Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Our guest for this episode is Jim Catanzaro, the head football coach at Lake Forest College. 2023 was Coach Catanzaro's 18th year at the college level, 15 as a head coach. He's also now the Director of Athletics, overseeing the Forester Game Plan, which we talk about in this episode.The Lake Forest defense was number one in the nation in college football in total defense in 2023, allowing only 191.1 yards per game, 5.6 points per game, and on third down, allowing just 18.9% conversions.In this episode, Coach Catanzaro shares what it takes to create those kinds of numbers, both from the player development side on and off the field, as well as how the offense fits into that picture.Show Notes: Defensive Performance Statistics Coach Catanzaro's Background Evolution of Huddling in Football Managing Game Tempo and Time of Possession Importance of Depth and Player Development Impact of Offensive Tempo on Defense Effect of Speed out of the Huddle Considerations for Player Workload and Injuries Off-Field Development Follow Coach Catanzaro on Twitter/X @LFC_FOOTBALL. Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Pro Quick Draw:Pro Quick Draw is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio and PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards, and presentations efficiently. It was a software designed with a coach in mind, providing the tools you need to draw quickly and stay organized.Learn More about Playbook Clinics:Playbook Clinics is a new coaching clinic series, reimagined from the ground up. Playbook organizes a Convening Panel of coaches in the region, asks them what they want to talk about, and who they want to hear from. Check them out at www.playbookclinics.com, get your staff registered, and use the code “Keith” to save $50. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our #1 interview in our Best 11 of 2023 is with Maurice Linguist, head coach at the University of Buffalo.I was so impressed with Coach Linguist when I had the opportunity to connect with him. It wasn’t just the conversation that you will hear, but it was the discussion we had both before and after where his ability to connect with people truly shined through.That skill is such an important part of leadership, and it’s what makes a coach elite at building the relationships that fuel the success of the organization. I know this is one you will enjoy!Show Notes: The changing landscape of college football What it means to take over a program Latest takeover in the history of college football It’s all about getting it done Mindset - begin with the end in mind Key to getting focused and getting started quickly Finding and identifying the right people Why do you do what you do? Relationships are critical One-on-ones with players Cross-over position groups to build as many relationships as possible February is a contact period for us in our locker room If you cannot communicate and connect, you will fail as a leader Learning from PJ Fleck Leadership training is 365 days a year Moving players along to a leadership role Two parts to leadership - the leader and the receiver Doing accountability right Learning what accountability looks like while in the NFL Watching film as a program Complementary football Format of team meeting Related Maurice Linguist Episode:How We Teach and Implement: https://spoti.fi/3XTuZyUFull Maurice Linguist Presentations:Building a Championship Foundation for Sustained Success: https://bit.ly/3YMJ0iTEthics - Building a Man: https:/bit.ly/3IDomfoThank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Pro Quick Draw:Pro Quick Draw is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio and PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards, and presentations efficiently. It was a software designed with a coach in mind, providing the tools you need to draw quickly and stay organized.Learn More about Playbook Clinics:Playbook Clinics is a new coaching clinic series, reimagined from the ground up. Playbook organizes a Convening Panel of coaches in the region, asks them what they want to talk about, and who they want to hear from. Check them out at www.playbookclinics.com, get your staff registered, and use the code “Keith” to save $50. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether I am recording the conversation with Josh Herring or not, our interactions never disappoint. He is both an outstanding student and teacher of the game and can take complex ideas and simplify them in the way he teaches them so that his players can excel in execution.In 2023, Coach Herring moved back to his previous position of QB Coach at Lassiter High School after serving a stint as OC at Jones County High School. In this episode, he shares what he is seeing in the evolution of the passing game.Show Notes: The landscape of defensive football - things you need an answer for Less six-man - more empty protections to strain the defense More seven-man play action or check release to take away dual read Breaking down pressures to formulate a protection plan Have a language that allows quick communication At least two blitz pick-up periods every practice The passing is a total thing and must be worked that way in practice QB needs to have a protection thought process in every passing drill       Drop eight answers 11 and 12 personnel Concepts for drop eight - Floods, Wide Splits, Four Strong Four Strong concepts Spacing concept Winning route side space  Y Cross coaching points Dig or Post Curl with Y Cross Evolution of the Seam Read Starting with “What’s our pressure answer?” Drill setup for the passing game The Book Concept Teaching the “Dodge” route Watch Additional Coach Herring ResourcesThank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Pro Quick Draw:Pro Quick Draw is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio and PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards, and presentations efficiently. It was a software designed with a coach in mind, providing the tools you need to draw quickly and stay organized.Learn More about Playbook Clinics:Playbook Clinics is a new coaching clinic series, reimagined from the ground up. Playbook organizes a Convening Panel of coaches in the region, asks them what they want to talk about, and who they want to hear from. Check them out at www.playbookclinics.com, get your staff registered, and use the code “Keith” to save $50.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tre Lamb was recently named Head Coach at East Tennessee State University. He is currently the youngest head coach in the FCS.What stands out in this episode – #3 of our Best 11 of 2023 – is how organized and detailed Coach Lamb is. In addition to his head coaching duties, he handled all of the offensive coordinator duties at his previous coaching stop at Gardner-Webb.He talked to us about how to be successful in both roles, as well as the 30-60-90-day plan he implemented when he took over at GW. He now is just days into implementing that plan at ETSU. Congratulations to Coach Lamb, and best of luck in your new program.Show Notes: The drive to be a coach came through growing up in a football family Obsession from a young age Learning from good and bad Taking over as a new head coach during Covid and the challenges Selling a vision through Zoom Working to create buy-in from the start with honesty Being relatable but holding players accountable 30-60-90-day plans 30 days - listen 60 days - build up resources 90 days - share the vision of the program Walking the tightrope of being both head coach and offensive coordinator You must spend time with defense and special teams Balancing the responsibilities and demands of the head coach and offensive coordinator The offense - a blend of App State and Tennessee Building off wide zone and play-action pass Sequencing plays Really fast tempo or really slow and really wide splits or condensed sets The thought process on sequencing Getting more specific on game planning Every day is an interview Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Pro Quick Draw:Pro Quick Draw is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio and PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards, and presentations efficiently. It was a software designed with a coach in mind, providing the tools you need to draw quickly and stay organized.Learn More about Playbook Clinics:Playbook Clinics is a new coaching clinic series, reimagined from the ground up. Playbook organizes a Convening Panel of coaches in the region, asks them what they want to talk about, and who they want to hear from. Check them out at www.playbookclinics.com, get your staff registered, and use the code “Keith” to save $50. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can bet that any time that Dub Maddox joins us on the podcast it will be an excellent episode, and that’s certainly true in the #4 episode in our best 11 of 2023.In this episode, he discusses what he learned from studying poker and then applying it to football. This one will definitely leave you thinking about your approach as a play caller, whether that is as the offensive or defensive coordinator.Show Notes: Studying outside of the game Why Poker players? Tacit knowledge Poker strategy Position and Range in Gaming Building a Range Position Map Applying poker to play calling Game day communication Efficiency In workflow Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Pro Quick Draw:Pro Quick Draw is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio and PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards, and presentations efficiently. It was a software designed with a coach in mind, providing the tools you need to draw quickly and stay organized.Learn More about Playbook Clinics:Playbook Clinics is a new coaching clinic series, reimagined from the ground up. Playbook organizes a Convening Panel of coaches in the region, asks them what they want to talk about, and who they want to hear from. Check them out at www.playbookclinics.com, get your staff registered, and use the code “Keith” to save $50. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We continue our best 11 interviews of 2023, and coming in at #5 is our discussion with UTSA defensive line coach Siddiq Haynes. In this episode, we focused on how he takes on the role of mentor and develops the relationship on and off the field with the players he leads.He calls it “mental warfare”, and building those bonds helps him to better reach his players and develop them as elite pass rushers. He also digs into the pass rush plan and how it is developed with the skills of his players in mind.Show Notes:  A passion developed as a child playing the game Sports marketing experience Starting out on the offensive side of the ball for KC Keeler Learning from Phil Longo Development as a defensive line coach with Rodrique Wright The “why” is vital to moving forward in this profession Mental warfare: Dealing with life and teaching how it applies to the field Asking the right question to understand where your players are  Recruiting the whole person You have to be genuine - you can’t just regurgitate things you have heard Understanding the opponent’s identity Collecting data and building the pass rush plan Presenting this plan to the defensive coordinator and the players Empowering the players in the process The filter for simplicity Here’s why we are spending time on QB windows or rush moves etc. The importance of self-scouting Related Siddiq Haynes Episode:Get to Sack City: https://spoti.fi/3yakdtiWatch Coach Haynes' Presentation: https://bit.ly/3ILgZmwThank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Pro Quick Draw:Pro Quick Draw is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio and PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards, and presentations efficiently. It was a software designed with a coach in mind, providing the tools you need to draw quickly and stay organized.Learn More about Playbook Clinics:Playbook Clinics is a new coaching clinic series, reimagined from the ground up. Playbook organizes a Convening Panel of coaches in the region, asks them what they want to talk about, and who they want to hear from. Check them out at www.playbookclinics.com, get your staff registered, and use the code “Keith” to save $50. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As coaches, we have to get our reps just like players do. We study this game in great detail, but we also have to coach and teach it, and we hone ourselves as professionals by actually doing and reflecting on it, and finding where to improve, and that’s something that we discussed in our #6 interview of 2023 with Baylor OLB Coach Caleb Collins.  Coach Collins explains how he did that as an inexperienced coach, and the pointers he gives certainly can help seasoned professionals grow and develop as well.Show Notes: How teaching in the high school classroom helped him to an on-field FBS job Getting reps at coaching your own room Traits desired in an outside linebacker Setting the tone with the Jack Linebacker in the install Setting the edge and rushing the passer Teaching alignment and recognition Using technology to speed up the process and get more reps Stance and start progression Pass rush progression Keys instead of ball key Understanding the set Hand combat Upper body violence instead of hip flip Coaching cues for pass rush Skill toolbox Follow Caleb Collins on Twitter/X @BU_CoachCollins.Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Pro Quick Draw:Pro Quick Draw is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio and PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards, and presentations efficiently. It was a software designed with a coach in mind, providing the tools you need to draw quickly and stay organized.Learn More about Playbook Clinics:Playbook Clinics is a new coaching clinic series, reimagined from the ground up. Playbook organizes a Convening Panel of coaches in the region, asks them what they want to talk about, and who they want to hear from. Check them out at www.playbookclinics.com, get your staff registered, and use the code “Keith” to save $50. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Champions’ episode, we talk with Steve Pyne, the head coach of the Oregon 6A state champion and the #1 ranked team in the state. His Central Catholic Rams just completed a 13-0 season in route to winning the title – Coach Pyne’s fifth at Central Catholic.Coach Pyne has been at the helm of Central Catholic since 2003 and has compiled an overall record of 196-54 (.784). Coach has been honored as the Mount Hood Conference Coach of the Year six times, Oregonian State Coach of the Year two times, and OACA Coach of the Year five times.In this episode, he discusses a different approach to certain areas of what they do, including building their culture, developing fundamentals, and playing time, all of which made a difference in propelling the Rams to multiple state championships.Show Notes: First Things First The “Difference” The Payoff Seen on Game Film Creating a Common Language and Coaching Points The 60-Play “Pitch Count” How Playing More Kids Led to Championships Giving Players the Chance to Succeed or Learn from Failure Creating Depth   Minimum Expectations  Building Culture with Kids First and Winning Second Building Culture within the Staff Three Handshakes, Two Hugs, One Compliment Follow Steve Pyne on Twitter/X @CoachPyne67.Additional Champions Series Episodes:Garrett Mueller, Head Coach, Stewartville High School (MN)Kyle Schmitt, Head Coach, Archbishop Spalding (MD)Follow All We Are Doing:Follow us on Twitter/X @CoachKGrabowski.Sign-up for our weekly newsletter.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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Peck, the offensive coordinator for Burley High School in Idaho, is our #7 interview of 2023. He joined us earlier this year to discuss why and how he and his staff install and coach their offense in a way that leads to better learning and understanding of their system.Going back and identifying the “why” and “how” behind all of what you do on offense, defense, and special teams can pay great dividends as you construct your plans for 2024.Show Notes: Spread the field and attack horizontally and vertically Based out of 10 personnel and empty, but highlight personnel year-to-year Hang your hat on runs and passes for the base offense Two factors that create execution: installation and practice The players understanding of why Install as a year-round activity leading up to the season Front loading for better learning Quarterback school The quarterback should be out on the field teaching it with you  Tools used to teach in the classroom Quizzes and competition Seven-day install format Practice format Early outs: walk through Situational periods in practice Unscripted situations so play callers get work Debrief periods so players understand why and what happened right or wrong Coach learning from the debrief as well Kids don’t come in on weekends Technology to allow coaches more family time Follow Mike Peck on Twitter @CoachPeck11.Download Coach Peck’s 7-Day Install Template.Related Episode:From the Archives – Noel MazzoneThank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Pro Quick Draw:Pro Quick Draw is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio and PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards, and presentations efficiently. It was a software designed with a coach in mind, providing the tools you need to draw quickly and stay organized.Learn More about Playbook Clinics:Playbook Clinics is a new coaching clinic series, reimagined from the ground up. Playbook organizes a Convening Panel of coaches in the region, asks them what they want to talk about, and who they want to hear from. Check them out at www.playbookclinics.com, get your staff registered, and use the code “Keith” to save $50. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we share our next "Best 11" interview of 2023. Our guest is Billy Riebock, the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Midwestern State University, who focuses on the development of our players through utilizing data and technology.Coach Riebock explained how he gets a clear understanding of the offense he needs each year, as well as how he utilizes technology to become a better teacher of his offense and the workflow he puts together to create an expert system.This interview is another one full of useful information as you get ready to start work on your 2024 systems.Show Notes: A framework for preparing every position How a coach’s workflow and process evolve Find people who will mentor you Using data and analytics to come up with a simple plan Understanding how much you need in a game plan A system must handle all situations, or it’s not complete Using numbers to dictate what you can do Preparing and adjusting in spring Identifying and dealing with trends Using free technology to prepare players in the classroom Using interactive quizzes Using Go Army Edge technology to work through and understand concepts A more efficient way to walk through Eliminating uncertainty with an interactive game plan a day ahead of practice Using technology for blitz pick-up with offensive line and running backs How the technology fosters better discussions Stealing time with the technology What the weekly plan with technology looks like Follow Billy Riebock on Twitter @RiebockBilly.Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Pro Quick Draw:Pro Quick Draw is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio and PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards, and presentations efficiently. It was a software designed with a coach in mind, providing the tools you need to draw quickly and stay organized.Learn More about Playbook Clinics:Playbook Clinics is a new coaching clinic series, reimagined from the ground up. Playbook organizes a Convening Panel of coaches in the region, asks them what they want to talk about, and who they want to hear from. Check them out at www.playbookclinics.com, get your staff registered, and use the code “Keith” to save $50. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices