Jacob Buffa started his human performance journey in 2016 when he founded Elite Baseball Academy in St. Louis, MO. The vision was to take a physics-based approach to identifying, measuring, and improving the underlying physical qualities that dictate on field performance. This is where force plate research began. Over the years, Jacob and Elite Baseball Academy began studying how movement strategies influence force production and programming designed to systematically influence them. His work at Elite Baseball Academy eventually landed him a job with the Houston Astros in 2019. Where he currently resides as the Senior Director of Player Development and Performance Science. In this role, he oversees the player development system, biomechanics staff and sports science staff. During his time with the Astros, they have been to 5 straight post season appearances, 3 World Series, and taking home one World Series title in 2022. He continues to pursue finding competitive advantages in using objective information to identify and develop athletes into world champion caliber talent.
Denton grew up in St. Louis, MO, and attended CBC high school. He went on to attend Rockhurst University and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and a Business Certificate. Next, he achieved his MBA in Management from Rockhurst University. In 2019, Denton worked for the Houston Astros in their Player Development department. He was stationed with the Quad Cities River Bandits, an Astros affiliate. There he helped them win the MWL first half championship and lead the league in fielding % and stolen bases. The River Bandits also saw 9 MLB players come through their affiliate throughout the season. He served as the Maryville pitching coach for 3 seasons, leading them to their first regional and national ranking in 2023. His pitching staff set win records in back to back seasons (2022,2023) and broke the single season strikeout record in 2022. He had 5 pitchers earn all conference honors while also breaking numerous single season records. He currently serves as the Lindenwood pitching coach. denton@elitebaseballacademy.net Credentials: Precision Nutrition Coach Certified Speed and Agility Coach K-Motion Lvl 1 Baseball
Matt Biermann is a pioneering force in the world of athletic training and development. As the founder of Elite Football Academy and Elite Performance Academy in St. Louis, MO, Matt has been at the forefront of revolutionizing position-specific skills training across the nation. His innovative approach has set a new standard in the industry, making Elite Football Academy the first facility to receive sponsorship from an NFL team. With a deep passion for nurturing talent, Matt and his programs have coached 500+ Division I athletes, 75 NFL players (including five 1st round draft picks), guiding them to reach their full potential. His expertise and dedication extend beyond athletes, as he has also mentored many aspiring coaches who have gone on to successful careers in high school, college and NFL. Matt's commitment to excellence and his groundbreaking contributions to sports training have earned him a respected reputation in the athletic community. His vision for OFFSZN is to continue this legacy, providing top-tier training and mentorship to the next generation of athletes and coaches.