A standout three-sport athlete in high school, David Brader had the opportunity to pursue basketball, baseball, or football at the collegiate level. He ultimately chose to play baseball (1B, OF) and football (TE) at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, MO.

A dislocated ankle during his freshman year, however, sidelined David from playing. While rehabbing, he discovered a natural talent for punting and shifted his focus to mastering that craft. After one year at SMS, David transferred to Lindenwood University, where he trained under former All-American punter Mike Gardner.

Though professional football was never part of his original plan—his sights were set on pro baseball—everything changed during a 1999 regional workout with the Atlanta Braves. On a whim, David picked up a football and punted it. As fate would have it, Steve Ortmayer the St. Louis Rams GM took notice and the rest, as they say, is history.

David began to fine-tune his punting skills with the help of notable coaches, including:

Hank Kuhlmann (Webster Groves HS grad, former NFL coach), Ray Pelfrey, Kelly Goodburn, Louie Aguiar, Darren Bennett, Craig Hentrich and the above mentioned Steve Ortmayer.

After a suffering a career-ending injury with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005, he shifted his focus to coaching.

Since then, David has dedicated himself to developing specialists across the country. He has coached with former NFL specialists Louie Aguiar and Michael Husted at their annual Pro Camp since 2006, and has been involved with the following programs:

• Elite Football Academy (2009-Current)

• Husted Kicking (2002-2020)

• National Camp Series (as a partner and evaluator)

• Lindenwood University (2012-Current) 

• Mizzou, Missouri State, SEMO, Missouri Baptist, Truman, Missouri Southern, Missouri S&T, Minnesota, Illinois, Syracuse, Iowa, Cornell, McKendree, Washburn, Pitt State, Central Missouri, SIU, Missouri Western, William Jewell, Northwest Missouri State, Quincy and many others, evaluating players for coaches and working with players on technique.

Over the course of his coaching career, David has trained:

• Over 50 All-State Kickers & Punters

• 25 St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro Specialists

• Multiple Collegiate All-Americans

• NFL Specialists

With a deep passion for special teams and a proven track record of success, Coach Brader brings unmatched experience, insight, and mentorship to every athlete he works with.