Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Lift While You Climb - Defensive Coordinator Woody Blevins and Offensive Coordinator Buddy Blevins Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, Woody and Buddy Blevins join the show. The two brothers are identical twins and have taken up the same profession as well. Coach Woody Blevins is the defensive coordinator at Assumption College, while Coach Buddy Blevins is the offensive coordinator at the University of Western New Mexico.

On this episode of the show, hear how both brothers challenged each other growing up and how that has led them to having successful careers in coaching. Also learn what it truly means to lift while you climb.

Show Notes:

3:23 Life with an identical twin

8:11 Making the move into coaching

12:07 Lift while you climb

14:29 Guidance into coaching

17:26 Family and football

19:47 Coaching career paths

25:43 Developing as a coach

31:20 Proud brothers

You can follow Coach Woody Blevins on Twitter @coachwoody2.

You can also follow Coach Buddy Blevins on Twitter @coachb_blevins5.

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Foundations of Your Offense - Mike Hallett, Co-OC and Offensive Line Coach, University of Toledo Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

Join us on this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, as your host Keith Grabowski welcomes the University of Toldeo's co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, Mike Hallett, onto the show. Discover Coach Hallett's coaching journey, what he eyes in recruiting, and the foundations of his offense on this episode.

Show Notes:

4:10 Coaching against Mike Hallett

7:29 Relationships in Recruiting

11:05 Developing relationships

15:31 Inspiration to be a coach

22:19 Offensive line play at Toldeo

24:57 Building chemistry on offensive line

28:14 Building foundation on offense

31:29 Organizing your offense

33:14 Advice for young coaches

35:34 The winning edge

36:41 Recruiting areas

You can follow Coach Hallett on Twitter @CoachHallett.

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Home Team Podcast - Matt Jones, Offensive Run Game Coordinator and TE/Tackles Coach, University of Tennessee-Martin Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we continue our "Home Team" series. Hosted by Joel Nellis, we interview coaches across the country about how they balance family and football. On this episode, we speak with the University of Tennessee Martin's offensive run game coordinator and tight ends and tackles coach, Matt Jones. Coach Jones reveals his experiences as a coach and how he has shaped his family during his career.

Show Notes:

3:25 Stars of the Home Team

6:34 Planning Your Family Life

7:50 Balancing family and career decisions

14:41 Family time given by head coach

16:16 Discipline for your kids

18:09 Recommendations on moving

24:26 Growing your marriage

27:49 Chasing ghosts

29:57 Linemen lunch

36:46 Overcoming a struggle

39:24 Being a role model for your players

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Attacking 1-on-1 Matchups - Sam Siefkes, Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach, Wofford College Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we invited Wofford College's defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach, Sam Siefkes onto the show. Hear how Coach Siefkes motivates, instructs, and evolves his defense, particularly through using position-less players. Also hear how Coach Siefkes emphasizes attacking one-on-one matchups against the opposition's weakest player on offense on this episode.

Show Notes:

2:14 Coach Siefkes' background

4:29 Mentors for Coach Siefkes

5:56 How to climb coaching ladder

7:28 Overall philosophy

9:53 Coach Siefkes' experiences

11:24 Pillars of Wofford's defense

13:19 Details of practice

17:45 Mental approach to big games

19:06 Preparing for spread offenses

21:04 Development in camp

22:40 Playing against 10 and 11 personnel

25:23 Defensive front vs. spread gaps

27:30 Matching personnel

28:58 Practice structure

30:40 Tendencies, alignments, and formations

33:08 Structure for a user friendly system

35:23 The winning edge

36:43 Recruiting areas

You can follow Coach Siefkes on Twitter @CoachSiefkes.

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Utilizing Your Strength Coach - Kurt Hester, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Louisiana Tech Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome in the head strength and conditioning coach at Louisiana Tech University, Kurt Hester. Coach Hester has worked with athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and the NHL during his time as the National Director of Training for the D1 Sports Training Center. Now at Louisiana Tech, Coach Hester believes that coaches around the country can put their trust in their strength coaches to help become semi-assistant coaches. Learn how your strength coach can become an asset and not just a "get back guy." Also hear tips for how your players can workout at home during this shutdown.

Show Notes:

4:00 Importance of strength staff

8:49 Skills that a strength coach can use for your team

10:34 Working with your coaching staff

13:24 Establishing relationship with your strength coach

14:49 Being a semi-position coach

16:08 Best practices moving forward

19:51 Helping our players workout at home

You can follow Coach Hester on Twitter @TheKurtHester.

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Special Teams and Air Raid Running Backs - Eric Mele, Running Backs Coach, Mississippi State Apr 05, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome back Coach Eric Mele onto the show. After working at Washington State University for the past five years as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator, Coach Mele was named the running backs coach at Mississippi State this February. Tune in and hear how Coach Mele recruits and develops running backs to fit an air-raid attack. Also learn Coach Mele's thoughts on the changing landscape in special teams.

Show Notes:

3:48 Improving catching for running backs

5:30 Practicing making difficult catches

6:49 Different angles in catch radius

7:54 Converting receivers into running backs

9:10 Three pillars for running backs

11:21 Air-Raid practice schedule for running backs

13:40 Acclimating freshmen running backs into system

15:37 Transitioning backs to air raid

16:56 Becoming a three-down back

17:44 Routes and pass protection

22:29 Building special teams culture

24:07 Productive kickoff return units

26:12 New version of the kickoff

27:15 Advice for new running backs coaches

28:55 Making drills for game situations

You can follow Coach Mele on Twitter @CoachMeleMSU.

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Developing a Championship Quarterback - John Bond, Former Offensive Coordinator, University of Northern Iowa Apr 04, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome back former University of Northern Iowa offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, John Bond, onto the show. Hear from Coach Bond about how he develops his quarterbacks. In his book, "Developing a Championship Quarterback," Coach Bond goes over what tools and training are necessary to help get the best out of your quarterback.

Show Notes:

3:21 Main focus for developing championship quarterback

5:50 Traits to look for in a quarterback

11:01 "Prototypical" quarterback

12:!7 Day one drills

18:50 Footwork

21:10 Emphasis on strides

22:15 Properly developing the game

23:04 Communicating with your quarterback

27:09 Effective scrambling

32:04 Being prepared for situations

37:47 Best advice for young quarterback coaches

You can follow Coach Bond on Twitter @coachjohnbond.

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Vision, Ball Fakes, YAC, and Leverage - Tim Horton, Running Backs Coach, Vanderbilt University Apr 03, 2020

Show notes

Our guest on this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast is Vanderbilt University's running back coach Tim Horton. Last season, Coach Horton's star running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn led the Commodores in rushing with 1,028 yards and 10 touchdowns. Throughout his career, Coach Horton has spent 12 years coaching in the SEC, including stints at Arkansas and Auburn. He also has served as the running backs coach at Appalachian State, Air Force, and Kansas State as well .

Tune in and discover how Coach Horton teaches his running backs to execute ball fakes, improve their vision, garnering yards-after-contact, and getting leverage on blocks.

Show Notes:

3:03 How can young coaches reach their players

4:43 Adapting throughout your coaching career

6:18 What are college coaches looking for in recruiting

13:41 Pillars for Vanderbilt running backs

19:11 Executing ball fakes

22:02 Getting leverage for blocking

26:38 Maximizing yards-after-contact

30:19 Vision for running backs

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Being Fast, Physical, and Disciplined at Receiver: Joe Dailey, Wide Receivers Coach, Boston College Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome Boston College's wide receiver coach, Joe Dailey, onto the show. Coach Dailey previously joined us as a guest when he was the offensive coordinator at Liberty University. Since then, Coach Dailey took the role of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at the University of New Mexico, and he currently serves as Boston College's wide receiver coach. Tune in and hear how Boston College teaches their receivers how to win routes from the start, how to be physical, fundamentals, and important receiver techniques throughout the year.

Show Notes:

2:45 Lessons on becoming an offensive coordinator

3:29 Coach Dailey's career path

4:49 Adjusting to a new system

6:46 Message to your wide receiver room

9:04 Everyday wide receiver drills at practice

11:34 The most important part of the route

13:14 False steps

15:36 Calibrating with the quarterback

17:41 Tools for receivers to face different coverages

20:45 Scouting reports

22:07 Catching drills for bad weather situations

25:56 Recruiting receivers

29:59 Learning the character of your recruits

31:40 Honing receiver skills

33:56 The winning edge

34:39 Coach Dailey's recruiting areas

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Being Married to Winning on Offense - Rick Darlington, Head Coach, Enterprise High School (AL) Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, your host Keith Grabowski welcomes Enterprise High School's head coach, Rick Darlington onto the show. Last season, Coach Darlington became the head coach at Enterprise after coaching at Apopka High School (FL) for 17 seasons over two stints.

During his time at Apopka, Coach Darlington registered a 167-47 mark record and three state titles thanks in part to his "Single-Wing" offense. Tune in and hear how Coach Darlington believes you can design and adapt your offense to give your team the best chance for continued success against the opposition.

Show Notes:

2:45 Being married to winning

7:22 Teaching and executing plays

11:02 Being good at many things

14:22 Designing your offense

16:11 Option plays but not an option team

21:50 Coordinating to win games

24:24 Keeping your best plays alive

34:31 Outflanking the defense

38:12 Implementing trick plays

41:34 Play chart during practice

41:59 Bootleg play efficiency