PJ Hedrington

IFCA Journal Podcast

Sports EN ↓ 24 episodes

The IFCA Journal Podcast has a variety of speakers again this year. We have coaches from Iowa sharing their knowledge and experiences. This year’s journal edition has a new look. We are switching over to a podcast. The episodes are categorized by topics. This will help coaches that are looking for a certain theme. Enjoy listening to this year’s edition. The IFCA strives to be one of the best football coaches' associations in the United States. We are very pleased with the commitment of our coaches to this organization. Podcast Topics (Sample) • Offensive Philosophy • Defensive of Philosophy ...

Author

PJ Hedrington

Episodes

Episode 24: Understanding the Rules and Expectations, Jared Chizek, IHSAA 07.05.2026 50:55

Jared Chizek's Bio In his role at the IHSAA Chizek oversees various aspects of high school athletics in Iowa. Manson NW Alum Iowa Central-Student Asst. FB Iowa State Alum Coached at Nevada H.S. Intern at the IHSAA Married to his wonderful wife Jamie for 8 years. The couple welcome a baby boy a few weeks ago.

Episode 23: Winning with Zone Coverage at the 8-man level. 23.04.2026 30:14

Coach John Olson's Bio Gladbrook-Reinbeck: HC 2 -State Championship State Semifinals: 2023, 2024, 2025 District Coach of The Year Regional Coach of The Year State Coach of The Year Married to Cindy and they have 4 wonderful children. Contact Information

Episode 22: QB Development at any level, Mitch Wieland, IC Liberty 16.04.2026 41:00

Coach Wieland's Bio IC High Grad. IC Regina-5 years IC Liberty -OC/QB Coach State Finals (2025) 2025 Broyles Award Winner-Top Assistant Married to Madi. They have 2 little girls. Contact Information

Episode 21: Transitioning to 8-man, Don Hicks, Stanton 09.04.2026 19:10

Coach Don Hicks Bio Stanton-Head Football (42 years) 33 years Basketball 30 years Track 25 years Baseball State Championship-2007 Hall of Famer in Football and Basketball Eberly Family Legacy Award (KMA) KMA-Hall of Fame Stadium Field named-Don Hicks Field State Coach of The Year Regional Coach of The Year District Coach of The Year Regional Athletic Director of The Year Iowa Shrine Bowl Coach Mar...

Episode 20: Offensive Line Play (8-man), Marty Wadle, Bishop Garrigan 02.04.2026 31:08

Coach Marty Wadle's Bio Dowling Catholic (Fresh Coach) Bish Garrigan (1992) 2-State Titles State Coach of The Year Regional Coach of The Year District Coach of The Year (Track Coach) IFCA Board/ Chair-2016 Iowa Shrine Boach Head Coach-2026 (Asst. 09) 32 years married with 2 children Contact Information wadlem@bishopgarrigan.org

Episode 19: Offensive Line Fundamentals, Mike Mertes, Kuemper Catholic 26.03.2026 35:31

Coach Mike Mertes Bio Kuemper Catholic (17 years) 2 State Championships Assistant Coach of The Year Several All-State and All-District Players Wife Jackie and 4 amazing kids. Contact Information: mertesm68@gmail.com

Episode 18: Off-Season Training and Running Back development, Tyrone Tyler, D1 Apex-Coach 19.03.2026 25:21

Coach Tyrone Tyler's Bio D1 Apex Performance Coach-RB/WR's Dowling Catholic JV Head Coach/WR Coach DM Hoover/DM East- Head Football Des Moines Blaze: President/Head Coach Iowa Barnstormers: Player/Coach College Gridiron Showcase Scout/Coach: 11 years Dowling Catholic Hall of Fame Athlete All-State and All-Conference Honors State Championship-Dowling Catholic

Episode 17: 13,504: Lessons in Leadership, Faith, and the Moments That Matter, Todd Gordon, AD 16.03.2026 40:46

(Coach Gordon shares his 5 Lessons of Leadership from his book) Coach Todd Gordon's Bio Iowa Bound Athletic Director Treynor Carlisle Roosevelt Green County Retired Athletic Director President of The Athletic Director Association Hall of Fame Athletic Director-2022 Married 42 years, 3 children and 6 grandchildren Coach Todd Gordon has written 4 Books Made New: A Teen's Journey Toward a Life God Bl...

Episode 16: Key Teaching Points on the Defensive Line, Kelvin Bell, Iowa University 13.03.2026 42:14

Coach Kelvin Bell's Bio Iowa City Regina Cornell College Wayne State University Trinity International College Iowa University (Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship-Vikings, Giants, Dolphins, Bengals) Several All-American, All Big Ten Conference Players, NFL Draft Picks Wife Natalee and son. Contact Information

Episode 15: Playing Fast at the 8-man level, John Beck, Montezuma 12.03.2026 30:44

Coach John Beck's Bio Montezuma: Head Coach (6 years) District Coach of The Year Playoffs (5 years) Married to Morgan and they have 3 boys. Fun Fact: Most Points scored in a playoff game 112-93 Contact Information: jbeck@montezuma.k12.ia.us

Episode 14: Creating successful DB's at the High School level, Cory Faust, Glenwood 05.03.2026 38:30

Coach Cory Faust's Bio AHST Glenwood (14 years) Playoffs 7 years 2x Regional Coach of The Year Des Moines Register All-Iowa Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year (2019) Shrine Bowl Head Coach (2026) IFCA Board President

Episode 13: Developing your Running Backs 101, Aundra Meeks, Dowling Catholic 26.02.2026 41:48

Coach Aundra Meeks Bio Waterloo Columbus Catholic H.S. (Head Coach) District Titles State Championship-2004 (FIRST ONLY AFRICAN AMERICAN HEAD COACH TO WIN A STATE TITLE) IFCA Board President (First African American) IFCA Playoff Committee Chair District Coach of The Year Regional Coach of The Year State Coach of The Year National High School Coaches Associates Award Winner National Coach of The Ye...

Episode 12: Building A Program in the Metro area, Lonnie Moore, Waterloo West 22.02.2026 28:15

Coach Lonnie Moore's Bio Dear Field, Illinois Waterloo West (17 Years) Ed Thomas Coach of The Week District Coach of The Year Regional Coach of The Year Shrine Bowl Coach 6x Playoff Appearances Coach Moore's Contact Information: moorel@waterlooschools.org

Episode 11: Flexbone Offense, Rich Mayson, Ottumwa OC. 19.02.2026 29:58

Coach Rich Mayson's Bio 5 College Coaches Assignments Ottumwa: Head Coach Cardinal: OC/Head Coach Ottumwa: Offensive Coordinator Head Girls Track Coach "Coach Mayson is one of several African Americans to make an impact in our state. " Contact Information: richard.mayson@ottumwaschools.com

Episode 10: Fundamentals of defense and game planning, Will Thornton, Valley H.S. 12.02.2026 23:50

Coach Will Thornton's Bio Cedar Falls Valley H.S. (Defensive Coordinator) 5x State Football Champion District Championship 5A Assistant Coach of The Year Fort Dodge Alum (All-State QB) Husband to Michelle, 4 kids, and 3 grandchildren. "A true pioneer of our sport." Contact Information: thorntonw@wdmcs.org

Episode 9: Building a Philosophy and Core Values as a young coach. Tom Wilson, Dowling Catholic 05.02.2026 30:05

Coach Tom Wilson's Bio English Valley Wilton Dike Dowling Catholic (21 Years) Hall of Fame Coach State Coach of The Year Regional Coach of The Year District Coach of The Year National Coaching Recognition Iowa Board of Directors 9 State Titles (Multiple) District Championships *8 Former players continued their playing careers in the NFL or CFL. Proud Husband, father, and grandpa. Contact Informati...

Episode 8: Learning about the Iowa Football Coaches Association (IFCA) with Brian Wilken, Ridge View 29.01.2026 27:12

Coach Brian Wilken's Bio MVAOCOU Newell-Fonda Ridge View Hall of Fame Coach State Championship (2014) Regional Coach of The Year District Coach of the Year State Coach of The Year IFCA Board Secretary Husband to Pam, 5 kids, and new grandparent. Contact Information bwilken@rvraptors.org

Episode 7: Defense and Linebacker(s) Philosophy, Al Smith, UNI 20.01.2026 35:03

Coach Al Smith's Bio St. Scholastica: Defensive Coordinator DB, LB Coach Drake University: Defensive Coordinator/LB Coach UNI: Defensive Coordinator/LB Coach "Known as a great leader of men." Contact Information: Al.smith@uni.edu

Episode 6: Wing T Philosophy, Mike Morrissey, Molina IL 13.01.2026 36:29

Coach Mike Morrissey's Bio 4 Head Coaching Positions including Illinois (2x), Iowa, and Arizona. 6x Coach of The Year 2x Regional Coach of The Year 13 Playoff Appearances Son of Hall of Fame Football Coach Ed Morrissey of Pleasant Valley Contact Information: coachmorrissey7@gmail.com

Episode 5: Structure your RPO Run and Passing game, Rob Luther, Ankeny H.S. 08.01.2026 37:44

Coach Rob Luther's Bio Van Meter H.S., Woodward Granger H.S. Des Moines East H.S. CMB H.S., Head Football Coach Baxter H.S., Head Football Coach Ankeny H.S., Offensive Coordinator Coach of The Year 4x District Coach of The Year Regional Coach of The Year All-Area Coach of The Year President of The IFCA (Iowa Football Coaches Association) Committee Chair Contact Information : Rober.luther@ankenysch...

Episode 4: Defensive Philosophy, Matt Jeter, Waukee H.S. 01.01.2026 23:48

Coach Jeter's Bio High School Coach (Des Moines Area) Drake University: Asst Coach/Defensive Coordinator Central Missouri: Defensive Coordinator Simpson College, Head Football Coach Waukee High School, DB Coach D1 Apex/Academy Instructor American River Conference Coach of The Year (2018) First African American Head Coach at Simpson College and Among Colleges in the State of Iowa. Contact Informati...

Episode 3: Building a Positive Culture, John Torrey, Plainview Nebraska 29.12.2025 33:55

Coach Torrey's Bio: Intern at Nebraska/Worked 3 Super Bowls Coached Football and Wrestling Educator of The Week by KDSN Book: More Than the Game: Building Relationships for a Winning Culture Coaches contact Information: jtorrey@plainviewschools.org

Episode 2: Offensive Philosophy, Jerod Burns, BGM Head Football Coach 29.12.2025 25:40

Coach Burns Bio: Head Football Coach at BGM (21 years) 7x District Coach of The Year Regional Coach of The Year State Semifinals, 2012 State Championship Game, 2013 Contact Information: jburns@brooklyn.k12.ia.us

Episode 1: Welcome to the NEW IFCA Journal Platform. 29.12.2025 15:21

PJ Hedrington, the IFCA Journal Committee Chairman and family would like to welcome you to the new platform. Get to know Coach Hedrington and his family. This is a special Christmas addition. Merry Christmas!