High School (2006 Eight-Man Football Championship), Head Football Coach and Assistant Head Track and Field Coach at West Adams Prep High School (2009-2012), Head Football and Track and Field Coach at Compton Centennial High School (2013-2014), Offensive Coordinator at Hamilton High School (2015 Division 2 Los Angeles City Section Champions), Offensive Line Coach at Salesian High School (2016), and Offensive Coordinator at Compton Junior College (2016-2017).
      With all of his academic and athletic achievements, Shaw is most pleased with the impact he has made coaching and mentoring young athletes. Also, providing them with the blueprint for academic and athletic success.
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OMAR COOK

CO-FOUNDER

Omar Cook, who has extensive coaching experience at a variety of levels,  is a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., and played defensive back there. As a collegiate player he finished with 77 tackles as a senior to go with six total turnovers and helped Southern to a Southwestern Athletic Conference title in 2013. Cook was an FCS National Bowl Selection in 2014 and went on to play three seasons in the Indoor Football League with the Nebraska Danger and Billings Wolves, totaling 138 tackles, 13 pass breakups and three interceptions. 

    Cook began his coaching career in 2014, spending a season in Maine at Bridgton Academy as the defensive backs coach. From there, he went on to spend two seasons in the junior college ranks at San Bernardino Valley College in California, where he served as cornerbacks coach. He helped San Bernardino to a 9-2 record, an American Mountain Conference championship, and a bowl berth in the Golden State Bowl. 

    In 2016,  he helped San Bernardino boast the top secondary in California, ranking first in passing defense and first in total defense among all California JUCOs. In 2017, Cook joined the Jackson State University program as an offensive graduate assistant, primarily working with the quarterbacks. Cook also works as a motion capture actor for the Madden video game series, having worked on Madden 18 and the upcoming Madden 19 video game

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GRADY TUCKER

PRESIDENT

Grady Tucker brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Highest Level.  Tucker has coached at multiple levels of football to include professionally as the former Director of Scouting and Defensive Line Coach for the Los Angeles KISS of the Arena Football League (AFL).  He’s also worked in the broadcasting booth before a worldwide audience as both a play-by-play announcer and color commentator for ESPN3.  Prior to being promoted to that position, Tucker was the Director of Player Quality Control and Scouting Assistant.  Most recently, he served as the Assistant Head Football Coach and Director of Player Personnel at Los Angeles Southwest College.  In the recent past, Tucker coached freshman running backs and defensive backs at Beckman High School in Irvine California.  Internationally, he was the Defensive Coordinator for the 12-man Ottawa Technical High School in Ottawa, Ontario in Canada leading them to their first ever playoff victory and only 8.8 points per game.  In addition to the coaching responsibilities, Tucker has attended bowl games, all-star games, combines, tryouts and was responsible for several Los Angeles KISS Open Tryouts and private workouts.  He has met with and communicated with general managers, coaches and former players in the National Football League (NFL) learning the different nuances of the game at the highest level.  Additionally, he networked with NFL, AFL and CFL teams to help locate the best talent or assist players to other leagues.  If there is a league that plays football he researches it to find that potential diamond in the rough.  Tucker is a retired combat veteran that brings leadership and multiple years of playing and coaching experience.  Notably, he has played, coached or coordinated football in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe at just about every position which makes him well-rounded to coach any position.  He has a passion for secondary and defensive line positions as that’s where he played to end his career and he possesses a keen eye for concepts and tendencies of the opposition.  On the administrative side, Tucker is a retired Air Force commander, former police officer and Director of Human Resources, has over 30 years of Air Force leadership experience and is a recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.  He directly executed duties for the highest level executives to include President Bush and Clinton.  In the community he’s a regular at the Marcus Robertson and Chad Brown Youth Camps and the NCAA Youth Football Clinic that combined host well over 600 youth annually.  Tucker is well versed in eligibility and compliance requirements and utilizes his personality and business acumen to assist players in elevating to the collegiate and professional ranks.  Coach Tucker has attended the Community College of the Air Force, the University of Phoenix, Cornell University and the University of Southern California.

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JOHN JOHNSON

CO-FOUNDER

John Johnson Jr or J.J. Johnson believes in in the motto; GREATNESS is, “Great work is done by people who are not afraid to be great.”

Johnson is a native of Los Angeles, California where he was a three sport star in football, basketball, and baseball at Jefferson High earning him the recognition as FIRST TEAM BEST IN THE WEST with the likes of Hall of Fame Tight End Tony Gonzalez in 1994.

     Johnson was awarded a Football Scholarship to attend the University of Kansas out of High School in 1994.  Johnson arrived at Kansas and spent his first year as a redshirt freshman.  The following four years, Johnson was a standout linebacker and was instrumental in helping Kansas win the 1995 Aloha Bowl over UCLA.  Johnson was a 2 year starter and a 4 year letter winner at Kansas. Johnson graduated in the spring of 1999 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development of Family Life with an emphasis in child psychology.

    Johnson also received his Masters of Business Administration in Operations Management from American Intercontinental University.  John went on to play professional football with the Winnipeg Bluebombers (Canadian Football League), San Jose Sabercats (Arena League) and Las Vegas Gladiators (Arena Football League) Bakersfield Blitz (Arena League).

      Johnson started his coaching journey with the Los Angeles Demos Youth Organization in 2002.  John later received an opportunity to coach the defensive line at, his alma mater, Jefferson HS (2003).  Johnson was later promoted to defensive coordinator the following year and served at that role for 2 seasons (2004 – 2005).  Johnson served as a linebacker coach at West Adams Prep (2006).  The following year Johnson was united with Coach Shaw at West Adams Prep and served as the Defensive Lineman Coach (2009), Co-Defensive Coordinator (2010-2012), Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Track and Field Coach at Compton Centennial High School (2013-2014), Defensive Line Coach at Hamilton High School (2015 Division 2 Los Angeles City Section Champions), and Running Back Coach at Compton Junior College (2016), Defensive Line Coach (2017).

      Johnson has always been a team player and not an “I” guy.  Johnson receives the most satisfaction observing the young athletes growth over the years into becoming successful adolescents, young adults, and adults. As a mentor “WE” must continue to shape and mold our young minds and bodies into successful adults so they can give back to society in the terms of Academics, Arts, Entertainment, and/or Sports.

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LATOYA BROWN

ACADEMIC SPECIALIST

LaToya Brown is a passionate educational leader whose life purpose is to fight for educational and vocational equity for underserved populations. She has 10+ years of experience in Alternative School Models, Restorative Education, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and Career & Technical Education development. Ms. Brown earned her M.Ed. in Educational Technology from California State University Dominguez Hills, holds a post-graduate certificate in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and is a current doctoral student at Pepperdine University studying Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy.  

Ms. Brown is Founder of One Step Forward, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide educational, vocational, and social and emotional support services to improve the quality of life for “At Promise” populations. 

“My educational philosophy is built on the South African principle of “Ubuntu” which means, “I am because we are.” I believe in a collective community-based approach to educational and social success. We as a community are directly responsible for the successes or failures of its members. Therefore, through positive relationships with families, community organizations, business owners, local and regional schools, colleges and universities we can ensure and encourage individual and community success.”  LaToya B

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Dr. Issac Hatley

ACADEMIC SPECIALIST

Dr. Issac Hatley grew-up in the inner city of Los Angeles. As a young kid he was introduced to football and that became his passion. As Dr. Hatley excelled in sports, he realized that will open doors to college. After graduating from Jefferson High School, with no scholarship offers, he attended Mt. San Antonio College for two years and received an athletic scholarship to Montana State University. After completing his eligibility, Dr. Hatley returned to Los Angeles and completed his Bachelors and Masters degree at California State University Dominguez Hills. It was at this point Dr. Hatley realized education was his newfound passion. Dr. Hatley went on to teach at Jefferson High School for three years. In 2003, Dr. Hatley moved to Chicago to work as a school administrator at Ralph Ellison Charter School. After spending two years in Chicago, Dr.Hatley, relocated back to Los Angeles and began working as an adjunct instructor and outreach coordinator. It was in 2013, Dr. Hatley decided to return to school and complete his Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Management. His dissertation was focused on improving the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities. 

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