Coach and Coordinator Podcast

A strong start to the season is directly correlated to player buy-in. It requires more than telling players they need to own things. Coaches must create environments where players have opportunities to take ownership of the team, offense, and defense.In this episode, Mike Elder, Tyler Roehl, and Todd Drury provide ideas with examples of the little things we can do to create the buy-in needed to get the season started off with a strong foundation with players and coaches aligned in the culture.Focusing on specific behaviors and building them into your team, unit, and position group sets everyone up for success within a player-led culture.Today’s Coaches: Mike Elder is the head coach at Avon High School (OH). Tyler Roehl is the offensive coordinator at North Dakota State University. Todd Drury is the defensive coordinator at Western Illinois University. Show Notes: Be Great at Things That Require No Effort End Everything with a Kick Competitive Excellence Mental Reps and Coaching Everyone Learning from Larry Kehres The Brotherhood Player Ownership Through Communication Everyone Is in Alignment Player Autonomy to Create Ownership Players Have Ownership in Coaching Examples of Players Taking Ownership Bringing Ideas to the Coaches Begin with the End in Mind Play the Game the Right Way Prepare Players for What They Will See Most Coach the Fundamentals Situational Preparation Related Episodes:Mike Elder: The Importance of the High School Coach in Building a K-12 Football Program Tyler Roehl: Utilizing the TE and FB in the Pro-Style OffenseTodd Drury: A Unique Practice Period for More Reps for the DefenseAdditional Resource:Tyler Roehl: Developing Fullbacks and Tight EndsThank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about The Headset App:The Headset App completely changes the communication market for coaches. While traditional headset systems are expensive, as well as a pain to transport and set up, The Headset App setup is ridiculously simple at a fraction of the cost. Download The Headset App today in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we focus on things coaches can do to ensure a positive start to the season and remain aligned with the culture we have worked on all year long and through camp.Going back and revisiting those things before the week one kickoff brings attention back to what has brought us to this point, as well as reinforces the beliefs and behaviors that will take us through the long season. It’s also an opportunity to build football IQ through dress rehearsals and to get the pulse of the team by establishing open lines of communication so that when any issues arise, there’s trust to work together to solve problems.Doing these things puts your team on solid footing as the adversity that impacts every team in some way is about to hit as it always does when the ball is kicked off.Today’s Coaches: Pete Shinnick is the head coach at Towson University. Coach Shinnick has a 159-67 record as a college head coach, spanning 20 seasons with stops at West Florida, UNC Pembroke, Azusa Pacific, and now Towson. He has twice been recognized as the Division II National Coach of the Year and won the 2019 D2 National Championship. Scotty Walden is the head coach at Austin Peay University. Coach Walden believes in revisiting all cultural beliefs and behaviors before his team kicks off for the first time. He explains the dress rehearsal that ensures everyone in their program – coaches, players, and support staff – knows exactly what to do and where to be on game day. Loren Johnson is the head coach and five-time state champion at Highland Springs High School (VA). Coach Johnson explains the importance of sitting down with the leaders of the team to have open discussions outside of the football setting and how they bring the whole team together to discuss how they need to do things and communicate throughout the season. Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about The Headset App:The Headset App completely changes the communication market for coaches. While traditional headset systems are expensive, as well as a pain to transport and set up, The Headset App setup is ridiculously simple at a fraction of the cost. Download The Headset App today in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The early weeks of the season present varying levels of challenges depending on how your schedule is set up. Regardless of opponent, having clear objectives for your offense as well as a sound thought process for what goes into those early season game plans is important to getting your offense started off on the right foot. You want to have a package built around what your players do best as well as having enough answers to handle all you will face from opposing defenses.In this episode, three coaches take a look at setting goals as well as paring down your whole camp install to something that will be most efficient and effective on game day.Today’s Coaches: Josh Herring is the quarterbacks coach at Lassiter High School (GA). Kyle Ohradzansky is the offensive coordinator at the University of Findlay. Jay Wilkinson is the offensive coordinator at Fayetteville High School (AR). Show Notes: Goals for the Offense Study Your Historical Data 28 Points Per Game Defining the Explosives Goal Start with a Big Install Narrow It Down to What Your Players Do Best Deciding What Stays and What Goes Determining What Makes Early Season Game Plans 4-Day, First-Week Game Plan Install Building Identity in the Early Season Related Episodes: Jay Wilkinson in The Passing Lab The Entire Passing Lab Series with Josh Herring Kyle Ohradzansky: Quarterback Preparation Additional Resources: Josh Herring Jay Wilkinson: Attacking Coverages with the Passing Game Kyle Ohradzansky: Coordinating an Offense Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about The Headset App:The Headset App completely changes the communication market for coaches. While traditional headset systems are expensive, as well as a pain to transport and set up, The Headset App setup is ridiculously simple at a fraction of the cost. Download The Headset App today in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Tommy Zagorski talks about the importance of establishing an identity early in the season, playing complementary football in all phases, and simulating situations in practice.Tommy Zagorski was named the head coach at Otterbein University in 2023. He holds a wealth of experience from multiple levels of football, most recently spending the 2022 season at Gilmour Academy in Ohio following a notable career in the college ranks. The Lancers played to a 9-2 record.Coach Zagorski began his career at John Carroll University for eight seasons, beginning as a graduate assistant and finishing as the offensive coordinator. In their last two seasons, JCU went a combined 20-4. He teamed with head coach Tom Arth (now with the Los Angeles Chargers) and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley (now head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers) to reach the NCAA Division III Playoffs both seasons.Zagorski then made a jump to the Division I ranks in 2015, joining Butch Jones' staff at the University of Tennessee as an offensive quality control coach. He then transitioned to Eastern Kentucky University (2016-18) and served in roles as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and tight ends coach. Zagorski moved back to reunite with Tom Arth at the University of Akron (2018-21), coaching the offensive line before assuming OC responsibilities once again.Show Notes: Using Spring Football Evaluation Heading into the Season Filter for What Gets into the Early Season Game Plan Establish an Identity Early On Don’t Over Plan Complementary Football Simulating Situations in Practice Great Clips Check Out Our Entire Catalog for The Season.Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Modern Football:Modern Football predicts your opponent’s next move. Some of the most elite coaches in the game leverage this new platform for in-game decision making and play-calling success. Visit teammofo.com today to start dominating your opponents with a tool for detailed analysis that simply works and delivers value.Learn More about The Headset App:The Headset App completely changes the communication market for coaches. While traditional headset systems are expensive, as well as a pain to transport and set up, The Headset App setup is ridiculously simple at a fraction of the cost. Download The Headset App today in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As camp wraps up, everything has been installed, and it’s now about refining the schemes and techniques, as well as focusing on the details.Coaches cover so many things in camp. While we might feel that we have not given enough attention to everything, remember that your opponents are in the same situation. What’s important is staying focused on improving your players' fundamentals within the schemes you have installed. The cumulative effect of reps will start to take hold as you progress through the early part of the season, and you will start to see your players hitting a rhythm as you roll into mid-season.In this episode, three coaches share their thoughts on the transition from camp into the season. They dig into the things that are most important to them as they make final decisions on the schemes and personnel that give them the best opportunity to win in week one.Today’s Coaches: Deonte Gibson is the run game coordinator and defensive line coach at Youngstown State University. Steven Ciocci is the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Bryant University Jeremy Hawkins is the run game coordinator and defensive line coach at Eastern Kentucky University. Show Notes: Focusing on Refining Technique Watching Individual Film Being Prescriptive with Drills What Personnel Is Working Best What Have We Repped Most What Plays Are Working Best Focusing on the Details Coaching as a Mentor Helping Players Be Vocal in Coaching Each Other Turning Vocal Leadership Over to the Players Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Modern Football:Modern Football predicts your opponent’s next move. Some of the most elite coaches in the game leverage this new platform for in-game decision making and play-calling success. Visit teammofo.com today to start dominating your opponents with a tool for detailed analysis that simply works and delivers value.Learn More about The Headset App:The Headset App completely changes the communication market for coaches. While traditional headset systems are expensive, as well as a pain to transport and set up, The Headset App setup is ridiculously simple at a fraction of the cost. Download The Headset App today in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The end of camp brings a new approach to the day and week. Schedules adjust with classes starting, and the new routine and rhythm of game week begins.It’s time to cover all the details of game operations, everything from where people stand on the field to how you meet at halftime. Do not take the little things for granted. It’s also important to communicate with players as depth charts and playing opportunities become set, at least for week one.In this episode, Morgan Scalley and Jonathan Himebauch point out the details coaches need to think about while making the transition from camp to week 1.Today’s Coaches: Morgan Scalley is the defensive coordinator at Utah. Jonathan Himebauch is the offensive line coach of the XFL Champion Arlington Renegades. Show Notes: Dealing with the First Day of School Installing Game Day Procedures Plan for Everything That Happens on Game Day Be Deliberate with Communication on the Depth Chart Adjusting Practices and Changing the Focus Additional Episode Featuring Coach Himebauch:The Mushroom Society: 5 as OneThank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Modern Football:Modern Football predicts your opponent’s next move. Some of the most elite coaches in the game leverage this new platform for in-game decision making and play-calling success. Visit teammofo.com today to start dominating your opponents with a tool for detailed analysis that simply works and delivers value.Learn More about The Headset App:The Headset App completely changes the communication market for coaches. While traditional headset systems are expensive, as well as a pain to transport and set up, The Headset App setup is ridiculously simple at a fraction of the cost. Download The Headset App today in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our great game, on-field success hinges on a delicate balance between rigorous practice and adequate recovery. The significance of managing the proper amount of work in practice cannot be overstated. It directly influences players' readiness for optimal performance on game day. Striking this equilibrium is essential to ensure players are primed both physically and mentally to face the challenges of game day.In this episode, Kirk Fridrich, head coach of Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, details how he winds down camp to prepare for week one, as well as how he sets the Redhawks' practice weeks up for the season. These practice formats have resulted in Union High School winning over 200 games and five state championships under Coach Fridrich.Show Notes: Cover as Much as You Can  Be as Fresh as You Can Be on Game Day Dr. Erik Korem  Ramp Up Reps to Game-Like Drives No Sweat Wednesday/Thursday and Sprint-Through Thursday/Fast Friday Benefits of This Format Recommendations for Wednesday and Thursday Additional Kirk Fridrich Episode:Coaching Up External StakeholdersRelated Episodes:Practice Scripting to Get Ready for Week 1Avoid the First Game ConundrumCheck Out Our Entire Catalog for The Season.Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Modern Football:Modern Football predicts your opponent’s next move. Some of the most elite coaches in the game leverage this new platform for in-game decision making and play-calling success. Visit teammofo.com today to start dominating your opponents with a tool for detailed analysis that simply works and delivers value.Learn More about The Headset App:The Headset App completely changes the communication market for coaches. While traditional headset systems are expensive, as well as a pain to transport and set up, The Headset App setup is ridiculously simple at a fraction of the cost. Download The Headset App today in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Season, host Keith Grabowski goes into his coaching notebook to talk about practicing special teams, specifically running an entire scrimmage around third down offense/defense and the kicking game.This rarely used practice script demonstrates the importance of special teams and how to rep specific situations the team may see in the game. Coach Grabowski implemented the kicking scrimmage format, the idea for which he first heard from the late Wally Hood, at the high school and college levels.The Script:The kicking scrimmage begins with a kickoff. While offense and defense can be completely eliminated, you can use the kicking scrimmage to work third down situations. Start with the following number of repetitions in each third down situation:3rd & 1 (2); 3rd & 2 (2); 3rd & 3 (4); 3rd & 4 (4); 3rd & 5 (2); 3rd & 6 (6); 3rd & 7 (4); 3rd & 8 (4); 3rd & 12 (2); 3rd & 15 (2)Mix up the order as follows:3rd & 1; 3rd & 15; 3rd & 2; 3rd & 12; 3rd & 3; 3rd & 8; 3rd & 3; 3rd & 8; 3rd & 4; 3rd & 7; 3rd & 5; 3rd & 7; 3rd & 5; 3rd & 6; 3rd & 6; 3rd & 6Each team attempts to move the ball down the field with one offensive play. If the offense converts, then it moves to the next third down on the script. However, if the next offensive play results in another first down, the down becomes fourth and ten and part of the kicking game must be executed. Again, the emphasis is on the kicking game, so we do not want the offense on the field for more than two plays in a row.Show Notes: Origins of the Kicking Scrimmage Setting Up the Scrimmage Choosing Teams Using a Draft Format Preparing for the Scrimmage with Specific Units Getting Players to Buy In with an Evaluation Process Making the Scrimmage a Fun Event for the Community Evolving the Format to Include More Third Down Plays Putting the Emphasis on Third Down Execution Utilizing a Halftime in the Scrimmage Practicing Fair Catch, Free Kick, and Taking a Safety Thank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Modern Football:Modern Football predicts your opponent’s next move. Some of the most elite coaches in the game leverage this new platform for in-game decision making and play-calling success. Visit teammofo.com today to start dominating your opponents with a tool for detailed analysis that simply works and delivers value.Learn More about The Headset App:The Headset App completely changes the communication market for coaches. While traditional headset systems are expensive, as well as a pain to transport and set up, The Headset App setup is ridiculously simple at a fraction of the cost. Download The Headset App today in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When camp starts, we immediately dive into getting our starters ready for the week one kickoff that is right around the corner. Certainly, that is the main objective. We want our team ready to win.However, we are also playing the long game as coaches. Most of our guys fall into the developmental category, especially the youngest players in our program.In this episode, two coaches explain how they prioritize those young players, motivate them by building activities around them, and include the older players in the development.Today’s Coaches: Loren Johnson is the head coach of Highland Springs High School in Virginia. Coach Johnson has led Highland Springs to 110 wins and five state titles in the last nine seasons, including winning the 2022 state championship. Jordan Hogan is the receivers coach at Colgate. Prior to Colgate, Coach Hogan served two years with the Arizona Cardinals in the Bill Bidwill Coaching Fellowship. He’s also made stops at Cornell, Stonehill College, and Buffalo State. Additional Episodes Featuring Coach Hogan:Teachable MomentsQB and WR Timing and Evolving as a CoachRelated Resource:Simple Drills for WR IndyThank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Modern Football:Modern Football predicts your opponent’s next move. Some of the most elite coaches in the game leverage this new platform for in-game decision making and play-calling success. Visit teammofo.com today to start dominating your opponents with a tool for detailed analysis that simply works and delivers value.Learn More about The Headset App:The Headset App completely changes the communication market for coaches. While traditional headset systems are expensive, as well as a pain to transport and set up, The Headset App setup is ridiculously simple at a fraction of the cost. Download The Headset App today in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our last episode, we focused on the physical ways we can keep energy and enthusiasm going as we hit the midpoint of camp. In this episode, we shift to how we maintain the mental engagement of our players.There will come a point when our players have been through the install and need more engagement than just repping the scheme and technique against a base front. They need to apply what they have learned to a variety of situations like they will have to in the game. Scheme and technique can develop simultaneously to ensure our players are able to play fast on game day.Today’s guests discuss how they work to keep players mentally sharp and progressing over the obstacle of hitting a mental lull as they work through camp.Today’s Coaches: Todd Drury is the defensive coordinator at Western Illinois. He shares the ways in which he engages players in meetings, as well as how he keeps their minds sharp by watching situations from NFL preseason games or from their own past film. Kyle Segler is the offensive line coach at Louisiana-Monroe. He talks about speeding up the hamster wheel. It’s an analogy he uses to keep feeding his players the mental side of the game so that their processes on the field accelerate. Additional Episodes:Todd Drury: A Unique Practice Period for More RepsKyle Segler: Navigating a Coaching TransitionRelated Resources from Kyle Segler:TE Utilization in Multiple-Set OffenseDevelopment of TE’s in Modern College FootballThank you for supporting our partners:Learn More about Modern Football:Modern Football predicts your opponent’s next move. Some of the most elite coaches in the game leverage this new platform for in-game decision making and play-calling success. Visit teammofo.com today to start dominating your opponents with a tool for detailed analysis that simply works and delivers value.Learn More about The Headset App:The Headset App completely changes the communication market for coaches. While traditional headset systems are expensive, as well as a pain to transport and set up, The Headset App setup is ridiculously simple at a fraction of the cost. Download The Headset App today in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices