Coach and Coordinator Podcast

On this episode of Slot-T Mafia, Coaches Thad Wheeler and Nick Kepa break down their journey transitioning Lafayette High School from the Wing-T to the Slot-T offense, sharing lessons from changing systems, language, and expectations. They explain how they built player buy-in, why coaching alignment mattered as much as scheme, and how professional development visits accelerated their advancement and certainty in the system. The conversation covers the practical issues of transition: adjusting terminology, rethinking practice tempo, maximizing skill players, and staying patient when early results do not show up on Friday nights. Wheeler and Kepa also discuss how performance standards, self-evaluation, and community coaching resources refined their approach. This episode shows that moving to the Slot-T is not only about installing plays. It is about developing a coaching philosophy, creating staff cohesion, and building an offense that fits your players. A must-listen for coaches considering a system change or aiming to sharpen how they teach, adapt, and grow within the Slot-T world. Chapters Introduction to the Lafayette Slot T Transition From Wing T to Slot T Philosophy Aligning the Coaching Staff Building Player Buy-In Learning Through Professional Development Adjusting Language and Practice Structure Maximizing Skill Players Speed, Tempo, and Practice Efficiency Overcoming Challenges During the Transition Game-Day Adjustments and Evaluation Using Metrics and Film for Growth The Future of the Slot T at Lafayette Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Thad Wheeler: @coachtwheeler Nick Kepa: @Coach_Kepa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Network, Keith Grabowski breaks down why visualization is one of the most misunderstood and powerful tools in coaching. Using a real-world example from Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald, Keith explains how intentional visualization can shape team identity, sharpen decision-making, and prepare athletes to operate under pressure before the moment arrives. The conversation dives into the science behind visualization, exploring how the brain filters information, builds self-image, and influences behavior during high-stress situations. Keith outlines what effective visualization looks like: specific, emotional, and repeated. He explains why generic or passive approaches do not work to create long-term impact. Coaches will walk away with useful techniques for implementing visualization in their programs, from reinforcing positive identity to helping players replace negative experiences with clear, confident mental imagery. This episode provides a well-defined framework for using visualization not as motivation but as a teaching tool that directly supports performance, leadership, and athlete development. Chapters The Power of Visualization in Coaching Understanding the Science Behind Visualization Shaping Identity Through Visualization Practical Steps for Effective Visualization Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Irsik (Defensive Coordinator, Folsom High School) breaks down his full process for building a defensive call sheet, from Saturday corrections through Sunday game-planning and late-week refinements. He explains how Folsom uses tagged film, opponent data entry, and real-time in-game analytics to stay organized, adjust faster, and call defense with clarity using a simple "Set–Stress–Break" progression. Our Guest: Jordan Irsik — Defensive Coordinator at Folsom High School, 2025 CIF Division 1-AA State Champions. Former offensive coordinator who applies offensive structure and sequencing to defensive game management and call sheet design. Topics Covered The Weekly Workflow That Makes the Call Sheet Work Breaking Down Opponents Faster (and Smarter) The Sunday Game Plan Meeting Checklist Practice Scripting With Intent How the Call Sheet is Organized Set–Stress–Break: The Core Calling Framework Using In-Game Analytics Without Overthinking It Handling Explosives and Busts Communication on Game Day Why Tech Fails When the Operation Isn’t Trained Links and Resources Get Jordan Irsik’s Call Sheet: modernfootball.com/callsheet Modern Football Technology: modernfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Slot T Mafia, Coach Kilby sits down with legendary Texas coach Bruce Bush, to trace the roots, evolution, and longevity of the Slot T offense. From its early foundations to modern adaptations, Coach Bush explains why the Slot T continues to thrive—especially for programs that value discipline, patience, and execution over flash. Coach Bush shares how the offense expanded beyond Texas as access to film and shared knowledge grew, why understanding player strengths is critical to making the system work, and how rhythm and timing influence effective play-calling. The conversation also adds a rare personal layer, exploring the father-son coaching dynamic between Coach Bush and his son Travis, now a successful college coach. This episode blends history with practical coaching insight, reinforcing why the Slot T remains relevant, adaptable, and effective in today’s game—from small schools to the college level. Chapters Introduction to Coach Bush and the Slot T Offense The Historical Roots of the Slot T Offense Evolution of the Slot T Offense in Texas The Modern Adaptation and Popularity of the Slot T Strategic Insights and Coaching Philosophy Innovations and Variations in the Slot T Offense Legacy and Influence of Coach Bush and the Slot T Innovating the Playbook The Importance of Patience in Coaching Building a Winning Culture Father-Son Coaching Dynamics The Slot T Legacy Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Bruce Bush: @bush_nhsraiders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator, featuring Mark Carney, Head Coach at Kent State. Coach Carney shares his principles that shape both his offensive system and leadership approach. Carney explains why clarity is the foundation of effective offense, from quarterback development to system installation. He breaks down how shifts and motions are not creativity for its own sake, but purposeful tools designed to create understanding, leverage, and simplicity while still generating explosive plays. Throughout the conversation, Carney emphasizes starting from scratch with each new group of players, building trust through teaching, and aligning scheme with player skill sets so ideas translate from the meeting room to the field. He also details how a head coach evaluates offensive health and defines the non-negotiables that sustain identity beyond play calling. This episode is paired with the Clarity Creates Explosives AI Companion, an evaluation tool built directly from Mark Carney’s conversation. It helps coaches assess clarity in offensive teaching, the purpose of shifts and motions, and how system structure supports quarterback confidence and program leadership. Designed for self-scouting rather than scheme creation, the companion is most effective during the offseason or when offenses feel complex, hesitant, or misaligned. Chapters: Mark Carney's Journey in Football Coaching Philosophy and Clarity in Teaching Building Relationships and Trust with Players Offensive Strategy and Problem Solving Utilizing Shifts and Motions Effectively Adapting Offense to Player Strengths Creativity in Offensive Play Design Evaluating Offensive Health as a Head Coach Core Values and Team Culture Transitioning from Coordinator to Head Coach Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Mark Carney: @coachmacarney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final episode of Alignment in Action, the focus shifts from vision and identity to sustainability. With systems established and expectations set, this episode examines whether alignment holds when responsibility is fully handed off to position coaches. Recorded during Central Michigan’s first season under head coach Matt Drinkall, the episode features extended conversations with special teams coordinator Keith Murphy and defensive line coach Tesfa Smith. Rather than revisiting philosophy, the conversations center on daily execution, accountability, and what alignment looks like once the head coach steps out of the frame. This Alignment in Action episode is paired with the Alignment in Action AI Companion, a behavior-based evaluation and planning tool built directly from these conversations to help coaches assess alignment, ownership, and decision-making when responsibility moves beyond the head coach. For staffs looking to ensure standards hold under pressure and function without constant oversight, this series provides a clear lens and practical application. ⁠⁠Alignment in Action AI Companion⁠⁠ Episode Focus Whether alignment survives beyond the head coach’s direct involvement How standards are maintained through structure rather than supervision The role of clarity and ownership in sustaining culture What accountability looks like when trust is already established Key Themes Alignment expressed through consistent behavior, not language Ownership of position rooms without competing authority Teaching standards that allow players to play fast, not fearful Systems designed to function without constant oversight Development as the foundation of accountability Coaches Featured Keith Murphy, Special Teams Coordinator Tesfa Smith, Defensive Line Coach Connect on X: Keith Murphy: @CoachMurphy87 Tesfa Smith: @CoachTesfa This episode closes the series by showing alignment in its most practical form. Not as vision. Not as identity. But as work that continues when leadership steps back and trusts others to carry it forward. What’s Next The Alignment in Action series concludes here, but the conversations continue inside the Coach and Coordinator Network, where additional articles, breakdowns, and an AI companion tool are available to help coaches apply these lessons inside their own programs. Links can be found at https://coachandcoordinator.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 4 of Alignment in Action, the focus shifts from philosophy to authority in practice. After establishing vision, trust, and identity in earlier episodes, this conversation examines what happens when real decisions must be made inside a staff—when someone has to own outcomes, manage people, and carry standards forward. This episode centers on offensive coordinator Jim Chapin and how alignment holds when responsibility is distributed rather than centralized. This Alignment in Action episode is paired with the Alignment in Action AI Companion, a behavior-based evaluation and planning tool built directly from these conversations to help coaches assess alignment, ownership, and decision-making when responsibility moves beyond the head coach. For staffs looking to ensure standards hold under pressure and function without constant oversight, this series provides a clear lens and practical application. ⁠⁠Alignment in Action AI Companion⁠⁠ Before hearing from Chapin, Head Coach Matt Drinkall explains how authority is structured inside the program: Why he views himself as an “owner,” not a micromanager How responsibility is divided across coordinators and departments Why clarity and information-sharing prevent silos How alignment accelerates once systems are in place This structure sets the conditions for coordinators to operate with autonomy and without ego. Owning the football side: Authority means responsibility, not freedom from accountability Vertical leadership with trust: Alignment starts with serving the head coach’s vision Decision-making under pressure: One voice ultimately decides, even after collaboration Low ego, high output: Authority without insecurity or performative control Player advocacy: Coaching quarterbacks without fear, blame, or panic Simplicity over volume: Avoiding bloated systems in favor of executable football Handling adversity: Calm leadership when results lag or pressure rises Standards that survive change: Teaching new players “how we do things” repeatedly Alignment isn’t proven when everyone agrees. It’s proven when decisions are made, when accountability is real, and when responsibility doesn’t fracture trust. This episode shows how authority functions inside an aligned staff, not loudly, not centrally, but through clarity, humility, and ownership. Connect on X: Jim Chapin: @CoachChapin Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 3 of Alignment in Action, the focus shifts from vision to execution—exploring how identity is built through the daily work inside the Central Michigan Football building. The episode examines how physicality, defined by Matt Drinkall as a trained mental skill, is taught, reinforced, and sustained throughout the program. Through conversations spanning multiple positions and perspectives, the episode shows how standards move from philosophy to practice. Rather than relying on slogans or speeches, physicality is developed through habits, expectations, and shared accountability that appear every day on the field and in meeting rooms. Across offense and defense, a common theme emerges: simplicity, trust, and effort allow players to play fast, disciplined, and violent when it matters most. The episode highlights how offensive line play sets the tone for the entire team, how tight ends and fullbacks often carry the cultural weight of the offense, and how defensive identity is built on effort, leverage, and collective trust. It also underscores that alignment must withstand fatigue, pressure, and constant evaluation—reinforcing the idea that identity only lasts if it can endure daily scrutiny. This Alignment in Action episode is paired with the Alignment in Action AI Companion, a behavior-based evaluation and planning tool built directly from these conversations to help coaches assess alignment, ownership, and decision-making when responsibility moves beyond the head coach. For staffs looking to ensure standards hold under pressure and function without constant oversight, this series provides a clear lens and practical application. ⁠⁠Alignment in Action AI Companion⁠⁠ Topics: Physicality as behavior, not a slogan Training mental habits that consistently show up on the field How offensive line standards shape team-wide identity Simplifying technique to increase speed, violence, and discipline Why tight ends and fullbacks carry cultural responsibility Teaching unselfish roles and embracing work beyond statistics Defensive identity built on effort, leverage, and trust Building systems that are simple for players and difficult for opponents Eliminating ego to improve teaching, communication, and collaboration Alignment tested by fatigue, pressure, and daily work Connect on X: Matt Drinkall: @DrinkallCoach Hayden Mace: @CoachHaydenMace Derek Fulton: @CoachDFulton Sean Cronin: @CoachSeanCronin Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Episode 4 continues the series Follow all we do at https://coachandcoordinator.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 2 of The Central Michigan Football Staff: Alignment in Action, the focus shifts from the head coach’s vision to how alignment shows up in the staff’s day-to-day work. Recorded during Central Michigan’s first season under new leadership, the episode features conversations with safeties coach Wes Fleming and corners and nickels coach Christian Dukes. Fleming brings a shared history with the head coach, offering insight into how trust, standards, and collaboration are built over time. Dukes joins the staff without that prior connection, providing a clear look at how alignment holds when someone new enters the building. Across both conversations, common themes emerge—not through identical language, but through consistent behavior: honesty with players, genuine relationships, clear standards, and doing the right thing without needing oversight. The episode shows how trust and authenticity move from ideas to action, revealing what alignment looks like when belief turns into behavior and culture is reflected in the daily work. This Alignment in Action episode is paired with the Alignment in Action AI Companion, a behavior-based evaluation and planning tool built directly from these conversations to help coaches assess alignment, ownership, and decision-making when responsibility moves beyond the head coach. For staffs looking to ensure standards hold under pressure and function without constant oversight, this series provides a clear lens and practical application. ⁠Alignment in Action AI Companion⁠ Topics: Alignment as behavior, not slogans or titles Wes Fleming on shared history and why trust is expected How standards show up in daily work and collaboration Authentic relationships across position rooms and sides of the ball Alignment tested when a new coach enters the building Christian Dukes on evaluating fit and building trust without history Teaching standards through honesty, effort, and communication Alignment measured by consistent action, not identical language Connect on X: Wes Fleming: @Fleming_Coach Christian Dukes: @CoachDukes_ Keith Grabowski: ⁠@CoachKGrabowski⁠ Episode 3 continues the series by examining how alignment holds under increased pressure and expanded responsibility across the staff. Follow all we do at https://coachandcoordinator.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sat down with Central Michigan head coach Matt Drinkall to talk about how a program is actually built — not through scheme or slogans, but through people, systems, and daily standards. This episode anchors the series. Before resources scale. Before facilities matter. Before wins validate anything. Matt reflects on lessons from Kansas Wesleyan, Army West Point, and now Central Michigan — specifically how leaders support people when the work is constant, the calendar never stops, and demands continue to rise. The conversation centers on staff construction, trust, alignment, and what must remain unchanged as roles, titles, and resources evolve. This episode sets the foundation for every conversation that follows. This Alignment in Action episode is paired with the Alignment in Action AI Companion, a behavior-based evaluation and planning tool built directly from these conversations to help coaches assess alignment, ownership, and decision-making when responsibility moves beyond the head coach. For staffs looking to ensure standards hold under pressure and function without constant oversight, this series provides a clear lens and practical application. Alignment in Action AI Companion Key themes include: Leading when time, clarity, and environment matter more than money How staff culture must survive calendar pressure and fatigue Why authenticity outlasts authority Building systems that don’t rely on constant supervision Preventing silos as staffs grow larger and more specialized What assistant coaches should expect from leadership — and what leadership should expect in return Why truth, alignment, and consistency matter more than consensus Matt will continue to appear throughout the series to reinforce key themes — but from here, the perspective shifts. The episodes ahead move into the position rooms. Upcoming conversations feature assistant coaches and coordinators — different roles, different pressures — all operating within the framework established here. Each episode examines how standards actually show up: In meetings In corrections In collaboration In moments where volume disappears and execution still matters This episode lays the groundwork. The rest of the series shows how it holds up. Connect on X: Matt Drinkall: @DrinkallCoach Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Coach and Coordinator Network Smart Clinics are built for coaches seeking clarity, alignment, and practical takeaways — not theory. If this episode sparked ideas you want to apply in your own program, learn more at coachandcoordinator.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices