Safe blocking and #LinemanLunch. Matt Jones - Offensive Line Coach, Texas Southern University

Summary: Today’s guest on the Coach and Coordinator podcast is Matt Jones, offensive line coach at Texas Southern University. Jones is in his second season at Texas Southern coaching the o-line. Last year, Jones helped Texas Southern to a rushing average of 126.5 yards per game and only allowed 15 sacks in 11 games. Jones came to TSU after spending one year in the same position at Jackson State University. Prior to Jackson State, Jones spent two seasons in the FBS with Tulane University. Jones coached at Villanova University for one season before moving to Tulane. Jones began his coaching career at the NAIA level with Avila University in Missouri. While an offensive line coach and run game coordinator, Avila set 16 program records including fewest sacks allowed, rushing yards in a season and rushing touchdowns. Before going to Avila, Jones coached offensive line and tight ends at the University of Saint Francis in Illinois. Jones started in coaching as a student assistant while at Eastern Illinois University and then Lincoln-Way Central High School (Illinois) after graduating from Eastern Illinois. On today’s show, Jones and host Keith Grabowski talk about his philosophy coaching the offensive line, safe blocking techniques and his social media presence with #LinemanLunch. Show Notes 1:08 The use and beginning of #LinemanLunch 3:56 Using visuals in improving coaching 4:41 Beginnings of his coaching journey 6:00 Advice to coaches who want to advance to the college level 7:42 Mentors throughout his coaching journey 11:38 Being prepared to test your knowledge of your position 14:19 Promoting learning and teaching in your program 16:10 Developing a culture within your position team 19:55 How offensive line techniques have changed and will adapt 24:26 Teaching safe techniques and fundamentals 26:15 Using techniques from other sports into football 28:44 Balancing building skills and learning schemes in practice 32:19 Being efficient with teaching formation 34:50 Having the coordinators all on the same page 38:50 Creating confidence with play-call decision making 40:37 Benefits of using the Duo play on the offensive line 43:54 Deciding between blocking schemes based on offensive formation 45:04 The Winning Edge