

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

Jun 15, 2023 • 41min
Accelerate Everything – Will Hewlett, Quarterback Trainer and High School QB Coach
Will Hewlett joins guest host Dub Maddox for the next episode in our Accelerate Everything series.Having trained more than 60 Division 1 quarterbacks in the past several years, QB coach Will Hewlett has quickly become one of the country’s most sought-after experts on the position. Hewlett is known for his focus on elite-level passing mechanics, helping quarterbacks improve the speed of release, accuracy, and performance under pressure.Hewlett has been a lead coach at QB Collective events for years, presenting on numerous subjects covering arm health and throwing mechanics. He is also one of the co-directors of coaching and development for QBC. Hewlett takes the most pride in mentoring multiple quarterbacks and coaches for 15+ years in the private coaching sector.Show Notes:
Evolution of Coaching the QB
Common Mistakes
Team QB Coach vs QB Trainer
Shifts That Came with Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes
Working with a Private Coach
Moving into On-Field Coaching
Mistakes in Training
Working with College and NFL Coaches
Use of Drill Time
Pitch Count/Reps
QB Arm Maintenance
Follow Will Hewlett on Twitter @WillHewlett.Additional Will Hewlett Episodes:Creativity in QB Play:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4wjST1ekNkakSZEez3PqnfTraining Skill:https://open.spotify.com/episode/40oBvx5Qs2HDjA9JEbacT8Decisions, Distractions, and Pressure for Quarterbacks:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pfhv6RQWiDSkwPrr4N3W9Follow Dub Maddox on Twitter @CoachDubMaddox.Check out Dub Maddox’s R4 System:R4footballsystem.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 14, 2023 • 34min
The Passing Lab – Part 2 with Andrew Coverdale, Offensive Coordinator, St. Xavier High School (OH)
In this episode, part two of a two-part episode of the Passing Lab Series, Andrew Coverdale again joins guest host Josh Herring to discuss a number of topics, including bunch, GI’s, compressing sets, empty, spray releases, and more.Andrew Coverdale is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Before joining the Bombers staff, Coach Coverdale had a successful run as offensive coordinator with Trinity High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He has also served as a head coach and anchored coaching staffs at multiple schools.In sum, Coach Coverdale is a 12x state champion in his illustrious career. He is a true student of the game and a teacher of its nuances.Listen to part one of our interview with Andrew Coverdale at https://rb.gy/gimj8.Show Notes:
Bunch
Duo as a Run: Need to Build Bunch into the Offense
GI’s: Gather Information
Limit the Defense’s Inventory
Have a Way to Compress Your Five Best Routes
Intriguing Ideas
Tempo of Motions
Escort Motion
Seeing the Evolution of a Play Caller Over a Season
Discussion on Empty and Protection
Empty Is an Info Gatherer
Passing Is Really About the Protection Piece
Use Fast Motion to Try to Distract a Defender You Are Trying to Control
Spray Release and Speed Out
Follow Andrew Coverdale on Twitter @AndrewCoverdale.Andrew Coverdale on CoachTube:https://coachtube.com/course/football/boundary-pass-concepts-andrew-coverdale/11817144?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763Josh Herring also has a tremendous library of resources available on CoachTube:https://coachtube.com/users/joshherring?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 13, 2023 • 30min
The Passing Lab – Part 1 with Andrew Coverdale, Offensive Coordinator, St. Xavier High School (OH)
In this episode, part one of a two-part episode of the Passing Lab Series, Andrew Coverdale joins guest host Josh Herring to discuss a number of topics, including bunch, splits, ball off the hash calls, spacing, hank, and more.Andrew Coverdale is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Before joining the Bombers staff, Coach Coverdale had a successful run as offensive coordinator with Trinity High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He has also served as a head coach and anchored coaching staffs at multiple schools.In sum, Coach Coverdale is a 12x state champion in his illustrious career. He is a true student of the game and a teacher of its nuances.Show Notes:
The Reality Behind the Bunch Book
The Impact of Splits at the High School Level
Slant-Arrow as a Case Study
The Issue with Explosive Plays
Influence of Bob Beatty
Hash study: Ball Not on the Hash 31%
Impact on Opening Thoughts
Spacing and Hank
Learning from Scott Loefler
The Second Layer of Rhythm
Shanahan Stucco
Follow Andrew Coverdale on Twitter @AndrewCoverdale.Andrew Coverdale on CoachTube:https://coachtube.com/course/football/boundary-pass-concepts-andrew-coverdale/11817144?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763Listen to part two of our interview with Andrew Coverdale at https://rb.gy/v5fws.Josh Herring also has a tremendous library of resources available on CoachTube:https://coachtube.com/users/joshherring?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 12, 2023 • 16min
The Art of Creating Turnovers: It's More Than Just a Practice Circuit – Scott Shafer, Defensive Coordinator, MTSU
As coaches, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our team's performance on the field. One of the most crucial aspects of a successful football team is the ability to force turnovers and hold onto the ball.If you are thinking, “we do these drills”, STOP!In this clinic talk from Lauren’s First and Goal, Scott Shafer, MTSU Defensive Coordinator, shares the techniques and drills that can help turn your athletes into turnover-producing machines, creating a culture of success that starts and ends with the players themselves.The coaching points and philosophies shared by Coach Shafer will help you improve in this area. MTSU has been one of the best teams in the country at creating turnovers under Coach Shafer’s leadership. It’s a skill that can be developed through hard work, dedication, and the right mindset.Show Notes:
Philosophy on Takeaways
Creating a Takeaway Culture
War of Intimidation
Circuit Drills
Follow Scott Shafer on Twitter @Coach_Shafer.Watch Coach Shafer's Entire Clinic Talk and Support Lauren's First and Goal:https://coachtube.com/course/football/scott-shafer-middle-tennessee-state-forcing-turnovers/19013347?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 9, 2023 • 39min
4 C’s of Coaching and Establishing a Plan - Chris Ash, Defensive Backs Coach, Las Vegas Raiders
Today’s guest on the Coach and Coordinator podcast is Chris Ash. He’s currently the defensive backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders. When we talked to him on the podcast he was the head coach at Rutgers and had just completed his second season as the Scarlet Knights’ head coach.We were excited as he was the first Big 10 coach to appear on the podcast. Before coming to Rutgers, Ash served as defensive coordinator at Wisconsin and Ohio State and was part of the staff on the Buckeyes’ 2014 College Football Playoff championship team. Ash and host Keith Grabowski talks about culture, building a staff, recruiting, and more.Show Notes:
How Ash’s career trajectory brought him to the Big 10 coaching ranks
What Ash had to learn along the way
Some of the big names in football who have influenced Ash
The importance of culture within a program
How Ash has built the culture, and where the Scarlet Knights stand in their three-year plan
How Ash built the Rutgers defense based on his past experience as a defensive coach
Recruiting at Rutgers
Ash’s system for evaluating players
The formula for building a coaching staff upon taking the Rutgers job
How Jerry Kill helped Ash during his time at Rutgers
How Nunzio Campanile has helped the coaching staff
The winning edge
Coach Ash has a resource available on CoachTube through THSCA:https://coachtube.com/course/football/chris-ash-tackling-situations/12398861?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 8, 2023 • 40min
Accelerate Everything - JT O'Sullivan, Former NFL QB, Creator of The QB School
John Thomas "JT" O'Sullivan is a former professional quarterback. Known for his strong arm, athleticism, and football intelligence, O'Sullivan made a name for himself in both the college and professional ranks.O'Sullivan's football journey began at the University of California, Davis, where he showcased his skills as the starting quarterback. During his college career, he set numerous school records and was recognized as an All-American in 2001. His outstanding performance at UC Davis caught the attention of scouts and earned him an opportunity to pursue his dream in the NFL.In 2002, O'Sullivan entered the NFL Draft and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round. Over the course of his professional career, O'Sullivan played for multiple teams, including the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, and Oakland Raiders.Despite experiencing a journeyman career, O'Sullivan's talent and determination never wavered. It was during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers in 2008 that he had the opportunity to showcase his skills as a starting quarterback. During that season, he displayed his versatility and pocket presence, accumulating over 2,000 passing yards and 11 touchdowns.O'Sullivan's time in the NFL provided him with valuable experience and allowed him to learn from some of the league's brightest football minds. Throughout his career, he had the privilege of working alongside respected coaches and mentors who helped shape his understanding of the game.After retiring from professional football, O'Sullivan embarked on a coaching career. He became a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, utilizing his extensive knowledge and experience to mentor young quarterbacks at various levels. His passion for the game and dedication to helping others reach their full potential have made him a respected figure in the coaching community.In addition to his coaching endeavors, O'Sullivan has also become an influential analyst and commentator, providing insightful breakdowns of the game on various media platforms. His ability to articulate complex football concepts and share his unique perspective has made him a sought-after voice in the world of sports analysis.Off the field, O'Sullivan is known for his commitment to philanthropy and giving back to the community. He has actively supported charitable organizations, particularly those focused on promoting youth development and education.JT O'Sullivan's journey in football has been one defined by perseverance, adaptability, and a deep love for the game. From his college success to his NFL career, coaching ventures, and media presence, he has left a lasting impact on the sport he holds dear. His legacy serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and coaches, reminding them of the value of hard work, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.He joins the host of the “Accelerate Everything” Series to share what he’s learned and how it can be applied to the coaching profession.Show Notes:
Mike McCarthy’s QB School
What an elite QB room is like
Learning the information/Jake Delhomme’s system
Looking back on handling pressure and making your own approach to the game
Developing your own ideas
Favorite QB/Coaches to watch
Play calling - players not plays
Layering a game plan
Pass protection - give the QB the answers and tools
Least favorite passing concept
Winning Edge
Check out Dub Maddox’s R4 System:https://www.r4footballsystem.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 7, 2023 • 22min
Create a Blueprint for Your Program with a Position Criteria Manual
This is one I shared years ago from our archives, but I believe that it is a tool that can help everyone in your program.By focusing on identifying the traits and abilities needed for each position on your team, as well as creating a tailored plan to help players reach their physical peak, a clear picture is created for the players and coaches, as for the parents in high school, junior high, and youth teams within your program. At the college level, it becomes a manual for recruiting and developing.When I first created our position criteria manual, it was all on paper, which I still encourage, but now you can develop a database of video examples, development plans, and drills that can become a part of this. I will share more ideas in our winning edge takeaways and ideas for implementation at the end of this episode.Show Notes:
Position criteria
Defensive examples by position for the Stunt 4-3 Defense
Be specific
A manual for physical development
Ideal strength and speed
All-State average
Extending to the younger level
Making it available to all levels
Manual’s purpose
Winning Edge
Related:Billy Napier’s Ignition Reelshttps://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML8307380879.mp3?updated=1686136507Billy Napier's entire presentation on CoachTube:https://coachtube.com/course/football/billy-napier-the-ragin-cajun-formula-for-offensive-success/6606677?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 6, 2023 • 43min
The Passing Lab - You Can Throw in Cold Weather - Drew Ambrose, OC/QB Coach, Franklin HS
On today's episode from our Passing Lab Series, host Josh Herring is joined by Drew Ambros, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at Franklin High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Franklin won the 2021 state championship.Coach Ambrose dispels myths that you can't throw the ball in inclement weather, share his "Chief" concept inspired by LSU, and discusses influences on the game and evolving as a quarterback coach.Show Notes:
Throwing in the cold
Trick to keep the ball warm and dry
Influences
The Chief concept
Continuing to evolve as a QB coach
Josh Herring's Passing Game Resources: https://coachtube.com/users/joshherring?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 5, 2023 • 25min
Keys to Mastering a Starting Point Play - Ben Steele, TE Coach, Arizona Cardinals
What's the secret sauce to mastering the outside zone philosophy in a successful offensive system? That’s a question I took a deep dive into myself in 2003, and it changed the way I viewed putting together an offensive system.In this segment from the beginning of his presentation at the 3rd Annual Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic, Ben Steele, the new tight end coach for the Arizona Cardinals, shares the essential thought process behind the outside zone strategy. I call it a strategy instead of a scheme because for those who truly utilize outside zone like some of the originators who made it popular, like the late Alex Gibbs, it’s not just a play, it’s the play that sets up the entire offense and how they think about it.Coach Steel shares his wealth of experience from playing and coaching in the NFL, discussing how the scheme requires all 11 players to work together and forces the defense to cover the entire field. He also touches on the importance of getting off the line of scrimmage quickly and the individual drills that can be done every day to ensure success in this area.Can the outside zone be part of your offense and not be the focal point? Sure it can. And the coaching points and insight shared by Coach Steele in this episode will be useful. There are plenty of takeaways from this episode. We will share our Winning Edge Takeaways and DIeas for implementation at the end of his segment.Show Notes:
Mastering the Outside Zone Philosophy: Discussing the importance of outside zone philosophy, 11-player cooperation, quick line of scrimmage release, and individual drills.
Mastering the Outside Zone Run: Quarterback techniques, outside zone runs, and adjusting to looks are discussed.
Strategic Considerations for Attacking Linebackers: Anticipating linebackers' reactions, setting the edge, and identifying the techniques are key to maximizing the effectiveness of an outside-zone offensive system.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 2, 2023 • 23min
Creating Consistent Success - Jason Mohns, Tight Ends Coach, Arizona State
Jason Mohns, tight ends coach at Arizona State, previously led Saguaro High School to an impressive record of 123-19 and seven state titles. In this captivating discussion, he shares strategies for keeping opponents guessing by employing innovative offensive techniques. Mohns emphasizes the value of a leadership council to monitor team dynamics and preemptively solve issues. He highlights the importance of preparing players under game-like conditions and fostering a culture of competition and accountability, keys to achieving consistent success on and off the field.