Big Man Academy (BMA) was founded by Coach Schwapp and Coach Lo to fill a much-needed gap in Connecticut football. They saw that offensive and defensive linemen weren’t getting the consistent, high-level training they needed to reach the next level—and decided to change that.
At BMA, our mission is simple: develop strong, smart, and disciplined linemen who can succeed on the field and in life. We focus on improving technique, strength, agility, football IQ, and injury prevention—core areas that matter in the trenches.
Our coaching staff brings years of experience across high school, college, and semi-pro levels. Every athlete who trains with us gets personal attention and coaching tailored to their position and goals.
Over the past decade, we’ve helped many of our athletes earn scholarships and go on to play at the D1, D1-AA, and D2 college levels. Just as important, we take pride in building character, leadership, and work ethic that carries beyond football.
Whether you (or your child) is just starting out or preparing for college ball, Big Man Academy is the place to get better—on and off the field.
Born in Hartford, CT, Coach Schwapp has dedicated his life to football as a player, coach, and trainer. A standout at Weaver High School, he earned All-CCC West honors on both the offensive and defensive line and was selected to compete in the CT vs. Rhode Island All-Star Game, where the top players from each state faced off.
He continued his career at Milford Prep and Santa Monica College, earning All-Conference Honorable Mention at defensive end before earning a scholarship to Texas A&M-Commerce, where he was a two-year starter at defensive tackle.
After earning his Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and a Master’s in Sports Administration, he transitioned into coaching and player development. His coaching career began in 2012 at Commerce Middle School (TX), and since 2019, he has served as the defensive line coach at Windsor High School. From 2012-2023, he was also a trainer and mentor at Supreme Athlete, helping young athletes maximize their potential.
In 2016, alongside Coach Low, he co-founded Big Man Academy, specializing in training offensive and defensive linemen, linebackers, and tight ends. With over a decade of experience coaching and mentoring, his mission is to develop the next generation of dominant linemen through elite skill training, strength development, and football IQ enhancement.
Corey Johnson, aka Coach Lo is a 1998 graduate of Weaver High School, where he developed a passion for football. After high school, he played college football at Middle Tennessee State University. Today, Corey serves as the Offensive Line Coach and Assistant Offensive Coordinator at Windsor High School, where he plays a key role in developing the next generation of athletes there.
Additionally, he is the co-founder of Big Man Academy, a football training program dedicated to improving the skills of offensive and defensive linemen, as well as linebackers. Corey's dedication to both coaching and player development has made him a respected figure in the football community.
Coach Basz was a two-year starter in football, finishing his high school career with over 300 tackles, 40 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles. He was a two-time All-Conference player and earned Honorable Mention All-State honors as a senior. Track and Field also played a big role in Coach Basz’s athletic journey. He was part of several conference and state championship teams. His top events were Shot Put and Discus, and he went All-State in Shot Put in 2010.
After high school, Coach Basz continued his athletic career at JUCO powerhouse Lackawanna College (2010–2012), where he started as a sophomore. He then transferred to Delaware State at the FCS level, starting for three years (2012–2015).After college, Coach Basz returned to his alma mater to coach the defensive line (2015–2016), helping lead the team to a state championship in 2015. In 2017, he became the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator for the CREC Colts. He now serves as the Offensive Coordinator and continues to help the program thrive.
Coach Basz has been an assistant under Coach Schwapp and Coach Lo since the start of Big Man Academy. His main areas of focus are defensive line and change of direction/agility training.
Coach Jamal was a three-year varsity starter at Bloomfield High School (2005–2009), playing both offensive and defensive line earning 2X All-Conference selections. After high school, he played offensive line at Milford Academy in 2009, earning a full scholarship to AIC, where he played four years.
He went on to play two years of arena football for the CT Chiefs and spent 10 years in semi-pro football, earning 8 all-star selections and winning Offensive Lineman of the Year once.
Coach Jamal has six years of experience coaching the offensive line at Big Man Academy. He began coaching youth football in 2015, was the offensive line coach at Hartford High in 2016, and currently holds that same role at East Hartford High School (2024–present).
Michael Srokowski graduated from Windsor High School in 2007, after which he enrolled at American International College where he graduated in 2013 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Following this, he completed a residency in orthopedics at Sacred Heart University, becoming a board certified orthopedic clinician. He then went on to complete his fellowship in orthopedic manual physical therapy at the Manual Therapy Institute, where he now teaches/mentors. Mike is an avid competitive weightlifter, martial artist, musician, golfer and lifelong learner.
by our coaches
Join us to enhance your skills on and off the field. Our programs focus on strength, agility, and injury prevention, guided by experienced coaches.
Our mission is to help young athletes excel in football and life, providing the tools needed for success at the college level.
