Coach and Coordinator Podcast

On today’s podcast, we take a look at the framework used by expert poker players and discuss how that applies to football as well as how learning an expert system allows for an acceleration of decision-making as well as a more efficient workflow. Joining me to discuss this is Dub Maddox who is the offensive coordinator at Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the creator of the R4 System. What he has developed within his system provides a coding for the game of football that allows him to build frameworks and models for play calling that provides for the use of analytics and data in a practical way in game planning that provides for better decision-making on game day. Be sure to check the show notes for links to our other episodes with Coach Moaddox. He never disappoints, and I am positive that you will find this episode fascinating. We share our Winning Edge takeaways and ideas for implementation following the episode.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 Be sure to go to coachandcoordinator.com for enhanced show notes with links to related episodes, resources, articles, and with our winning edge takeaways detailed in text. Also sign-up for our free weekly tip sheet which highlights the best ideas from the previous week, trending episodes, and featured resources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding the most efficient way to practice and effectively prepare players is something that coaches are always searching for. Western Illinois Defensive Coordinator Todd Drury created a way to get his players the reps they need with a focus on the mental side of the game. Coach Drury evolved his walkthrough into a period in which his players are able to get more reps while gaining an understanding of what the offense is trying to do in addition to their reaction and required decision-making within their defensive calls.In this episode from our archives, Coach Drury explains the setup and rationale behind the format for this practice segment. The result is that defensive players are seeing far more reps than they would if they were just scrimmaging, and getting more in terms of recognition and visual cues than if they were doing a walk-through.We share our winning edge takeaways and ideas for implementation following the interview.Show Notes: Creating the practice format Managing the reps Practice for focus Helping the defensive linemen Applying it to the offense Get the most out of it Winning Edge Thank you for listening to our podcast. Please share it with other coaches.  Go to coachandcoordinator.com for enhanced show notes with links to related episodes, resources, and articles, and with our winning edge takeaways detailed in text. When we post the enhanced show notes for this episode it will include a diagram of the set-up of Coach Drury’s practice segment as well as practice video.Sign-up for our free weekly tip sheet which highlights the best ideas from the previous week, trending episodes, and featured resources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Coach and Coordinator, host Keith Grabowski is joined by Mike Giancola, defensive coordinator at Bridgewater College to discuss creating a system for multiplicity on defense. Bridgewater is able to do a lot in what they utilize with fronts and coverages, but it is built on a structure of simple language and the best teaching practices.The Bridgewater defense shined in the 2022 season as they led all divisions of the NCAA in turnovers as the team paced the nation in turnover margin for a majority of the year. Prior to Bridgewater, Coach Giancola was the defensive coordinator at Westfield High School in Chantilly, Va. in 2016, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to their second consecutive Virginia High School League 6-A state championship.In this episode, he shares how they’ve evolved their system as well as the tools and methods they use to teach it. There are plenty of takeaways in this one that apply to all phases of the game at every level, especially in the way that Coach and his staff teach their system. Be sure to listen to our Winning Edge Takeaways after the interview.Show Notes: Determining needs Changes during the pandemic Capitalize on what our guys do well Two important questions - Is this too much? Can our players handle it? Creating a structure that allows for more  Starting with a base 4-2-5 General concept to specifics Having an anchor and then building A system of answers Backward planning Technology that drives learning Checks for understanding Flipped classroom model, Transparency in what you do and why Thank you for listening to our podcast. Please share it with other coaches. Go to coachandcoordinator.com for enhanced show notes with links to related episodes, resources, and articles, and our winning edge takeaways detailed in text. Sign-up for our free weekly tip sheet which highlights the best ideas from the previous week, trending episodes, and featured resources.Twitter:@CoachGiancolaRelated:Scott Lemn - Flexibility and Creativity to Stay Ahead of the Defensehttps://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML9467758208.mp3?updated=1681296110Coach Giancola’s Course: 3x1 coverage Adjustments from 3 Safety Alignments:https://coachtube.com/course/football/3x1-coverage-adjustments-from-3-safety-alignments-mike-giancola/11813848 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of our Teachable Moments Series, host Steve Hauser sat down with Jordan Hogan to learn from his journey.During the pandemic, which was a shutdown of the Ivy League season, Coach Hogan was able to attain the Bill Bidwill Coaching Fellowship, a program started by the Arizona Cardinals in 2015 to help increase diversity in the coaching ranks and provide more opportunity for experience on the NFL level.Recently named to FootballScoop's Minority Watch List, Hogan worked with the offensive staff and served as an assistant in the quarterback room during his time with the Cardinals. He helped with the creation of install tapes, game breakdowns, play drawings, and assisted with game and practice data input among other duties.Prior to his time in the NFL, Hogan spent three seasons at nearby Cornell. During his time with the Big Red, Hogan served as the wide receivers coach where he developed several record-setting players at that position.Along with his role with the Arizona Cardinals, Hogan has served in similar NFL capacities in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019, Indianapolis Colts in 2017, and the Buffalo Bills in 2016.Hogan has had previous wide receiver coaching stops at Division II Stonehill College (2017) and Division III Buffalo State College (2013-2017). He also served as the wide receivers coach for the US National Team development game in Canton, Ohio, in 2016.A standout wide receiver at Brockport, Hogan at the time of graduation ranked fifth in school history in career receiving yards (1,546) and eighth in catches (108). He earned All-League honors as a junior and was a preseason All-American as a senior captain.Show notes: Networking…shoot your shot, do it w/ the right intentions (get advice/get better) Everyone’s path different…what other D3 guys have made it? Have a tie in (area, alma mater, previous relationship) Best advice during NFL internship…“quick to listen, slow to speak” “make sure there is substance behind it” Double Mug Agap…Colt McCoy; can always tell which one coming LB looking at QB = dropper LB looking at ball = rusher Offense thru WR perspective Are you within the progression? How much time do you have to win? Football not the problem, Industry simply hard Never know when that break is going to come (2016 BuffSt -> Stonehill) Career swung upward from there Hogan relies on faith in difficult moments Eli Rasheed “No Testimony w/out a Test” Teachable Moments…one big one, how do you respond to adversity when the chips are down? CLE Browns draft interview = that was big question Winning Edge Related episodes:https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML6814234290.mp3?updated=1675769187Coach Hogan's Course - Simple Drills for WR Indy:https://coachtube.com/course/football/jordan-hogan-simple-drills-for-wr-indy/11737836?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is a segment from Andrew Dresner, Offensive Coordinator at Stony Brook on “3rd Down Strategy.” In this segment the discusses the importance of understanding how many calls you need per game based on previous season data. This allows you to prepare the right amount of plays, and practice them enough so that they are executed well on game day and you keep the chains moving.What he discussed in this segment provides a template for 3rd down strategy. For Coach Dresner, the plan always starts with personnel, and that will certainly come through as he shares his thought process.Now is a good time to start thinking about how you will approach 3rd down in the upcoming season. Having a methodical approach allows you to really define what your players do best, how you will dress it up, exploit match-ups, and ultimately set your team up for success.The link to this entire talk as well as Coach Dresner’s previous Lauren’s First and Goal presentation on “Developing a Freshmen Quarterback” is in the show notes.If you are interested in a defensive approach to this, we linked an episode with Blake Harrell, Defensive Coordinator at East Carolina on “Winning the Money Down” in the show notes as well.Show Notes: Background Most important aspects of this down Understanding how many third down calls per game 3rd & 1-2 plan 3rd & 3-6 plan Best passes every week YAC plays 3rd & Long 7-9 3rd & 10 plus  Winning Edge Be sure to go to coachandcoordinator.com for enhanced show notes with links to related episodes, and resources like Coach Drewsner’s on 3rd Down Strategy. In addition, we have articles with our winning edge takeaways detailed in text. Also sign-up for our free weekly tip sheet which highlights the best ideas from the previous week, trending episodes, and featured resources.Related episode:Winning the Money Down - Blake Harrell, Defensive Coordinator, East Carolinahttps://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML8136009166.mp3?updated=1669916257Coach Dresner Resources:3rd Down StrategyDeveloping a Freshman Quarterbackhttps://coachtube.com/course/football/andrew-dresner-developing-a-freshman-quarterback/13704034?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode from our archives is with Matt Drinkall, currently Co-offensive Coordinator at Army and former head coach at Kansas Wesleyan University. Coach Drinkall was hired as the Head Coach at Kansas Wesleyan in 2014 to rebuild all aspects of the program. When he was hired, he was the second-youngest head coach in college football at the time. In just his second season, the Coyotes went 10-1.Over the last four seasons of his tenure, Kansas Wesleyan won 40 games which was the best four-year run in school history. Coach Drinkall left the program as the 2018 Coach of The Year while holding the fourth-highest win total for the University. In his final season as Head Coach, the 2018 Coyotes posted the best season in school and conference history. Kansas Wesleyan won its first Conference Championship since 2002, after posting a 10-0 overall record to advance to the semifinals of the national playoffs finishing the season at a 13-1 record, while shattering school, conference, and NAIA records in the process.In this episode, he shares how he built the culture at Kansas Wesleyan beginning with a focus on the experience for his staff. He took a unique ”less is more” approach, paying attention to the time the spent in the office and the efficiency with which all things in the program operated. From the way they set up their schemes, to game planning, to recruiting, Coach Drinkall and his staff were able to find the efficiency within their workflow and spend less time in the office while having a high-performance level on the field.Coach shares his thought process in developing this system. There are definitely takeaways and ideas to reflect on as we all continue to move forward in the ever-changing landscape of coaching our game. Show Notes: The culture Coach built at Kansas Wesleyan for Coaches How Coach’s staff was so efficient In season schedule How they divided their game plan film More on Culture Starbucks How Coach begins and develops his thought process Winning Edge Connect with Coach:Twitter: @DrinkallcoachBe sure to go to coachandcoordinator.com for enhanced show notes with links to related episodes, and resources like Drinkall’s presentations on his Power Spread offense which I highly recommend. In addition, we have articles with our winning edge takeaways detailed in text. Also sign-up for our free weekly tip sheet which highlights the best ideas from the previous week, trending episodes, and featured resources.Matt Drinkall Episodes:Defeating the Tite Fronthttps://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML9488421124.mp3?updated=1677251909Coaching Cues in the Classroom and on the Fieldhttps://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML7682123777.mp3?updated=1669916379Running Game and Tempohttps://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML1296072620.mp3?updated=1669916423Structuring Your Offensehttps://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML1654877450.mp3?updated=1676565867Matt Drinkall Power Spread Offense Clinics:https://coachtube.com/users/matthewdrinkall?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763The World of RPO’shttps://coachtube.com/course/football/matt-drinkall-rpos-explained-defined-packaging-implementation/13496876?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763Sprint Out - Move the Pockethttps://coachtube.com/course/football/matt-drinkall-sprint-out-passing-move-the-pocket-for-success/16603216?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763Instantly Improve Your Gap Runshttps://coachtube.com/course/football/matt-drinkall-instantly-improve-your-gap-runs/14233515?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763Coach Grabowski’s Game Planning System - Be More Efficient and Effectivehttps://coachtube.com/course/football/game-planning-system-be-more-efficient-and-effective/12867157?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Coach and Coordinator podcast, host Keith Grabowski talks with Tyler Walker, who when he first joined us on the podcast was defensive backs coach, special team coordinator, and recruiting coordinator at Muskingum University (Ohio). He is now the Tight Ends Coach for FCS powerhouse Montana State,Prior to arriving at Muskingum, Walker was an assistant coach at Catholic Central High School (Mich.), where he worked primarily with the receivers and helped lead the Shamrocks to a 14-0 overall record that was capped off by a Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 state championship. On today’s podcast, Coach Walker shares his philosophy on playing the best 11, teaching and coaching multiple skill sets, developing an unselfish unit culture, and utilizing the hybrid tight end in all phases of the offense.Today’s game is becoming more and more about athleticism and players don’t necessarily fit perfectly into the profile of the position they play, and that can be a good thing if you know how to maximize the use of their athleticism and skills. That certainly comes through in our conversation with Coach Walker and his approach to finding their hybrids, teaching and coaching them, planning their development, and helping build the culture within the room.Show Notes: From D3 to the FCS Attributes of a hybrid tight end Playing the best 11 Advantages in RPO with the hybrid TE It starts with running the ball The meeting room Being good teachers How we teach makes us successful Organizing practice for the hybrid tight end The culture - earn your role Individual skills resource Winning Edge takeaways Coach Walker’s Hybrid Tight End Development Course:https://coachtube.com/course/football/the-hybrid-tight-end-technique-fundamentals-of-the-best-offensive-weapon/18608512?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763Montana State Power Read Clinic:https://coachtube.com/course/football/brian-armstrong-montana-state-power-read/16643267?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763Brent Vigen Presentation - Transitional Leadership:https://coachtube.com/course/football/brent-vigen-transitional-leadership/17572346?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763Related Episode: Justin Hamilton - Creating More Roles for Players:https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML6347712229.mp3?updated=1669916365 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chili Davis is the special teams coordinator for Florida A&M. His previous experience includes quality control analyst for special teams at the University of Washington, assistant special teams, and tight ends for New Mexico State, Before his time at Washington, Davis coached the inside receivers, served as the assistant special teams coordinator, and oversaw the tight ends at New Mexico State, cornerbacks coach at Fordham University, graduate assistant at Louisiana Tech, and assistant coach at Campbell University which is his alma mater.In this episode, we gain insight into how he is leading and developing the special teams at FAMU including his methods, drills, and practice methods. Show Notes:  Special teams has been good to me Aligning everyone involved with special teams Group chats Year round situational development Returner school Kobe Drills Developing a universal language together Be genuine Winning Edge Learn more about TeachTapes:Teachtapes.orgTwitter:@TeachTapes@CoachKGrabowskiSpecial Teams Resources:https://coachtube.com/courses/football/special-teams?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763Teachable Moments Series:Bodie Reeder - Offensive Coordinator, UNIhttps://coachandcoordinator.com/podcast/teachable-moments-bodie-reeder-offensive-coordinator-university-of-northern-iowa/Taylor Mouser, TE Coach, Iowa Statehttps://coachandcoordinator.com/podcast/teachable-moments-taylor-mouser-tight-ends-coach-iowa-state/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is from our archives, a discussion with Troy McAllister, head coach at Phillips Academy High School in Chicago at the time of the recording. In 2015, McAllister helped Phillips Academy become the first Chicago Public School to win an Illinois high school football state championship. In 2017, Phillips Academy won its second state championship, finishing with an undefeated 14-0 season. Coach McAllister talked about his experience at Phillips Academy and building a program from nothing. What comes through in this conversation that applies to any program at any level is that to reach the top, the focus must be on the right aspects of the program and on developing the players that are a part of it.  Show Notes: McAllister’s first practice at Phillips Academy Building culture Building a new coaching staff First Chicago Public School to win Illinois state football championship Improving in weak areas McAllister’s coaching philosophy Balancing off-field teaching and live practice Overthinking your system What Coach McAllister learned this past season Proposed ban on tackle football The winning edge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, from our archives, long-time coach at both the high school and college levels as well as offense consultant Dan Gonzalez discusses taking a holistic approach to protecting the passer.Too often, protection is seen as the responsibility of the offensive line, or the line and quarterback, but this discussion highlights that protecting the passer is not only a shared responsibility of all position groups, but it is a key focus of the coaching staff as well. Every facet of the offensive plan, from protection principles, to route design, to formations should have the idea of protection as a key consideration.The information boom in the last three years put every great idea in front of us. There are Twitter accounts with thousands of followers liking and retweeting new ideas. The adaptation of new ideas and concepts as well as the creativity of coaches has skyrocketed.As coaches, we have to consciously fight what Bodie Reeder, UNI offensive coordinator, calls the “YouTube install” meaning that you see a great idea that was successful and have the naivety to think “We can do this,” and it gets into your playbook or game plan. The idea may be great and has worked, but that is the surface level of what really goes into coaching football. There is much more that we dig into in this conversation in regard to the passing game.In addition, defenses now present so many looks that you have to have a system of protection in which the entire offense has a strong understanding not only of the routes they run, but the timing and the protection that are tied together tightly.Bringing all of it together in how your players and coaches think about it gives you a better chance for success and for keeping the quarterback, who most offenses are built around, both healthy and performing at a high level.There are so many ideas in this episode that make for great reflection and study before you put your passing game on the field this fall, and we share our top Winning Edge takeaways and ideas for implementation after the interview.Show Notes: A.C.T.S. Applying the progressive passing system Scan read with quarterback A holistic approach to pass protection Assessing collisions in football Examples of proper protection schemes Hot routes and simulated pressures Protection adjustments and delays Systemizing terminology Scripting for protecting the passer Game planning in practice Formation disadvantages Preparing for blitz pickup Simplifying terminology Dan’s progressive passing system Follow Dan Gonzalez on Twitter @Dan_Gonzalez16.Coach Gonzalez's Resources on CoachTube:Protecting the Passer: https://bit.ly/3owNKMyCoach and Coordinator has formed a new coaching group, leveraging the AIM7 app, to help coaches stay on top of nutritional, exercise, and sleep habits throughout the year to beat burnout and perform your best. All you need is a wearable device like an Apple Watch, and you can join.Join today at www.aim7.com/coach-and-coordinator-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices