Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Creating a True Hang Your Hat on Scheme - Alex Atkins, Offensive Coordinator/OL Coach, Florida State May 22, 2023

Show notes

In the coaching profession, we all like to say the right thing, in other words, use “coach speak.” A favorite for all of us is having a “hang your hat on” play.

Ultimately though, we are judged by how we get it from the chalkboard to the grass as Coach Wylie likes to say.

The results of what Florida State has done with it’s counter play shows that they have done just that. Their play was the counter, and they were #1 in the country, in attempts in the counter scheme in college football. Running it 164 times and being the #1 team in rushing yards off the counter. In addition, they were also #1 in yards before the running back was touched on the counter.

In this insightful segment from the C.O.O.L. Clinic, Alex Atkins, the offensive coordinator at Florida State University, discusses the importance of teaching rather than telling when it comes to coaching. Coach Atkins shares his own experience learning from his mentors, how attending the C.O.O.L. clinic influenced his career path, and his decision to focus on the counter play in response to the evolution of defensive line play.

He shares the benefits of running counter plays over the traditional zone scheme and the importance of understanding the way defensive lines play in order to use it to your advantage.

He dives into the concept of physicality in football and how to best define it in order to gauge effectiveness as coaches. He discusses violent hands, maintaining leverage, and ball-man relationships as markers of physicality.

Show Notes:

Coach Wylie’s lesson
Learning at the C.O.O.L. Clinic as a GA
The Counter play results in 2022
Teaching and Implementing the Counterplay
Maximizing the Counter Scheme
Defining Physicality in Football
Philosophy of Counter
Winning Edge

cool2023.coachesclinic.com

coachtube.com/coolclinic

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

Teachable Moments - David Glidden, Analyst, Oklahoma State May 19, 2023

Show notes

On our final episode of the Teach Tapes Series, Steve Hauser sits down with David Glidden to discuss his journey from player to coach and how he has grown in the profession. Glidden shares his experiences and takeaways from his stops along the path back to his alma mater where he currently serves as an offensive analyst.

Show Notes:

An atmosphere of the building…created over time, proper expectations
Different perspective from player to coach in same building
Tidbits to share with players
Coaching ball skills…hopping at catch point, leveling eyes…want cleats in the ground/COD
Catching punts with Devin Hester
Body language of punter kick direction…footwork/leg swing
QC to full time…”didn’t know what I didn’t know”
Empowered from the jump to grow in the role/gain confidence in front of players
Observed/be prepare…speak when impactful (Memphis or OKST analyst)
Winning Edge

teachtapes .org

Related episodes:

https://coachandcoordinator.com/teachable-moments-series-2023/

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

Football and Life Through the Lens of an Offensive Lineman - Mike Golic, Jr., Broadcaster, Former College/NFL OL May 17, 2023

Show notes

Mike Golic, Jr. is a broadcaster and host of the GoJo podcast. On the field, he was an offensive guard for Notre Dame where he was coached by Harry Hiestand, a Joe Moore disciple. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent time in the NFL from 2013-2015 with the Steelers and Saints. He is now part of the committee that selects the winner of the Joe Moore Award.

He joined us to discuss the Joe Moore Award and what makes a great offensive line unit, the chemistry of an offensive line, how the offensive line has evolved in today’s uptempo game, and a framework for determining the best OL unit in college football.

You will enjoy his insight into the game which he developed through the lens of an offensive lineman. We include our winning edge takeaways at the end of the interview.

Show Notes:

Once a lineman always a lineman
How trying as an offensive lineman affects an approach to life
Harry Hiestand - giving you the tools you need to handle everything
Doing it over and over consistently at a unit
Evolution of the offensive lineman in the uptempo game
One player sample size Darnell Wright
Chemistry and the bonds between offensive linemen are built off the field
How do you all go to work together
Dante Scarnecchia - the group test
O-linemen have their own language
What do you do with the resources you have?
Do our job - use our technique - whip their ass
Framework for evaluation of OL units
Importance of the Joe Moore Award to the game
Winning Edge

The Moore Method - OL University:

https://coachtube.com/course/football/the-moore-method-ol-university/18225665?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763

Related Episodes:

Aaron Taylor:

Lance Zierlein - Joe Moore Award Process for Determining the Best OL Unit:

https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML2073994393.mp3?updated=1680089902

Joe Thomas - What is Great Coaching?:

https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML6269424318.mp3?updated=1669916203

Dante Scarnecchia:

https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML5356751488.mp3?updated=1669916196

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

The Passing Lab - Evolution, Strategy, and Passing Game Insights with Dan Gonzalez, Consultant May 16, 2023

Show notes

On today’s episode, we begin with the first episode in our Passing Lab Series hosted by Josh Herring, Offensive Coordinator, Jones County High School (GA) Offensive Coordinator Josh is joined by Dan Gonzalez, former college and high school coach and current consultant.

How do you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of football strategy? Passing game expert Dan Gonzalez joins us to share his wealth of knowledge on the development of the passing game and the challenges coaches face in teaching the game effectively. We dive into the sophistication of modern football defenses and how this has transformed the way high school coaches approach teaching, requiring a more progressive and layered method to build toward success.

We also explore the importance of teaching spatial recognition and understanding defenses at lower levels, opening up possibilities for effective passing strategies even at the youth level. Dan emphasizes the need for adaptability and continuous learning in order to stay on the cutting edge of football strategy, discussing the impact of visionary coaches and the influence of the West Coast offense on the game's evolution.

Finally, we analyze the significant role coaching plays in the development of quarterbacks, using the example of Doug Peterson's coaching influence on Trevor Lawrence. This episode is packed with valuable insights and discussions that will surely benefit coaches.

Show Notes:

Passing Lab Series Begins
Passing Game Evolution and Teaching Challenges
Defense Evolution in High School
Strategy and Visionary Coaches
Passing Game Evolution and Coaching Impact
Coach Gonzalez’s Verticals
Winning Edge

Related Episodes:

Into the Passing Lab - Josh Herring

https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML2045813075.mp3?updated=1678203166

Holistic Approach to Protecting the Passer - Dan Gonzalez

https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML6771257731.mp3?updated=1682102745

Dan Gonzalez Resources:

https://coachtube.com/users/dan_gonzalez16?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763

Josh Herring Resources:

https://coachtube.com/users/joshherring?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763

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

Manipulating Gaps to Limit Explosives - Shane Dierking, Defensive Coordinator, North Central May 15, 2023

Show notes

Are offense having their way with your defenders they put in conflict? At the 3rd Annual Lauren's First & Goal Clinic Shane Direking, DC at D3 National Champion North Central also the 2022 Football Scoop D3 Coordinator of the Year, shared his insight on gap manipulation & limiting explosive plays

He covered everything from understanding the importance of a tight top-down defense to mastering the art of manipulating gaps.

He includes a short discussion on their 30% rule and how this helps guide their planning week to week, as well as his reasoning for manipulating gaps and the four methods they use.

In general, offenses love the RPO because of the way it can conflict with a defender and open up voids behind level two or potentially leave a gap open in the box. Either situation can lead to explosive plays.

Explosive plays can be a game-changer in football. The chances of scoring in any single drive increase significantly with a single explosive play. Ensuring that the defense never gives up explosive plays, forces the offense to work harder and increases the chances of the defense creating havoc plays like TFLs, tackles, interceptions, and fumble recoveries.

By making the offense earn every yard, the defense can increase the team’s win-loss percentage and maintain a strong defensive presence on the field.

That’s what Coach Dierking shared in this segment from his clinic. The entire talk shows the different ways the Cardinals manipulate gaps with Coach Direking explaining with game film.

Show Notes:

Defensive Structure and Philosophy
Manipulating explosive plays
Set-up to make the offense earn yards.
Why manipulate gaps
Gap manipulation in
Winning Edge

The previous episode with Coach Dierking:

An Obsession with Learning and Growing Plus Coaching the 4-2-5

https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML5125248937.mp3?updated=1677533204

Entire Clinic Talk - “Manipulating Gaps”

https://coachtube.com/course/football/shane-dierking-manipulating-gaps/18885516?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763

Coach Dierking’s Clinic - “Defending Empty Formations”

https://coachtube.com/course/football/shane-dierking-defending-empty-formations/13906706?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763

Be sure to go to coachandcoordinator.com for enhanced show notes with links to related episodes, resources, articles, and with our winning edge takeaways detailed in text. Also sign-up for our free weekly tip sheet which highlights the best ideas from the previous week, trending episodes, and featured resources.

Follow me on Twitter @CoachKGrabowski

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

Teachable Moments - Robby Discher, Special Teams Coordinator, Illinois May 12, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of our Teachable Moments Series, Steve Hauser is joined by Illinois Special Teams Coordinator Robby Discher. They talk about his journey through the profession and the importance of staying true to oneself.

Coach Discher shared valuable insights from his experiences at Toledo, Georgia, and now Illinois, offering advice on how to remain genuine and authentic in any situation. We also explored the impact of mentors like Willie Fritz on his career, as well as how he prepared for spring ball while relocating his family to Illinois.

Show Notes:

William Jewell lineage
Learning from a mentor - Willie Fritz
Sam Houston State experiences
Oklahoma State influence
The special teams coordinator can build relationships with full team
“they didn’t sign a scholarship to cover kicks”
Make the meetings enjoyable, get your message across
We all have our own personalities, won’t work if its not who you are

Learn more about TeachTapes: teachtapes.org

Coach Discher's previous episode on Coach and Coordinator:

https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML5365782430.mp3?updated=1669916432

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

Expert Poker Player Strategies as a Framework for Play Calling - Dub Maddox, Offensive Coordinator, Union HS May 10, 2023

Show notes

On today’s podcast, we take a look at the framework used by expert poker players and discuss how that applies to football as well as how learning an expert system allows for an acceleration of decision-making as well as a more efficient workflow. Joining me to discuss this is Dub Maddox who is the offensive coordinator at Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the creator of the R4 System. What he has developed within his system provides a coding for the game of football that allows him to build frameworks and models for play calling that provides for the use of analytics and data in a practical way in game planning that provides for better decision-making on game day. Be sure to check the show notes for links to our other episodes with Coach Moaddox. He never disappoints, and I am positive that you will find this episode fascinating. We share our Winning Edge takeaways and ideas for implementation following the episode.

Show Notes:

Studying outside of the game
Why Poker players?
Tacit knowledge
Poker strategy
Position and Range in Gaming
Building a Range Position Map
Applying poker to play calling
Game day communication
Efficiency In workflow

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

A Unique Practice Period for More Reps for the Defense - Todd Drury, Defensive Coordinator, Western Illinois May 08, 2023

Show notes

Finding the most efficient way to practice and effectively prepare players is something that coaches are always searching for. Western Illinois Defensive Coordinator Todd Drury created a way to get his players the reps they need with a focus on the mental side of the game.

Coach Drury evolved his walkthrough into a period in which his players are able to get more reps while gaining an understanding of what the offense is trying to do in addition to their reaction and required decision-making within their defensive calls.

In this episode from our archives, Coach Drury explains the setup and rationale behind the format for this practice segment. The result is that defensive players are seeing far more reps than they would if they were just scrimmaging, and getting more in terms of recognition and visual cues than if they were doing a walk-through.

We share our winning edge takeaways and ideas for implementation following the interview.

Show Notes:

Creating the practice format
Managing the reps
Practice for focus
Helping the defensive linemen
Applying it to the offense
Get the most out of it
Winning Edge

Thank you for listening to our podcast. Please share it with other coaches.

Go to coachandcoordinator.com for enhanced show notes with links to related episodes, resources, and articles, and with our winning edge takeaways detailed in text. When we post the enhanced show notes for this episode it will include a diagram of the set-up of Coach Drury’s practice segment as well as practice video.

Sign-up for our free weekly tip sheet which highlights the best ideas from the previous week, trending episodes, and featured resources.

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

Creating a Structure for Multiplicity on Defense - Mike Giancola, Defensive Coordinator, Bridgewater College May 05, 2023

Show notes

On today’s episode of Coach and Coordinator, host Keith Grabowski is joined by Mike Giancola, defensive coordinator at Bridgewater College to discuss creating a system for multiplicity on defense. Bridgewater is able to do a lot in what they utilize with fronts and coverages, but it is built on a structure of simple language and the best teaching practices.

The Bridgewater defense shined in the 2022 season as they led all divisions of the NCAA in turnovers as the team paced the nation in turnover margin for a majority of the year. Prior to Bridgewater, Coach Giancola was the defensive coordinator at Westfield High School in Chantilly, Va. in 2016, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to their second consecutive Virginia High School League 6-A state championship.

In this episode, he shares how they’ve evolved their system as well as the tools and methods they use to teach it. There are plenty of takeaways in this one that apply to all phases of the game at every level, especially in the way that Coach and his staff teach their system. Be sure to listen to our Winning Edge Takeaways after the interview.

Show Notes:

Determining needs
Changes during the pandemic
Capitalize on what our guys do well
Two important questions - Is this too much? Can our players handle it?
Creating a structure that allows for more
Starting with a base 4-2-5
General concept to specifics
Having an anchor and then building
A system of answers
Backward planning
Technology that drives learning
Checks for understanding
Flipped classroom model,
Transparency in what you do and why

Thank you for listening to our podcast. Please share it with other coaches.

Go to coachandcoordinator.com for enhanced show notes with links to related episodes, resources, and articles, and our winning edge takeaways detailed in text.

Sign-up for our free weekly tip sheet which highlights the best ideas from the previous week, trending episodes, and featured resources.

Twitter:

@CoachGiancola

Scott Lemn - Flexibility and Creativity to Stay Ahead of the Defense

https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML9467758208.mp3?updated=1681296110

Coach Giancola’s Course: 3x1 coverage Adjustments from 3 Safety Alignments:

https://coachtube.com/course/football/3x1-coverage-adjustments-from-3-safety-alignments-mike-giancola/11813848

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

Teachable Moments - Jordan Hogan, WR Coach, Colgate May 05, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of our Teachable Moments Series, host Steve Hauser sat down with Jordan Hogan to learn from his journey.

During the pandemic, which was a shutdown of the Ivy League season, Coach Hogan was able to attain the Bill Bidwill Coaching Fellowship, a program started by the Arizona Cardinals in 2015 to help increase diversity in the coaching ranks and provide more opportunity for experience on the NFL level.

Recently named to FootballScoop's Minority Watch List, Hogan worked with the offensive staff and served as an assistant in the quarterback room during his time with the Cardinals. He helped with the creation of install tapes, game breakdowns, play drawings, and assisted with game and practice data input among other duties.

Prior to his time in the NFL, Hogan spent three seasons at nearby Cornell. During his time with the Big Red, Hogan served as the wide receivers coach where he developed several record-setting players at that position.

Along with his role with the Arizona Cardinals, Hogan has served in similar NFL capacities in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019, Indianapolis Colts in 2017, and the Buffalo Bills in 2016.

Hogan has had previous wide receiver coaching stops at Division II Stonehill College (2017) and Division III Buffalo State College (2013-2017). He also served as the wide receivers coach for the US National Team development game in Canton, Ohio, in 2016.

A standout wide receiver at Brockport, Hogan at the time of graduation ranked fifth in school history in career receiving yards (1,546) and eighth in catches (108). He earned All-League honors as a junior and was a preseason All-American as a senior captain.

Show notes:

Networking…shoot your shot, do it w/ the right intentions (get advice/get better)
Everyone’s path different…what other D3 guys have made it?
Have a tie in (area, alma mater, previous relationship)
Best advice during NFL internship…“quick to listen, slow to speak”
“make sure there is substance behind it”
Double Mug Agap…Colt McCoy; can always tell which one coming
LB looking at QB = dropper
LB looking at ball = rusher
Offense thru WR perspective
Are you within the progression? How much time do you have to win?
Football not the problem, Industry simply hard
Never know when that break is going to come (2016 BuffSt -> Stonehill)
Career swung upward from there
Hogan relies on faith in difficult moments
Eli Rasheed “No Testimony w/out a Test”
Teachable Moments…one big one, how do you respond to adversity when the chips are down?
CLE Browns draft interview = that was big question
Winning Edge