USA FOOTBALL ANNOUNCES COACHES OF 2025 U.S. MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FLAG FOOTBALL NATIONAL TEAMS
Six coaches to lead U.S. National Teams in defense of Americas Continental Championship announced
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – USA Football, the sport’s governing body responsible for fielding the U.S. National Teams for international competition, including the 2028 Olympics, has announced the coaches for the 2025 U.S. Men’s and Women’s Flag Football National Teams. The U.S. National Team coaching staffs are expanding in 2025 to three coaches per team.
The U.S. Women’s National Team will compete in The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China and both U.S. National Teams will compete in the 2025 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Americas Continental Flag Football Championship.
U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jorge Cascudo and assistant coach Patrick Alley will return for their fourth years with the program. The duo has led the U.S. Men’s National Team on a golden streak including victories at the 2022 World Games, 2023 IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship and 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championship. Willy Perez will join the 2025 U.S. Men’s National Team as an assistant coach.
U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Saaid Mortazavi and assistant coach Mary Kate Bula return for their third and second years with the program, respectively. Mortazavi led the U.S. Women’s National Team to gold at the 2023 IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship, and Kate Bula joined the staff on the path to winning the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championship. Matthew Hernandez will join the 2025 U.S. Women’s National Team as an assistant coach.
"We're thrilled to welcome the incredible coaches who will lead our 2025 U.S. National Teams," said Eric Mayes, USA Football's Managing Director of High Performance and National Teams. "Their passion for flag football, commitment to excellence and embodiment of USA Football’s Gold Standard will set the foundation for our teams to perform at their best as we pursue another historic season on the international stage."
U.S. National Team Trials take place in March at the United States Performance Center, on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Athletes will compete in athletic testing and practice sessions throughout the multi-day event. Of the 60 men and 60 women, which will include former junior and adult U.S. National Team athletes, only 18 men and 18 women will advance to Training Camp before the final 12-athlete rosters are selected.
USA Football, in partnership with Duality Sports & Entertainment, will debut their first documentary, “Champions Rising: USA Football's National Team” following the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams on the thrilling path from U.S. National Team Training Camp to winning the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships. The film is a first-of-its-kind look at what it takes to be world champions in flag football, challenging some misconceptions about flag football.
The film offers an inside look at the dedication and skill of elite U.S. National Team athletes and coaches, and the intense pressure they face competing for a spot on the roster while balancing their personal lives. A preview of Champions Rising is available for anyone interested in learning more about the U.S. National Team Trials, Training Camp and competition process. The full documentary premiers March 4 on USA Football’s YouTube channel.
U.S. Men's and Women's National Team Coaching Staffs
Jorge Cascudo, Men’s Head Coach
Cascudo is one of the most accomplished flag football stars in the world. The Miami native played quarterback from 1996-2018, competing in numerous national tournaments and championships as well as for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
During his three years as head coach, the U.S. Men’s National Team has won gold medals at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Ala., the 2023 IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship in Charlotte, N.C. and the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championship in Lahti, Finland. The team is undefeated during this stretch.
Before assuming his current role, Cascudo served as head coach of the 2021 Panama Men’s Flag National Team that won bronze medals at the 2021 IFAF Flag World Championships in Jerusalem, Israel.
Patrick Alley, Men’s Assistant Coach
Alley’s journey began as a standout player in Texas. He won a Texas State Championship in 1994. Alley is a Southern Methodist University graduate and a former member of the Mustangs football team. He previously served as an offensive coordinator and head coach in arena football before joining the U.S. National Team program.
Alley has played a crucial role in the U.S. Men’s National Teams’ success over the past three years. During that time, the program has won gold medals competing in the 2022 World Games, 2023 IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship and 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championship all while not losing a game.
During his flag football playing days, Alley won three flag football national championships as a quarterback.
Willy Perez, Men’s Assistant Coach
Perez previously served as head coach of the 15U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team, leading the squad to back-to-back gold medal finishes at USA Football’s Junior International Cup. The Miami, Fla. native enjoyed a successful playing career that lasted more than 20 years and included winning a club team world championship in five-on-five in 2020 and a national championship in four-on-four play.
Perez has years of experience coaching youth football in South Florida, including two seasons coaching at Monsignor Edward Pace High School (Miami Gardens, Fla.). He was named head coach of Baker University’s first-ever girls’ flag football program at the NAIA collegiate level in 2024.
During the program’s inaugural season, Perez guided the Wildcats to a 13-7 record, including a win in the playoffs. Five of Baker University’s players earned KCAC All-Conference honors.
Saaid Mortazavi, Women’s Head Coach
Mortazavi began his international coaching career as the assistant coach of the 2021 Panamanian Men’s National Team that won bronze at the 2021 IFAF Flag World Championships. He stepped into the head coaching role for Panama the following year, leading the team to a fifth-place finish at The World Games 2022.
Mortazavi became the head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2023 and led the team to a first-place finish in the first-ever IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship. His second year as head coach resulted in the U.S. women winning their third consecutive IFAF Flag Football World Championship by defeating Mexico 31-18 in Lahti, Finland.
The U.S. Women’s National Team are undefeated during Mortazavi’s tenure at the helm.
Mortazavi, a proud Miami native, also possesses extensive experience as a player. He was a part of 23 national championships while competing in a 4v4 flag football format.
Mary Kate Bula, Women’s Assistant Coach
Bula represented the U.S. as a defensive back on the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2021 and 2022. She was a member of the team that defeated Mexico 31-21 in Jerusalem, Israel at the 2021 IFAF Flag World Championship. The following year, Bula and the U.S. won silver medals at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Ala.
Bula debuted as an assistant coach in 2024 as IFAF’s largest world championship to-date took place in Lahti, Finland. The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Mexico 31-18.
Prior to her international playing and coaching career, Bula won three National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Regional Flag Football Championships during her time at Towson University.
Matthew Hernandez, Women’s Assistant Coach
Hernandez was an assistant coach on the 2023 15U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team before becoming head coach of the 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team that won gold at the Junior International Cup. The Tampa, Fla. native brings 20 years of girls’ flag football coaching experience into his new role.
Hernandez is a trailblazing girls’ high school flag football coach. During his 17-year tenure, Alonso High School has won three Florida High School Athletic Association State Championships, captured numerous district titles and finished as state runner ups twice. With a 219-45 career record, he enters 2025 ranked third among all high school coaches nationwide in wins in MaxPreps’ database.
Hernandez was recognized as the Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2023. He also received NFL FLAG Coach of the Year honors in 2022 and was the 2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach of the Year.
About USA Football: USA Football is the governing body of American Football in the United States. As a Recognized Sports Organization of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football, USA Football selects, trains and leads the U.S. National Teams in tackle and flag football disciplines, while delivering world-class football development resources, sport standards and competitive opportunities to empower athletes at every level. USA Football is committed to ensuring every athlete has access to develop and compete in the game through safer, inclusive and innovative pathways.