Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Kyle Schmitt is the head coach of Archbishop Spalding High School in Maryland, the 2022 and 2023 MIAA "A" State Champions. He was the 2022 Baltimore Ravens Coach of the Year. As a player and then graduate assistant at Maryland, he was heavily influenced by Ralph Friedgen and current Penn State head coach James Franklin. In this episode, Coach Schmitt emphasizes the importance of looking in the mir...

We continue to share our “Best 11” interviews of 2023. In this episode, we again highlight Andrew Jackson, defensive line coach at West Virginia. Coach Jackson discusses his approach to coaching and utilizing his personnel effectively. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and understanding each player's strengths and weaknesses. He takes a personalized approach, getting to know e...

When it comes to standing out in the competitive world of coaching, it's essential to showcase your skills and achievements in a way that truly captures attention. One effective approach to achieving this end is to incorporate the elements of people, actions, and results into your coaching portfolio. In this episode, Chris Fore, former high school coach and current school administrator and footbal...

As we wind down 2023 and ramp up the offseason, we are sharing our “Best 11” interviews from the past year. This one is with Amanda Ruller, who is currently the running backs coach for Central Washington. In this episode, Amanda Ruller shared a different perspective on networking in this profession, finding a way to the top, and then digging into ideas and drills for training running backs. Her un...

Congratulations to Scotty Walden on being named the new head coach at UTEP. He’s the second youngest coach in the FBS, and being the youngest is nothing new to him. In 2016, at 26 years old and the head coach of East Texas Baptist, he was the youngest head coach in college football. Coach Walden was briefly the interim head coach at Southern Miss in 2020, making him the youngest FBS coach at that...

We begin our “Champions Series” with a state champion from Minnesota who won the Class AAA title. Led by Head Coach Garrett Mueller, the Stewartville Tigers completed a perfect season with their 14th victory. The 2023 campaign was their third undefeated regular season in a row. A big part of what’s brought Stewartville to this point was a development change made in their program to a sprint-based...

From the archives, Keith Grabowski shares a page from his notebook about offseason standards for a team. Keith reflects on his time at the high school coaching level and what his staff put together for their program. He breaks down his chart and how it developed for him in his coaching career. Show Notes: Influence of the Program Standards Discussing with the Staff Setting the Standards The Two Le...

It is the time of year when coaches gear up for the offseason. Some teams are already back in the weight room and training hard. We always like to have Tony Holler back on the podcast during this time to help educate coaches on preparing for another season and getting the most out of our athletes. Tony Holler is the creator of Feed the Cats, a revolutionary sprint training program that has gained...

In this episode, Tom Yashinsky, head coach of Onalaska High School in Wisconsin, shares how he streamlines the workflows for his coaches, as well as how they utilize technology to better teach their players so they are better prepared when they hit the field. Show Notes: Challenges of Sharing Information and Communication Offseason Research Favorites/Influences from Clinics Evolving a Playbook and...

Brian Kight joined Coach and Coordinator Podcast for the Leadership Journey series in 2017. Kight shared ways coaches can change their mindsets and improve as leaders, focusing on issues that teams face during the season. In this episode, we revisit this timeless content that is as true today as it was six years ago with segments from each episode in the series. Best of the Leadership Journey – Se...

In this episode, Rob Pomazak discusses player development, using metrics in and out of season to compute a “Madden” rating for each player, what metrics are used, as well as helping college prospects through the recruiting process. Coach Pomazak is a member of the Coach and Coordinator Board of Advisors and the head coach at St. Charles North High School, 2018 Illinois state runner-up. Show Notes:...

The offseason journey is a time to review, reflect, and determine where your team goes next. It’s also a time for you to determine how you will grow and develop as an individual in the coaching profession. In this episode, we share an excerpt from Bill Walsh’s book Finding the Winning Edge to get you thinking about your offseason journey. Coach Walsh was one of the best ever because he knew how al...

From the archives, we revisit a conversation with Ohio High School Coaches Hall of Famer Thom McDaniels. After an illustrious 26-year head coaching career, Thom McDaniels is still impacting the next generation of football players and coaches. Some may know him as the father of former Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Josh McDaniels and Houston Texans Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Ben Mc...

In recent weeks, we have looked at several different approaches to wrapping up your season and moving your program, unit, or position group ahead, as well as improving yourself professionally for next season. In this episode, we look at what some coaches like to refer to as AOI, or Areas of Improvement. We sit down with four coaches to discuss how they prioritize areas for improvement and the comp...

The season wrap-up is a crucial aspect of coaching that allows coaches to reflect on the past season, gather feedback, and make plans for improvement. It provides an opportunity to assess the team's performance, identify areas of strength and weakness, and set the foundation for the next season. In this episode, three coaches share tips for an effective season wrap-up that can make a significant d...

As the season comes to a close, coaches face the critical task of evaluating the performance of their defense and deciding what to do next. This postseason evaluation is a crucial process that involves analyzing various aspects of the team's defensive performance and preparing for the upcoming season. In this episode, four coaches look at their data, determine what went well and what needs improve...

The offseason usually begins with the challenge of striking a balance between preserving successful elements of the previous season and introducing new schemes, strategies, and tactics for the next season. This delicate balance is essential for the growth and success of our teams. By staying true to the team's core beliefs and values, collaborating with defensive coaches, and being open to innovat...

In this episode from our archives, Eli Drinkwitz, head coach at the University of Missouri, shares how he implements a pro-tempo style of offense to attack opposing defenses. Coach Drinkwitz focuses on competition, trust, respect, and enjoying the journey at Missouri. The Tigers are having an outstanding season in 2023, which after listening or re-listening to this episode comes as no surprise. Sh...

In this episode from our archives, we delve into the topic of player self-evaluations. These essential tools for understanding and developing players provide valuable insights into their perceptions, attitudes, and goals, allowing coaches to tailor their coaching approach to individual needs. Coach Keith Grabowski shares all the questions and survey items that have benefitted his teams plus the si...

In the postseason, the pressure to perform at your best becomes even more intense. Coaches and players alike need to be mentally and physically prepared to navigate the challenges of playoff and championship weeks. In this episode, three playoff-experienced coaches teach the importance of maintaining a heightened level of consistency while preparing for these crucial moments. Coaches Featured in T...

In the high-stakes weeks of the playoffs or championship games, effective game planning and scouting techniques play crucial roles in determining a team's success. Doing a thorough job allows coaching staffs to understand their team's tendencies and opponent’s tendencies, as well as make adjustments as needed. This approach helps maintain clarity for their players and ensures they can perform at t...

While wrapping up a season, evaluation and analysis play crucial roles in identifying both the strengths and weaknesses of your offense and defense. Coaches and analysts strive to gain a true picture of their team's performance, allowing them to make informed decisions for improvement. Getting a true picture of an offense’s or defense's strengths and weaknesses is a multifaceted process that invol...

As coaches, we all know leading a team through the playoffs can be an exhilarating, yet demanding, experience. The pressure to perform, the increased responsibilities, and the distractions outside the game can easily derail our focus. However, by implementing effective strategies, we can ensure we stay on track and give our teams the best chance to succeed. In this episode, three coaches share wha...

In this episode from our archives, Coach Keith Grabowski gives us a page out his notebook on trick plays. Trick plays can be fun and valuable tools for a team. They give room for creativity on offense and confusion for opposing defenses. Listen to insight on some of the most popular trick plays and some new ones. This episode supplies coaches with a multitude of ideas that can be implemented as th...

Exit interviews provide a valuable opportunity for coaches to gather feedback from players at the conclusion of a season. This feedback can have a profound impact on coaching methods and strategies, ultimately contributing to team development and success. This commitment to open communication and continuous improvement lays the foundation for successful future seasons and ultimately contributes to...