Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Matt Kostelnik, head coach at Avon Lake High School (Ohio). Kostelnik had a great playing career at both Avon Lake, where he was the MVP of the state championship game, and the University of Mount Union (Ohio), where he was an All American. On today’s episode, Kostelnik and host Keith Grabowski talk about multisport athletes and helping youth players develop. Show Notes 2:45 Experiences throughout his coaching career 4:09 Process of taking over a program 6:22 “Player, formation, plays” 8:53 Kostelnik’s success as a player 12:32 Trusting the process and waiting your turn 15:24 Multisport athletes 21:38 Coordinating workouts with coaches of other sports 25:43 Building up a youth program 33:18 Emphasizing safety in today’s game

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Van Malone, former defensive coordinator at Southern Methodist University. Malone played three years in the NFL for the Detroit Lions, then transitioned into coaching. Malone was named the 2017 AFCA FBS Assistant Coach of the Year. On today’s episode, Malone talks with host Keith Grabowski about important lessons he has learned throughout this career. Show Notes 1:24 Transitioning from playing in the NFL to coaching 4:13 Key lessons that have helped Malone develop as a coach 7:51 The defense installed at SMU 10:28 Taking away the RPO 14:48 Advice to coaches who are looking for their next opportunity 19:39 Coach Malone’s next step in his career

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Nate Moore, head coach at Massillon Washington High School (Ohio). Coach Moore is in his third year at Washington, which has the fourth-most wins of any high school program all-time and was once coached by Paul Brown. On today’s episode, Moore and host Keith Grabowski talk about the Massillon community and creating unity in your program. Show Notes 2:50 Moore’s development as a coach 7:11 Value of having great mentors 9:49 Taking on a different role 16:45 Taking over a new program 26:04 “The most dangerous people to your program are within your walls” 30:03 Understanding the community 33:18 Forming unity within your program 38:08 Coaching in a historic rivalry game 43:59 The winning edge

Today’s guest on this “NCAA Leaders” edition of the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Cris Reisert, offensive coordinator at Ohio Dominican University. This past season ODU was at the top of Division II in multiple categories, including No. 1 in completion percentage (72 percent), No. 1 in turnovers allowed (7), No. 1 in Team Passing Efficiency (190.91), No. 2 in third-down conversion percentage (52.9 percent), and No. 3 in Passing Offense (343.6 yards per game). On today’s episode, Reisert talks with host Keith Grabowski about protecting the ball and functional knowledge. Show Notes 2:02 Reisert’s coaching background 5:49 His experience coaching tight ends 7:58 How dynamic tight ends can be 9:40 ODU’s culture/ importance of protecting the ball 15:18 “Functional knowledge” 17:22 Building the run game 19:42 RPOs 21:46 Preparing a game plan 26:18 What concepts work best for ODU 31:05 The winning edge

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Dan Gonzalez, offensive systems consultant. Gonzalez played football for four years at University of Texas and lettered as a wide receiver on the 1994 Southwest Conference championship team. Gonzalez also coached on the college level from 1995 through 2005. On today’s episode, Gonzalez and host Keith Grabowski talk about offseason preparations and how to translate those ideas to the practice field. Show Notes 2:06 “Hit list” and “ready list” 3:50 Process of making a “hit list” and “ready list” 7:36 What questions to focus on when studying during the offseason 11:28 Where Gonzalez gets his resources that he studies 17:26 Coaches and teams that Gonzalez studies 22:03 How to know when you have enough answers 26:10 “The answer is something you already do” 29:01 How much time Gonzalez spends studying technique

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Matt Drinkall, head coach at Kansas Wesleyan University, an NAIA school in Salina, Kansas. Drinkall was selected to be a participant in the 2018 American Football Coaches Association 35 under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. This program is designed to identify and develop premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. On today’s episode, Drinkall talks about tempo and the evolution of the run game. Show Notes 2:30 Evolution of the run game 6:33 Shifting and motioning 13:58 Importance of changing personnel 18:25 Keeping the tempo up 19:53 Game planning tempo 20:32 Changes Drinkall has made to his practice routine 28:41 Looking at data from practice 30:12 Motioning from the backfield

Football Scoop FCS coordinator of the year Bob Trott discusses what makes JMU successful by USA Football

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Steve Steele, head coach at Pierre T.F. Riggs High School (South Dakota). Steele led Pierre Riggs to the Class 11AA state championship in 2017. In this episode, Steele and host Keith Grabowski discuss Steele’s extensive use of data and analytics to gain an edge on the competition. Show Notes 1:39 Getting players to buy into culture 3:26 Annual camping retreat 5:24 How camp activities translate to the field 8:42 How Steele uses analytics 12:19 Breaking down analytics 19:21 What he looks for in data 21:17 Turning the data into a game plan 25:11 Using analytics on the defensive side 26:55 Working smarter, not harder Subscribe to the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast on iTunes.   Coach Steele’s twitter: @Steele_House

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Dub Maddox, offensive coordinator at Jenks High School (Oklahoma). Maddox has a new book coming out, “Adapt or Die,” which is a field manual for coaches and players that provides fundamental tools to improving timing and space creation. In the book, he also reveals how to implement new R4 scheme strategies that drive adaptability through simplicity. On today’s episode, Maddox gives an overview of “Adapt or Die” and talks about creating a specialized language for players. Show Notes 1:19 Maddox talks about his new book, “Adapt or Die” 5:29 “Space, timing, talent” 10:20 Breaking down the RPO 17:21 Getting players to understand the game plan 19:38 Creating a specialized language to help players 24:38 Letting your players know when to adjust 25:58 Overview of “Adapt or Die”

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Pete Shinnick, head coach at the University of West Florida. 2016 was the first season for the West Florida football program and the Argonauts compiled a 5-6 record, marking the most wins by a first year NCAA Division II program in over a decade. The following year, Shinnick led West Florida to play in the D-II National Championship. Shinnick has been awarded the 2017 AFCA Coach of the Year, the 2017 D2Football.com National Coach of the Year, and the AFCA Region 2 Coach of the year. On today’s episode, Shinnick and host Keith Grabowski talk about what he looks for in a player and creating unity among players and the coaching staff. Show Notes 1:31 Starting a football program 4:38 Shinnick’s background 8:24 Lessons Shinnick has learned throughout his career 11:10 Teaching players off the field 15:23 “Flip coaching” 18:21 What Shinnick seeks in players 23:36 Pillars of West Florida’s culture 26:39 Creating unity among coaches and players 30:45 Translating culture to the field 35:40 Offense at West Florida 41:18 RPOs 42:26 Gap scheme 47:28 The winning edge

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Gabe Fertitta, head football coach at Catholic High School of Baton Rouge (Louisiana). This past season, in his first year as head coach, Gabe Fertitta led Catholic to win the 2017 LHSAA Division 1 State Championship. On today’s episode Coach Fertitta and host Keith Grabowski talk about program alignment and the cur dog culture at Catholic High School. Show Notes 1:51 Coach Fertitta’s time at Catholic 3:04 Culture at Catholic High School 4:42 Making the switch to head coach 7:30 Aligning with the culture 11:30 Cur Dog culture 15:25 Offense and defense at Catholic 18:42 G-scheme concept 24:54 Continuing to perform at a high level Subscribe to the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast on iTunes. Coach Fertitta’s twitter: @Fertitta_Gabe Coach Fertitta’s email: gfertitta@catholichigh.org

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Glen Snodgrass, head coach at York High School (Nebraska). York has been state-ranked for the past six years and won a 2017 state championship. On today’s episode, Snodgrass and host Keith Grabowski talk about their strength and conditioning program and the culture at York. Show Notes 2:02 Snodgrass’ background 4:31 Lack of experience at first coaching job 6:33 Turning around a program 11:00 Strength and conditioning program 14:23 Culture at York 19:27 Youth football program 23:23 Involvement with youth players 26:41 Setting up a versatile offense 35:14 The winning edge

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Ryan Goddard, head coach at Pueblo South High School (Colorado). Goddard is in his eighth season at Pueblo South and has accumulated a 55-37 record. Pueblo South won a 2017 state championship, the first in program history. On today’s episode, Goddard and host Keith Grabowski talk about leadership and multisport athletes. Show Notes 2:12 Turning around a program 6:55 Culture at Pueblo South 8:05 Goddard’s coaching philosophy 9:31 Servant leadership 11:04 Offense and defense at Pueblo South 14:24 Importance of multisport athletes 17:26 When player development starts 18:50 The winning edge

Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Mark Lusic, head coach at Amherst High School (Wisconsin). When Coach Lusic took over the program in 2010, Amherst had never been to a playoff game. With Lusic’s help, Amherst now has four state titles and has won the last three in a row. On today’s episode, Lusic and host Keith Grabowski talk about getting players to buy in and the option offense. Show Notes 1:46 Coach Lusic’s background 4:36 Getting players to buy in 7:05 Getting buy-in from the athletic department 10:45 Culture at Amherst 12:54 Getting players to stay in the program 15:04 Managing playing time 17:40 Installing the option offense 20:46 Defense Amherst runs 22:40 Keeping a consistent staff 26:30 The winning edge Subscribe to the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast on iTunes.

Today’s guest on this “NCAA Leaders” edition of the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is John Pennington, head coach at West Virginia State University. This past season, West Virginia State finished near the top in multiple categories in Division II, including No. 1 in red zone offense, No. 7 in third-down conversions, No. 14 in total offense and No. 14 in sacks allowed. On today’s episode, Pennington and host Keith Grabowski talk about player development and strategic flexibility. Show Notes 1:45 Pennington’s time at West Virginia University 3:22 Pennington’s coaching philosophy 4:35 Winning the “Ideal Mountaineer Man” award 6:14 Pennington’s coaching journey 10:18 Advantage of coaching multiple positions 15:04 Type of offense at West Virginia State 18:36 Favorite formation 26:36 Six keys to being successful in the red zone 34:48 Mental preparation 37:16 Culture at West Virginia State 44:30 The winning edge