Coach and Coordinator Podcast

This week’s installment of the Champion Series presented by Signature Championship Rings is with Ben Reeves, the head coach of the State Champions at Milton High School in Georgia. Coach Reeves discusses the importance of celebrating the team's success, emphasizing the fleeting nature of championships and the need to savor each moment. He also explains the "two-position philosophy" employed in the...

In this episode of Culture OS, Brad Spencer, head coach at North Central College, shares his coaching journey emphasizing values like faith, family, and academics. He discusses challenges and successes shaping his coaching style, highlights recruiting local talent, and fostering a supportive team culture. Insights on maintaining high standards, effective communication, and leveraging technology fo...

Today's episode is a clinic segment from the 4th Annual Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic featuring Coach Sean Saturnio, special teams coordinator from the United States Military Academy.  In this episode, Coach Saturnio shares valuable insights on creating a team culture of excellence, love, and leadership. Drawing from his extensive experience as a high school coach in Hawaii and his current role a...

In today’s Clinic Series episode from the D3 Top 25 Clinic, Luke Butts, former defensive coordinator at Lake Forest and current head coach at Westminster College, shares his expertise on building a strong defensive identity.  Coach Butts delves into the key elements of an elite defense, emphasizing the importance of effort, tackling, and takeaways. He shares the strategies and philosophies that ha...

The journey to championship success is often paved with unique challenges and opportunities for growth. One such inspiring story comes from Boyle County High School in Kentucky, where head coach Justin Haddix led his team to an impressive four-peat state championship in 2023. When Coach Haddix took the reins at Boyle County, he inherited a program with a rich history of success under the guidance...

In this episode of Culture OS, guest host Rob Pomazak sits down with Tony Shiffman, head coach of Waterford High School in Wisconsin. Coach Shiffman emphasizes the importance of being authentic and confident in one's coaching approach. He highlights that being genuine and passionate about what you do resonates more with players than simply following a set playbook. Authenticity breeds trust and co...

In an era becoming dominated by data and AI, the integration of technology and analytics has come to the forefront in coaching. In its ability to enhance decision-making processes and optimize performance on the field, these technology trends are definitely worth paying attention to. Whether some coaches like it or not, technology is revolutionizing the way offenses and defenses are called during...

The journey of a coach is often a story of evolution and growth. In this episode, Jeff Traylor, head coach at the University of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA), provides a compelling narrative of his transformation in the game. Transitioning from a high school coach to a college coach, Coach Traylor reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his coaching philosophy. From his early focus on offensive pr...

The journey from season to season is a dynamic process that requires a multifaceted approach encompassing player development, coaching strategies, and fostering strong relationships. Chad Johnson, the head coach at Mission Viejo High School and a state champion from California, emphasizes the importance of authentic relationships as the foundation of the program. By investing time in youth camps,...

Welcome to another episode of our Culture OS series! In this episode, our guest host Rob Pomazak sits down with Derek Leonard, the esteemed head coach at Rochester High School in Illinois. Coach Leonard has won nine state championships, including a perfect 14-0 season in 2023. During the engaging conversation, Rob and Derek delve into the legacy of the Leonard family, with Derek sharing insights i...

Geoff Collins is the new Defensive Coordinator for North Carolina. Coach Collins recently presented at the 4th Annual Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic, and this clinic series episode is a segment from that presentation. The focus on creating chaos without succumbing to chaos itself is a defining principle of the Tar Heel defensive plan. Referred to as the "Minister of Mayhem," Coach Collins aims to...

In the competitive coaching world, adopting a CEO approach can set a leader apart. Coach Pete Lembo, the new head coach at the University of Buffalo, exemplifies this approach through his emphasis on organization, development, and creating a balanced team. His success can be attributed to his innate inclination towards meticulous planning and continuous improvement. Coach Lembo's journey in variou...

In this week’s installment of the Champions Series presented by Signature Championship Rings, we are joined by the head coach of a state champion from Iowa who just completed a three-peat winning the title in 2021, 2022, and 2023. They finished 2023 at a perfect 14-0 and are also on a 22-game winning streak. Brad Zelenovich has been at the helm of the Southeast Polk football program since 2015, le...

Join host of Culture OS Rob Pomazak in a deep-dive conversation with special guest Coach Kyle Ralph from New Palestine High School as they discuss the key elements of building a successful football program and creating a winning culture. Discover the importance of commitment, toughness, and passion in shaping the culture at New Palestine, as well as insights on player development, staff involvemen...

The QB run game is an aspect of the game that can create a strategic advantage on offense by effectively utilizing the quarterback's mobility and decision-making skills. This approach involves a meticulous balance between incorporating the quarterback into various run schemes while considering the overall offensive game plan. In this episode, we share a segment from National Champion Offensive Coo...

In the world of strength and conditioning for football athletes, the emphasis has shifted towards a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional weight room workouts. We are excited to have Scott Leech, the strength and conditioning coach at the University of Rhode Island, join us to share an approach for a well-rounded training program that includes field work, competitive drills, and prep for...

Carnegie Mellon University has been one of the best in D3 Football in Red Zone scoring the past two seasons, finishing second in 2022 and first in 2023. In this segment from the 2024 D3 Top 25 Clinic, Head Coach Ryan Larsen shares the way the Tartans plan and practice their Red Zone offense. His template for excelling in this area of offense is one that can be utilized at all levels. Follow Coach...

In this first episode of Culture OS hosted by Rob Pomazak, Army Offensive Line Coach Matt Drinkall shares insights drawn from his extensive coaching career and offers valuable leadership and program development lessons. Show Notes: Matt Drinkall's Personal Mission and Vision The Impact of Mentorship in Coaching Creating a Positive Environment for Coaches and Players Challenges of Being a Head Coac...

In this episode, Jevaughn Codlin, graduate assistant/assistant defensive backs coach at West Virginia University, shares how he adds value to the program even though he is in an entry-level position. This episode has great reminders for any coach at any stage of his or her career about adding value to the program. Coach Codlin also provides valuable insight for coaches in entry-level positions loo...

In the ever-evolving landscape of football, the concept of run fits has undergone significant transformations to adapt to the changing dynamics of offensive strategies. We are constantly faced with the challenge of staying ahead of the curve in devising effective defensive schemes that can counter the versatility and complexity of modern offenses and vice-versa on the opposite side of the ball. On...

We are excited to kickoff our new series "Culture OS" with our guest host Rob Pomazak, Head Coach at St. Charles North High School in Illinois. Coach Pomazak has been a guest on the podcast multiple times, and we always enjoy his insight into building a program by design. In this series, he will interview coaches from all levels to gain insight into how they build the operating system that runs th...

As we hit mid-February and start to see a little more sun and milder weather, utilizing field work in our strength and conditioning program begins to prepare our team to get back onto the field and develop some general skills that will translate on the field. Scott Leech is the Strength & Conditioning Coach at Rhode Island. In his presentation from the 2023 Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic, he share...

In this episode, host Keith Grabowski gives three simple ways you can teach your team members to be vocal leaders. This focus on vocal leadership will increase energy, build trust, and push team members to be unselfish and invest in others. Be sure to attend the D3 Top 25 Virtual Clinic presented by Coach and Coordinator: https://d3football.coachesclinic.com/ Thank you for supporting our partners:...

From the archives, we revisit The Leadership Ladder, first presented at a clinic by Gregg Brandon, then the head coach at Bowling Green State University, most recently the head coach at the Colorado School of Mines. It simplifies the levels of leadership and is a helpful tool for your team in the offseason. Show Notes: Learning from Gregg Brandon A Tool to Share with Players Starting with a Coach-...

In this clinic series episode, we Dig into the art and science of tackling. It is a skill that demands both physical prowess and strategic understanding. As the game evolves with rule changes designed for player safety, and just a better understanding overall of performance, so too must your tackling systems. This evolution is crucial in bridging the gap between practice drills and in-game perform...