From Plano to Albuquerque to Atlanta and then to destinations in-between and beyond is where Coach Best has been in his travels with the sport he loves (football). An All-State Defensive Tackle for legendary Head Coach Tommy Kimbrough at Plano, Coach Best went on to play at The University of New Mexico as a four-year starter for the Lobos.

“Football has always been very important to me. I received Christ as my savior in the middle of a football game towards the end of my sophomore year in college. I cried out to God and He certainly heard me. I will never forget that day.”

 Coach went on from UNM to a brief stint with the Falcons in the NFL and was released prior to the 1985 season. After returning to North Texas and starting a family in the early 90’s, it was time to put his coach’s hat on. “After my kids were born, it was unthinkable to me that anyone else would coach them in pee wee sports (especially football). As it turned out, I ended up coaching them all the way through their High School years. It was great getting to be with them and being a part of their lives as well as their friends’ lives. I wouldn’t trade it.”

 Coach Best was an assistant football coach at Canyon Creek Christian Academy, then became the Run-Coordinator and Bigger-Faster-Stronger Program Clinician for American Heritage Academy under then Head Coach & Athletic Director Bob Giesey. “I owe a lot to Coach Giesey” said Coach Best. “At a time in my life where I was struggling personally, he showed me nothing but love and helpful insight. Mostly, he was just a good friend. He will always be one of my favorite people.”

 Coach Best left AHA to become the Head Football Coach at Garland Christian Academy. Coach took a struggling program that had gone 0-10 each of the previous three years and made them a playoff squad each of his two years at GCA’s helm. “The kids were so great. They were tired of losing and hungry to be challenged. They worked their tails off. I’m still so proud of those kids.”

 Simultaneously, Coach Best also owned and operated a Boxing/Kickboxing School in Richardson, Texas know as “Kingdom Kickboxing”. During the 5-year span that his fighters were active, his fighters won 17 IKF National Amateur Kickboxing Championships and 5 area Golden Gloves Boxing Championships. “Another great experience” said Best. “It’s like coaching football. It gets in your blood and takes over. So many great memories training young men and women fighters, along with the great coaches I got to work with under the banners of two terrific organizations.”

 A lifetime martial artist, Coach Best has trained in several disciplines and holds the rank of Black Belt. “So many of the tactics and principles cross over between the martial arts and other sports. I originally got into the martial arts as a youth so I would become a better football player. It certainly helped, and I also fell in love with the martial arts.”

 As an adult, Coach Best sparred for an World ATA Title at the annual World Tournament in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1999. Coach missed winning the Gold Medal in his division by a mere point, coming away with a Silver Medal. “My opponent in the final was such a fine person and skilled martial artist. I was disappointed for me but happy for him. The journey that year was an absolute blast. I Believe I competed in over 60 matches that year and only lost 2. Winning was fun, but meeting so many quality individuals from all over the US and other countries was even better.”

 Coach Best concluded with the following, “I would love for Best Athletica to offer opportunities for youth boys and girls in every sport as well as the martial arts. Sports training and competition are wonderful platforms through which to mentor and share God’s love with young competitors. We are in the infancy stages right now, but hopefully we can catch fire and realize great momentum really soon.”

Doug is a former wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys and a proud Ohio State alum (and crowing about his NATIONAL CHAMPIONS BUCS!), The 53rd player taken in the 1981 NFL draft, the sure-handed DD was even more renowned for his precision route-running and speed on the football field.  Doug aka “White Lightning” is a legend back in his hometown of Cambridge, Ohio. 

Doug is a husband to his beautiful bride, Dina, a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader alum, and is a father to two amazing sons, Drew and Jake.  The boys keep Doug busy with their track meets, JV football games, varsity football games, and college visits.  He enjoys being surrounded by family and spending time with his dog, Marley.  Doug also enjoys travel, playing golf, watching football, working out at the gym, relaxing by the pool, trail biking, and listening to music.  Doug’s weakness is chocolate

 He is very personable, driven, and possesses wonderful insight for football and the type of skills and training it takes for players to be successful at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.

Coach Chuck Best, President of Athletica, shares his enthusiasm for Doug as a member of our Board of Directors - “People meet Doug and are initially impressed by his collegiate & NFL playing experience. That impression quickly gives way to what an incredible person of integrity he is. I love that Doug is on our board for his athletic experience and perceptions. I love him being on our board even more for his intelligence, sincerity and personable nature. He is a blast to talk to.” Doug is a motivational speaker, a great leader, and an out-of-the-box thinker. Doug understands the importance of having a great team and working together.

As a fitness-oriented organization, Best Athletica is invested in offering an “elite - level” training experience to our members and athletes. As long as Roland Jehl is on our board as Vice President in charge of Programs & Training, our folks could not be in more caring and competent hands. A legend in the fitness industry, Roland has been influential regarding any number of positive changes in fitness both in North Texas as well as the Southwest United States.

 Roland’s influence in the Fitness Industry ranges from hiring & mentoring some of the highest-profile Fitness Experts in and around Texas, to training numerous celebrity customers and thousands of enthusiastic clients over the last 40+ years.

 Starting as a bodybuilder, During the late 70’s and early 80’s, Roland competed in bodybuilding at the Mr. America level. These bodybuilding years helped him lay the foundation for a clear understanding of how bodybuilders and people who just want to lose fat can change their habits in a way that will completely change their lives. During the 1980s, Roland built and grew one of the most sought after and respected gyms in the entire DFW Metroplex – THE AUSTIN GYM.  

It was there that Roland had the opportunity to observe thousands of people who tried and failed and tried and succeeded. These experiences helped him refine his expertise in guiding people towards a lifestyle and habits that would completely change their lives.

“People think I’m being ‘tongue-in-cheek’ when I tell them that Roland has forgotten more about fitness than any collection of us will ever know, but I seriously believe no one has better training instincts coupled with effective experiential know-how and understanding of physiology than Roland. When I have questions, I go to Him first.” – Coach Best, President Best Athletica

Coach Best continued, “Roland is one of the finest men on Earth. Not only is he an elite level Master Trainer, but he is also one of my closest friends. He cares deeply for other people.”

Roland Jehl’s Fitness Expertise

• Trained over 3,000 individuals with varying body types and body chemistries since the 1980s.

• Owner, Austin Gym – 19 years

• Taught classes at Cliff Sheats “Lean Bodies” for 2 yrs.

• KLIF (570 AM) Radio Talk Show Host, “Weekend Workout”, for 3 years

• Author, “Sets and Reps” Article for Health & Fitness Magazine for 9 years

• Guest of “Good Morning Texas” on Channel 8 Television

• Competitive Bodybuilder from 1978-1985

• Bodybuilding Judge – 15 years

• Master of Ceremonies for Bodybuilding Competitions

Has done fitness seminars at:

• EDS

• AT&T

• TI

• Richland College

• Brookhaven College

• Prestonwood Baptist Church

• Bent Tree Bible Church

• Spectrum Advisors

• SSCP Corporation (Applebees, CiCi’s Pizza, Sonic & Royce)

Best Athletica is proud to have Dr. Bob Drotman as its Treasurer & Vice President in charge of Community Networking. Bob has been instrumental in both the inception as well as the overarching vision of Best Athletica. Highly innovative, highly educated, highly experienced and of the utmost character and good humor, “Dr. Bob” in many ways represents the “heartbeat” of our Board of Directors and is absolutely indispensable to each member of the board. Coach Best, founder of Best Athletica put it this way - “His friendship, wisdom and broad insight have brought me to the place where I have no desire to undertake this community program without him. Bob is an absolute gem. Bob is family.”

A community – minded civic leader, Bob has served on numerous Boards of Directors, Advisory Boards and committees. “To say Bob has ‘given back’ is an understatement – He is a whip smart wonderful person” says fellow Board member Roland Jehl.

Blake R. Melby is originally from the small midwestern town of Willmar, Minnesota.  Moving to Plano, Texas in Grade School in 1971.  Graduate of Plano Senior High School class of 1980.  Attended Richland Junior College 1980 – 1981 and Texas Tech University 1981 – 1985. A life-long friend of Coach Best as well as football teammates in Middle School and High School, they are also members of the same small group fellowship, most often hosted by Blake at his residence. Coach Best has admiration for his longtime friend – “Blake is a lot like me in terms of our value systems. He tends to keep things close to the vest as they say. You always know that Blake has your back, and that he’ll give you a well-thought honest assessment of any issue if he agrees with you or not. He’s one of the most intelligent people I know and carefully processes information, so he’s a great listener. Plus, he’s hilarious and a blast to be around.”

Blake has many sports interests and played football throughout High School.  Lifelong interests include golf, water sports, boating, snow skiing and working out to keep in shape.

Blake is President & Co-Owner of PLM MelbyCo Inc. located in Carrollton, Texas.

He has been in the Landscape Business with his brother Jon for over 40 years and is still very actively working to keep the business strong and healthy.  Actively involved within the community with many long-term personal and business relationships throughout the DFW Metro Area.