Passion for Technique
About TFA
Trenchmen Football Academy, a Minnesota based defensive line, offensive line, linebacker and tackling/agility year-round training facility for athletes entering grades 4th - 12th as well as athletes preparing for college camp. Our goal is to enTRENCH the fundamentals of playing on the line, the linebacker positions and instill proper form tackling by studying the basics with the result of it becoming second nature for the athlete. During the football season, practice time is limited—and technical development often takes a back seat. That’s where Trenchmen Football Academy steps in. We bridge that gap by focusing on the fundamentals: technique, repetition, and mental discipline.
Our training model is grounded in the proven principle:
“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” This mindset—used to shape elite military warriors, US Navy SEALs—is the foundation of everything we do. Emphasizing quality over quantity, we help athletes build the muscle memory and confidence needed to execute under pressure.
At Trenchmen, we go beyond drills. We create a positive, growth-driven environment where athletes are motivated to improve—not just as players, but as members of their communities. Through disciplined coaching, attention to detail, and a love for the game, we develop athletes who are prepared to lead, compete, and excel at the highest level. Football training is a grind and at TFA athletes learn to embrace it. Motivating and inspiring young athletes through their passion for the game while emphasizing the importance of discipline and hard work, which are at the forefront of instruction.
Trenchmen Football Academy was created and developed with support and guidance from CFL Hall of Famer, former NMU Coach, Bobby Jurasin, and nationally recognized PINnacle Wrestling founder, co-owner and top instructor, Jared Lawrence. Their experience with training athletes was instrumental in the development of Trenchmen Football Academy. Jurasin's knowledge continues to be utilized at TFA on an ongoing basis.
#EmbracetheGRIND
Mission
Develop athletes through specialized training for the offensive and defensive lines, linebackers and all athletes with tackling/agility sessions. We focus on building fundamental skills, promoting age-appropriate development, and fostering a passion for the game of football. By emphasizing discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship, we aim to empower every athlete to reach their full potential.
Motto
Embrace the GRIND
Values (EATT)
EFFORT
A commitment of maximum effort, regardless of experience, leads to skill development achieved through trying, learning and working hard.
TOUGHNESS
Football takes toughness to play and teaches grit.
ATTITUDE
Attitude equals mental toughness, positivity, leadership.
TEAMWORK
Athletes develop their individual role while learning teamwork to be successful.
Bio
Travis Marier, originally from Forest Lake, MN, is Trusted Coaches certified, and a 4 year, and counting, Head Coach in the SCVAA Tackle Football League. He has been coaching his kids' teams in various sports for over 8 years. His love of football began in the 4th grade; his first opportunity to play. He played on the offensive and defensive lines through high school in Forest Lake. After graduating he attended junior college at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton, ND where he continued to play. During his time at NDSCS he played all positions on the D-line and served as a team captain. His last season at NDSCS culminated with the #2 final national ranking for the season. Those successes helped him to finish his football career at the University of Northern Michigan in Marquette, where he played multiple positions on the D-line, and was coached by Canadian Football League Hall of Fame member Bobby Jurasin. Travis has been very fortunate to have had phenomenal coaches from junior high through college. They have all had a lasting impact on him and the person he is today. He continues to consult with many of them and his former teammates, for their support and experience in coaching football. They instilled many skills in him including discipline, teamwork, respect, accountability, focus and communication. They have coached at all levels and through his network Travis is able to bring additional knowledge to Trenchmen Football Academy training sessions. Travis’s ambition is to continue to pass along what he’s learned to generations of football players to come, advancing their skills while developing them as an athlete.
Testimonials
If your boys play offensive line, defensive line, or linebacker I want to highly recommend Travis Marier's Trenchmen Football Academy. As a coach I had a chance to drop in and see it firsthand and the skills, fundamentals, and technique being taught are excellent. There's nothing else that I've seen like Trenchmen Football Academy in MN. It will help your son develop as a football player and help set themselves apart, especially if they're considering play high school football down the road.
Class definitely helped and I thought it was fun; and only regret is that it wasn't 1.5 hours.
7th Grade LB Athlete
Marlin Jones (Former Miami Hurricane, Current Youth Coach)
I can see such a HUGE difference in everything about my son's game, it's incredible. Last season he was slow off the line, waiting and bracing for impact, not this year. He's the first one exploding across the line every snap and he's on a mission every time. The RBs thanked him throughout the game for the gaps he was creating which fueled him more. The hilarious part about it is in practice previously he wasn't someone any of the boys feared getting tackled by...now during tackling drills the coaches catch boys trying to drop down places in line to avoid him, all thanks to YOU!
Parent of 7th Grade OL/DL Athlete