Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Evolving a Defense - Joey Didier, Co-Defensive Coordinator, University of St. Francis May 04, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome in Joey Didier. He is currently the co-defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach, and co-recruiting coordinator at the University of Saint Francis (Indiana). On this episode, tune in and learn how you can incorporate new schemes and concepts into your defense by utilizing your players strengths. Instead of changing every signal, play-call, and language of the defense, you can instead evolve your defense to fit new concepts.

Show Notes:

3:11 Player led schematics

5:46 Tools to evaluate new scheme

8:48 Translating onto the field

11:34 Evolving the structure of your scheme

14:!5 Applying new scheme to practices

16:30 Managing reps during practice

19:24 Crossovers creating chemistry

21:06 Analyzing trends

23:03 Accounting for new offensive trends

24:22 Match-zone concepts

27:07 Defending route combinations

30:27 Preparing during game week

33:04 Recruiting areas

You can follow Coach Didier on Twitter @CoachJoeyDidier.

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Coaching Cues and Drills for In-Game Situations - Richie Gray, Founder, Global Sports Innovation May 02, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome back Coach Richie Gray to the show. Coach Gray is a skills acquisition and coaching education specialist, and he's the CEO of Global Sports Innovation as well. Previously, Coach Gray spent 12 years with the Scottish Rugby Union, where he was involved with development and education. Gray then went on to work with the Miami Dolphins during the 2016 season to help with skills development and tackling. He also helped USA Football found the Advanced Tackling System as well. On today's episode, we discuss player development, coaching cues, and relating drills to in-game situations.

Show Notes:

4:28 Developing players

13:21 Developing coaching cues

23:24 Evolving cues with changing culture

29:06 Relating drills to game-day situations

35:50 Utilizing new equipment properly

40:10 Learning for coaches through writing

You can follow Coach Gray on Twitter @RichieGrayGSI.

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Pro Style Offense - Tanner Engstrand, Offensive Coordinator, XFL DC Defenders May 01, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome Tanner Engstrand back onto the show. During his career, Coach Engstrand served as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at the University of San Diego for 13 seasons. After that stint, Coach Engstrand then joined Coach Harbaugh's staff at the University of Michigan as an offensive analyst. Currently the offensive coordinator for the XFL's DC Defenders, Coach Engstrand joins us and discusses quarterback development, shifts, personnel groups, and run-action passes that he utilizes in the XFL.

Show Notes:

3:11 From Michigan to the XFL

4:34 Adding elements to pro-style offenses

5:58 Movement and the play-clock

7:52 Procedures

9:17 Using shifts and motions

12:36 Forcing multiple checks

13:49 Formations and run-action passes

17:07 Moving eyes and feet in progressions

20:15 Timing with receivers

23:10 Training the quarterback

26:29 Concept call drill

27:34 New rules in the XFL

You can follow Coach Engstrand on Twitter @CoachTEngstrand.

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Teaching Anticipation - Adam Lechtenberg, Running Backs Coach, Virginia Tech Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we were joined by Virginia Tech's running backs coach, Adam Lechtenberg. Formerly the Assistant Head Coach and the Executive Director of Player Development, Coach Lechtenberg has officially secured an on-field position with the Hokies. Tune in and learn about Coach Lechtenberg's career path, what it is like to work with Virginia Tech Head Coach Justin Fuente, and how Coach Lechtenberg teaches anticipation to his running backs.

Show Notes:

2:31 Inspiration to get into coaching

4:04 How a football career teaches you how to coach

5:30 Reaching the FBS level as a coach

9:17 Accepting different jobs before your dream

11:24 Working under Coach Fuente

14:11 Mindset in the running back room

17:19 Teaching from home

19:52 Developing the unit

21:57 Time management

24:55 Focus for running backs

30:50 Making the right read

34:15 Pre-snap read progressions

36:44 The Winning Edge

38:21 Recruiting areas

You can follow Coach Lechtenberg on Twitter @CoachLecht.

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Advancing and Growing the Game - Chuck Kyle, Head Coach, St. Ignatius High School (OH) Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome back Chuck Kyle, the head coach at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio. Coach Kyle has continued to work on improving the game by expanding the usage of the Football Development Model from the youth level to the National Football League. Hear how coach education, flag football, and padded flag football can help develop the next generation of football players in a safe but efficient manner.

Show Notes:

3:12 Change in the game of football

8:27 Attacking the whole field with RPOs

16:55 Implementing the Football Development Model

30:40 Coach Education

33:53 Support from the NFL to youth levels

38:35 Importance of football

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Recruiting OL, Culture Shift, and the Duo Play - Cody Kennedy, Offensive Line Coach, Tulane Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome back Coach Cody Kennedy from Tulane University. Coach Kennedy leads the offensive line at Tulane, and on today's episode, he breaks down the duo play, the factors that come with recruiting offensive linemen, how he persevered throughout his coaching career, and the change in culture at Tulane University.

Show Notes:

3:23 Approach to recruiting offensive linemen

7:24 Multi-sport athletes

9:46 Deciding on offering scholarships

13:06 Recruits handling social media

15:43 Culture shift at Tulane

19:44 Coach Kennedy's personal journey

23:10 Favorite plays to run

24:05 Installation process

25:32 Determining plays on film

26:55 Vertical dent in the defense

32:20 Recruiting areas

You can follow Coach Kennedy on Twitter @CoachCKennedy.

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Screens, Red Zone, and Goal Line Game Planning - Andy Sowder, Offensive Coordinator, Kent State Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we are joined by Kent State University's Offensive Coordinator, Andy Sowder. Coach Sowder arrived at Kent State after serving as the offensive coordinator at San Jose State and as an offensive quality control coach at the University of Texas. Tune in and learn how Coach Sowder approached his career path. Also learn how to instill a culture of becoming an alpha in your program, the details of game-planning on offense, and how to develop your back-ups.

Show Notes:

2:37 Handling the lockdown

3:28 Analyzing this year's recruits

4:40 Getting into coaching

8:55 Lessons to become a better coach

11:09 Keeping things in perspective

13:07 Being the alpha

14:15 Becoming a winning program

18:06 Training away bad habits

19:48 Coaching tight ends and receivers

21:36 Game-planning for screen plays

24:37 Tendencies

25:09 Game planning in red zone and goal line

29:21 Creativity on defense

29:37 Perimeter blocking

31:24 Installation procedures

32:58 Developing backup players during the season

35:35 Keeping backups engaged

36:30 The winning edge

37:45 Recruiting areas

You can follow Coach Sowder on Twitter @CoachAndySowder.

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Q&A with the Godfather of the Fly Offense - Mark Speckman, Assistant Head Coach and RB Coach, UC Davis Apr 24, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome in the assistant head coach and running backs coach at UC Davis, Coach Mark Speckman onto the show. Coach Speckman is known as own of the founding fathers of the fly sweep play, and today we hear how Coach Speckman has evolved the play throughout his career. Tune in and learn the details of the fly sweep, how it has changed over the years, and how defenses are learning to attack the play as well.

Show Notes:

3:32 Influence of the fly sweep

5:49 Development of plays

8:24 Defenses that give the fly sweep trouble

12:33 Green, yellow, and red sweeps

13:54 Practice time for blocking

17:08 The exchange point in shotgun

24:02 Fitting into your own offensive system

25:49 Basic principles behind splits

27:38 Adjustments made to the fly sweep

31:00 Play-action

38:21 Keys for inside runs

44:02 Installing fly sweep

You can follow Coach Speckman on Twitter @MarkSpeckman.

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Wide Splits, Time Management, and Film Study - Brian Flinn, Wide Receivers Coach, Princeton University Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, Princeton University's wide receiver coach Brian Flinn rejoins the show. Previously, Coach Flinn came onto the podcast as a guest speaker while he was coaching at Villanova University. After coaching for 12 years at Villanova, Coach Flinn took over as the wide receivers coach at Princeton. During this episode, learn how Coach Flinn has adjusted to the move and how he has grown as a coach throughout his career.

Show Notes:

2:35 Coaching at Princeton

4:32 Challenges of joining a new program

6:34 Adjusting to new scheme

13:08 Teaching your receivers

17:33 Using film to your advantage

20:18 Fitting in new concepts

21:56 Questions asked to Coach Flinn

25:08 Wide splits

27:59 Advice for coaches

32:14 Being prepared

33:20 Recruiting areas

You can follow Coach Flinn on Twitter @Coach_Flinn.

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Home Team Podcast - Thomas Hammock, Head Coach, Northern Illinois University Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we continue our "Home Team Podcast" series. Our guest host Joel Nellis welcomes in the head coach at Northern Illinois University Thomas Hammock.

As a player at Northern Illinois, Coach Hammock still ranks 13th all-time in Huskie history in career rushing yards. A heart condition halted Coach Hammock's playing career, but he quickly transitioned to roles as a coach with the University of Wisconsin and the Baltimore Ravens.

After spending five seasons with the Ravens as the running backs coach, Coach Hammock returned to take the helm as the first African American head coach in Northern Illinois' history. Learn from Coach Hammock about how he emphasizes family in his program and how he develops his players into young men.

Show Notes:

1:57 Intro

4:18 Stars of your home team

5:46 Transitioning into coaching

7:01 Career decision-making process

8:11 Time management

9:32 Discipline at home

10:06 Handling negative press

10:58 Difference between NFL and college

11:58 Players being accountable at home

12:57 Factoring in family during the hiring process

13:55 Staying connected with family