Derrick Jones

Director of Recruiting/Running Back Coach

The "heart" of Players2Pros, Derrick Jones is the physical representative of everything which P2P stands for, Derrick first met Emerson while starring on the East Bladen High football squad. Though Derrick was performing on the field, much of his life had been a struggle. He had experienced domestic violence firsthand and was dealing with an estranged relationship with his father, among other challenges. Becoming a mentee of Emerson was a true bright spot that helped Derrick begin making different decisions and set goals for himself. Emerson (and his wife, Keschia) would, in time, became God-parents to Derrick in hopes that the environment change would help him realize his potential and become successful. It did! Derrick improved his grades and was able to attend, play football for, and eventually graduate from East Carolina University (ECU). Derrick had a Pro-day workout as well as workouts for both the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, but none turned into an NFL career. 

Using networks he developed, Derrick was able to get into an executive protection training program which led to him accepting a position with the federal government as an overseas contractor. Wanting to pay forward the opportunities which had been provided for him, in between deployments, Derrick began coaching youth & high school football. Players2Pros was born with the goal of recreating Derrick's story in the lives of as many young kids as possible. Derrick serves as the Director of Recruiting & Running Backs Coach for Players 2 Pros, LLC. Coach Jones is responsible for Player Recruitment, NCAA Recruiting Rules & Regulations, Evaluating Talent, Social Media Character, & Monitoring Academics. If you have questions or concerns you can reach Coach Jones by email at  

Emerson Martin

Program Director

Offensive & Defensive Linemen Specialist 

Emerson Martin began his P2P journey as a two-way high school star—he starred both on the field and in the classroom, graduating in the top 15 of his class. Highly decorated as a high school and collegiate student-athlete and now a retired NFL Offensive Lineman, Emerson is the "soul" on which Players2Pros was born. Emerson's post-NFL career found him coaching the game at every level: pro, college, and high school. Today, you can find Emerson working with middle- and high school-aged athletes, providing them the same type of valuable insight he once received while on his journey to success. Emerson's core belief is that, "From personal experience, all other factors being equal, having more experience and knowledge gives you an advantage over your competition. I want to help young athletes by sharing my experience and knowledge and I know there are other retired professional athletes who

feel the same. Let's help these two groups build a dialogue, and make a real difference in the lives of both young athletes and retired pros." Emerson works restlessly to leverage his expansive network of professional and college athletes and coaches to add value to the Players2Pros programs and mission. As such our student-athletes are able to receive the expertise and instruction from some of the best football minds around. Emerson has been successful with producing top rank Offensive & Defensive Linemen prospect across North Carolina. Emerson has developed and placed several athletes in Division 1 (FBS), Division 1 (FCS), & Division 2 institutions. If you have questions or concerns you can reach Coach Martin at Coachemerson@players2pro.com.

Patrick Pinkney

Patrick Pinkney

Quarterback Coach - RDU

P2P Quarterback Coach Patrick Pinkney was three-sport honor student-athlete at Pine Forest High School, who eventually found his calling at ECU. He graduated with honors holding a degree in Exercise Sports Science and was names back-to-back Conference USA Championship Quarterback for the Pirates.  After a number of years managing his own business, he decided to return to his passion—football—to start training and mentoring young and upcoming quarterbacks, helping them navigate their own Path of Success on and off the field.

Jamie Holland

Receiver Coach - RDU

Former NFL Wide Receiver, Jamie Holland, played six seasons for the San Diego Chargers (1987-1989), the Los Angeles Raiders (1990-1991), and the Cleveland Browns (1992). Coach Holland is a graduate of The Ohio State University where he was a member of the Buckeyes football program. A graduate of Wake Forest High Schoo, he will be inducted into the Wake Forest High School Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2002, Jamie began his college coaching career at Saint Augustine University in Raleigh, NC where he met Coach Emerson Martin. Since leaving St. Augs, Coach Holland has been coaching high school football at Wake Forest High School where he is the Wide Receivers Coach and 2017 State Champion.