EAST MANATEE BULLDOGS pop warner Youth football and cheer
Head Coach
Samantha Sanchez
Samantha was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Florida in high school to attend Lakewood Ranch High School. She started dancing at age 6 and took jazz, ballet, and acrobatic classes. She was accepted into a Children’s Ballet Company at age 12 and ended her dance career at 14 due to injury. She cheered from middle school through high school and absolutely loved it!
She is a Nurse Anesthetist and attended Graduate school at USF. She chose to become a coach for her daughter, Mia. They love sharing in this experience together and meeting all the wonderful people they have met through EMB! She hopes to help our Mitey Mites to find their inner voice and learn discipline, sportsmanship, and responsibility all while having fun!
Barry Brinson
EMB Tumbling Coach
Barry is truly an asset to EMB! He assists with all levels of cheer and works with each team on their tumbling.
He coached gymnastics for Manatee YMCA for 19 yrs from 1977-1996....coached gymnastics for Manatee Parks & Recreation for 19 yrs from 1988-2007....Coached gymnastics at Culbertson’s Gymnastics and South Florida Gymnastics....EMB from 2006 to present....Coach at Premier Allstars in 2010.... Dynasty Elite Allstars....TUF Allstars...Coached tumbling lessons at Myakka Community Center....Anna Maria Island Community Center....Palmetto, Bradenton & Desoto Boy’s Clubs....Palmetto & Bradenton Girls Club.
Nathalie Leonard
EMB Stunting Coach
This will be Nathalie's third year coaching with the Bulldogs. Nathalie Leonard (Turcotte) coached cheerleading for nine years in California. She has coached youth teams, both competitive and sideline (gameday teams), as well as high school JV and Varsity teams. Born in Canada, she relocated to Florida with her husband Paul. They have two kids, Nicolas and Victoria, both in College.