Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Training the Whole Person – Chris Gizzi, Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, Green Bay Packers Jan 20, 2024

Show notes

In this episode from our archives, we revisit a conversation with Chris Gizzi, the Strength & Conditioning Coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, who breaks down his career path and how to train the whole person for both physical and mental hurdles.

Coach Gizzi joined the Green Bay staff in 2014 as a strength and conditioning assistant before elevating to his current role in 2019. Prior the Packers, Coach Gizzi worked on the University of North Carolina's staff after a successful playing career. Gizzi was an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 1998 before first landing in Green Bay, playing linebacker during the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

Coach Gizzi played linebacker at the United States Air Force Academy. He earned back-to-back Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1996 and 1997. In 2019, Gizzi was inducted into the Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame.

Show Notes:

First Game After 9/11
Playing Career
Importance of a Father Figure
Factoring in Wrestling
Multi-Sport Athletes
Getting into Strength and Conditioning
Team Culture
Training the Whole Person
Locking in When You Hit the Field
Coach LaFleur
Tools for Life

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Playbook Clinics is a new coaching clinic series, reimagined from the ground up. Playbook organizes a Convening Panel of coaches in the region, asks them what they want to talk about, and who they want to hear from. Check them out at www.playbookclinics.com, get your staff registered, and use the code “Keith” to save $50.

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Champions: Programming and Practice Structure of 4x State Champion – Eric Kjar, Head Coach, Corner Canyon High School (UT) Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

In coaching and in life, how you do things is as important as what you do. In Draper, Utah, Eric Kjar has done an incredible job constructing the how and what behind his 4x state champion Corner Canyon Chargers.

Corner Canyon finished the 2023 season ranked #13 nationally by MaxPreps. In seven seasons as the CCHS head coach, Eric has a record of 87-7.

In this episode, Coach Kjar talks about the approach he’s taken and details behind Corner Canyon’s strength and speed programming, as well as their practice structure. Then we take a look into their high-powered offense, which averaged 47.6 points per game, including a successful screen game that alone produced 1,100 yards in 2023.

Show Notes:

Develop as a Coach
Being Pushed by Assistants
Research-Based Weight Room Programming
Speed Training
Recovery Time Between Sprints
Curved Sprints
Practice Structure
Reps for Backups
Screen Game

Follow Eric Kjar on Twitter/X @KjarEric.

Additional Champions Series Episodes:

Garrett Mueller, Head Coach, Stewartville High School (MN)

Kyle Schmitt, Head Coach, Archbishop Spalding (MD)

Steve Pyne, Head Coach, Central Catholic High School (OR)

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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.

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Make Parents Your Biggest Allies – JP Nerbun, Coach, Consultant, Author Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

Dealing with parents can often be a challenging aspect of the job. However, it's crucial to recognize the potential benefits of cultivating positive relationships with parents.

By changing our mindset, investing time upfront, staying connected with parents throughout the year, and establishing healthy boundaries, coaches can create a more supportive and harmonious environment for both athletes and parents.

In this episode, we discuss all of those benefits with JP Nerbun, a coach, consultant, and author of the book The Sports Parent Solution: Proven Strategies for Transforming Parents from Obstacles to Allies.

Show Notes:

Background and Motivation for Writing the Book
Challenges with Parents in Coaching
Impact of Changing Approach with Parents
Shifting Mindset in Coaching Relationship with Parents
Building Relationships with Parents
Preseason Parent Meeting Strategies
Engaging Parents in Team Experiences
Establishing Parent Standards
Involving Assistant Coaches in Parent Engagement

Follow JP Nerbun on Twitte/X @JpNerbun.

Additional JP Nerbun Episode:

Creating a Culture System

Order Your Copy of The Sports Parent Solution: Proven Strategies for Transforming Parents from Obstacles to Allies.

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Clinic Series: 4 Laws of Learning & Fab 5 of LB Play – William Inge, Co-DC, Washington Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

Today’s episode is from Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic with Wiliam Inge, Co-Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach from the National Runner-Up Washington Huskies.

As the game of football continues to evolve, so too must the coaching methods and techniques used to develop players, particularly in positions like linebackers. A transition from the old school to the new school requires a deep understanding of coaching transformation. Coaches must adapt to the changing mindset, training methods, and external influences on players, which are numerous at every level of the game. Embracing technology, including social media, Hudl, YouTube, and email, is crucial for capturing the attention of prospective players and ensuring effective communication and training methods.

While Coach Inge goes into how to train today’s linebacker, the ideas he shares apply to coaching any position.

Show Notes:

Introduction to Linebacker Skills and Drills
The Four Laws of Learning
Importance of Repetition Phase
The Fab Five for Linebackers
The Thought Process for Player Alignment
Dynamic Warm-Up Exercises
Tackling Techniques and Drills
In-Space Tackle Practice Against Skilled Athletes

Follow William Inge on Twitter/X @WilliamInge1.

The 2024 Lauren’s First and Goal Premium Access is available now for a $20 early bird savings. The benefit of purchasing this pass now is that you will receive access to all 2023 presentations right up until the 2024 clinic kicks off on February 29th, so your learning does not have to wait until the clinic starts.

As always, profits from this clinic go to support pediatric brain tumor research and cancer services.

Get your Lauren’s First and Goal 2024 Premium Access ticket now!

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Nick Saban on Player Development, Discipline, and Maintaining Winning Culture Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

These last 24 hours seem to signal the end of an era with three coaching icons – Pete Carroll, Bill Belichick, and Nick Saban – stepping away from the sidelines. All three have had a tremendous impact on the game and the coaching profession.

Coach Saban stands as a towering figure in the realm of college football. He leaves an indelible impact on both the sport and the coaching profession. His unparalleled success, marked by seven national championships and a consistently high level of performance, has set a benchmark for excellence that aspiring coaches now and in the future will aim to emulate.

His meticulous approach to the game, strategic brilliance, and unwavering commitment to building not just exceptional players but also well-rounded individuals has set a standard. Beyond the wins and titles, his influence extends to coaching methodologies, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Coach and Coordinator Podcast Host Keith Grabowski had the privilege to moderate two question-and-answer sessions with Nick Saban. In this episode, a segment from the 2020 Louisiana Football Coaches Association Virtual Clinic, we focused on some of his coaching philosophy as it relates to player development, discipline, and maintaining a winning culture.

Additional Nick Saban Resources:

Three Q&A Clinic Sessions with Nick Saban

Related Nick Saban Episode:

Q&A with Nick Saban

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Clinic Series: QB Coverage Recognition – Kirk Campbell, QB Coach, Michigan Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

In this segment from the 2023 Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic, Michigan Quarterbacks Coach Kirk Campbell discusses his journey from playing Division II ball to his current position at Michigan.

Coach Campbell emphasizes the importance of hard work, dedication, and making connections in the field of sports. He then delves into the process of quarterback development and coverage recognition, highlighting the pre-snap checklist for coverage identification, and the post-snap confirmation process.

He then stresses the significance of focusing on the process rather than the prize, echoing the philosophy of Bill Walsh, and emphasizes the need for quarterbacks to understand and react to defensive movements on the field.

Show Notes:

Importance of Hard Work and Dedication
Career Progression and Opportunities
Emphasizing Focus on the Process
Understanding Coverage Identification
Pre-Snap Checklist for Coverage Identification
Explaining Linebacker Skew and Safety Rotation
Post-Snap Confirmation and Safety Movement
Analyzing Boundary Safety Movement
Identifying Linebacker Drops
The Practice of Coverage Identification on the Field

Follow Kirk Campbell on Twitter/X @CoachKCampbell.

Get your Lauren’s First and Goal 2024 Premium Access ticket now!

The premium ticket savings last only until February 1st. As an added benefit, you get access to all 120 presentations from the 2023 clinic immediately on CoachTube. So don’t wait until the next clinic to learn - get going now!

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Learn More about Pro Quick Draw:

Pro Quick Draw is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio and PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards, and presentations efficiently. It was a software designed with a coach in mind, providing the tools you need to draw quickly and stay organized.

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5 Keys for Coaches’ Weight Loss – Erik Korem, Sports Scientist, AIM7 Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

We always strive to give listeners things that are helpful to their teams, but during this time of the year, it's also a good time to focus on ourselves.

We've just come through the stressful period of the season when coaching takes a toll on our bodies, including in the way we recover, get sleep, and prioritize nutrition. Poor habits can easily creep into your life.

In this episode, Erik Korem gives you five ways to clean up your physical health and maybe even lose some weight. Erik is the founder of AIM7 and a former sports scientist for the Houston Texans and a number of colleges.

Learn more about AIM7 and all we talk about in this episode:

https://www.aim7.com/partnerships/coach-and-coordinator-podcast?via=keith-grabowski

Show Notes:

Coaches as Knowledge Workers
Clean Up Physical Health and Lose Weight
Importance of Strength Training
Aerobic Exercise Recommendations
High-Intensity Interval Training
Caloric Deficit and Protein Focus
Importance of Walking
Benefits of Walking for Mental Health
Integrating Movement into a Daily Routine
Importance of Getting Sufficient Sleep

Follow Erik Korem on Twitter/X @ErikKorem.

Additional Erik Korem Episode:

Beat Burnout and Enhance Your Performance as a Coach

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#1 Defense in College Football and Developing Players off the Field – Jim Catanzaro, Head Coach, Lake Forest College Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

Our guest for this episode is Jim Catanzaro, the head football coach at Lake Forest College. 2023 was Coach Catanzaro's 18th year at the college level, 15 as a head coach. He's also now the Director of Athletics, overseeing the Forester Game Plan, which we talk about in this episode.

The Lake Forest defense was number one in the nation in college football in total defense in 2023, allowing only 191.1 yards per game, 5.6 points per game, and on third down, allowing just 18.9% conversions.

In this episode, Coach Catanzaro shares what it takes to create those kinds of numbers, both from the player development side on and off the field, as well as how the offense fits into that picture.

Show Notes:

Defensive Performance Statistics
Coach Catanzaro's Background
Evolution of Huddling in Football
Managing Game Tempo and Time of Possession
Importance of Depth and Player Development
Impact of Offensive Tempo on Defense
Effect of Speed out of the Huddle
Considerations for Player Workload and Injuries
Off-Field Development

Follow Coach Catanzaro on Twitter/X @LFC_FOOTBALL.

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Best Eleven of 2023, #1: Mindset and Focus to Create Success – Maurice Linguist, Head Coach, University of Buffalo Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

Our #1 interview in our Best 11 of 2023 is with Maurice Linguist, head coach at the University of Buffalo.

I was so impressed with Coach Linguist when I had the opportunity to connect with him. It wasn’t just the conversation that you will hear, but it was the discussion we had both before and after where his ability to connect with people truly shined through.

That skill is such an important part of leadership, and it’s what makes a coach elite at building the relationships that fuel the success of the organization. I know this is one you will enjoy!

Show Notes:

The changing landscape of college football
What it means to take over a program
Latest takeover in the history of college football
It’s all about getting it done
Mindset - begin with the end in mind
Key to getting focused and getting started quickly
Finding and identifying the right people
Why do you do what you do?
Relationships are critical
One-on-ones with players
Cross-over position groups to build as many relationships as possible
February is a contact period for us in our locker room
If you cannot communicate and connect, you will fail as a leader
Learning from PJ Fleck
Leadership training is 365 days a year
Moving players along to a leadership role
Two parts to leadership - the leader and the receiver
Doing accountability right
Learning what accountability looks like while in the NFL
Watching film as a program
Complementary football
Format of team meeting

Related Maurice Linguist Episode:

How We Teach and Implement: https://spoti.fi/3XTuZyU

Full Maurice Linguist Presentations:

Building a Championship Foundation for Sustained Success: https://bit.ly/3YMJ0iT

Ethics - Building a Man: https:/bit.ly/3IDomfo

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Best Eleven of 2023, #2: Into the Passing Lab – Josh Herring, QB Coach, Lassiter High School (GA) Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

Whether I am recording the conversation with Josh Herring or not, our interactions never disappoint. He is both an outstanding student and teacher of the game and can take complex ideas and simplify them in the way he teaches them so that his players can excel in execution.

In 2023, Coach Herring moved back to his previous position of QB Coach at Lassiter High School after serving a stint as OC at Jones County High School. In this episode, he shares what he is seeing in the evolution of the passing game.

Show Notes:

The landscape of defensive football - things you need an answer for
Less six-man - more empty protections to strain the defense
More seven-man play action or check release to take away dual read
Breaking down pressures to formulate a protection plan
Have a language that allows quick communication
At least two blitz pick-up periods every practice
The passing is a total thing and must be worked that way in practice
QB needs to have a protection thought process in every passing drill
Drop eight answers
11 and 12 personnel
Concepts for drop eight - Floods, Wide Splits, Four Strong
Four Strong concepts
Spacing concept
Winning route side space
Y Cross coaching points
Dig or Post Curl with Y Cross
Evolution of the Seam Read
Starting with “What’s our pressure answer?”
Drill setup for the passing game
The Book Concept
Teaching the “Dodge” route

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