The Team
Taylor Bertolet
Co-Owner, Director of 4th Down Performance
Taylor’s combined experience as a professional kicker and educational background in sport psychology make him an undeniably top-tier resource for younger athletes looking to improve their technique and mindset. He has an extensive playing career from being an Under Armor All-American in High School, to playing in the SEC at Texas A&M University, to chasing his dream of kicking in the NFL. To date, Taylor has journeyed around the country earning 12 professional contracts in leagues from the NFL, CFL, USFL, and AAF.
While playing professionally, Taylor achieved his Master of Science in Sport Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, where he coached various teams and athletes as a mental performance coach. Taylor has been coaching specialists all around the country for over 10 years, from California to New Jersey and everywhere in between. Currently, Taylor is based in the Northeast region.
Taylor’s coaching philosophy is centered around improving the entire player, not just focusing on one piece of the puzzle. He simplifies his feedback to ensure each athlete understands his coaching cues, as he strives to find the most efficient and effective way to be consistent. His coaching style naturally instills discipline and teaches dedication to the craft of kicking. Taylor holds himself and his athletes to a high standard and is known to be relentless in his pursuit to maximize their potential.
Taylor’s passion for helping others has led to starting 4th Down Performance to give younger specialists the tools they need to chase their own dreams. A unique part of being coached by Taylor is that he will occasionally kick with his athletes to show them what’s possible. Taylor has dedicated his life to his craft and he’s determined to be a positive role model and mentor to every athlete he trains.
Katie Gacos, M.S., CSCS, SCCC
Co-Owner, Director of Sport Performance
Katie is the Director of Sport Performance for 4th Down Performance. She holds a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Physical Education, as well as multiple national coaching certifications—Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS-NSCA) and Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC-CSCCa). Katie was also a Division I Rower at the University of Alabama.
Katie has extensive experience working in Division I collegiate athletics. She previously coached at Clemson University, where she worked with all 14 Olympic sport teams. After that, Katie worked with the University of Maryland football team. Katie then continued to Seton Hall University as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, where she worked with Men’s Soccer and Women’s Basketball. Currently, Katie is the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Delaware, where she is responsible for all the sport performance training for Field Hockey, Men’s Soccer, Rowing, Cheer and Dance, and Men’s and Women’s Golf.
Katie is an integral part of 4th Down Performance, as she brings a deep knowledge of human physiology, sport performance training, and working with athletes of varying athletic levels. She also has an extensive background working with football specialists at the collegiate and professional level and understands how to properly balance kicking with the weight room.
Katie’s coaching philosophy is centered around athlete safety and using foundational movements to achieve that. She considers herself a technician, in that proper technique always comes first. Mastering the basics will help create a solid foundation that her athletes can build upon throughout their athletic career and beyond.
