Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"What Happened?" - Series Pilot with Trevor Hudson Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

At the AFCA Convention, Coach & Coordinator Network introduces a new series built around one simple—but uncomfortable—question: What happened?

Hosted by Trevor Hudson, What Happened?! strips away coach speak, excuses, and surface-level answers. This pilot episode sets the tone for the series: honest self-evaluation, real accountability, and practical reflection from coaches at every level of the game.

Across a series of short, unscripted conversations, coaches confront wins that weren’t good enough, losses that still sting, and seasons that demanded ownership instead of explanations. The goal isn’t blame—it’s growth.

Why This Series Exists

Too often, coaches explain seasons away with injuries, youth, transfers, or bad breaks. What Happened?! challenges that mindset.

This series is built on three core ideas:

Results matter more than explanations
Growth starts with ownership
You can’t fix what you won’t admit

Whether a team went 12–0 or 6–4, the work begins the same way—by looking in the mirror.

Key Themes from the Pilot Episode

Extreme ownership over outcomes
Accountability before excuses
Simplifying systems instead of adding complexity
Evaluating staff fit, not just schemes
Learning from film, not running from it
Situational football as the difference-maker
Vulnerability as a coaching strength

Featured Conversations Include

Pine Creek High School — Trevor Hudson reflects on leaving a state-title program at American Canyon High School, taking on a new challenge, and owning a season that fell short of expectations.
Mount St. Joseph High School — A linebacker coach breaks down how explosive plays changed a 6–4 season—and how spring film work will shape the response.
Georgetown College — An offensive coordinator explains why over-planning hurt situational success and how simplifying late in the season changed results.
Midland University — A defensive coach details how close losses, execution, and recruiting separate good seasons from playoff runs.
Montreal Alouettes — A CFL assistant coach reflects on losing the Grey Cup and why first-down defense defined the outcome.

Tools & Resources Mentioned

Modern Football — Self-scouting, practice analytics, and honest evaluation beyond game day
Tully — Training smarter to reduce injuries and build durable rosters

Series Vision

This pilot offers a glimpse. Future episodes will feature long-form, deep-dive conversations where coaches go beyond the scoreboard—examining decisions, emotions, preparation, and leadership moments that defined their seasons.

No highlight reels. No spin.Just one question: What happened?

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Measuring Performance Under Pressure with Dr. Timothy Royer (Inner Armor) Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

At AFCA, Keith Grabowski talks with Dr. Timothy Royer, founder of Inner Armor, to explore what really drives performance under pressure.

Dr. Royer brings more than 30 years of clinical neuropsychology experience into the sports world, working with elite athletes, coaches, and organizations across the NFL, NBA, golf, and tennis. Rather than focusing solely on mindset or visualization, his work looks upstream—measuring real-time brain activity, nervous system balance, stress, focus, and physiological readiness.

This conversation dives into how coaches and athletes can use objective data to prepare for high-pressure moments, make better decisions, and sustain performance over time—and how this technology is now scalable and accessible for entire programs.

Meeting Inner Armor at AFCA
How a chance booth-side conversation led to a deeper discussion on performance science.

What Inner Armor Actually Measures
Why stress, focus, and readiness must be measured physiologically—not guessed.

Looking “Upstream” in the Brain
Understanding the nervous system, brain activity, and why downstream tools often fall short.

Quarterbacks, Pressure, and Real-Time Data
How elite quarterbacks prepare for high-stress moments using neurological feedback.

Coaches Under Pressure
Why coaching performance matters just as much as player performance.

Scaling Performance Technology to Teams
How Inner Armor moved from concierge services to scalable solutions for entire programs.

Beyond Sports: Decision-Making and Resilience
Why this work applies to leaders, coaches, and organizations outside athletics.

Does This Actually Help You Win?
Connecting neurological readiness to adaptability, creativity, and game-day success.

Final Thoughts on Sustainable Performance
Why optimizing the brain is essential for long-term success in coaching and leadership.

This episode is part of the Coach and Coordinator Network ecosystem, where conversations like this don’t stop at theory.

Explore Smart Clinics—focused, practical learning experiences designed to help coaches apply ideas immediately and perform better when it matters most.

https://coachandcoordinator.com/

Learn more about Inner Armor:

https://www.forgeinnerarmor.com/

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Tackling, the Tush Push, and More, From Rugby Roots to Football Results with Richie Gray Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

At AFCA 2026, Keith Grabowski talks with Richie Gray to explore how contact training, tackling methodology, and innovation have reshaped modern football.

Richie shares lessons from his rugby background, his work with USA Football and the NFL, and his belief that better technique and better tools lead to safer, more effective play. The conversation focuses on accuracy, realism, and solving problems through coaching rather than rule changes.

The discussion also touches on the quarterback sneak and tush push. Richie explains how his insight contributed to the play’s early development and why its success comes from timing, personnel, and repetition rather than gimmickry. He emphasizes that defenses must solve the play through coaching detail and structure instead of relying on rule changes.

• How rugby principles influenced modern football tackling • The evolution of the Five Fights tackling system • Why simplicity drives better teaching and execution • Designing tackling equipment that creates realistic contact • Why many common training tools fail to improve accuracy • Early influences behind the quarterback sneak and tush push • Personnel and coaching details that make short-yardage plays work • How defenses should approach solving new offensive trends • Improving late-game lateral and pitch situations • Measuring coaching success by long-term player health

Learn more about Smart Clinics at https://coachandcoordinator.com/

Follow:

@CoachKGrabowski

@RichieGrayGSI

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Champions - The Palm Up Mentality - Matt Walker, HC, UW-River Falls Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Champions, presented by Signature Championship Rings, we sit down with Division III national championship coach Matt Walker to explore the journey, mindset, and culture behind building a championship program from the ground up.

Coach Walker reflects on defining moments in his career, including how the COVID era forced deep reflection and bold decision-making. Central to the conversation is the Palm Up mentality, a philosophy rooted in selflessness, trust, and empowering players to serve something bigger than themselves. He explains how this mindset reshaped team culture, strengthened leadership within the locker room, and became a competitive edge on the field.

The discussion also dives into the difference between real and fake toughness, why authenticity matters more than ever with today’s players, and how an intentionally built weight room culture reinforces standards every day. Walker shares how sustaining success brings new challenges, why an aggressive game philosophy must align with belief and preparation, and how clear values help programs continue to grow after winning it all.

This episode offers insight for coaches at every level who are looking to build tough, connected, and authentic teams and a reminder that championship culture is lived daily, not claimed after the fact.

This episode is paired with the Coach and Coordinator AI - Palm Up Program Builder, a custom GPT built entirely from Matt Walker’s interview, designed to help coaches translate Palm Up philosophy into clear standards, language, and systems. For coaches focused on building real toughness, developing player-led leadership, and aligning culture from the weight room to game day, this AI Companion offers a practical blueprint for sustainable program success.

Chapters

Celebrating the Journey to Championship Glory
The Impact of COVID on Coaching Philosophy
Understanding the 'Palm Up' Mentality
Navigating Success and Challenges Ahead
Building a Culture of Selflessness and Toughness
Empowering Players to Lead
Real Toughness vs. Fake Toughness
Creating a Unique Weight Room Culture
The Importance of Authenticity in Coaching
Unapologetically Aggressive Game Philosophy
The Role of Staff in Building a Winning Program
Transforming a Struggling Program
The Power of Team Language and Culture
Crafting a Player Creed
Reflecting on Coaching Evolution
The Future of College Football

Connect on X:

Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski

Matt Walker: @CoachWalkerRF

Learn More About Our Partner: Signature Championship Rings

Signature Championship Rings is a leading designer and supplier of championship rings, serving over 10,000 teams and organizations. With a focus on quality craftsmanship, easy team ordering processes, and affordability, Signature Champions celebrate every champion and their achievements, making their moment last a lifetime. For more information, visit https://signaturechampions.com/podcast/ .

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Sprint-Based Football - Building Faster & Healthier Athletes - Monte Sparkman, Haltom HS (TX) Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Sprint Based Football, presented by Titan Sports, Tony Holler is joined by Monte Sparkman for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolution of sprint-based football and modern athletic training.

Monte Sparkman is an Athletic Performance / Strength Science Coach at Haltom High School (TX).

The two discuss how social media, particularly Twitter—has transformed the way coaches connect, share ideas, and build meaningful professional networks. They also explore the resurgence of sprint-based football in Texas and how strong culture, clear communication, and accountability are essential to athlete development.

Throughout the episode, Holler and Sparkman dive into the role of metrics and technology in coaching, highlighting why speed, vertical jump, and movement quality are key indicators of both performance and athlete health. They examine the balance between strength training and speed development, highlighting that sprinting not only enhances performance but also plays a critical role in injury prevention.

This conversation offers coaches practical insights on building a data-informed, athlete-first environment—where speed, health, and culture work together to drive long-term success.

Chapters

Building Connections Through Twitter
The Sprint Based Football Clinic
Strength and Conditioning at Haltum High School
The Importance of Speed in Athletics
Measuring Success: Metrics in Sprinting
Speed and Health: A Coach's Perspective
Balancing Strength and Speed Training
The Importance of Sprinting for Health
Data-Driven Coaching and Athlete Monitoring
Creating Efficient Movement Patterns
Rethinking Weight Room Priorities
The Balance of Strength and Athleticism

Connect X:

Tony Holler: @pntrack

Titan Sensor: @titansensor

Monte Sparkman: @MonteSparkman

Support our Partner: Titan Sensor

Founded and based in Texas, Titan GPS is your key to sprint-based football success. Designed specifically for high school football, Titan tracks the metrics that matter, like top speed, explosive acceleration, and even the powerful 'truck stick'. Speed times weight for the ultimate performance insight.

Whether it’s optimizing practice, spotlighting players with 3D highlights, or giving recruiters verified in-game stats, Titan delivers. With no minimums to get started, Titan walks you through every step. Message them on X: @titansensor to learn more. Titan GPS- performance measured, potential unlocked.

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Slot T Mafia: Slot-T in Modern Football - Paul Kilby, Blanco HS (TX) Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator, Coach Paul Kilby breaks down why the Slot-T offense continues to thrive in modern football, even as it’s often labeled outdated. He explains how tempo, huddle dynamics, and disciplined execution make the offense difficult for defenses to prepare for, while still allowing flexibility based on personnel.

Coach Kilby also dives into the importance of structured practice routines, building a culture rooted in selflessness, and recruiting players who fit the system rather than chasing athletic profiles alone. The conversation highlights how the Slot-T promotes a true team-first mentality, adapts to different skill sets, and remains sustainable by passing knowledge from one generation of coaches to the next.

Chapters

The enduring effectiveness of the Slot-T offense

Tempo, huddle dynamics, and offensive rhythm

Why defenses struggle to prepare for the Slot-T

Practice structure and game-day readiness

Building a culture of selflessness and discipline

Recruiting players who fit the system

Player development within the Slot-T framework

Adapting the offense to different skill sets

Teaching the details through comprehensive learning

Preserving and passing down the Slot-T philosophy

Connect on X:

Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski

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Best of 2025, Culture OS - Jason Eck, Head Coach, New Mexico Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

On this Best of 2025 episode of Coach and Coordinator Network, we revisit a Culture OS conversation that stood out for how it showed what effective leadership and program alignment look like in real time. Our guest is Jason Eck, head football coach at the University of New Mexico. Coach Eck engineered a historic turnaround in his first season and was named Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year.

Hosted by Robert Pomazak, the discussion explores how culture is evaluated, how standards are set, and why consistency of self matters long before results show up on Saturdays. Coach Eck explains how he built trust with inherited players, aligned his staff around clear expectations, and created belief quickly, without taking shortcuts.

The conversation also addresses the challenges of transitioning families, delegating responsibility, and sustaining success once momentum is established. Throughout the episode, Coach Eck reinforces that culture shows up in daily behavior, accountability, and leaders who consistently model what they ask of others.

This Best of 2025 selection is paired with the Culture OS Companion, an AI learning tool built from Culture OS conversations, designed to help coaches apply these leadership and culture principles within their own programs. For coaches navigating transitions, rebuilding belief, or seeking lasting alignment, this episode remains essential listening.

Culture OS AI Companion

Chapters

Why This Episode Made the Best of 2025
Jason Eck’s First Season Turnaround
Navigating Coaching Transitions
Building Trust With Inherited Players
Establishing Standards Early
Leadership Alignment Within the Staff
Culture as Daily Behavior
Accountability and Expectations
Sustaining Success After Momentum
Applying Culture OS Principles

Help share your team’s story with Story of the Season. The best media guides in the game, helping college and high school programs capture memories, promote their story, and fundraise with purpose.

Connect on X:

Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski

Robert Pomazak: @robertpomazak

Jason Eck: @Coach_Eck

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Best of 2025 - Anthony Weaver, Defensive Coordinator, Miami Dolphins Jan 04, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Best of 2025 from the Coach and Coordinator Network, we revisit one of the year’s most impactful leadership conversations, featuring Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, recorded at the QB Collective.

While the event centers on quarterbacks, Weaver brings a defensive and leadership perspective that translates across position rooms, staffs, and every level of the game. The discussion centers on transparent teaching, building player-led environments, staying steady through adversity, and simplifying without losing effectiveness.

Coach Weaver explains why great coaching isn’t about chasing trends or quick answers, but about developing people, setting clear standards, and earning trust over time. He reflects on the experiences that shaped his journey, the value of authenticity, and how consistency in teaching and values helps teams hold up under pressure.

Chapters

Why This Episode Made the Best of 2025
Coaching Philosophy at the QB Collective
Developing People Before Players
Teaching With Clarity and Intent
Building Player-Led Environments
Consistency Through Adversity
Relationships and Trust in Coaching
Authenticity and Resilience
Advice for Aspiring Coaches
Leadership Standards That Hold Up

Connect on X:

Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski

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Best of 2025 Sprint-Based Football - John Shaw, Tennessee Titans Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Best of 2025 from the Coach and Coordinator Network, we revisit one of the year’s most eye-opening conversations on speed development and athlete preparation, featuring John Shaw, Assistant for Speed and Performance for the Tennessee Titans, with host Tony Holler.

The episode challenges the assumption that speed peaks early or can’t be developed at the highest levels of football. Shaw explains why speed remains trainable in the NFL, how consistent sprint exposure supports durability, and why intentional decision-making, knowing when to push and when to pull back—is essential to keeping athletes fast and available throughout the season.

The conversation also explores the importance of coach communication, the integration of sports science, and alignment between sprint work and the weight room to drive sustainable performance gains. Shaw reflects on his coaching journey, the value of relationships, and why speed development isn’t a phase or a preseason checkbox, but a year-round commitment directly tied to player health and longevity.

Chapters:

Why This Episode Made the Best of 2025
Can Speed Still Be Developed at the NFL Level
Intentional Training Decisions
Sprint Exposure and Durability
Aligning Speed Work With the Weight Room
Using Data to Guide Performance Decisions
Developing Speed in Big Players
Collaboration and Coaching Relationships
Speed Development Across All Levels
Building Fast, Available Athletes

Connect on X:

Coach John Shaw: ⁠@Coach_J_Shaw⁠

Tony Holler: ⁠@pntrack

Support our Partner: Titan GPS

Founded and based in Texas, Titan GPS is your key to sprint-based football success. Designed specifically for high school football, Titan tracks the metrics that matter, like top speed, explosive acceleration, and even the powerful 'truck stick'—speed times weight for the ultimate performance insight.

Whether it’s optimizing practice, spotlighting players with 3D highlights, or giving recruiters verified in-game stats, Titan delivers. And with no minimums to get started, Titan walks you through every step. Message them on X @titansensor to learn more.

Titan GPS—performance measured, potential unlocked.

https://titansensor.com

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Best of 2025, Your Call - Patrick Daberkow, Head Coach, Concordia University (NE) Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

On this Best of 2025 episode of the Coach and Coordinator Network, we revisit a conversation that delivered applicable ideas for coaches looking to make practice more competitive and intentional. In this episode of Your Call, host Keith Grabowski sits down with Patrick Daberkow, head coach at Concordia University–Nebraska and co-founder of the Headset App, to break down the Dog Ball scoring system.

Coach Daberkow explains how he built, tested, and refined a practice competition model designed to reward the right behaviors, keep scores tight, and avoid runaway periods. The discussion details how offensive, defensive, and special teams plays are incorporated into the scoring system, and why decision-making pressure in practice must mirror what players face on game day.

The conversation also highlights how clear, efficient communication allows competition systems like Dog Ball to operate at full speed. Patrick shares how tools like the Headset App simplify practice and game-day communication, lower cost barriers, and help staffs rehearse real game-day mechanics throughout the week.

This Best of 2025 selection is paired with a Coach and Coordinator AI Companion built from this episode with Patrick Daberkow, designed to help coaches think through and create their own practice scoring systems using the same principles. For staffs looking to increase engagement, sharpen decision-making, and build competitive habits that translate to gameday, this episode is an essential listen.

Coach and Coordinator AI - Dog Ball Scoring

Chapters

Why This Episode Made the Best of 2025
The Purpose Behind Dog Ball Scoring
Designing Competition Without Runaway Scores
Rewarding Process Over Results
Offensive and Defensive Scoring Mechanics
Integrating Special Teams into Competition
Decision-Making Under Practice Pressure
Communication as the Engine of Competition
Using the Headset App in Practice
Building a Scoring System That Fits Your Program

Connect on X:

Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski

Patrick Daberkow: @PatrickDaberkow

Learn More About Our Partner:

The Headset App, Sideline Communication at a Fraction of the Cost.

Join the growing number of coaches making the switch and take your game-day decision-making to the next level.
Download the Headset App and start coaching smarter!

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