

Make Defense Great Again
Coach Vass Football
A podcast hosted by Coach Vass for defensive coaches who want to learn intermediate to advanced level schemes and strategies. In-season podcasts will be Q&A style, and during the off-season, we will have long-form episodes focusing on one topic.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 23, 2022 • 1h 42min
S04E05: Defending the Spread w/ Rich Wright, HC/DC (Northwest Missouri State)
Season 4, Episode 5 is with Rich Wright, Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO. We discuss the elements in his wildly successful, 4-down, Quarters-based system out of Double Gs/2is.Topics Include:
Base Call: Husker Check
"The Great Lie"
Building Back to Front
5 Techniques Playing the B Gap & Mike Fit
"Gate"/"Torch" Stunt
Playing off Back & Pull Blocks
Fitting 10P Zone
Playing 3x1
In-Core & Out-Core
Ease of Alignment
DE Techniques
Top Pressures
Follow Coach Wright on Twitter @CoachWrightD. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Join us on Twitter to discuss the episode!MAIN LINKS
Visit the website, www.coachvass.com, to view more information on the podcast, the link to his YouTube channel, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, a link to join Coach Vass' email list, and form for off-season consulting.
All links: www.linktree.com/coachvass
Coach Vass Football Patreon: www.patreon.com/CoachVass
Coach Vass Football YouTube Page: www.youtube.com/coachvassfootball
COACHTUBE COURSES BY COACH VASS:
"Tite Front Bundle": bit.ly/titefrontvass
"3rd Down & RPO Bundle": bit.ly/3rd-down-rpo
“Defending the Wing-T Offense": bit.ly/wingtvass
Get the "Opponent Breakdown, Gameplanning, Practice Planning, & Creating a Call Sheet" CoachTube course for FREE by signing up for Underdog Fantasy Sports and use Code: VASS. They will also match your first deposit up to $100! Not only will you have fun, get free bonus cash and a CoachTube course, but you will also support the show in a big way!
SPONSOR LINKS:
www.hudl.com
www.coachtube.com
www.underdogfantasy.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 6, 2022 • 1h 54min
S04E04: 3rd Down Coverages w/ Jeremy Pruitt (Former Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, FSU, NY Giants)
Former Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, FSU, and NY Giants coach Jeremy Pruitt discusses various 3rd Down coverages including Cover 2/25 Buster, Cut on the Backside, Cougars vs. Busters vs. Cuts, Cover 1 Cross, NFL Coverage Styles, and more. Emphasizes defensive strategies, player responsibilities, and game planning for effective defense.

Apr 7, 2022 • 2h 3min
S04E03: Outside Linebacker Play in the 3-4 & Sub Packages w/ Bobby April III (Wisconsin)
Season 4, Episode 3 is with Bobby April, OLB coach at Wisconsin. Coach April and I go through all of the run techniques and pass drops required for his position in a "multiple' defense like Wisconsin. His position plays traditional OLB in the 3-4 sets and then moves to DEs in their Nickel package, which requires quite a bit of dropping.Topics Include:
Force Players
Inside Charges
Trace Technique
Technique with Rocket Pressures
Q to Cut Technique
Pulling & Arcing Offensive Tackles
Learning & Helping Others
3 Deep Overview
Cover 3 - Hang Flat & "Flatte"
Cover 3 - "Gone" Calls
Cover 3 - Hook Droppers
Practicing Everything
Cover 3 - Pushing 4 Strong
Cover 4 - Nail/Hook Drop
Rex Ryan Appreciation
Playing Cover 2 to 2 WRs
Inverted 2 - Super Buzz
Pass Rush Overview
Rush Peels
Follow Coach April on Twitter @CoachAprilOLB. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Join us on Twitter to discuss the episode!MAIN LINKS
Visit the website, www.coachvass.com, to view more information on the podcast, the link to his YouTube channel, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, a link to join Coach Vass' email list, and form for off-season consulting.
All links: www.linktree.com/coachvass
Coach Vass Football Patreon: www.patreon.com/CoachVass
Coach Vass Football YouTube Page: www.youtube.com/coachvassfootball
COACHTUBE COURSES BY COACH VASS:
"Tite Front Bundle": bit.ly/titefrontvass
"3rd Down & RPO Bundle": bit.ly/3rd-down-rpo
“Defending the Wing-T Offense": bit.ly/wingtvass
Get the "Opponent Breakdown, Gameplanning, Practice Planning, & Creating a Call Sheet" CoachTube course for FREE by signing up for Underdog Fantasy Sports and use Code: VASS. They will also match your first deposit up to $100! Not only will you have fun, get free bonus cash and a CoachTube course, but you will also support the show in a big way!
SPONSOR LINKS:
www.hudl.com
www.coachtube.com
www.underdogfantasy.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 24, 2022 • 1h 53min
S04E02: Corner Fundamentals, Press, Off, & Bail w/ Nick Rapone (Tampa Bay Bucs)
Season 4, Episode 2 is with Nick Rapone, Safeties Coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although Coach Rapone currently handles Safeties, he's one of the best Corners coaches in the world, so I wanted him to join us about the fundamentals needed to play the position, as well as Press, Off, and Bail Techniques. Pardon the long stories at the beginning - Coach Rapone has profoundly affected my life with his generosity and kindness, so I wanted to tell him thank you, and share the stories with you.Topics include:
How Nick Rapone Changed My Life Forever
Evaluating Scheme to Teach
Developing a Philosophy for Corners
The Power of Belief in What You Do
Training the Feet & Hips
Individual Periods in the NFL
#1 Drill: The Pace Drill
Coach's 2nd Favorite Drill
Press Technique - Starting Points
Match Cover 3 vs. Sky Cover 3
Drilling & Teaching Press Coverage
Avoiding Undercutting In Certain Situations
Off Technique
Bail Technique
Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Join us on Twitter to discuss the episode!MAIN LINKS
Visit the website, www.coachvass.com, to view more information on the podcast, the link to his YouTube channel, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, a link to join Coach Vass' email list, and form for off-season consulting.
All links: www.linktree.com/coachvass
Coach Vass Football Patreon: www.patreon.com/CoachVass
Coach Vass Football YouTube Page: www.youtube.com/coachvassfootball
COACHTUBE COURSES BY COACH VASS:
"Tite Front Bundle": bit.ly/titefrontvass
"3rd Down & RPO Bundle": bit.ly/3rd-down-rpo
“Defending the Wing-T Offense": bit.ly/wingtvass
Get the "Opponent Breakdown, Gameplanning, Practice Planning, & Creating a Call Sheet" CoachTube course for FREE by signing up for Underdog Fantasy Sports and use Code: VASS. They will also match your first deposit up to $100! Not only will you have fun, get free bonus cash and a CoachTube course, but you will also support the show in a big way!
SPONSOR LINKS:
www.hudl.com
www.coachtube.com
www.underdogfantasy.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 10, 2022 • 2h 18min
S04E01: Blitz Coverages - Fire Zone (2/3), 5-Man Cover 1, Cover 0, 2U/3D & More w/ Kyle Cogan
Corners & Nickel Coach, Kyle Cogan, discusses blitz coverage strategies like Fire Zone, Cover 0, and 5-Man Cover 1. Topics include playing against RPOs, Dividers, Positional Techniques, strengths & weaknesses of Fire Zone, favorite pressure patterns, and creating 'Bonus' Fire Zones. Follow @CoachCogan & @CoachVass on Twitter for more insights!

Jan 1, 2022 • 2h 43min
S03E20: Putting 2021 to Bed and Looking Forward to 2022 w/ Brian Vaughn (AKA Blitzology)
Season 3, Episode 20 is with Brian Vaughn, LB Coach at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. We discuss the entire process of putting a "season to bed" and look forward to the following year.Topics Include:
Wrapping Up the Season
Technique Checklist
Examining Calls
Modular Teaching Setup
Changing Techniques vs. Changing Coverages
Getting to Bear Within Your Personnel
Breaking Down Your Calls
Tracking Ideas During the Off-Season
Layering Your Defense
Practicing Ahead
Self-Scout Formation Tendencies
4x0 Unbalanced & FIB
Avoiding Issues with Certain Calls
Evolution of the Game & Mastery
Xs & Os vs. Jimmies & Joes
Culture vs. Scheme Debates
Preparing for Unknowns
Follow Brian Vaughn on Twitter @BrianMVaughn, follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Join us on Twitter to discuss the episode!MAIN LINKS
Visit the website, www.coachvass.com, to view more information on the podcast, the link to his YouTube channel, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, a link to join Coach Vass' email list, and form for off-season consulting.
All links: www.linktree.com/coachvass
Coach Vass Football Patreon: www.patreon.com/CoachVass
Coach Vass Football YouTube Page: www.youtube.com/coachvassfootball
COACHTUBE COURSES BY COACH VASS:
"Tite Front Bundle": bit.ly/titefrontvass
"3rd Down & RPO Bundle": bit.ly/3rd-down-rpo
“Defending the Wing-T Offense": bit.ly/wingtvass
Get the "Opponent Breakdown, Gameplanning, Practice Planning, & Creating a Call Sheet" CoachTube course for FREE by signing up for Underdog Fantasy Sports and use Code: VASS. They will also match your first deposit up to $100! Not only will you have fun, get free bonus cash and a CoachTube course, but you will also support the show in a big way!
SPONSOR LINKS:
www.hudl.com
www.coachtube.com
www.underdogfantasy.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 23, 2021 • 1h 40min
S03E19: In-Season Q&A - Scoring on D, Playoff Planning, Invert Tampa, & More w/ Terrance Gant, Santiago HS
Season 3, Episode 19 is with Santiago HS LB Coach (Corona, CA) Terrance Gant. We answer listener-submitted questions.TOPICS INCLUDE:
ILB Play in Rip/Liz in 2x2
How to Get to the Endzone on D!
Defending Fast RB Motion
Tampa 2 Invert out of 3-3
Approaching Teams that Run Different Offenses
Dividing Time for Future Opponents
Scheduling Smart in Pre-Season
Breaking Down Playoff Games
Follow Coach Gant on Twitter @terrance_gant. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Join us on Twitter to discuss the episode!MAIN LINKS
GET MY NEW TITE FRONT DEFENSE COACHTUBE BUNDLE: bit.ly/titefrontvass
Get the new "Opponent Breakdown, Gameplanning, Practice Planning, & Creating a Call Sheet" CoachTube course for FREE by signing up for Underdog Fantasy Sports and use Code: VASS. They will also match your first deposit up to $100! Not only will you have fun, get free bonus cash, and a CoachTube course, but you will also support the show in a big way!
To join the Coach Vass Football Patreon, go to www.patreon.com/CoachVass
To see the Coach Vass Football YouTube Page
www.youtube.com/coachvassfootball
If you can't remember all of those links, head to: www.linktree.com/coachvass
Visit the website, www.coachvass.com, to view more information on the podcast, the link to his YouTube channel, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, a link to join Coach Vass' email list, and form for off-season consulting.
OTHER COACHTUBE COURSES BY COACH VASS:
"3rd Down & RPO Bundle": bit.ly/3rd-down-rpo
“Defending the Wing-T Offense": bit.ly/wingtvass
SPONSOR LINKS:
www.hudl.com
www.coachtube.com
www.underdogfantasy.com
w.coachtube.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 9, 2021 • 3h 11min
S03E18: The TCU 4-2-5 Defense (Q&A Edition) w/ Coach Vass
Season 3, Episode 18, is me flying solo to answer listener-submitted questions about the TCU 4-2-5 system.Topics Include:
Terminology Application to Other Schemes
How to Keep the Front Multiple
Pros/Cons of a Slanting Even Front
Setting the Front & Coverage Independently
Slanting Techniques - When to Cross Face
Coaching Points for Gate/Torch Stunt
BoxBack Technique
Playing Modified Odd Fronts
"Blue" Coverage
Moving Away from Quarters
Playing 3x1 FIB
Hybrid Safeties
Dogs Blitzes
Favorite Creepers & Sims
Bo Slant Concept
Language Issues
"Cop" Rules
Frog Stance for DL
LB Alignments
Cutbacks on Power/Pin-Pull
20 Personnel DL Stunts/Pressures
11 Personnel 2x2 - Power/Stretch
Calling the D Against No Huddle
Waiting to Make a Call
Where to Learn the System?
What Didn't I Want to Disclose?
What Would I Add to the System?
Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Join us on Twitter to discuss the episode!MAIN LINKS
Visit the website, www.coachvass.com, to view more information on the podcast, the link to his YouTube channel, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, a link to join Coach Vass' email list, and form for off-season consulting.
All links: www.linktree.com/coachvass
Coach Vass Football Patreon: www.patreon.com/CoachVass
Coach Vass Football YouTube Page: www.youtube.com/coachvassfootball
COACHTUBE COURSES BY COACH VASS:
"Tite Front Bundle": bit.ly/titefrontvass
"3rd Down & RPO Bundle": bit.ly/3rd-down-rpo
“Defending the Wing-T Offense": bit.ly/wingtvass
Get the "Opponent Breakdown, Gameplanning, Practice Planning, & Creating a Call Sheet" CoachTube course for FREE by signing up for Underdog Fantasy Sports and use Code: VASS. They will also match your first deposit up to $100! Not only will you have fun, get free bonus cash and a CoachTube course, but you will also support the show in a big way!
SPONSOR LINKS:
www.hudl.com
www.coachtube.com
www.underdogfantasy.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 1, 2021 • 1h 27min
S03E17: In-Season Q&A - Short Corners, Signaling the D, Facing a Repeat Opp, & More w/ John Rice (Riverside Poly HS)
Season 3, Episode 17 is with John Rice, Head Coach at Riverside Poly HS in Riverside, CA. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions.Topics Include
Helping Shorter Corners
Calling the Defense In
Game planning vs. a Team That Kicked Your Ass
Goal Line Package Adjustments
Defending the Split Back Veer
Breaking Down Pass Pro
Follow Coach Rice on Twitter @CoachJohnRice. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Join us on Twitter to discuss the episode!MAIN LINKS
Visit the website, www.coachvass.com, to view more information on the podcast, the link to his YouTube channel, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, a link to join Coach Vass' email list, and form for off-season consulting.
All links: www.linktree.com/coachvass
Coach Vass Football Patreon: www.patreon.com/CoachVass
Coach Vass Football YouTube Page: www.youtube.com/coachvassfootball
COACHTUBE COURSES BY COACH VASS:
"Tite Front Bundle": bit.ly/titefrontvass
"3rd Down & RPO Bundle": bit.ly/3rd-down-rpo
“Defending the Wing-T Offense": bit.ly/wingtvass
Get the "Opponent Breakdown, Gameplanning, Practice Planning, & Creating a Call Sheet" CoachTube course for FREE by signing up for Underdog Fantasy Sports and use Code: VASS. They will also match your first deposit up to $100! Not only will you have fun, get free bonus cash and a CoachTube course, but you will also support the show in a big way!
SPONSOR LINKS:
www.hudl.com
www.coachtube.com
www.underdogfantasy.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 24, 2021 • 1h 56min
S03E16: In-Season Q&A - Grab Bag O, Scripting, Pin-Pull, & More w/ Diante Lee (Mt. Carmel/PFF)
Season 3, Episode 16 is with Mount Carmel HS (San Diego, CA) Defensive Coordinator, Diante Lee. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions.Topics Include:
Defending a Grab Bag Offense
Scripting Inside Run & 7-on-7
Seeing the Whole Picture
Read the Show Notes for Previous Answers
Wanting a Head Coaching Job
Defending Pin & Pull
Handling a Dominant WR when Basing Out of Qtrs/Palms
Setting the D - Pass Strength or Field/Bound?
HC Mandates for O & D
How to Install a Defense
Post-Wheel Switches vs. 2 High
Where to Get Started in Coaching?
Follow Diante Lee on Twitter @CoachDianteLeeFB. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Join us on Twitter to discuss the episode!MAIN LINKS
Visit the website, www.coachvass.com, to view more information on the podcast, the link to his YouTube channel, CoachTube videos, Patreon, Pop-Up Clinics, blog posts, and articles from Coach Vass, a link to join Coach Vass' email list, and form for off-season consulting.
All links: www.linktree.com/coachvass
Coach Vass Football Patreon: www.patreon.com/CoachVass
Coach Vass Football YouTube Page: www.youtube.com/coachvassfootball
COACHTUBE COURSES BY COACH VASS:
"Tite Front Bundle": bit.ly/titefrontvass
"3rd Down & RPO Bundle": bit.ly/3rd-down-rpo
“Defending the Wing-T Offense": bit.ly/wingtvass
Get the "Opponent Breakdown, Gameplanning, Practice Planning, & Creating a Call Sheet" CoachTube course for FREE by signing up for Underdog Fantasy Sports and use Code: VASS. They will also match your first deposit up to $100! Not only will you have fun, get free bonus cash and a CoachTube course, but you will also support the show in a big way!
SPONSOR LINKS:
www.hudl.com
www.coachtube.com
www.underdogfantasy.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices