Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Today on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast we have the newest installment of our “Best Of” series with the Best of Defensive Coordinators. We look back at all the great defensive coordinators that we have had on the show and pick out some of the best ideas and concepts shared on the show. In Part 1 we focus on setting up the defense for success Show Notes 2:10 John Steger: Player development and having a strong senior class 4:22 Mike Fox: Recruiting the right people and having a family atmosphere 5:51 Allan Moore: Being positive and giving players ownership 9:12 Bob Trott: Culture starts with WE 11:29 Rob Everett: Culture must be defended especially in times of adversity 13:58 Wallie Kuchinski: Importance of alignment when establishing a culture 16:45 Scott Power: Culture vs scheme 18:03 Casey Jacobsen: “Wolf Pack pyramid” 20:38 Rich Wright: Building the defense around simplicity 22:22 Rob Everett: Coaching creativity 23:24 Mark Bruns: Creating a defensive system and quickly making adjustments 25:23 Wallie Kuchinski Personnel placement, sacrificing size for speed 27:49 Grant Caserta Finding players with defensive instincts 30:20 Chris Wolfe Utilizing the best available players 32:16 Rick Streiff Molding the scheme to fit personnel 34:16 Allan Moore Odd front defense 36:56 Van Malone Defense installed at SMU, matching talent 39:04 Chad Braun Base defense 40:16 Scott Power Base defense, 4-3 1 high

Today on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast we have a solo podcast from host Keith Grabowski where he gives some ideas and tips to new coordinators. This episode is based on an article Keith wrote a few years ago, “Tips for a New Coordinator.” On this episode, Keith gives some helpful advice to a coordinator who is just starting out. Show Notes 1:51 To be a coordinator does not mean you are a guru 2:18 Coordinator means to bring together 2:56 Be organized 3:25 Be mindful of your practice reps 4:42 Do the little things right 5:15 Out-execute the other team 5:57 Outwork your opponent 6:50 Prepare players for certain situations 9:19 Be a great teacher 10:15 Taking over a new program 11:23 Be tech-savvy

The NFL Draft begins tonight, and we continue talking with the high school coaches of top NFL Draft prospects. Today we have Bill Sochovka, head coach at Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Sochovka coached former Boston College defensive end Harold Landry. On today’s episode, Sochovka talks with host Keith Grabowski about some of his favorite stories about Landry. Show Notes 1:37 Benefits of going through the Pine Forest program 3:50 When Sochovka knew Landry was talented 7:23 Landry’s personality off the field 8:52 What Sochovka sees for Landry in the NFL 11:00 Sochovka’s favorite story about Landry 12:45 Excitement around the community 14:36 Advice from Sochovka to Landry going in to the NFL

With the NFL Draft one day away, we continue talking with the high school coaches of top NFL Draft prospects. Today we have Phil Ironside, head coach at Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. Ironside coached former North Carolina State defensive end and top prospect Bradley Chubb. On today’s episode, Ironside talks with host Keith Grabowski about Chubb’s development through his program and what he foresees for his future in the NFL. Show Notes 1:37 Benefits of going through the Hillgrove program 2:52 Chubb’s development through high school 5:19 Values players learn at Hillgrove 6:01 What Coach Ironside sees for Chubb’s future in the NFL 7:10 Multisport athletes 8:02 Other NFL players from the Hillgrove program 10:31 Excitement in the community 12:10 Coach Ironside’s favorite story about Chubb 13:23 Advice from Coach Ironside to Chubb going into the NFL

NFL Draft Prospect High School Coaches: Jason Mohns (Christian Kirk's coach) by USA Football

As the NFL draft approaches, we continue talking with high school coaches of top NFL Draft prospects. Today we talk with Gabe Fertitta, head coach of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Fertitta coached former LSU running back Derrius Guice who ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. On today’s episode, Fertitta talks with host Keith Grabowski about Guice’s personality and athleticism. Show Notes 1:50 Benefits of going through the Catholic High School program 4:05 Guice’s personality on and off the field 5:09 How Guice’s personality helped the program’s culture 6:22 The moment Fertitta knew Guice was special 7:56 Guice’s comments at the combine 9:03 What Fertitta sees for Guice in the NFL 11:52 Favorite story about Guice 14:00 Advice to Guice going into the NFL

We end our first week of talking with high school coaches of the top NFL Draft prospects with Jeff Fox, head coach at Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio. Fox coached former Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward. At the NFL combine, Ward tied the record for the fastest 40-yard dash by a cornerback at 4.32 seconds. On today’s episode, Fox talks with host Keith Grabowski about how Ward developed throughout his time at Nordonia. Show Notes 1:29 Culture at Nordonia H.S. 3:16 Ward’s Inches for Education charity 5:46 Ward’s development through high school 8:42 Coaching every player 11:29 Importance of athletes playing multiple sports 13:50 Favorite story about Ward 15:32 How Ward sets an example for the program 18:00 Advice Fox gives to Ward as he enters the NFL

As we continue our week of talking with the high school coaches of top NFL draft prospects, we have Cory Moore, head coach at Lakewood High School (Florida). In the past nine years, 258 former Lakewood players have gone on to play at the college level. Currently there are six Lakewood alums playing in the NFL and three more could be drafted this year. Coach Moore’s former players in the 2018 draft include 2014 U.S. National Team alum Isaiah Wynn, offensive lineman at Georgia, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, wide receiver out of South Florida, and 2013 National Team alum Shaquem Griffin, outside linebacker out of Central Florida. On today’s episode, Moore and host Keith Grabowski talk about the success of former Lakewood players. Show Notes 1:55 Excitement around the Lakewood program 2:57 Former players going on to the college level 4:24 Success of former players 5:20 Lakewood alum currently in the NFL 6:17 Isaiah Wynn’s on-field and off-field personality 7:20 What Moore sees for Isaiah in the NFL 8:30 Athleticism of Isaiah Wynn 10:45 Valdes-Scantling and Griffin’s on-field and off-field personalities 13:12 Youth programs 14:34 Importance of players serving the community 19:05 Moore’s favorite memory about Wynn 20:22 Advice Moore would give to his players going into the NFL

As we continue our series of talking with high school coaches of top NFL draft prospects, today's guest is Jaime Ortiz, head coach at San Clemente High School (California). Ortiz coached USC quarterback and top NFL Draft prospect Sam Darnold. On today’s episode, Ortiz talks with host Keith Grabowski about Darnold’s athletic ability and the advice he would give him going into the NFL. The tentative podcast schedule for the rest of this week includes: Thursday: Coach Corey Moore, Lakewood H.S. (St. Petersburg, Florida) (Isaiah Wynn, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Shaquem Griffin) Friday: Coach Jeff Fox, Nordonia H.S. (Macedonia, Ohio) (Denzel Ward) Show Notes 1:35 Benefits of coming out of the San Clemente program 2:40 Excitement around the program 3:39 Darnold’s on-field and off-field personalities 6:20 Benefit of Darnold being a multisport athlete 7:44 Offense at San Clemente 9:23 Developing QBs at San Clemente 13:41 What Ortiz sees for Darnold in the NFL 14:45 Ortiz’s favorite story about Darnold 16:39 Advice to Darnold going into the NFL

We continue talking with the high school coaches of top NFL draft prospects, and today we have Kelly King, head football coach at Milpitas High School (California). King coached projected first-round pick Vita Vea, University of Washington defensive tackle. King talks with host Keith Grabowski about Vea’s versatility on the field and his personality off the field. The tentative podcast schedule for the rest of this week includes: Wednesday: Coach Jaime Ortiz, San Clemente (California) (Sam Darnold) Thursday: Coach Corey Moore, Lakewood H.S. (St. Petersburg, Florida) (Isaiah Wynn, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Shaquem Griffin) Friday: Coach Jeff Fox, Nordonia H.S. (Macedonia, Ohio) (Denzel Ward) Show Notes 1:46 The excitement around the Milpitas program 2:26 The culture at Milpitas 2:56 Vea’s versatility at Milpitas 3:54 Vea’s athletic development 4:36 Vea’s off-field personality 5:51 What King sees for Vea in the NFL 6:20 King’s favorite story of Vea 7:06 Other things Vea was involved in outside of football 7:41 Impact of a former player going to the NFL 8:24 Advice to Vea going into the NFL

The NFL Draft is approaching, and over the next two weeks host Keith Grabowski will be talking with the high school coaches of some of the top NFL Draft prospects in the 2018 Draft on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast. We kick things off with Jason Negro, head football coach at St. John Bosco High School (Bellflower, California), who coached UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen. Coach Negro talks about his experience coaching Rosen and shares some of his favorite stories. The tentative podcast schedule for the rest of this week includes: Tuesday: Coach Kelly King, Milpitas (California) H.S. (Vita Vea) Wednesday: Coach Jaime Ortiz, San Clemente (California) (Sam Darnold) Thursday: Coach Corey Moore, Lakewood H.S. (St. Petersburg, Florida) (Isaiah Wynn, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Shaquem Griffin) Friday: Coach Jeff Fox, Nordonia H.S. (Macedonia, Ohio) (Denzel Ward) Show Notes 2:00 What it was like to coach Rosen 2:48 What Negro thinks Rosen is capable of 3:31 Coach Negro’s favorite story about Rosen 5:13 Coach Negro’s advice to Rosen

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Steven Jackson, offensive coordinator at North Gwinnett High School (Georgia). In Jackson’s first season, North Gwinnett went 14-1, won the 7A state championship, set the school scoring record and had a 1,000-plus-yard rusher and a 1000-plus-yard receiver, and a 2,500-yard-plus passer. On today’s episode, Jackson and host Keith Grabowski talk about having a balanced offense and the “Perfect Play” practice period. Show Notes 1:23 Jackson’s start in coaching 5:55 Offensive philosophy at North Gwinnett 8:53 Preparing players for Friday Night 13:03 Creating a balanced offense 17:41 Stressing communication within your team 21:29 “Perfect Play” practice period 30:31 A play Coach Jackson shared

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is John Loose, safeties coach at Army. Loose has been coaching for 31 years and is in his 13th season at Army. Last season, Loose helped guide the Army secondary to finish 14th in the nation against the pass. Coach Loose, with the help of his wife, started the Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation, which provides financial support for brain tumor research and cancer services. Lauren’s First and Goal has raised more than $2 million toward its mission and holds a one-day football camp with over 1,500 participants and over 300 college coaches from around the country. Show Notes 1:34 Loose’s coaching background 2:45 Lessons Loose has learned throughout his career 8:02 Building relationships with players 10:51 Defending the option 13:41 Adjustments made in practice to stop the pass 15:10 What coach is looking for in a player 18:28 Defending the RPO 22:06 Loose’s favorite RPO from the offensive perspective 25:03 Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation 33:28 Making a difference through Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation Subscribe to the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast on iTunes.   Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation: http://www.laurensfirstandgoal.org/ Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation Twitter: @LFGFootballCamp Lauren’s First and Goal Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4UuQ6hBR30&feature=youtu.be

Today on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast host Keith Grabowski and Andy Ryland, the Senior Manager in Education and Training at USA Football, take a visit to the Redstone Arsenal Army Base in Huntsville, Alabama. During the trip they met, with the guys at Army Game Studios to take an in-depth look at the GoArmy Edge app. GoArmy Edge is a free app that is designed to help athletes and coaches learn and prepare in a virtual environment before taking the field. With the app, you can simulate plays with your players in a virtual reality setting. On today’s episode, Keith and Andy talk about what they learned during their visit. Show Notes 1:22 Experience of the GoArmy Edge visit 4:19 Advantages of using this free app 7:12 Ability to train the mental side of the game 10:39 Advantage of training in a first-person view rather than a press box view 13:08 Easy transition for players 16:53 Value of getting mental reps in 20:07 Finding people who can help you with this technology Download the GoArmy Edge app on Android or Apple devices.  Check out these videos of the app: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhxnQCGsuQk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk1q1L2kWsQ&feature=youtu.be

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Chris Manhertz, tight end for the Carolina Panthers. Manhertz was a standout basketball player at Canisius College and had never played football until he stepped foot on an NFL practice field. On today’s episode, Manhertz talks about his journey to the NFL and coaches who helped him along the way. Show Notes 1:50 How Manhertz got to the NFL 2:55 Manhertz’s experience playing for the first time 4:02 What Scott Peters helped Manhertz work on 5:14 Not needing to break bad habits 6:38 Learning the game of football 11:51 Importance of being able to block 12:49 Toughest player to block 14:09 The more you do something, the better you become 14:56 Becoming a pass-catcher 15:49 How basketball helped Manhertz 17:23 Tip of the Spear contact system 18:23 Succeeding as a student 21:04 Best ways a coach can help his players