Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Sprint Based Football - Small Town Football Culture – Ric Arand, Head Coach, Lena Winslow HS (IL) Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Tony Holler interviews Ric Arand, the highly successful head football coach at Lena Winslow High School, with an impressive record of 270-68. They discuss the impact of community support, the adoption of the 'Feed the Cats' sprint-based training philosophy, and the importance of a unified coaching staff.

Ric shares insights on innovative practice structures, injury prevention strategies, and the challenges of competing against private schools. He also reflects on the role of family in coaching, the broader purpose of shaping athletes beyond the game, and the continuous pursuit of improvement in coaching practices. Tune in for an insightful conversation on leadership, innovation, and the lasting impact of coaching.

Chapters

Introduction to Ric Arand and Lena Winslow High School
The Importance of Community and Coaching Culture
The Influence of Great Coaches
Building a Cohesive Coaching Staff
The Open Book Philosophy in Coaching
Adopting the Feed the Cats Mentality
Transitioning to Sprint-Based Football
The Impact of Sprint-Based Training on Performance
Embracing Change in Coaching Methods
The Wave Theory in Practice
Creating Effective Practice Plans
The Balance of Speed and Recovery Days
Injury Prevention through Sprinting
Conclusion and Future Directions
Injury Management and Athletic Development
RPR: Revolutionizing Athletic Performance
Challenges of Private vs. Public School Athletics
The Impact of Community Support on Athletics
Balancing Family Life and Coaching
Celebrating Achievements and Future Prospects

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://www.titansensor.com/

DM Titan:

https://x.com/titansensor

Connect on X:

Tony Holler @pntrack

Ric Arand @LWHSPanters

Coach and Coordinator @CoachKGrabowski

Resources On CoachTube:

Sprint-Based Football Bundle

Feed the Cats Football Bundle

TFC Sprint-Based Football

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The Turnaround - Making Football Cool – Brett Mertens, Head Coach, Montrose HS (CO) Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Turnaround powered by CoachTube, Coach Brett Mertens takes us inside the playbook of rebuilding struggling football programs. From starting from scratch to building a championship mindset, he shares the strategies, challenges, and leadership lessons that fueled success at Crean Lutheran and Montrose High School. Coach Mertens highlights the power of relationships, community support, and a strong coaching philosophy in shaping winning teams—on and off the field. Whether you're a coach or athletic director, this episode is packed with insights on resilience, vision, and the true impact of coaching.

Chapters

Introduction to Coach Brett Mertens
Investing in Relationships: The Key to Success
Turning Point: Achieving a Winning Record
Transitioning to Montrose: New Challenges Ahead
Building Community Support: The Foundation of Success
Vision and Commitment: Creating a Lasting Impact
Strategic Shifts: Adapting to Win
Final Thoughts: The Importance of Relationships

Support Our Sponsor – CoachTube

If you're working to turn a program around, having the right resources and proven strategies is essential. CoachTube is a technology platform that connects you with on-demand courses from elite coaches, state associations, and charities—helping you learn, grow, and develop your program.

If you're a coach with knowledge to share, CoachTube makes it easy to create and distribute your own training content. Teach what you know, help other coaches, and build your brand.

Explore courses at CoachTube.com or contact keith@coachtube.com to learn how to share your expertise.

Subscribe, rate, and review to stay current with more insights from top turnaround coaches.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Champions - Building the Off Season Calendar - Hunter Cantwell, Dillon Mitchell, Brad Zelenovich Mar 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Champions, Keith Grabowski is joined by three state champion head coaches to break down one of the most important aspects of a successful football program—developing an off-season calendar. From structuring strength and conditioning programs to integrating leadership development, the discussion covers a wide range of strategies that have helped these coaches build championship teams.

Our State Champions:

Bradley Zelenovich

Southeast Polk Rams

Iowa Class 5A State Champion

Hunter Cantwell

Christian Academy-Louisville Centurions

Kentucky Class 3A State Champion

Dillon Mitchell

Choctaw County Chargers

Mississippi Class 3A State Champion

Chapters

Introduction to Off-Season Development
Insights from Championship Coaches
Weight Room as the Backbone of the Program
Creating a Positive Off-Season Environment
Focus on Leadership and Team Culture
Building Leadership in the Offseason
Setting Individual Goals and Team Dynamics
Navigating Summer Training Challenges
Establishing Summer Workout Standards
Preparing for the Upcoming Season
Balancing Summer Activities and Football Training

Learn More about 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 www.signaturechampions.com/podcast.

Support Our Partners + Offers for Our Listeners:

10% Tool Kit

Coach and Coordinator pledges to source the latest and greatest products and services available in the coaching marketplace. We call this repository The 10% Toolkit for The 10% Coach. These resources are proven to help coaches win games and achieve all program objectives. Think of it as a buyers guide for vendors and suppliers we trust with our seal of certification.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Navigating the Evolving Coaching Job Market – Aaron Young, Co-Founder, Coach Portal Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

In this Coach and Coordinator Podcast episode, host Keith Grabowski and Aaron Young, co founder of Coach Portal, dive into the evolving coaching job market and the challenges coaches face in advancing their careers.

They discuss the importance of networking, the hidden nature of many job opportunities, and the role athletic directors play in hiring. Aaron shares his journey in coaching and how it led to the creation of Coach Portal, a platform designed to help coaches expand their networks, increase visibility, and be better prepared for career opportunities.

More than just winning games, success in coaching is about building relationships, staying prepared, and positioning oneself for the right opportunities at the right time.

Chapters

The Evolution of Coaching Careers
Navigating the Coaching Job Market
Understanding Athletic Directors' Perspectives
The Role of Coach Portal in Job Searches
Enhancing Visibility and Networking for Coaches
Preparing for Job Opportunities
The Importance of Professional Development
Leveraging Technology in Coaching Careers
Actionable Steps for Coaches
Future of Coach Portal and Career Control

Sign-up for Coach Portal:

Go to coach-portal.com

Early sign-ups get six months free.

Get a free month for referring other coaches.

Support Our Partners + Offers for Our Listeners:

10% Tool Kit

Coach and Coordinator pledges to source the latest and greatest products and services available in the coaching marketplace. We call this repository The 10% Toolkit for The 10% Coach. These resources are proven to help coaches win games and achieve all objectives for their programs. Think of it as a buyer's guide for vendors and suppliers we trust with our seal of certification.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Turnaround - - Charlie TeGantvoort, Head Coach, Marina HS (CA) Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Turnaround Series, host Michael Echaves sits down with Charlie TeGantvoort, a coach with a track record of rebuilding struggling programs and turning them into winners. Coach T shares his approach to building relationships, changing team culture, and creating a winning mindset—all key elements in a program's transformation.

From inheriting teams with years of losing seasons to leading them to playoff victories and championships, Coach T details the strategies, leadership principles, and culture shifts that made success possible. He emphasizes the power of one-on-one connections, how to handle negative mindsets, and why winning starts before the first game is even played.

Whether you're a coach looking to revive a struggling program or someone fascinated by leadership and culture change, this episode delivers valuable lessons on commitment, strategy, and resilience.

Topics Covered

The importance of relationship-building in a turnaround
How to change a losing mindset into a winning one
Strategic scheduling to build confidence and momentum
The role of administration, teachers, and community support
How to handle negative attitudes and keep a team moving forward
The importance of coaching staff and leadership structure

Support Our Sponsor – CoachTube

If you're a coach with knowledge to share, CoachTube makes it easy to create and distribute your own training content. Teach what you know, help other coaches, and build your brand.

Explore courses at CoachTube.com or contact keith@coachtube.com to learn how to share your expertise.

Subscribe, rate, and review to stay current with more insights from top turnaround coaches.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Champions - How State Champions Stay Ahead of the Game - John Daley, Jake McCrae, Derek Tuttle Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

Summary

In this episode of Champions presented by Signature Championship RIngs, three state championship coaches -John Daley, Jake McCrae, Derek Tuttle discuss their insights on high school football coaching, focusing on preparation strategies, evaluating new trends, player development, and innovative offensive and defensive strategies.

Today's Champions:

Derek Tuttle

Andover Central Jaguars

Kansas Class 4A State Champion

Jake McCrae

Deerfield-Windsor Knights

Georgia 2026 GIAA Class AAA Football State Champion

John Daley

Mascoma Royals

New Hampshire Division IV State Champion

The conversation emphasizes the importance of adapting to changes, collaborating with other coaches, and ensuring that players are effectively utilized in game plans. In this conversation, the coaches discuss various strategies for enhancing team performance, focusing on recognizing player contributions, maintaining consistency in practice, building trust, and adapting game plans. They emphasize the importance of performance-based dynamics, collaboration with other programs, and assessing defensive weaknesses. The dialogue also covers the balance of introducing new concepts while ensuring players understand their roles, ultimately aiming for a successful upcoming season.

Chapters

Evaluating and Adopting New Strategies
Player Development and Roster Management
Adapting to Environmental Challenges
Collaboration and Sharing Best Practices
Innovative Offensive Strategies
Defensive Simplicity and Customization
Post-Game Assessments and Player Touches
Recognizing Player Contributions
Consistency in Practice and Game Execution
Building Trust and Confidence in Players
Performance-Based Team Dynamics
Collaborative Game Planning with Other Programs
Adapting Offensive Strategies
Preparing for the Upcoming Season
Adjusting Game Plans During Tough Situations
Assessing Defensive Weaknesses
Balancing New Concepts in Game Planning

Learn More about Signature Championship Rings:

Support Our Partners + Offers for Our Listeners:

10% Tool Kit

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Art of Practice - Building a Practice Script - Eric Kasperowicz, Head Coach, Mars HS (PA) Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Art of Practice presented by GoRout, Keith Grabowski and Eric Kasperowicz dive into the art and science of building a practice script and running it efficiently in practice. They discuss the importance of preparation, efficiency, and technology like GoRout to enhance practice effectiveness.

The conversation emphasizes the need for situational awareness, unified terminology, and the cumulative effect of practice reps to ensure players are well-prepared for game scenarios.

Coach Kasperowicz shares insights from his coaching experience, highlighting how structured practice plans can lead to better execution and overall team performance.

Chapters

Introduction to Practice Scripting
The Philosophy of Efficient Practice
Utilizing Technology in Practice
The Importance of Context in Practice
Streamlining Practice with GoRout
Creating Situational Awareness in Practice
Unified Terminology for Better Learning
Defining a Successful Program

About Our Partner - GoRout

GoRout helps coaches eliminate huddles, increase reps, and maximize efficiency with their game-changing technology. Sign up using code “coordinator” for up to 50% off setup fees at gorout.com/podcast

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Sprint Based Football - Redlining Speed: How Chris Korfist is Revolutionizing Football Speed with Sprint Science Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Sprint Based Football presented by Titan Sensors, international speed coach Chris Korfist shares his expertise in speed training, particularly in football, and its pivotal role in an athlete’s performance. He discusses the remarkable speed transformation of NFL player David Montgomery and highlights the impact of cutting-edge technology like the 1080 sprint machine in measuring and enhancing speed.

Chris challenges traditional strength training methods, advocating for a more targeted approach that prioritizes speed development, effective warmups, and injury prevention. He also explains the importance of energy management through his "jelly bean" analogy, emphasizing that athletes must be strategic in their training to maximize performance. Focusing on quality over quantity, Chris provides valuable insights into how optimizing muscle function at various speeds can lead to superior athletic results.

Chapters

Introduction to Chris Korfist and His Journey
David Montgomery's Transformation
The 1080 Sprint Machine: A Game Changer
Understanding Speed Development and Training
Potential NFL Career and Coaching Philosophy
RPR and Its Impact on Performance
Muscle Function and Injury Prevention
The Role of Strength Training in Speed
The Nature of Injuries in High-Intensity Sports
The Importance of Sprinting in Football Training
Training Big Athletes for Speed
Max Velocity Training for All Athletes
Sprint-Based Football Philosophy
Evaluating High School Weightlifting Programs
The Limitations of Traditional Strength Training
Strength Training vs. Sport-Specific Power Development
The Impact of Warmups and Practice Volumes
Rethinking Conditioning and Energy Management
The Role of Coaches in Athlete Development
Exploring Charisma in Coaching and Leadership

Support our Partner: Titan GPS

https://www.titansensor.com/

DM Titan:

https://x.com/titansensor

Connect on X:

Tony Holler @pntrack

Garrett Mueller @SHSCoachMueller

Learn more from Chris Korfist on CoachTube

Resources On CoachTube:

Sprint-Based Football Bundle

Feed the Cats Football Bundle

TFC Sprint-Based Football

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revolutionizing Coaching Career Development with Coach Portal – Kevin Abrams, Co-Founder, Coach Portal Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Keith Grabowski and Kevin Abrams explore the evolving landscape of coaching careers, emphasizing the role of relationships, networking, and professional visibility. They introduce Coach Portal, an innovative platform that equips coaches with real-time job market insights, mentorship, and career development resources.

The discussion highlights common challenges coaches face in their job search, the importance of adaptability in an increasingly competitive field, and the necessity of preparation and strong presentation skills.

Additionally, they examine the growing need for transparency in hiring processes and the advantages of leveraging technology for career advancement. This episode provides valuable insights for coaches seeking to navigate their careers strategically and position themselves for long-term success in a dynamic industry.

Chapters

Kevin Abrams' Coaching Journey
Understanding the Coaching Job Market
Networking and Relationship Building
The Evolution of Job Searches in Coaching
Trends in High School Coaching Hiring
The Importance of Fit in Coaching Positions
Innovative Features of Coach Portal
Preparing for Career Advancement
Affordable Access to Coaching Resources

Sign-up for Coach Portal:

Go to coach-portal.com

Early sign-ups get six months free.

Get a free month for referring other coaches.

Support Our Partners + Offers for Our Listeners:

10% Tool Kit

Coach and Coordinator pledges to source the latest and greatest products and services available in the coaching marketplace.

We call this repository The 10% Toolkit for The 10% Coach. These resources are

proven to help coaches win games and achieve all objectives for their

programs.

Think of it as a buyer's guide for vendors and suppliers we trust with our

seal of certification.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building a Championship Culture with a High-Powered Offense – Drew Dallas, Head Coach, Hutchinson Community College Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Coach and Coordinator Podcast, Coach Drew Dallas shares his insights on cultivating a championship culture at Hutchinson Community College, emphasizing the power of adaptability, strong relationships, and a well-defined offensive identity.

He breaks down the importance of flexibility in coaching to maximize player strengths, the foundational role of quarterbacks and tight ends in offensive schemes, and the value of clear teaching and terminology in the fast-paced environment of junior college football. With a focus on daily success leading to long-term achievement, Coach Dallas highlights how genuine connections with players and meaningful game reps accelerate development.

Chapters

Building a Championship Culture
Offensive Philosophy and Identity
The Role of Junior Colleges in Player Development

Support Our Partners + Offers for Our Listeners:

10% Tool Kit

Coach and Coordinator pledges to source the latest and greatest products and services available in the coaching marketplace. We call this repository The 10% Toolkit for The 10% Coach. These resources are proven to help coaches win games and achieve all program objectives. Think of it as a buyer's guide for vendors and suppliers we trust with our seal of certification.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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