Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Update: Ron Roberts is now the Defensive Coordinator for Auburn University.Tune into this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, as your host Keith Grabowski interviews Baylor University's new defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. Coach Roberts is helping build a new regime at Baylor University alongside their new head coach Dave Aranda.Coach Roberts previously coached at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Last season, the Ragin’ Cajuns defense led the Sun Belt Conference and ranked 18th nationally in scoring defense in 2019 by allowing only 19.7 points per game. Coach Roberts' defense also finished second in the Sun Belt in total defense (371.8 ypg) and had the league’s top red zone defense (51.16 percent) with only 22 touchdowns allowed in 43 attempts. Hear Coach Roberts answer listener questions from coaches across the country about game planning, blitz packages, red zone defense, and more during this episode.Show Notes:2:39 Game planning4:46 Using different fronts and blitzes6:47 Having a toolbox on defense7:54 Scripting practices11:58 Expectations for walkthroughs18:17 Favorite run blitz22:05 Common mistakes with creepers25:30 Five-man pressures29:54 Limiting points in the red-zone33:04 Offseason studying: breakdown categories41:02 In-season adjustments43:07 Emphasis on tackling46:20 Defending against 32-personnel54:39 Dropping and rushing defensive ends1:00:52 Message for young coordinatorsYou can follow Coach Roberts on Twitter @coachronroberts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, your host Keith Grabowski caught up with the University of Albany’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, Joe Davis. Last year, the University of Albany led the FCS in touchdown passes with 41 on the season. They also scored 26 touchdown passes in the red zone with zero interceptions. Tune into this episode to hear how Coach Davis instills his offensive identity, orchestrates efficient game planning, and helps build his passing game based on what his quarterback does best. Show Notes:1:57 Intro3:00 Inspiration for Coach Davis4:02 Lessons learned throughout Coach Davis’ career6:21 Having success at multiple levels10:27 Building an offensive identity13:04 Building rapport with your quarterback21:18 Identifying defenses23:27 Disguising plays25:23 Game planning efficiently34:13 Utilizing technology with your staff36:30 Managing game preparation37:46 Building passing game around your quarterback46:53 Calls with a purpose49:39 The winning edgeYou can follow Coach Davis on Twitter @CoachJoeDavis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, Syracuse University's assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, and outside receivers coach, Justin Lustig joins the show. Coach Lustig discusses his rise in the coaching rankings and how he handles his various duties on Syracuse's coaching staff. Coach Lustig also reveals his belief in Equifinality, which means that there are an infinite amount of ways to solve a problem. Towards the end of the episode, we also spoke with the creator of TXHSFBCHAT on Twitter, Ridgepoint High School's (TX) offensive coordinator Chris Fisher. Learn how you can get involved in the conversation with the different coaching discussions on Twitter.Show Notes:2:35 Handling the shutdown7:15 Inspiration to be a coach9:25 Lessons learned as a young coach12:45 Embracing new situations14:44 Being a former head coach helps you as an assistant coach17:36 Finding right offensive scheme fit19:45 Coach Matt Drinkall20:47 Lessons for young coaches23:29 Balancing being position coach and special teams coordinator30:31 Drills during practice34:15 Reverse engineering35:58 Getting insight from players37:38 Ranking skills for wide receivers38:41 The winning edge39:27 Recruiting areas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, your host Keith Grabowski held a Q&A with longtime offensive line coach Dan Dorazio. Coach Dorazio has worked as an offensive line coach in the Canadian Football League since 1998, and he has worked with teams including the BC Lions, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the Toronto Argonauts. On this episode of the podcast, hear about Coach Dorazio's experiences when he answers questions from collegiate offensive line coaches across the country.Show Notes:2:00 Intro3:15 Three Favorite Run concepts4:46 Evolution of Zone Blocking6:36 Three crucial weekly drills9:29 Transitioning to Canadian Football13:34 Transition from RB to OLine coach17:10 Establishing a mentor18:41 Being teammates with Nick Saban23:22 Double under striking28:10 Off-season development plan33:56 Mixing up the drills36:01 Vertical vs. quick lateral sets40:00 Characteristics to look for in offensive linemen46:08 Zone and gap double team combos1:05:02 Taking care of Level 11:05:50 Hand punches1:09:26 Teaching snap techniques to new center1:12:40 Adjustments to landmarks1:14:45 Best plays against "Bear" defense1:18:32 Protection against 4i-0-4i1:20:46 Accounting for linebackers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A former NFL coach and general manager, Michael Lombardi has learned a lot during his career in the league. The three-time Super Bowl champion joined your host Keith Grabowski on this episode of Coach and Coordinator podcast.During the episode, Coach Lombardi answers listener questions and offers advice to coaches at the high school level. Hear how you can master the middle eight, how you can avoid bias in your decision making, and what true power really is in your program. Show Notes:1:58 Intro3:13 Avoiding bias in decision-making5:12 Dangers of group-thinking6:06 The Corleone family6:54 True power in a program8:07 Turning around your program9:44 What to look for in assistant coaches12:30 Controlling the middle eight16:09 Utilizing timeouts18:38 Advice to high school coaches20:22 Springsteen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome back to the show, Micah Kurtz, the 2018 NSCA National Strength Coach of the Year. Currently the Director of Sports Performance and Assistant Athletic Director at Windermere Prep School in Orlando, Florida and also the Strength and Conditioning Consultant Coach to the nine-time high school basketball national champion Oak Hill Academy, Micah Kurtz has been an integral part of his community. Tune in and learn how you can help maintain strength, speed, and flexibility of your players during the extended offseason. Show Notes:1:59 Intro3:02 Staying in shape7:21 Maintaining strength10:08 Keeping up speed and power16:53 Working on flexibility19:04 Mobility drills20:11 Handling the unknown23:33 ClosingYou can follow Micah Kurtz on Instagram and Twitter @KurtzM3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, your host Keith Grabowski caught up with the University of Minnesota's offensive line coach and run game coordinator, Brian Callahan, at USA Football's 2020 National Conference.Hear how Coach Callahan teaches his zone blocking scheme, and in particular the stretch play. Also learn about how the Minnesota Gophers utilize six offensive linemen throughout the game and in certain formations.Show Notes:1:57 Intro2:51 Coach Callahan’s background5:46 Culture at Minnesota7:54 Developing Offensive Line15:38 Utilizing six offensive linemen20:36 Outside zone22:39 Blocks and combos24:06 Fit and aiming point25:57 Eliminate negative plays27:14 Zone vs man reaching29:41 Communication30:22 Combination blocks33:26 Stretch plays37:19 Simplicity and reads38:02 Backside blocks38:44 Patience of running backs41:12 Helping players understand scheme42:37 Winning edgeYou can follow Coach Callahan on Twitter @CallyBrian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, your host Keith Grabowski spoke with coach John Brewer, a senior analyst at the University of Miami. During this episode, Coach Brewer describes his coaching journey and how he took on any task he could to help improve his knowledge about the game. He also reveals the apps and technology that Miami uses to help educate their players during the offseason and for game prep during the season.Show Notes:1:57 Intro2:47 Moving up the coaching tree5:13 Getting position as college coach6:49 Coach Brewer’s mindset10:16 Mental reps from practice footage14:16 Just Play App23:54 Testing your players on game plan26:54 Coaches utilizing Just Play AppYou can follow Coach Brewer on Twitter @CoachBrehaw. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on tCoach and Coordinator Podcast, your host Keith Grabowski speaks with West Virginia State University's head coach, John Pennington. Coach Pennington has written a book dubbed Small Wins Equal Big Gains. A former three-year lettermen wide receiver a West Virginia University, Coach Pennington worked his way up the coaching ladder as he served as a special teams coordinator, offensive coordinator, and as a quarterbacks coach for West Virginia State before eventually being named head coach.On this episode, learn how to implement a complete step-by-step goal-setting system to help you stay focused, take action, and stay disciplined so you can live your best life.Show Notes:0:20 Intro1:40 Inspiration behind the book3:35 Trial and error as a coach4:42 Academic playbooks6:46 S.M.A.R.T.E.R9:34 Morning and night routines12:18 Goal setting15:54 Results with players18:39 Teaching intentionality21:10 Developing habits27:05 Avoiding being burnt out28:20 S.A.V.E.R.S30:57 Trusting the plan34:25 Closing  You can follow Coach Pennington on Twitter @CoachPenn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we continue part two of our discussion with Army West Point’s tight ends coach, Matt Drinkall. Formerly the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan University, Coach Drinkall continues to learn different concepts on how to design your offense. Your host, Keith Grabowski caught up with Coach Drinkall at USA Football’s 2020 National Conference, and they discussed the details of designing offenses, utilizing tempo, and the organization of your team. Show Notes:0:20 Intro1:28 Assembly line workers1:55 Army v. Navy game4:42 Dwight Schrute and football7:40 Dangerous usage of words9:59 Designing your offense9:14 Comparing offensive systems14:02 Tempo25:43 Rules, huddles, and tempo26:54 Setting your offense up for success33:44 Organization46:36 ClosingYou can follow Coach Drinkall on Twitter @DrinkallCoach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices