The NFL Transition Coach program uses a peer-to-peer coaching model that empowers trained NFL Legends to offer structured guidance and support to players transitioning out of the NFL. NFL Total Wellness provides Transition Coaches with at least 70 hours of training to equip them with the skills necessary for effective relationship building, crisis management, and coordination of care. This interview series briefly profiles the coaches who assist players as they navigate the unique challenges of life after the game.
Kendrick Gholston was a defensive end for the St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs. He also played in NFL Europe, the Canadian Football League, and the Arena Football League. Since retiring from professional football, Kendrick has worked in youth and athlete development at the grade school and collegiate levels. He currently serves as a director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and develops educational leadership programs for school systems through his non-profit SOOUL Foundation. One of two recent additions to the Transition Coach team, Kendrick completed the Transition Coach Training in 2023 and became a coach in spring of 2025. In this profile, we have drafted a narrative based on a small section of Kendrick’s response to three important questions.
To be totally blunt with you, an opportunity came up…I feel like I wasted a lot of years trying to figure [the transition experience] out on my own. [My experiences] led me to developing a mentoring program. [This] opportunity came up and fits perfectly in my purpose…. I’m at this point in my life where anything that I do has to be purposeful.
During his own transition, Kendrick found himself searching for direction and purpose. He was soon drawn to community engagement and mentoring youth and collegiate athletes through various roles and eventually developed his own non-profit. After years of providing support at the youth and collegiate levels, he believes that this opportunity to support former NFL players in their post career journey is mission driven and has come at the perfect time in his life.
Family, financial, social, career…All of these are major adjustments. For transitioning players, they will have to go through each one of these areas. They may have to endure transitioning from the professional level into the working environment or career that’s not so prolific in spotlight.
Kendrick highlights the adjustments that accompany the ending of a career in professional sports, including a loss of community, no longer receiving the perks that may result from being in the spotlight as well as the need to identify a new purpose and career. One’s family may still have certain expectations of the player, or there may be an image some players may feel pressure to maintain. The combination of challenges that accompany the transition may negatively impact emotional wellbeing and amplify the importance of having a strong support system during this time. Kendrick credits his wife as his anchor and key support during his own transition.
Take advantage of every relationship that you have. Not for playing time, not for what’s going to happen on the field, but for the relationship. And learn as much as you can from them.
Kendrick emphasizes the importance of developing genuine relationships when the opportunity presents itself—both at the club and league office level. He describes the vital need to understand earned benefits, encouraging players to update their beneficiaries and participate in early estate planning during the transition process. It’s essential to utilize all of the resources available to former players, particularly those that allow for community connections. Every player’s transition will be different, but despite the length of playing career, most players identify the camaraderie of the locker room as their biggest loss. In developing genuine relationships, one can help prepare themselves for the transition out of the game by ensuring that they will have a community of support in the future. In his role as a Transition Coach, Kendrick is looking forward to expanding the NFL community of support and making a positive contribution to the transition experience for other former players.
