Our Founder & Instructor

With more than 35 years of coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels, Tarik Ergin brings a lifetime of teaching, mentoring, and developing confidence in others to Frontier Defense Academy.

As a longtime lacrosse coach, Tarik has always believed that a strong foundation in the fundamentals is the key to success. His coaching philosophy emphasizes patience, preparation, repetition, and building confidence through knowledge and practical experience.

He brings that same philosophy to firearms instruction, recognizing that every student begins with a different level of experience and comfort. His goal is to create a welcoming, supportive learning environment where students can ask questions, develop essential skills, and gain confidence in their ability to handle firearms safely and responsibly.

Beyond coaching, Tarik spent more than a decade working in television, appearing in Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise, an experience that further shaped his appreciation for professionalism, teamwork, and attention to detail.

As a USCCA-certified firearms instructor, Tarik combines his passion for teaching with a commitment to responsible firearm ownership and safety.

His philosophy is simple:

Safety through Knowledge. Confidence through Training.