Welcome to FTBL1ST: About ME
John Bonaventura
Owner and Operator of “FTBL1ST” – specializing in football player evaluations and developmental camps.
With over 33 years of experience in the football industry, I have served as a coach, scout, and administrator. My background includes 4 years as a collegiate football player, more than 20 years in football coaching at both high school and collegiate levels, 11 years in professional football scouting and administration, and 10 years as an NFL Regional Combine scout.
Education:
- National University: Master’s Degree in Cross Cultural Education and California Teaching Credential.
- San Francisco State University: BA in Physical Education with an emphasis on Coaching.
- Southwestern Community College: AA in general education.
My Journey through football
Football Playing Experience: 1985–1986: Southwestern Community College 1987–1988: San Francisco State University
Football Coaching Experience:
2023-2025: Temecula Valley High School: Head Coach, focusing on football coaching, fundraising, and academic tutoring.
2018-2024: Winnipeg Blue Bombers: Western Regional NFL Pro scout & NCAA. 2019 Grey Cup Champions!!
2010-2019: NFL Regional Combines: 10 years as National Field Director & (Undrafted TV Series). 2019 NFL International Combine in Germany, overseeing developmental camps and player evaluations.
2015-2016: Toronto Argonauts: Director of US scouting and contract negotiations. Responsible for organization of all NFL teams, talent, free agent reports, and tryouts.
2014: Toronto Argonauts: Scouting consultant (NFL teams and selected colleges).
2012-2014: Temecula Valley High School: Defensive Coordinator/Special Teams coach, fundraising, and academic tutoring. League leaders in Tackles for Loss, Turnovers, and Scoring Defense. 1 Playoff Appearance.
2010-2011: Riverside City College: Wide Receivers coach, focusing on football player evaluations, fundraising, and academic tutoring. Achieved a 21-1 record with 2 Bowl Championships, 2 All-Conference players, and 1 All-American. Additionally, I organized developmental camps to enhance player skills.
2006-2009: Great Oak High School – Wide Receivers and Special Teams (Return Specialist). Coached 4 scholarship players in 4 years and led the team to its 1st Playoff appearance in school history. Served as head coach of an upstart wrestling program, overseeing the development of team organization, fundraising, facilities, and team travel.
2002-2006: Kansas City Chiefs. Area scout covering the Big 12, Big 10, and SEC. Conducted football player evaluations at the National Football Scouting Combine and served as a three-year position group leader at the National Football Combine in Indianapolis.
2000-2001: Las Vegas Outlaws (XFL). Worked as a team administrator directly with the head coach on day-to-day team activities, including player transactions, facilities, scouting, team meals, travel, game day operations, and media connections.
1996-2000: Sweetwater High School. Focused on wide receivers & passing game development, along with coaching defensive backs & special teams. Additionally, served as a classroom teacher for various subjects, particularly for at-risk students, while organizing developmental camps to enhance player skills.
1994-1995: Sonoma State University. Worked as the wide receivers and quarterbacks coach, as well as passing game coordinator. Responsibilities included the development of kick-off return (KOR) & punt return specialists, alongside conducting thorough football player evaluations and team offensive film breakdowns for self-scouting organization.
1990-1991: University of Nevada. Served as a defensive assistant (defensive backs) and special teams return specialist. Engaged in opponent film breakdown & created defensive self-scouting reports, while also acting as academic coordinator and study hall advisor for student-athletes.
1989: San Francisco State University. Focused on wide receivers and return specialists, contributing to the development and installation of the offensive passing game. Also took on the role of financial aid liaison and director of student-athlete housing.
Welcome to FTBL1ST Coaching/Consulting services
Discover top-notch football coaching and developmental camps that provide expert football player evaluations to elevate your game and strategy.