Coach and Coordinator Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

On this episode of Sprint Based Football, presented by Titan Sports, Tony Holler sits down with Nick Codutti, Head Football Coach at Klein HS (TX), to break down a modern, analytical approach to football training. Codutti shares his path from biochemical engineering to coaching and explains why sprint-based training sits at the core of his philosophy for improving performance while significantly reducing injuries. The conversation explores how structured practices, performance-driven training days, and data-informed decisions can protect athletes while helping them peak when it matters most. Codutti also discusses the role of RPR (Reflexive Performance Reset), efficient weight training, recovery, and the importance of coach and player well-being. Throughout the episode, he highlights accountability, measurable effort, and the smart use of technology as key elements of sustainable success and a winning culture. Chapters: Introduction to Nick Codutti’s Path from Engineering to Coaching Why Sprint-Based Training Improves Performance and Reduces Injuries Reframing Injury Prevention Through Smarter Practice Design Using Data and Analytics to Guide Coaching Decisions Structuring Practices Around Performance Days Understanding Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Demands in Football Implementing RPR and Its Impact on Athlete Readiness Balancing Training Intensity, Recovery, and Longevity Sprinting and Efficient Weight Training for Athlete Health Measuring Progress to Build Accountability and Motivation Leveraging Technology for Performance Tracking and Engagement Creating a Winning Culture Through Health, Trust, and Accountability Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Tony Holler: @pntrack Nick Codutti: @coachcodutti Titan Sensor: @titansensor 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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