
Coach and Coordinator Podcast
Keith Grabowski interviews the most knowledgeable head coaches, coordinators, and position coaches from professional, college, and high school football. Keith and his guests discuss the philosophy, concepts, schemes, and strategies that they have learned throughout their careers. Each show includes a specific idea that can be applied to help coaches at every level find the winning edge.
Latest episodes

Sep 27, 2024 • 51min
D3 Coach and Coordinators of the Week - Ben Dixon, Matt Tschetter, and Peter Gallagher
Keith Grabowski and Logan Hanson review standout performances and coaching achievements from the second week of the Division III football season. They feature Head Coach of Ursinus Peter Gallagher, Offensive Coordinator of Calvin Ben Dixon, and Defensive Coordinator of Wartburg Matt Tschetter.Head Coach/Coaching Staff of the WeekPeter Gallagher | Ursinus | 58-14 vs. Rowan
Outgained opponent 599 to 112
Rush for 457 yards on 7.8 ypc
Five sacks and 10 total TFL, including 3 sacks & a safety from Connor Carter
Game was tied middle of 2nd quarter before scoring 6 straight TDs & allowing 1 first down over next quarter & a half
Offensive Coordinator of the WeekBen Dixon | Calvin University (1st year program) | 66-12 vs. Anderson
First year program playing third game
Nearly 80% of roster are freshmen
Second game scoring at least 50 points
250 yards passing and 210 yards rushing
Capitalized on short fields and drove the length of the field
9 of 17 on 3rd downs and 2 for 3 on 4th downs
Offensive Coordinator of the WeekMatthew Tschetter | Wartburg | 10-6 vs. Central
Central has only been held to 1 score twice in last 20 years
Forced 3 turnovers in first quarter, including Wartburg's only TD on a fumble return
Opponent's lowest offensive output since 2003
Opponent 20% on 3rd downs
Gave up 0 points on two short fields in second half
Allowed 1.2 yards/rush
About Hansen RatingsHansen Ratings is a data-driven system that uses advanced mathematical formulas to evaluate and rank Division III football players and teams. The system considers various metrics, including Total Adjusted Yards per Play (TAYP) and Yards Above Replacement Player per Game (YARP/G), providing a comprehensive look at player efficiency and team performance. Hansen Ratings also recognizes coaches of the year based on overall success, improvement, and surpassing preseason expectations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 26, 2024 • 20min
National Coach of the Week - John Peacock, Head Coach, Venice HS (FL)
Our National Coach of the Week, presented by Modern Football Technology, is John Peacock, Head Coach at Venice High School in Florida. On September 20th, the Indians defeated Cocoa High School 54-51. Max Preps ranked Cocoa 15th in the country, but the win propelled Venice to #19.Coach Peacock enters his 26th year in the Venice teaching and coaching community. His record is 177-43 and includes 17 consecutive play-off appearances, 7 final four appearances, 2 state runner-up finishes, and 2 state championships.Coach Peacock joins us to share insight into how the program is building a legacy in their community.Chapters
Coach of the Week Announcement
Building a Strong Culture
The Importance of Family
Balancing Tough Love and Care
Spotlight on Clint Calhoun
Community and Culture in Venice Football
Winning Edge
It’s not too late use your analytics and Modern Football Technology to help you win games this season. It’s an out of the box solution. Book a demo. Make better decisions in-game with Modern Football Technology.About Modern Football TechnologyBattle-tested, Modern Football’s platform provides real-time self-scout and opponent tendencies while eliminating manual tagging into HUDL, DV Sport, and XOS. Trusted by teams at every level, see how top coaches leverage this platform for in-game decision-making and play-calling success. To book a demo, visit www.teammofo.com/demo. Mention Coach and Coordinator Podcast or use the coupon code CC10 when signing up for a demo to receive 10% off your first year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 26, 2024 • 23min
Champions - Develop Consistency - Casey Dick, Head Coach, Fayetteville High School (AR)
In today's episode of our in-season edition of the Champions Series presented by Signature Championship Rings, we explore the role of consistency in player performance with Casey Dick, the head coach of the Fayetteville High School 2023 state champions. Drawing from his college experiences, Coach Dick discusses the challenges of inconsistency and stresses the necessity of a structured practice schedule to optimize player performance. He shares insights on his daily practice structure and highlights the benefits of maintaining consistency for both players and coaches. Additionally, the coach reveals a unique approach of giving Saturdays off to enhance team performance and overall well-being. Chapters
The Importance of Consistency
Implementing Consistency in Practice
Routine Oriented Meetings and Lifts
The Impact of Routine Changes
Maintaining Consistency Week to Week
Practice Dress Code and Consistency
Ensuring Steady Enthusiasm and Expectations
Consistency for Coaches' Work Week
Sunday Film and Meeting Routine
Winning Edge
Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about 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 www.signaturechampions.com/podcast.The 10% Tool Kit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 24, 2024 • 17min
Defense - Mid Season Practice Adjustments - Jeremy Hawkins, Chris Kappas, and Vince DiGaetano
In this episode, we explore the challenges and strategies around keeping practices fresh and effective during the mid-season grind. Our guests, Georgia State Defensive Line Coach Jeremy Hawkins, Louisville HS (OH) Head Coach Chris Kappas, and Fordham Defensive Assistant Vince DiGaetano, share insights on how they approach practice routines, drills, and maintaining peak performance as the season progresses. We dive into key aspects such as keeping players engaged, refining drills and ensuring that fundamentals are not neglected while adapting to game situations.Key Topics Discussed:Keeping Practices Fresh (Jeremy Hawkins)
Importance of introducing new drills to maintain player engagement.
How to effectively use a "drill menu" and organize practices to prevent stagnation.
Regularly updating and refreshing the "football bible" with new drills and techniques learned from experiences like internships (e.g., Tennessee Titans) or networking with other coaches.
Balancing prescribed drills with flexibility to adjust based on team needs.
Adapting Drills for Continuous Improvement (Chris Kappas)
Focusing on fundamental skills such as tackling, ball security, and blocking, while adding new layers to keep drills fresh.
Combining different skills in drills (e.g., pursuit and block destruction) to challenge players further.
The importance of timing for high-energy drills to set the tone for practice, usually placing them at the beginning when players are fresh.
Mid-Season Self-Scouting and Tactical Adjustments (Vince DiGaetano)
Understanding the value of self-scouting during the mid-season to identify and address weaknesses.
Anticipating opponent adjustments and how they leverage trends to expose gaps in your defense or offense.
Making adjustments based on in-game performance, such as emphasizing takeaways and ball security drills when necessary.
The significance of monitoring contact in practice as the season progresses to avoid injuries and fatigue.
Balancing heavy contact drills with tapering practice intensity towards the end of the season.
Support our Partners - Offers from them in the 10% Tool Kit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 23, 2024 • 22min
Finding Your Identity and Sticking to What Works- Coach McEndoo, Tight Ends & Fullbacks Coach, Oklahoma State
Jason McEndoo, tight ends and fullbacks coach at Oklahoma State, shares his insights on establishing a team's identity and adapting strategies based on player strengths. He emphasizes a 'less is more' philosophy during mid-season, advocating for simplified play-calling and effective practice adjustments to maintain player health. The conversation also covers the importance of collaboration among coaches and evolving offensive strategies, highlighting how teams can successfully navigate mid-season challenges by aligning their approach with core strengths.

Sep 20, 2024 • 49min
D3 Coach and Coordinators of the Week - Ryan Fleetwood - Salisbury, Ryan McElwain - DePauw, Mike Cerasuolo - Springfield
Keith Grabowski and Logan Hanson review standout performances and coaching achievements from the second week of the Division III football season. They feature Salisbury University's Ryan Fleetwood for his high-scoring offense in a 59-38 win over Muhlenberg, DePauw College's Ryan McElwain for a 33-0 shutout against Berry College, and Springfield College's Mike Sarasolo, who emphasizes team culture and brotherhood. The episode highlights the unique spirit of D3 football and the commitment to preparing student-athletes for life beyond the game.Offensive Coordinator of the WeekRyan Fleetwood | Salisbury | 59-38 vs. Muhlenberg
Eleven different offensive players carried/caught the ball
Averaged over 10 yards per rush and 35 yards per completion
648 total yards on 12.0 yards per play
Opponent only allowed 17.5 points/game in 2023
Second straight game with at least 7 TDs and > 600 yards offense
Defensive Coordinator of the WeekRyan McElwain | DePauw | 33-0 vs. Berry
Shutout win against team averaging 53 points per game in last 11 games
Only eight total first downs allowed (2 by penalty)
Less than 75 yards allowed both on the ground and through the air
Allowed 2.2 yards per play
Of 144 yards allowed, 67 came on a single drive
8 three & outs (plus 1 safety in 2 plays)
Head Coach/Coaching Staff of the WeekMike Cerasuolo | Springfield | 76-7 vs. Husson
Over 600 yards offense, 557 yards rushing
Held opponent to 238 yards, 11 first downs, and 25% on 3rd downs
Won turnover battle 3-0
Forced a 3 & out on 8 of 12 drives, while scoring in 3 or fewer plays 6 times
About Hansen RatingsHansen Ratings is a data-driven system that uses advanced mathematical formulas to evaluate and rank Division III football players and teams. The system considers various metrics, including Total Adjusted Yards per Play (TAYP) and Yards Above Replacement Player per Game (YARP/G), providing a comprehensive look at player efficiency and team performance. Hansen Ratings also recognizes coaches of the year based on overall success, improvement, and surpassing preseason expectations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 18, 2024 • 17min
National Coach of the Week - Craig Stump, Atascocita HS (TX)
Our National Coach of the Week presented by Modern Football Technology is Atascocita Head Coach Craig Stump. Atascocita had a big win over #4 ranked Westlake High School (ranked #29 in the nation). That’s following two big wins over Lamar and Katy to start the season.Coach Stump discusses his team's growth since 2015, consistently reaching regional finals and semifinals, and emphasizes the importance of scheduling high-level competition to elevate performance standards. He shares his coaching philosophy that prioritizes accountability, work ethic, and personal responsibility, advocating for a culture of positive reinforcement rather than punishment.Chapters:
Scheduling Tough Competitions
Building Work Ethic and Accountability
The Positive Side of Accountability
Winning Edge
About Modern Football TechnologyBattle-tested, Modern Football’s platform provides real-time self-scout and opponent tendencies while eliminating manual tagging into HUDL, DV Sport, and XOS. Trusted by teams at every level, see how top coaches leverage this platform for in-game decision-making and play-calling success. To book a demo, visit www.teammofo.com/demo. Mention Coach and Coordinator Podcast or use the coupon code CC10 when signing up for a demo to receive 10% off your first year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 17, 2024 • 21min
Champions - Maintaining Focus - Kirk Johnson, Head Coach, Montgomery Catholic HS(AL)
In this episode of the Coach and Coordinator Podcast Champions Season Series presented by Signature Championship RIngs, The head coach of the 2023 Alabama 4A State Champion Montgomery Catholic Knights Kirk Johnson joins us explore the challenges of maintaining player focus in today's world filled with distractions. Coach Johnson emphasizes the importance of building relationships, establishing team purpose, and setting high standards. We look at Montgomery Catholic's team structure, leadership selection, and the significance of creating a safe space for open communication. Kirk shares insights on consistent team talks, player engagement strategies, mental and physical preparation, and opponent analysis based on self-improvement. Chapters
Keeping Players Focused
Midseason Challenges
Off-Field Focus Strategies
Team Talks Structure
Creating Open Environments
Staff Facilitation
Timing of Team Talks
Practice Season Engagement
Physical Adjustments
Opponent Influence on Focus
Keys to Success
Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about 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 www.signaturechampions.com/podcast.The 10% Tool Kit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 16, 2024 • 29min
Preparing for Big Games - Zach Riepma, Offensive Coordinator, Alma College
Chapters
Early Season Big Games
Balancing Urgency and Enjoyment
Developing Depth and Next Man Up
Game Planning for Early Challenges
Keeping It Simple and Effective
Team Identity and Cultural Focus
This episode features a conversation with Zach Reipma, the Offensive Coordinator at Alma College, as we explore the strategic preparation for early season big games. Coach Riepma shares insights on managing a shortened training camp while aiming for success against nationally ranked opponents. He highlights the importance of keeping players grounded amid expectations, building a strong team dynamic, and maintaining a fun practice environment. We discuss the balance between coaching and empowering players, roster management strategies, and the significance of a cohesive game plan. Support our Partners - Offers from them in the 10% Tool Kit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 13, 2024 • 23min
Champions - Reinforce Culture In-Season - Cullen Nelson, Head Coach, Chanhassen HS (MN)
In this episode of our Champion Series presented by Signature Championship Rings, we discuss the role of team culture as we navigate the football season. Colin Nelson, the state 5A Minnesota state champion coach from Chanhassen High School, joins us. He was the 2023 Minnesota Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year Award winner. We explore how to preserve foundational values and build community pride within the program, emphasizing collective responsibility over individual achievements. Coach Nelson shares his 'Earn It' philosophy, which promotes key values like effort and integrity, and highlights systems for recognizing positive contributions among players. Our conversation also examines how language can influence mindset and resilience in young athletes. Cullen Nelson is the first coach from Chanhassen to win the MFCA Coach of the Year Award. Cullen is the fifth Class 5A coach to win the MFCA Coach of the Year Award. In the 2023 season, his Chanhassen Storm had a 13-0 record and won the Class 5A State Championship.Chapters
Culture and Community in Football
Reinforcing Values Throughout the Season
The Power of Resilience in Coaching
Winning Edge
Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about 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 www.signaturechampions.com/podcast.The 10% Tool Kit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices