When it comes to growing the game of girls’ flag football, passion and dedication are the driving forces behind its success, and Coach Melissa Brizzell brings both in abundance. As Chestnut Hill College’s first Head Women’s Flag Football Coach, she is ready to continue building and strengthening the developing program.
Melissa’s introduction to the sport came in 2022 while working as a high school guidance counselor in the Abington School District. One of her ninth-grade students, Sydney Brice, played on a club team and asked if they could bring flag football to Abington. After doing some research, she reached out to the Philadelphia Eagles Youth Football Department to see if they were able to help bring girls flag football to Abington. Soon after, she received an email that said, “You’re in,” and that is how she first stepped into the world of flag football.
By 2023, Melissa had assembled and coached the first girls’ flag football team for Abington Senior High School, the Abington Lady Ghosts. In their inaugural season, they went undefeated and won the state championship. Since then, they have held an impressive record of 33-3. Melissa credits this success to a true team effort between her players and co-coach, but says the biggest factor is the players’ love for the sport. One of her quarterbacks, Maya Johnson, was named the first-ever Philadelphia Eagles Girls Flag Football Player of the Year. Melissa herself was recognized as Eagles Girls Flag Football Coach of the Week.
While these achievements are meaningful, Melissa says the most rewarding part of the job has been her players. Seeing their excitement, the way they celebrate each other, and how they come together as a team is what she values most. “I honestly believe as a coach my job is just leading the path. I lay down the groundwork, but it is them who are the success. It is not me. I do not take the credit. It is my players. So when I see them achieve goals or work together as a team or communicate, and it all comes together because of them, that is the best feeling.”
Melissa believes in building complete athletes who develop not only their skills but also their character, leadership, and resilience. She emphasizes teamwork, good sportsmanship, and the idea that skills from other sports are transferable to flag football. With experience in six sports, softball, volleyball, basketball, field hockey, golf, and track and field, Melissa brings a unique perspective to her coaching.
At Chestnut Hill College, Melissa is excited to guide players in growing both individually and as a team. She is passionate about contributing to a sport that has grown 63 percent in the last five years. For Melissa, the Eagles Youth Football Academy Girls Clinic is a chance to inspire the next generation. Whether participants are brand new to the sport or looking to sharpen advanced skills, she assures they will leave with more confidence, more knowledge, and a bigger love for the game. Coach Brizzell will serve as the Camp Director for the special Girls Eagles Football Clinic that will be hosted at the NovaCare Complex on Saturday, Oct 11, 2025. The event will feature College Girls Flag Football Coaches as well as High School Girls Flag Football Coaches from throughout the greater Philadelphia Area. The event is open to high school, middle school and youth girls.