

Coach and Coordinator Podcast
Keith Grabowski
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 20, 2024 • 25min
Adding Value to the Program – Jevaughn Codlin, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach, West Virginia
In this episode, Jevaughn Codlin, graduate assistant/assistant defensive backs coach at West Virginia University, shares how he adds value to the program even though he is in an entry-level position.This episode has great reminders for any coach at any stage of his or her career about adding value to the program. Coach Codlin also provides valuable insight for coaches in entry-level positions looking to build their careers.Show Notes:Relationships in the Building
Creating relationships with the players, building trust
Not only being comfortable with your position group
Everyday is an interview
Recruiting
Being eager to spend time with recruits when they come on campus
Be proactive
Try to learn the little details about recruits in case a coach asks you something about them
When guys come on campus and they ask about you is a sign of doing a good job building real relationships
On-Field Value
Putting ego to the side
No one cares what you know about scheme
Watch and learn
Teach when the opportunity presents itself to teach
In the offseason, work on how you deliver your message
Find ways kids can learn as easy as possible
As you add more value, you receive more responsibility
Follow Coach Codlin on Twitter @_CoachCod.Coaches Mentioned in This Episode:
Shadon Brown
Van Malone
Myersz Hendrickson
Follow All We Are Doing:Follow us on Twitter/X @CoachKGrabowski.Sign-up for our weekly newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 19, 2024 • 34min
The Evolution of Run Fits – Kyle Cogan, Safeties Coach, Benedictine College
Exploring the evolution of defensive strategies in football due to Run-Pass Options (RPOs). Emphasis on covering receivers over fitting the run, limiting explosive plays, and controlling the game's tempo. Insights on matchups, numbers, leveraging, and adapting defensive tactics to modern trends.

Feb 14, 2024 • 17min
Culture OS, Episode 1: The Series Kickoff with Rob Pomazak
We are excited to kickoff our new series "Culture OS" with our guest host Rob Pomazak, Head Coach at St. Charles North High School in Illinois.Coach Pomazak has been a guest on the podcast multiple times, and we always enjoy his insight into building a program by design. In this series, he will interview coaches from all levels to gain insight into how they build the operating system that runs the culture of their programs.Coach Pomazak has outlined the mission, vision, and purpose for this series:Mission: Deliver helpful content for coaches in all phases of their journey. Vision: Help as many coaches as possible to develop their program systems. Purpose: Provide service to the profession.Whether you are new to the head coaching seat, a seasoned veteran head coach, an aspiring head coach, or just an assistant looking to be the best assistant you can be, this series is full of insight into how successful coaches build their Culture OS.Thank you for supporting our partners: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

Feb 13, 2024 • 19min
Clinic Series: Offseason S&C Field Work, Scott Leech, S&C Coach, University of Rhode Island
As we hit mid-February and start to see a little more sun and milder weather, utilizing field work in our strength and conditioning program begins to prepare our team to get back onto the field and develop some general skills that will translate on the field.Scott Leech is the Strength & Conditioning Coach at Rhode Island. In his presentation from the 2023 Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic, he shared his philosophy and approach to utilizing field work to prepare his team.In this segment, he explains why it’s important to incorporate this type of work into your offseason program and how it works with the skill of acceleration, which he feels can only be developed in this type of work.This entire presentation is available as part of the 2023 Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic Premium Pass right now. The pass gives you your ticket to the 2024 clinic and a year of replays, plus access to all the 2023 presentations right up to the kickoff of this year's clinic on February 29. Get your pass, or bring your whole staff and save.Secure Your 2024 Lauren's First and Goal Passes:2024 Lauren’s First and Goal Premium Access2024 Lauren’s First and Goal Premium Staff AccessThank you for supporting our partners: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

Feb 12, 2024 • 10min
Coaching Vocal Leadership
In this episode, host Keith Grabowski gives three simple ways you can teach your team members to be vocal leaders. This focus on vocal leadership will increase energy, build trust, and push team members to be unselfish and invest in others.Be sure to attend the D3 Top 25 Virtual Clinic presented by Coach and Coordinator:https://d3football.coachesclinic.com/Thank you for supporting our partners: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

Feb 8, 2024 • 14min
The Leadership Ladder
From the archives, we revisit The Leadership Ladder, first presented at a clinic by Gregg Brandon, then the head coach at Bowling Green State University, most recently the head coach at the Colorado School of Mines. It simplifies the levels of leadership and is a helpful tool for your team in the offseason.Show Notes:
Learning from Gregg Brandon
A Tool to Share with Players
Starting with a Coach-Driven Offseason
Overview of the Five Levels
Level One: Seniority
Level Two: Selfish
Level Three: Unselfish
Level Four: Self-Sacrifice
Level Five: High Investment in Others
The Offseason Starts with More of an Individual Focus and More Coach-Driven
Coaches Need to Model Positive Leadership
Utilize the Leadership Ladder to Have Conversations with Players
Positive Individuals and How to Deal with Those Who Are Not Aligned
Transition to Player-Driven by Creating Opportunities
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 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

4 snips
Feb 7, 2024 • 20min
Clinic Series: Are You Practicing Tackling Enough? – Vince DiGaetano, Fordham University
Vince DiGaetano, assistant coach at Fordham University, shares his deep knowledge of tackling systems and player development. He breaks down the evolution of tackling techniques in light of safety regulations, emphasizing the importance of psychological readiness. DiGaetano outlines a comprehensive tackling system that integrates trust, technique, and cognitive processing. He highlights key drills and concepts like 'seek, strike, and strain,' and stresses the need for players to maintain focus in high-pressure situations while balancing skill development with safety.

Feb 5, 2024 • 46min
Coordinator of the Year Shares Keys to Offensive Success – Caleb Corrill, OC, Mount St. Joseph University
Caleb Corrill is the offensive coordinator at Mount St. Joseph University. He’s entering his seventh season as OC after serving as the Mount quarterbacks coach from 2015 to 2016.In Corrill's six seasons as the offensive coordinator, the Lions have averaged 41.45 points per game and just over 460 yards per contest. The offense has shattered the record books at the Mount.The Lions under Corrill boasted one of the nation's top offensive units in 2023. They finished third in total offense, averaging 552.5 yards per game, and second in scoring offense, averaging 55.4 points per game, both of which were new MSJ records.Offensively, they were as balanced as any team in the country, finishing ninth nationally in passing offense (324.9 ypg) and 17th in rushing offense (227.5 ypg). Under the tutelage of Corrill, MSJ quarterback Josh Taylor finished as the nation's leader in passing touchdowns (46) and was a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy.Coach Corrill's unit has been a big reason for the Lions' recent run of success, including a 19-3 record, back-to-back HCAC Titles, and back-to-back playoff appearances over the past two seasons. Coach Corrill was recognized by Hansen Ratings as the 2023 Offensive Coordinator of the Year for his efforts.In this episode, Coach Corrill digs into his approach to learning and evolving as a coach, teaching and building relationships, and some of the components that make the Lions' offense one of the best in the country, including their option routes, the RPO, and condensed sets.Show Notes:
Philosophy of Learning
Methods for Organizing Your Learning
Being a Great Teacher of the Game
Building Relationships
Features Important to Their Offense
Post-Snap Route Adjustments
Indicators on "Choice" Routes
Structures Around Option Routes
RAM Reads
The Role and Utilization of the RPO
Protect Numbers at the POA
Choice Concept
Condensed Set Advantages
Sustaining Success
Follow Caleb Corrill on Twitter/X @CalebCorrill.Coaches Mentioned in This Episode:
Jim Tressel
Josh Herring
Dan Gonzalez
Elliot Wratten
Jason Phillips
Brent Dearmon
Joe Moorhead
Andrew Coverdale
Joe Gerbino
Nick Davis
To register for the D3 Top 25 Clinic, visit https://d3football.coachesclinic.com.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 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

Feb 2, 2024 • 37min
More Than Football – Bill George, Retired Head Coach, US Coast Guard Academy
How do you best serve the school or institution you are at? How does serving create a synergistic effect with buy-in? What can we do to create more leaders? How do we find a better balance in this profession?Those are all questions we dive into with Bill George, retired head coach of the US Coast Guard Academy.Coach George spent 21 seasons as the head football coach at the US Coast Guard Academy, where he used football as a vehicle to help build leaders. He recently wrote a book titled Home Fields: Coast Guard Academy Football Coach Recounts the Unfulfilled Lives of World War II. In this episode, Coach George digs into a number of topics from his book, the importance of understanding the people being served, and how to mold more and better leaders.Show Notes:
Key to Longevity
Understanding the People Being Served
What Are the Goals of These People?
Football Is a Vehicle
Always Taking a Positive Approach
Setting and Keeping the Bar High
Give People More Leadership Roles
Synergistic Effect on Buy-In
Making Players Communicate In-Person
Main Idea Behind Home Fields
Ideas on a Better Way for Sundays and Mondays
Balance in the Coaching Profession
More more information on Home Fields, visit https://homefieldsbook.com.To register for the D3 Top 25 Clinic, visit https://d3football.coachesclinic.com.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 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

Jan 31, 2024 • 37min
Creating TFLs and Their Effect on the Offense – Cody Baethke, Defensive Coordinator, Coe College
As a defensive coordinator, Cody Baethke's success at Coe College is a testament to his dedication to crafting a well-rounded and effective defensive strategy. For his efforts, he was recognized by Hansen Ratings as the #4 Defensive Coordinator of the Year for 2023, and the DCOY in his region.In this episode, Coach Baethke shares insights into his coaching philosophy and approach to building a successful defense, which includes placing value on creating TFLs. He emphasizes the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and continuous learning as key elements in his defensive strategy.Show Notes:
Background and Coaching Philosophy
Core Beliefs on Defense
Simplifying Defensive Techniques
Creating Havoc with Stand-Up Defensive Lineman
Attributes of the Hybrid Defensive Player
Philosophy Behind Creating Tackles for Loss
Importance of Tackles for Loss on Defense
Training Linebackers for Tracking and Tackling
Techniques for Cloud Coverage and Inserting Safeties
Follow Cody Baethke on Twitter/X @CodyBaethke.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 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


