Coach and Coordinator Podcast

On this episode of the Tully Legends podcast, presented by Tully, we sit down with Mike Oziomek, Director of Strength & Conditioning at Cuyahoga Falls HS (OH). We explore his journey transforming a neglected weight room into a state-of-the-art, 4,500-square-foot training facility that now serves over 600 student-athletes. Mike shares proven tactics for building buy-in from coaches, athletes, parents, and administrators while creating a fun, competitive, and analytics-based culture that engages everyone, including female athletes. From competition and live feedback to relationship-building and securing school resources, this conversation delivers useful advice for any high school coach looking to build a sustainable strength program and create a winning culture from the ground up. Chapters Introduction and Mike Oziomek’s background in high school strength training Program growth from 33 to over 600 athletes and building scalable systems Overcoming common barriers in high school strength programs Strategies for gaining coach and athlete buy-in through relationships and energy Engaging female athletes with gamification, data, and inclusive methods Using live data and competition to motivate athletes Collaborating with sport coaches for shared goals and support Parent engagement, transparency, and building community trust Securing administrative buy-in and expanding to a new training facility Practical advice for starting or growing a high school strength program Upcoming clinics, resources, and recommendations for professional growth Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Mike Oziomek: @Falls_Strength Tully: @TullyTracking Presented by Tully — the perfect tool for high school and Division III programs. Tully helps coaches track readiness, performance, and player development so teams can stay strong and confident deep into the season. Dive deeper into Tully at https://tully.app/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Give, presented by Lauren’s First and Goal, Army Football coach John Loose breaks down two of the most important defensive fundamentals in football coaching: block destruction and tackling with takeaways. This episode is built for football coaches, especially defensive coaches looking for better ways to teach getting off blocks, defeating blocks, leveraging the football, pursuit, tackling fundamentals, and forcing turnovers. In the first segment, Loose teaches the details behind block destruction technique. He explains why defenders must keep their eyes on the block, understand their key, play with the right leverage, and defeat the blocker before relocating to the football. He also gets into coaching points on spill technique, box technique, hands and hips, pad level, and how to play fast to the gap side while staying disciplined away from the ball. In the second segment, he shifts to tackling drills, takeaway philosophy, and defensive practice structure. Loose talks about building position-specific tackle drills, teaching offensive players to tackle, emphasizing ball security after turnovers, and training defenders to attack the football through strip attempts, fumble creation, quarterback sack-fumbles, and loose-ball recovery situations like country ball and city ball. For coaches trying to improve their defense, this episode offers practical insight into how to build better habits around block destruction drills, football tackling fundamentals, pursuit to the football, and takeaway circuits. Topics covered in this episode: Block destruction in football How to defeat blocks and get to the football Spill vs. box technique Defensive leverage and gap responsibility Hands, hips, and pad level in block destruction Football tackling fundamentals Position-specific tackling drills Teaching pursuit after interceptions Forcing fumbles and takeaway drills Ball security after turnovers Loose-ball recovery coaching points Defensive football fundamentals for coaches Who this episode is for: Defensive coordinators, linebacker coaches, defensive line coaches, football staff members, and any coach who wants better teaching progression for defeating blocks, tackling in space, and creating takeaways. Learn more: For full clinic presentations and year-round football coaching education, visit LFGClinics.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Football IQ, presented by American Football IQ, Doug Brady sits down with Pro Football Hall of Famer Will Shields to explore how true football intelligence develops—from youth fundamentals to elite NFL performance. Shields explains how early unstructured play builds instinct. Structured learning, film study, and rule-based thinking sharpen decision-making at higher levels. He shares efficient techniques for teaching positional awareness, mastering footwork, and recognizing defensive patterns in real time. The conversation emphasizes mentorship, leadership, and emotional preparation, along with supplying actionable insights for offensive linemen on pass protection and limiting errors. Drawing from his playing and coaching experience, Shields offers a holistic perspective on developing smarter players on and off the field. This makes the episode a must-listen for coaches, athletes, and anyone trying to elevate their knowledge of the game. Chapters Introduction to football IQ and Will Shields Developing instincts through early play Building resilience and love for the game From street football to structured learning Teaching movement and fundamentals naturally Understanding rules and reading defenses Transitioning from college to the NFL Mentorship and coaching influence Defensive communication and shared systems Pass protection and offensive line fundamentals Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Doug Brady: @CoachDougBrady Will Shields: @Wshields68 Presented by American Football IQ American Football IQ is a leading platform dedicated to helping players, coaches, and fans truly understand the game, not just memorize it. Through film-room style breakdowns, tactical education, and widely used training flashcards, AFIQ teaches you how to read defenses, recognize coverages, and process the game faster so you can play faster. Trusted by thousands worldwide, it is built for anyone serious about elevating their football IQ. Learn more at AmericanFootballIQ.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Turnaround, Michael Echaves sits down with Coach Jeff Bailey to break down the blueprint for transforming struggling programs into consistent winners. Drawing on his success at El Dorado High School, at Yorba Linda, and his next chapter at Beverly Hills, Bailey shares how culture, leadership, and consistency drive lasting success. He dives into building a strong foundation through player leadership and clear standards. He discusses adjusting schemes to fit personnel and developing resilience through challenging seasons. The conversation also stresses the importance of staff alignment, community relationships, and balancing innovation with tradition. This episode delivers a practical, real-world look at what it takes not just to rebuild a program, but to sustain success and compete at a championship level. Chapters Introduction to Coach Jeff Bailey and his philosophy Building winning culture from the ground up Leadership development and team hierarchy Connecting with youth programs and talent pipelines The role of staff relationships and mentorship Adapting offensive and defensive systems Overcoming adversity and tough seasons Maintaining momentum during transitions Balancing innovation with tradition Practice culture and mental toughness Climbing from competitive to championship level Preparing for new challenges at Beverly Hills Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Michael Echaves: @coachechaves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator, presented by Modern Football Technology, Keith Grabowski sits down with Mike Bruno, Defensive Coordinator at Presbyterian College, to explore how modern tools reshape coaching workflows. Bruno shares how integrating data and technology within daily operations, from practice grading to film analysis, can dramatically improve efficiency, decision-making, and athlete development. The conversation highlights how real-time data enables coaches to quickly identify performance patterns, provide immediate feedback, and make smarter in-game and practice adjustments. Bruno also discusses the value of unscripted practice periods in creating realistic game scenarios and how customizable tools adapt to any coaching style or program level. For coaches hesitant to adopt new technology, this episode explains the value on starting simple, maximizing time, and using data not just for evaluation but to develop stronger relationships and a more accountable team culture. Chapters Introduction to coaching workflow and technology Mike Bruno’s coaching background How data improves defensive coaching Building efficient coaching workflows Real-time data and faster decision making Streamlining film grading and analysis Identifying performance patterns quickly Enhancing player feedback through data Customizing tools for coaching styles Using unscripted practice for game realism Maximizing limited coaching time Improving communication with players Self-scouting and continuous evaluation Building culture through honest data Overcoming skepticism and adopting technology Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Mike Bruno: @Coach_MikeBruno Modern Football: @modernFB Presented by Modern Football: Modern Football helps coaches chart and tag in real time, delivers sideline reports to keep the booth and sideline aligned, and makes self-scout faster with on-demand reports. Visit ⁠https://www.modernfootball.com⁠ for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Give, Brad Aoki, passing game specialist at Alabama, breaks down how quarterbacks can operate with confidence and efficiency in two-minute situations. This is a detailed look at situational football from the quarterback’s perspective. Aoki walks through what matters most when the game is on the line, including clock awareness, decision making, defensive identification, and the small details that separate successful drives from missed opportunities. The takeaway is simple. The quarterback who understands the situation has the advantage. Key Takeaways Situation controls everything Down, distance, score, time, and timeouts matter more than the play call End-of-half mindset should be aggressive Think touchdown first to avoid leaving points on the field Explosive plays change outcomes One play of 20+ yards dramatically increases scoring chances Negative plays kill drives Sacks and penalties drop scoring probability and create clock issues Quarterbacks must manage the clock Know what stops it and when it starts to control tempo and operation Pre-snap operation is critical The quarterback must align the offense, process quickly, and execute without hesitation Defensive identification stays consistent Two-minute does not change coverage rules, just the speed of decision making Start inside and work out Box count, overhangs, safeties, then corners Expect pressure early in drives Defenses attack early, then wear down as tempo increases Avoid controllable mistakes Pre-snap penalties and intentional grounding can cost the game Learn more: Keep learning year-round at https://lfgclinic.com/ Access clinic sessions, curated learning paths, and a growing library built for coaches who want to get better every day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator, presented by Modern Football Technology, Keith Grabowski interviews Doug Brady, founder of American Football IQ, to discuss successful strategies for developing football intelligence in today’s players. Brady outlines how coaches can move beyond highlight clips and basic film study to help athletes recognize patterns, coverages, and game context in real time. The discussion addresses the widening gap in football IQ among young athletes and highlights how structured tools, such as flashcards and concept-based learning, can substantially improve on-field decision-making. The episode also examines the roles of parents and coaches in reinforcing learning, the influence of technology and analytics, and upcoming resources created to bridge knowledge gaps across all positions. This episode gives coaches practical ways to help players process faster, play with more confidence, and perform better on the field. Chapters Introduction to football IQ Beyond highlights: understanding full game context Why recognizing patterns wins games The football IQ gap in young athletes Teaching coverage through simple tools Pre-snap reads and defensive structure Building and validating training resources The role of coaches and parents in development Using analytics to improve decision making Practical ways to teach the full picture Resources for developing football intelligence Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Doug Brady: @CoachDougBrady Modern Football: @modernFB For the JT O'Sullivan episode mentioned visit the following link: https://open.spotify.com/ Presented by Modern Football: Modern Football helps coaches chart and tag in real time, delivers sideline reports to keep the booth and sideline aligned, and makes self-scout faster with on-demand reports. Visit ⁠https://www.modernfootball.com/⁠ for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Peter Principle is brutally simple: people get promoted to their level of incompetence. In coaching, that means the great position coach becomes an overwhelmed coordinator, and the star coordinator becomes a struggling head coach. In this episode, Keith Grabowski breaks down exactly where the trip-ups happen at every level and—most importantly—shows you how to prepare now so the next promotion doesn’t become your level of incompetence. You’ll hear real-world examples from Ohio HS Hall of Famer Thom McDaniels, Caleb Collins (Detroit Lions), and Tom Perkovich (U. Albany), plus a clear roadmap to build the skills for the rung above you while dominating your current role. This episode is presented by Modern Football Technology. What You’ll Learn The exact definition and origin of the Peter Principle The three biggest blind spots when moving from position coach → coordinator → head coach Why narrow specialists get exposed fast How to “major and minor” in positions and schemes so you’re ready for the next job Real preparation habits from coaches who’ve successfully climbed the ladder Why the Coach and Coordinator Network exists and how it helps you beat the Peter Principle Links: Modern Football RPO Symposium Slot-T Mafia Mushroom Society Lauren's First & Goal Clinic Air Raid War Room X: @CoachKGrabowski Email: Keith@CoachandCoordinator.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stony Brook Head Coach Billy Cosh shares how he rebuilt a program through culture, standards, and alignment. This isn’t about scheme. It’s about who you bring in, what you emphasize, and how you hold people accountable every day. After taking over an 0–10 team, Cosh walks through the approach that drove a fast turnaround and built a more consistent program. Key Takeaways Culture starts with who you bring into the program Add, subtract, multiply — but never divide Recruit your current roster to improve retention Low maintenance + high production wins Alignment across the staff matters more than anything You get what you emphasize and reward Be a process-driven program, not outcome-driven Consistent routines reduce stress and improve performance If this helped, you can go deeper at LFGClinic.com. Get access to 100+ sessions from the 2026 clinic and 500+ more from the past five years — all built to help you coach, teach, and run your program better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Tully Legends, presented by Tully, Coach Jack Byrne, former high school head coach and founder of Foundation Strength, shares how he redefined youth strength and conditioning by shifting from leaderboard-driven competition to a standards-based system that promotes engagement and long-term development. Drawing from his experience as a high school coach and program builder, Byrne explains how formulating clear, attainable standards can raise the floor for all athletes, not just the top performers. He shares pragmatic approaches for building buy-in through competition, creating ownership among young athletes, and implementing effective programs in resource-constrained environments. The conversation also highlights the importance of relationships, community involvement, and a consistent coaching language in forming a strong youth sports culture. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing program, this episode delivers actionable insights on building a system that is simple, scalable, and impactful. Chapters Introduction to Coach Jack Byrne From leaderboards to standards-based training Setting realistic goals for young athletes Using simple tools to track progress Handling pushback from competitive athletes Building motivation through progressive standards Raising the floor for all athletes The role of relationships in youth programs Creating programs with limited resources Engaging parents and the community Starting small and scaling effectively Lessons from leadership and training philosophies Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Jack Byrne: @CoachJackByrne Tully: @TullyTracking If you would like to dive deeper into Jack Byrne's info and organization visit: https://foundation-strength.com/ Presented by Tully — the perfect tool for high school and Division III programs. Tully helps coaches track readiness, performance, and player development so teams can stay strong and confident deep into the season. Dive deeper into Tully at https://tully.app Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices