Montclair State University has introduced a new sport to its women’s program: flag football, one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The program might just have a coach who can help the team reach the top. The future of flag football is now.
Don Sellari, current associate head coach for Montclair State’s flag football team, is a former player at Nutley High School and linebacker at Rutgers University. He is also the owner of Beyond Potential, a training company he runs for men and women to help develop strength and speed. In addition, Sellari is a special education teacher in Garfield.
Sellari makes an impact on this team in many ways, bringing experience from his time as a football player and as a fitness expert. Players and head coach Jim Kelly say they love having him on the team.
“[A] great innovator of speed and strength development,” Kelly said of Sellari. “Don is a very big asset to our program.”
Sellari's impact has shown with Montclair State flag football, allowing just 30 total points over its first six games. Tim David | The Montclarion
“As an athlete, it’s always about the little things, the little details, the little drills, the little stretches, and Coach Sellari does such a good job of emphasizing that,” said running back/safety Emily Del Rosario.
During Sellari’s time as a college player, he saw several coaching changes. It was difficult to adjust to each new coaching style. He disliked the business side of sports, which led to a change of heart and a new career path.
“Coaches sometimes forget what it’s like to be a kid," Montclair State assistant Don Sellari said. "They think a lot of things they are trying to coach are easily grasped by them. They don’t understand the big picture." Tim David | The Montclarion
“Coaches sometimes forget what it’s like to be a kid,” Sellari said. “They think a lot of things they are trying to coach are easily grasped by them. They don’t understand the big picture.”
His knowledge of the game is what gives him the expertise to be in this position.
“His background in football is [visible] right away — the way he sees the field, the way he explains it,” said Giannamaire Greenhalgh, a receiver and defensive back on the team. “It’s definitely right there.”
Fans are used to watching the NFL and men play football. Rarely have women been highlighted when talking about the sport.
“I feel like being a female, sometimes we’re down on, you know, with sports, of course,” wide receiver/safety Rihanna Bueno said. “Boys have the NFL; what do we have?”
Now, more women are getting the chance to play the sport. The New York Jets and team owner Woody Johnson have supported the Eastern College Athletic Conference, giving women opportunities to play flag football at the collegiate level.
Flag football will be an Olympic sport for both men and women at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The sport is growing faster than many can keep up with, and many opportunities lie ahead for players of the sport.
“I’m interested to see, to be honest,” Sellari said of the recent growth of flag football. “I think it’s going to take off, everybody is all fired up about it.”
Don Sellari's experience as a linebacker at Rutgers University has helped him take the reins with a new sport on the rise. Tim David | The Montclarion
Much of Montclair State’s defensive success can be attributed to Sellari, who calls the defense. The Red Hawks have earned three shutouts this season. The team upset nationally-ranked Eastern University despite only scoring seven points. As the season has aged, the program’s identity has shifted to its stout defense.
“If we put it together, push each other and push on ourselves, we could be one of the best programs,” Greenhalgh said.
Sellari and the rest of the coaching staff aim to keep together the inaugural team which is off to a 6-1 start and averaging 35 points per game, with an emphasis on pushing players to their full potential. They see a huge season ahead and a bright future for the program.
