Coach and Coordinator Podcast

On today's podcast, host Keith Grabowski is joined by a former player, Chris Herman, who created a way for teams to capture their team's story and share it digitally. Herman shares the impact football made on his life, thoughts on his mentors, and how football inspired him to create something that helps high school and college teams build and brand their programs.Twitter:@StoryTheSeason @CoachKGrabowski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome in the Assistant Head Coach, Running Backs coach, and recruiting coordinator at Texas Southern University, Dallas Blacklock. Coach Blacklock arrived at TSU in 2016 and transitioned from receivers coach to running backs coach this year. Coach Blacklock previously worked as the head coach at Sharpstown High School in Houston ISD. He also served as the Director of High School Relations at the University of Houston from 2013-2016. On this episode, learn how Coach Blacklock transitioned throughout his career and how he teaches his players.2:35 Inspiration to become a coach4:00 Coaching at the high school level6:20 Becoming a better assistant coach7:40 Working in high school relations9:38 Emphasis on teaching12:29 Coaching away from your team15:07 Building relationships20:15 Getting to know everyone better23:20 Teaching the game remotely27:16 Reinforcing teaching27:53 Differences between programs33:47 Driving forces in our profession38:11 How to get there41:22 The meaning behind drills44:16 The winning edge44:38 Recruiting areasYou can follow Coach Blacklock on Twitter here: @dalblac99 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach Heitland, Head Coach at Dallas Center-Grimes High School in Iowa shares how the Football Development Model has helped grow football in his community.We focus specifically on game types: Senior contact, limited contact or non-contact - it's all football. Listen to the differences and benefits of each game type. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After an illustrious 26-year head coaching career, Thom McDaniels is still impacting the next generation of football players and coaches. Some may mostly know him as the father of New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and the University of Michigan quarterback coach Ben McDaniels. But Thom McDaniels himself truly has had a Hall of Fame career. He earned the USA Today and Nike National Coach of the Year award in 1997. In that same season, Coach McDaniels led Canton (Ohio) McKinley to a state title and a national championship. Today McDaniels joins us to discuss how the high school football team provides an example as well as our opportunities as coaches to make a difference.1:50 They call it a HS football team3:29 Working in diverse communities6:23 We learned about each other8:10 Playing an emotional game yet managing to work together 9:00 The Locker room is an integrator10:31 Modified Herb Childress Article “Why HS Football Works”10:56 Teammates are important contributors - celebrate that14:12 In football teenagers are encouraged to excel17:00 In football the unexpected happens all of the time19:05 Communication is important20:00 Example from New England Patriots practice 22:00 Football is more than the sum of its parts24:45 Football provides a shining example of bringing people together to function as one25:45 Stepping outside of our programs to lead27:15 Team isn’t understood29:00 Move on to bigger things and duplicate that success in other areas30:19 Lead in the way you can and listen30:45 Bill Belichick is the best listenerTwitter:@thomas_tmcdwgh@CoachKGrabowski  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Coach and Coordinator Podcast we welcome two coaches from Cleveland Heights High School (Ohio). Head Coach Mac Stephens brings his experience in coaching and as a former NFL player to his program. He alongside assistant coach Kahari Hicks helped develop the "Build the Bridge" program. On this episode, tune in and learn how bringing football programs together, whether its a 7-on-7 Tournament or an event, can bring communities together.1:39 Starting the movement4:00 Discussing with other coaches5:47 The Bridge Program10:15 Getting teams started12:31 Just the beginning16:20 Building the bridge to parents18:00 Sports unifying communities20:17 Number of participants21:23 Local sponsorships22:49 Designing the logo24:10 Adopting the program30:22 Message to coachesYou can follow Coach Stephens on Twitter here: @MacStephensYou can follow Coach Hicks here: @Kahari_hicks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's podcast, Doug Meach, inside receivers and tight ends coach at TCU joins us to talk about the evolution of the air raid offense.Doug Meacham rejoined the TCU program in 2020 as inside receivers/tight ends coach. Prior to returning to the Horned Frogs, Meacham was offensive coordinator of the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks. After leaving TCU following the 2016 season, he served as offensive coordinator at Kansas.In each of his first two seasons at TCU (2014-15), the Horned Frogs’ offensive attack ranked among the nation’s best.Show Notes:1:32 Meacham's background5:32 Teaching methodology in the air raid9:40 It's concept teaching10:53 Meacham's evolution of offense12:45 Bob Stitt's toss play advantages14:25 Baker Mayfield INT and play action off of toss16:15 Complimentary plays off of toss19:10 Mainstays of the air raid 20:41 Quick game23:45 Advantages of calling a straight ru or quick vs. RPO24:50 Story about Mike Leach and Sonny Dykes25:44 Mesh appearing in everyone's playbook in 201928:20 Shallow screen (Pick)31:08 Shallow screen/draw RPO32:39 Winning Edge34:57 Recruiting areasTwitter:@meacham_doug@CoachKGrabowski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest on Coach and Coordinator Podcast is Travis Johansen, who is entering his second season as defensive coordinator at University of South Dakota. Previously, Johansen served as the defensive coordinator at Grand View since 2013. The Vikings were 61-11 in his six seasons with five conference championships, six NAIA playoff appearances and won 2013 national title following a 14-0 campaign. Grand View finished in the top 15 of the national rankings all six seasons including four top 10 rankings.Johansen was a finalist for Heart of America Assistant Coach of the Year in each of the last two seasons prior to coming to USD, and was a national coordinator of the year finalist in 2015. He was even featured in a Sports Illustrated article, “The Search to Save NFL Defenses,” this past November. Grand View ranked as one of the top NAIA defenses throughout Johansen’s tenure and produced seven defensive All-Americans.Coach Johansen joined the podcast today to talk about transition into a new program. He provides insight in what he did from the beginning heading into year two. This episode provides a blue print for taking over a defense in a new program.Show Notes:2:58 What it means to be a coordinator4:11 Understanding the new landscape to get started7:13 Why were you brought in?9:05 First task - build the staff11:20 Getting the staff prepared to coach a new defense13:24 Understanding the skill sets of coaches15:40 Listening and learning from the staff17:46 Process of evaluating the roster and player skill sets20:35 The first spring install21:53 Learning and adjustments to the install and player placement23:05 Setting the stage for what the unit is about/culture28:07 Installation teaching methods for getting the defense to play fast29:27 Ironing out the bumps and building to game one32:13 Playing the game in context; prioritizing what you will see34:53 What to look for in putting together the depth chart and install for fall camp37:53 Preparation for going into year two40:54 Self evaluation as a coach44:54 Winning edge in transitioning into a new program47:39 Recruiting areas and contact informationTwitter:@CoachTJohansen@CoachKGrabowski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, Keith Grabowski is joined by recurring guest Dub Maddox, new offensive coordinator at Oklahoma powerhouse Union High School in Tulsa, Okla. Coach Maddox is not only a decorated coach but also an author with his works, Adapt or Die, From Headset to Helmet and What is Open. The creator of the R4 System shares his thoughts on space, time and talent and how he quantifies those at each position. On a bigger picture, Grabowski and Maddox discuss how the concept fits into building a culture within a team.Show Notes:2:21 How Maddox has utilized the extra time during the off season5:15 How the constraints of space, time, and talent drive everything in football9:20 Protocols for ever position11:13 Weapons for defense and receiver tools to defeat them12:53 Example of how it works for inside receivers17:02 Rhythm blocks for linemen18:42 Read blocks at the second level19:57 Rush family of run blocks22:49 Calibrating the run game with R426:00 How correctly understanding and operating within space, time, talent build a culture31:25 Coach Maddox’s contact and resourcesTwitter: @CoachDubMaddox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we listen to a returning guest, Coach Kenny Simpson, about how he balances family and football. Coach Simpson is the head coach at Southside High School in Arkansas and he also is the author of the novel, "Find A Way." Tune in and learn about Coach Simpson's journey and his insight into the coaching landscape.Show Notes:4:11 Stars of your home team6:34 Coach Simpson's family11:09 Making career choices16:24 Dealing with negative press19:29 Moving recommendations22:07 Family involvement in your program25:13 Assistant coaches and their families26:49 Being present at home28:11 Maximizing game-planning time30:30 Cruise clinic35:09 Lessons for other coaches37:17 Valuing your players38:57 Writing "Find Your Way"41:06 Legacy as a coachYou can follow Coach Simpson on Twitter here: @Fbcoachsimpson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome in the Offensive Coordinator at St. Xavier High School, Coach Andrew Coverdale. Coverdale was Trinity’s offensive coordinator from 1999-2002 and from 2006-18. He also spent three seasons (2003-05) as the head coach at Castle (Indiana). Learn how Coach Coverdale runs his offense and how he teaches the concepts of playing an uptempo style of ball to his players on this episode.Show Notes:2:30 Playing fast13:36 Finding the answer19:51 Working on concepts22:11 Procedures to playing fast34:03 Accomplishing the objective36:55 Streamlining for players39:21 The winning edgeYou can follow Coach Coverdale on Twitter here: @AndrewCoverdale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices