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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

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

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 Reels https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML8307380879.mp3?updated=1686136507 Billy 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

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

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

On today’s episode from the archives, we talk with Jason Mohns, now the tight ends coach at Arizona State. Having been able to follow him since the beginning of the Coach and Coordinator Podcast and talk to him on a yearly basis, it’s been fun to watch his growth as a coach and how he ran an elite high school program at Saguaro High School.  In 11 seasons as head coach at Saguaro, Mohns compiled a 123-19 record, including a state record six consecutive State Championship tiles (2013-18) and seven state titles overall. He is a prime example of doing things the right way and having opportunities come from it. In this episode, we talked about how to put in wrinkles that the opponent must take time to prepare for, but aren’t really the main focus of what you do. We discuss the role of a leadership council and how they used it to keep a pulse on their team in-season and be preemptive in problem solving, and the keys to having consistent success season after season. This short episode is filled with insight into what makes not only a great high school program, but what makes a program great at any level. Show Notes: How to force opponents to spend more time watching your film Forming a leadership council with players Breaking down Thursday practices Why the team is successful Preparing for the upcoming state championship Competition The winning edge Jason Mohns Offensive System: https://coachtube.com/users/coachmohns?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Related Episodes: “No Sweat Thursday - Fast Fridays, The Practice Format Mad Popular by Chip Kelly” https://coachandcoordinator.com/2022/08/no-sweat-thursday-and-fast-friday/ Be sure to check out coachandcoordinator.com for our enhanced show notes for supplement resources and related episodes. You can also sign up for our weekly tip sheet. Do you have ideas you would like to share on the podcast? DM me on twitter @CoachKgrabowski or email me keith@coachandcoordinator.com and we will set something up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you create an optimal learning environment for your position group? In this episode, we sit down with Eddie Morrissey, the offensive line coach at the University of Rhode Island, who shares his experience and expertise in fostering effective learning and leadership within his team. He explains the power of setting the tone on day one and establishing a mission for each season. We discuss the importance of teaching with energy and engagement in order to create a stimulating learning experience for your players. Coach Morrissey reveals his strategies for mixing up the routine with “field trips” and tailoring teachings to different learning styles. We also delve into the value of interactive methods, such as assigning players to research team members and using clips of professional players for inspiration and new perspectives. We finish our discussion on optimizing the meeting room with the significance of assessing learning in the classroom, with insights on how quizzes or tests can be used to check for understanding. Coach Morrissey shares his approach of giving tests every couple of days and allowing players to complete them as a team, as well as discussing the benefits of talking through test responses. Tune in to this insightful conversation with Coach Morrissey as we dive deep into the art of creating a highly effective learning environment for your position group room. Show Notes: Setting the tone in the first meeting Pledge of Allegiance The mentality of the room Be in great shape Not much scheme in the first meeting Standards of the room What are we going to do to get there? Keeping players engaged Making it interactive Having conversations outside of football Building the bonds beyond the room Graduate assistant experience at Oregon Check for understanding/tests/quizzes Related: Bob Wylie 2 Part - Coaching that Builds Relationships https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML2461488358.mp3?updated=1669916379 https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML9502095027.mp3?updated=1669916378 The Mushroom Society - Dante Scarnecchia https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML5356751488.mp3?updated=1669916196 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Passing Lab, our host Josh Herring speaks with Providence Catholic HS Coach Bobby Peters aboutadapting NFL offensive schemes for high school teams. The author of an insightful book series that breaks down NFL offenses, Bobby takes us through the inspiration behind his books, the treasure trove that is NFL Game Pass, and how coaches at all levels can benefit from understanding offensive strategies used by the pros. We tackle the Miami Dolphins' intriguing offensive strategies and how they skillfully tailored their scheme to fit around Tua Tagovailoa's strengths, exploring unique concepts such as Boot/RPO and switch release to create explosive plays. Furthermore, we discuss the impact of new head coach Mike McDaniel and how his strategies have been incorporated into Bobby's book series. Lastly, we delve into the world of passing game trends and concepts used by renowned NFL coaches like Kyle Shanahan and Andy Reid to maximize the effectiveness of their quarterbacks.  Bobby expertly explains how these concepts can be applied at the high school level, and underscores the importance of studying other teams' strategies to elevate your own coaching abilities.  Don't miss this episode as we connect the dots between NFL and high school football, and learn why studying these concepts can enhance your team's performance. Show Notes: -How studying the NFL has helped Bobby as a HS coach -Studying the Lions and what can be applied - NFL Offenses for High School Coaches  -Things to be aware of when studying the NFL - Dolphins' Offensive Concepts and Plays - Passing Game Trends and Concepts - Football Headwear and Pregame Drinks You can learn more from Bobby Peters on his Substack: Alertthepost.substack.com Get his books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bobby-Peters/author/B07S84Z3K8?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Josh Herring 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

In this episode, we share a clinic segment from Dan Carrel, Co-Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at Coastal Carolina. Coach Carrel delves into essential elements of teaching run defense, such as using consistent language and helping players understand formations and distributions. He shares his insight gained from experience into how to build run fits from back to front and strategize defensive play calls focusing on alignment, leverage, numbers, and aggression.  He explains how to make the most of your personnel and set up play calls to defend against runs while gaining an advantage in coverage.  Show Notes: Think about systems not plays Focus on What not How Teachable Run Fit System Defining Run Defense Concepts Strategic Defensive Play Calls Entire presentation from Lauren’s First and Goal: https://coachtube.com/course/football/dan-carrel-building-a-run-fit-system/18942886?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Dan Carrel’s Course - Make Sense of Your Self Scout: https://coachtube.com/course/football/dan-carrel-make-sense-of-your-self-scout/17666957?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Coach and Coordinator Series: Defense with DC: https://coachandcoordinator.com/?s=defense+with+DC Free download - Take inventory of your system https://coachtube.com/course_lesson/offensive-coordinator-master-class/how-simple-are-you-take-inventory/14336245?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Thank you for being a loyal listener of the Coach and Coordinator Podcast. We want to learn more about your great ideas. In the near future we will be sharing ideas of our listeners on this show in a segment we are bringing back named “Your Call.”  Whatever idea that you have that can make a difference for other coaches and their teams, and ultimately our great game, please DM me on Twitter @CoachKGrabowski or email me at keith@coachandcoordinator.com and we will set you up to record that with us. Be sure to go to CoachandCoordinator.com for our enhanced show notes and resources. You can get the slides from this part of Coach Carrel’s presentation there.  Also, sign-up for our weekly tip sheet which includes our best ideas from the previous week and featured resources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, we go to our archives and five years ago with long-time college and NFL defensive coordinator Bob Trott who at the time had just been named Football Scoop Coordinator of the Year in the FCS and coordinated the top defense in the nation. He talked about his influences and mentorship of legendary coaches like Bill Parcells, Al Groh, Kent Hatfield, Bill Dooley, and Fred Goldsmith. He shared his philosophy behind building a defense and a strong culture and his approach to consistency on defense while dealing with offensive trends. This is an episode with a lot of takeaways for every coach, not just defensive coordinators. We will share our top three Winning Edge takeaways after the interview. Show Notes: Influences- Parcells, Groh, Dooley, Hatfield Coach for the love of the game, not money A coach wears a lot of hats Do a good job where you are and you will get noticed What a winning football team does for a school and community Learn from both what works and what doesn’t work Building a culture Always start with the team - it’s a “we thing” Getting the execution you want Get players in the right place Consistency on defense regardless of trends If you rent your team out to high-priced coordinators that aren’t on the same page, it’s your fault Schemes that helped in a championship run Winning Edge - play as a team Teach the game right Winning Edge Takeaways and Ideas for Implementation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode in the Passing Lab Series, Josh Herring is joined by Jay Wilkinson, Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach at Fayetteville High School. Wilkinson is known by many for his sharing on the internet which he began long ago. He’s become an authority on offensive schemes and today he shares a concept that’s known as “Double” as well as their unique approach to protection on this play. Show Notes: The Double Concept Running the speed out Handling the edge Protection answers Researching offense Winning Edge Twitter: @joshherring1 @jaywilkinson @FayBulldogsFB @CoachKGrabowski Coach Herring Resources:  https://coachtube.com/users/joshherring?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Coach Wilkinson Resources: https://coachtube.com/course/football/jay-wilkinson-attacking-multiple-coverages-with-the-passing-game/15027642?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They will win or lose you a game - a plan for specialists - Brett Arkelian, Special Teams/Analyst, Fresno State Brett Arkelian, Analyst and Special Teams Coach for Fresno State joins us today to get into the specifics of coaching the punters, kickers, snappers, and holders. He shares a plan to prepare your players throughout the year as well as gives insight into drills that work well to teach the most important aspects of each discipline. We all put a lot of time into the details of the scheme of each unit, so putting the details into these key players will definitely make a difference in the win-loss column. Be sure to stay tuned for our Winning Edge takeaways and ideas for implementation following the interview.   Show Notes: From JUCO to D1 Learning from others For everyone who said I can’t Do all the little things right From never punting to the longest punt in the nation Manufacturing a punter Kicking vs. punting Tying different sports and disciplines to help players retain Teaching the proper drop Punt drills How many kicks over the course of a week and a year? David Akers and Shane Graham Be sure position players who punt/kick get work before camp Working with snappers Using a softball to train snappers Working with the holder Rapid fire drills to prevent overthinking  The Kickers’ Bible https://www.icemankicking.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the coaching profession, we all like to say the right thing, in other words, use “coach speak.” A favorite for all of us is having a “hang your hat on” play. Ultimately though, we are judged by how we get it from the chalkboard to the grass as Coach Wylie likes to say. The results of what Florida State has done with it’s counter play shows that they have done just that. Their play was the counter, and they were #1 in the country, in attempts in the counter scheme in college football. Running it 164 times and being the #1 team in rushing yards off the counter. In addition, they were also #1 in yards before the running back was touched on the counter. In this insightful segment from the C.O.O.L. Clinic, Alex Atkins, the offensive coordinator at Florida State University, discusses the importance of teaching rather than telling when it comes to coaching. Coach Atkins shares his own experience learning from his mentors, how attending the C.O.O.L. clinic influenced his career path, and his decision to focus on the counter play in response to the evolution of defensive line play.  He shares the benefits of running counter plays over the traditional zone scheme and the importance of understanding the way defensive lines play in order to use it to your advantage. He dives into the concept of physicality in football and how to best define it in order to gauge effectiveness as coaches. He discusses violent hands, maintaining leverage, and ball-man relationships as markers of physicality.  Show Notes: Coach Wylie’s lesson Learning at the C.O.O.L. Clinic as a GA The Counter play results in 2022 Teaching and Implementing the Counterplay Maximizing the Counter Scheme Defining Physicality in Football Philosophy of Counter Winning Edge cool2023.coachesclinic.com coachtube.com/coolclinic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On our final episode of the Teach Tapes Series, Steve Hauser sits down with David Glidden to discuss his journey from player to coach and how he has grown in the profession. Glidden shares his experiences and takeaways from his stops along the path back to his alma mater where he currently serves as an offensive analyst. Show Notes: An atmosphere of the building…created over time, proper expectations Different perspective from player to coach in same building Tidbits to share with players Coaching ball skills…hopping at catch point, leveling eyes…want cleats in the ground/COD Catching punts with Devin Hester Body language of punter kick direction…footwork/leg swing QC to full time…”didn’t know what I didn’t know”  Empowered from the jump to grow in the role/gain confidence in front of players Observed/be prepare…speak when impactful (Memphis or OKST analyst) Winning Edge teachtapes .org Related episodes: https://coachandcoordinator.com/teachable-moments-series-2023/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Golic, Jr. is a broadcaster and host of the GoJo podcast. On the field, he was an offensive guard for Notre Dame where he was coached by Harry Hiestand, a Joe Moore disciple. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent time in the NFL from 2013-2015 with the Steelers and Saints. He is now part of the committee that selects the winner of the Joe Moore Award. He joined us to discuss the Joe Moore Award and what makes a great offensive line unit, the chemistry of an offensive line, how the offensive line has evolved in today’s uptempo game, and a framework for determining the best OL unit in college football. You will enjoy his insight into the game which he developed through the lens of an offensive lineman. We include our winning edge takeaways at the end of the interview. Show Notes: Once a lineman always a lineman How trying as an offensive lineman affects an approach to life Harry Hiestand - giving you the tools you need to handle everything Doing it over and over consistently at a unit Evolution of the offensive lineman in the uptempo game One player sample size Darnell Wright  Chemistry and the bonds between offensive linemen are built off the field How do you all go to work together Dante Scarnecchia - the group test O-linemen have their own language What do you do with the resources you have?  Do our job - use our technique - whip their ass Framework for evaluation of OL units Importance of the Joe Moore Award to the game Winning Edge The Moore Method - OL University: https://coachtube.com/course/football/the-moore-method-ol-university/18225665?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Related Episodes: Aaron Taylor: Lance Zierlein - Joe Moore Award Process for Determining the Best OL Unit: https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML2073994393.mp3?updated=1680089902 Joe Thomas - What is Great Coaching?: https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML6269424318.mp3?updated=1669916203 Dante Scarnecchia: https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML5356751488.mp3?updated=1669916196 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, we begin with the first episode in our Passing Lab Series hosted by Josh Herring, Offensive Coordinator, Jones County High School (GA) Offensive Coordinator Josh is joined by Dan Gonzalez, former college and high school coach and current consultant.  How do you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of football strategy? Passing game expert Dan Gonzalez joins us to share his wealth of knowledge on the development of the passing game and the challenges coaches face in teaching the game effectively. We dive into the sophistication of modern football defenses and how this has transformed the way high school coaches approach teaching, requiring a more progressive and layered method to build toward success. We also explore the importance of teaching spatial recognition and understanding defenses at lower levels, opening up possibilities for effective passing strategies even at the youth level. Dan emphasizes the need for adaptability and continuous learning in order to stay on the cutting edge of football strategy, discussing the impact of visionary coaches and the influence of the West Coast offense on the game's evolution. Finally, we analyze the significant role coaching plays in the development of quarterbacks, using the example of Doug Peterson's coaching influence on Trevor Lawrence. This episode is packed with valuable insights and discussions that will surely benefit coaches. Show Notes: Passing Lab Series Begins Passing Game Evolution and Teaching Challenges Defense Evolution in High School Strategy and Visionary Coaches Passing Game Evolution and Coaching Impact Coach Gonzalez’s Verticals Winning Edge Related Episodes: Into the Passing Lab - Josh Herring https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML2045813075.mp3?updated=1678203166 Holistic Approach to Protecting the Passer - Dan Gonzalez https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML6771257731.mp3?updated=1682102745 Dan Gonzalez Resources: https://coachtube.com/users/dan_gonzalez16?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Josh Herring Resources: https://coachtube.com/users/joshherring?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are offense having their way with your defenders they put in conflict? At the 3rd Annual Lauren's First & Goal Clinic Shane Direking, DC at D3 National Champion North Central also the 2022 Football Scoop D3 Coordinator of the Year, shared his insight on gap manipulation & limiting explosive plays  He covered everything from understanding the importance of a tight top-down defense to mastering the art of manipulating gaps. He includes a short discussion on their 30% rule and how this helps guide their planning week to week, as well as his reasoning for manipulating gaps and the four methods they use. In general, offenses love the RPO because of the way it can conflict with a defender and open up voids behind level two or potentially leave a gap open in the box. Either situation can lead to explosive plays. Explosive plays can be a game-changer in football. The chances of scoring in any single drive increase significantly with a single explosive play. Ensuring that the defense never gives up explosive plays, forces the offense to work harder and increases the chances of the defense creating havoc plays like TFLs, tackles, interceptions, and fumble recoveries. By making the offense earn every yard, the defense can increase the team’s win-loss percentage and maintain a strong defensive presence on the field. That’s what Coach Dierking shared in this segment from his clinic. The entire talk shows the different ways the Cardinals manipulate gaps with Coach Direking explaining with game film.   Show Notes: Defensive Structure and Philosophy Manipulating explosive plays Set-up to make the offense earn yards. Why manipulate gaps Gap manipulation in  Winning Edge The previous episode with Coach Dierking: An Obsession with Learning and Growing Plus Coaching the 4-2-5  https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML5125248937.mp3?updated=1677533204 Entire Clinic Talk - “Manipulating Gaps” https://coachtube.com/course/football/shane-dierking-manipulating-gaps/18885516?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 Coach Dierking’s Clinic - “Defending Empty Formations” https://coachtube.com/course/football/shane-dierking-defending-empty-formations/13906706?a=ddd391c93af2433281656b763 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. Follow me on Twitter @CoachKGrabowski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of our Teachable Moments Series, Steve Hauser is joined by Illinois Special Teams Coordinator Robby Discher. They talk about his journey through the profession and the importance of staying true to oneself.  Coach Discher shared valuable insights from his experiences at Toledo, Georgia, and now Illinois, offering advice on how to remain genuine and authentic in any situation. We also explored the impact of mentors like Willie Fritz on his career, as well as how he prepared for spring ball while relocating his family to Illinois. Show Notes: William Jewell lineage Learning from a mentor - Willie Fritz Sam Houston State experiences Oklahoma State influence The special teams coordinator can build relationships with full team “they didn’t sign a scholarship to cover kicks” Make the meetings enjoyable, get your message across We all have our own personalities, won’t work if its not who you are Learn more about TeachTapes: teachtapes.org Coach Discher's previous episode on Coach and Coordinator: https://chrt.fm/track/EFGCF3/traffic.megaphone.fm/CCML5365782430.mp3?updated=1669916432 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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