Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Making the Fullback Great Again - Tyler Roehl, Offensive Coordinator, North Dakota State University Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, your host Keith Grabowski spoke with North Dakota State University's offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl. Coach Roehl was an All-America running back and four-year letterman at North Dakota State from 2004 to 2008, and returned to serve as the tight ends and fullbacks coach in 2014. He was then named as the offensive coordinator in 2019.

On today's episode hear how North Dakota State has been successful on offense by remaining multiple with a physical mentality. Also learn how fullbacks and tight ends are crucial to the success of the Bison.

Show Notes:

3:27 Inspiration to get into coaching

10:36 Continued success at North Dakota State

13:18 Overall offensive philosophy

16:02 Rushing attempts

16:49 Variety of formations with simple concepts

18:21 Physicality with spread formations

20:20 Motions and shifts

22:03 Finding advantages on offense

24:02 Making adjustments

25:20 Reps in the pass and run game

27:46 Drills for kick-out blocks

31:31 Everyday drills for tight ends and fullbacks

33:56 Using fullbacks in the passing game

35:53 Running power out of two tight end sets

38:59 Delayed pull by guards

44:32 Running backs and power run plays

46:21 Game planning

48:22 Short yardage and goal line

50:34 Base drop-back passing game

53:35 Protections on gameday

55:11 Making fullbacks great again

57:26 The winning edge

You can follow Coach Roehl on Twitter @tyroehl.

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The Cowboy Back Position - Jason McEndoo, Tight Ends and Cowboy Backs Coach, Oklahoma State Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome Oklahoma State University's tight ends and cowboy backs coach Jason McEndoo onto the show. Coach McEndoo played at tight end for Washington State University, and he spent three seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints.

Formerly an offensive line coach at Montana State from 2003 to 2014, Coach McEndoo was brought onto Coach Mike Gundy's coaching staff at Oklahoma State in 2015. While at Oklahoma State, Coach McEndoo helped develop the unique "Cowboy Back" position.

Learn how Oklahoma State deploys their tight ends and fullbacks in a hybrid position that utilizes a variety of formations and also how Coach McEndoo reached his current position in his coaching career.

Show Notes:

2:53 Inspiration for Coach McEndoo

12:31 Persistence in seeking coaching job

13:46 Attaching a timeline to job hunt

14:36 Cowboys back position

21:02 Coach Gundy's mullet

21:29 Working with different offensive coordinators

22:55 Favorite character from "The Office"

23:57 Success with inside zone

25:38 Blocking

27:26 Shoulder blocking

28:42 Balancing practice schedule for cowboy backs

30:48 Ideal skillset for your tight ends

32:07 Film study for cowboy backs

33:08 Remaining multiple with tempo

35:08 Football intelligence

36:33 Offline tight ends

38:14 Teaching blocking techniques

40:10 Play-action pass with tight ends

41:39 The winning edge

43:04 Recruiting areas

You can follow Coach McEndoo on Twitter @jasonmcendoo.

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Mindsets and Opportunities for Growth - Dr. Fergus Connolly Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome back Dr. Fergus Connolly as a guest on the show. With the sports world on hold currently and everyone staying inside, Dr. Connolly offers his insight into how coaches should handle the hiatus. Tune in and hear how you should decompress and take advantage of the free time you have. Also learn how to prepare for the transition back to normal football activities when the time comes.

Show Notes:

2:53 Mindset during sports hiatus

10:28 Opportunity for coaches to grow

12:24 Preparing to return to football activities

16:04 Priorities for returning to football

19:13 Nurturing mental health

22:10 Communicating with others

You can follow Dr. Connolly on Twitter @fergus_Connolly.

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Ten Men You Meet in the Huddle: Lessons from a Football Life - Coach Bill Curry Mar 25, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we have a special guest joining the show, Coach Billy Curry. A former NFL player and coach, Bill Curry took his knowledge of the game from the NFL and helped lead collegiate programs, such at Georgia Tech, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia State as a head coach.

During his tenure, Coach Curry helped establish programs and take over for legendary coaches in the game as well. Today on the show, Coach Curry will share what he learned from coaching legends Bobby Dodd, Vince Lombardi, and Don Shula. He will also answer listener questions and will dive into his book Ten Men You Meet in the Huddle: Lessons from a Football Life.

Show Notes:

3:15 The importance of football

6:47 Coach Curry's experiences

10:33 Taking over for legendary coaches

14:25 Coach Dodd's philosophy

18:32 Toughness in football

21:18 Giving players a chance

22:42 Core philosophy

26:09 Influence of Coach Lombardi

31:04 Impact of having faith

34:05 Starting football program at Georgia State

38:03 Commonalities between great teams

43:13 Timelessness of good coaching

48:21 The growth of football

52:02 Advice to coordinators looking to become head coaches

55:57 Inspiration to write a book

57:40 Overall theme of the book

1:00:21 Who would you add to your huddle?

1:03:29 The winning edge

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Q&A with Kyler Segler, Tight Ends Coach, Marshall University Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, your host Keith Grabowski (@CoachKGrabowski) conducted a Q&A with Marshall University's tight end coach, Kyle Segler. Coach Segler was previously at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, where he was tight ends coach and special teams coordinator for one season. Segler's special teams units sported net kickoff and punt return averages that ranked in the top 20 nationally during his time there.

Prior to coaching at ULM, Segler was an assistant coach at Sam Houston State for eight seasons, where he coached the offensive line and tight ends. In 2016, he added the duties of special teams coach.

Hear Coach Segler answer questions from coaches across the country about what he looks for in tight ends, the evolution of the position, and how he teaches his unit.

Show Notes:

2:00 Intro

2:45 Coach Segler's outlook on life

6:07 Using technology to develop coaches

9:27 Inspiration to get into coaching

16:58 Question from Coach Matt Drinkall

18:42 Culture at Marshall

20:45 Success in the red zone

23:51 Packaging the tight ends

28:15 Creating issues for the defense

30:32 Rush three, drop eight defenses

32:59 Limiting turnovers

36:56 Making your players better

42:15 Pass and run game for tight ends

48:13 Basketball technique with tight ends

51:08 DNA of Marshall's tight ends

56:18 10 personnel

59:32 Using tight ends in-line and off-line

1:00:49 Blocking

1:06:18 Tight ends in play-action game

1:13:47 Recruiting areas

You can follow Coach Segler on Twitter @Coach_Segler.

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Q&A with Ron Roberts, Defensive Coordinator, Auburn University Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

Update: Ron Roberts is now the Defensive Coordinator for Auburn University.

Tune into this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, as your host Keith Grabowski interviews Baylor University's new defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. Coach Roberts is helping build a new regime at Baylor University alongside their new head coach Dave Aranda.

Coach Roberts previously coached at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Last season, the Ragin’ Cajuns defense led the Sun Belt Conference and ranked 18th nationally in scoring defense in 2019 by allowing only 19.7 points per game. Coach Roberts' defense also finished second in the Sun Belt in total defense (371.8 ypg) and had the league’s top red zone defense (51.16 percent) with only 22 touchdowns allowed in 43 attempts.

Hear Coach Roberts answer listener questions from coaches across the country about game planning, blitz packages, red zone defense, and more during this episode.

Show Notes:

2:39 Game planning

4:46 Using different fronts and blitzes

6:47 Having a toolbox on defense

7:54 Scripting practices

11:58 Expectations for walkthroughs

18:17 Favorite run blitz

22:05 Common mistakes with creepers

25:30 Five-man pressures

29:54 Limiting points in the red-zone

33:04 Offseason studying: breakdown categories

41:02 In-season adjustments

43:07 Emphasis on tackling

46:20 Defending against 32-personnel

54:39 Dropping and rushing defensive ends

1:00:52 Message for young coordinators

You can follow Coach Roberts on Twitter @coachronroberts.

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QB Development and Efficient Game Planning - Joe Davis, Offensive Coordinator, University of Albany Mar 20, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, your host Keith Grabowski caught up with the University of Albany’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, Joe Davis. Last year, the University of Albany led the FCS in touchdown passes with 41 on the season. They also scored 26 touchdown passes in the red zone with zero interceptions. Tune into this episode to hear how Coach Davis instills his offensive identity, orchestrates efficient game planning, and helps build his passing game based on what his quarterback does best.

Show Notes:

1:57 Intro

3:00 Inspiration for Coach Davis

4:02 Lessons learned throughout Coach Davis’ career

6:21 Having success at multiple levels

10:27 Building an offensive identity

13:04 Building rapport with your quarterback

21:18 Identifying defenses

23:27 Disguising plays

25:23 Game planning efficiently

34:13 Utilizing technology with your staff

36:30 Managing game preparation

37:46 Building passing game around your quarterback

46:53 Calls with a purpose

49:39 The winning edge

You can follow Coach Davis on Twitter @CoachJoeDavis.

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Equifinality - Justin Lustig, Special Teams Coordinator and Outside Receivers Coach, Syracuse University Mar 19, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, Syracuse University's assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, and outside receivers coach, Justin Lustig joins the show. Coach Lustig discusses his rise in the coaching rankings and how he handles his various duties on Syracuse's coaching staff. Coach Lustig also reveals his belief in Equifinality, which means that there are an infinite amount of ways to solve a problem.

Towards the end of the episode, we also spoke with the creator of TXHSFBCHAT on Twitter, Ridgepoint High School's (TX) offensive coordinator Chris Fisher. Learn how you can get involved in the conversation with the different coaching discussions on Twitter.

Show Notes:

2:35 Handling the shutdown

7:15 Inspiration to be a coach

9:25 Lessons learned as a young coach

12:45 Embracing new situations

14:44 Being a former head coach helps you as an assistant coach

17:36 Finding right offensive scheme fit

19:45 Coach Matt Drinkall

20:47 Lessons for young coaches

23:29 Balancing being position coach and special teams coordinator

30:31 Drills during practice

34:15 Reverse engineering

35:58 Getting insight from players

37:38 Ranking skills for wide receivers

38:41 The winning edge

39:27 Recruiting areas

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Ask Coach Dan Dorazio: Veteran Collegiate and Canadian Football League Offensive Line Coach Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, your host Keith Grabowski held a Q&A with longtime offensive line coach Dan Dorazio. Coach Dorazio has worked as an offensive line coach in the Canadian Football League since 1998, and he has worked with teams including the BC Lions, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the Toronto Argonauts.

On this episode of the podcast, hear about Coach Dorazio's experiences when he answers questions from collegiate offensive line coaches across the country.

Show Notes:

2:00 Intro

3:15 Three Favorite Run concepts

4:46 Evolution of Zone Blocking

6:36 Three crucial weekly drills

9:29 Transitioning to Canadian Football

13:34 Transition from RB to OLine coach

17:10 Establishing a mentor

18:41 Being teammates with Nick Saban

23:22 Double under striking

28:10 Off-season development plan

33:56 Mixing up the drills

36:01 Vertical vs. quick lateral sets

40:00 Characteristics to look for in offensive linemen

46:08 Zone and gap double team combos

1:05:02 Taking care of Level 1

1:05:50 Hand punches

1:09:26 Teaching snap techniques to new center

1:12:40 Adjustments to landmarks

1:14:45 Best plays against "Bear" defense

1:18:32 Protection against 4i-0-4i

1:20:46 Accounting for linebackers

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Q&A with Michael Lombardi: Three-Time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Coach, and General Manager Mar 17, 2020

Show notes

A former NFL coach and general manager, Michael Lombardi has learned a lot during his career in the league. The three-time Super Bowl champion joined your host Keith Grabowski on this episode of Coach and Coordinator podcast.

During the episode, Coach Lombardi answers listener questions and offers advice to coaches at the high school level. Hear how you can master the middle eight, how you can avoid bias in your decision making, and what true power really is in your program.

Show Notes:

1:58 Intro

3:13 Avoiding bias in decision-making

5:12 Dangers of group-thinking

6:06 The Corleone family

6:54 True power in a program

8:07 Turning around your program

9:44 What to look for in assistant coaches

12:30 Controlling the middle eight

16:09 Utilizing timeouts

18:38 Advice to high school coaches

20:22 Springsteen