Coach and Coordinator Podcast

On today's podcast, Doug Meach, inside receivers and tight ends coach at TCU joins us to talk about the evolution of the air raid offense.Doug Meacham rejoined the TCU program in 2020 as inside receivers/tight ends coach. Prior to returning to the Horned Frogs, Meacham was offensive coordinator of the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks. After leaving TCU following the 2016 season, he served as offensive coordinator at Kansas.In each of his first two seasons at TCU (2014-15), the Horned Frogs’ offensive attack ranked among the nation’s best.Show Notes:1:32 Meacham's background5:32 Teaching methodology in the air raid9:40 It's concept teaching10:53 Meacham's evolution of offense12:45 Bob Stitt's toss play advantages14:25 Baker Mayfield INT and play action off of toss16:15 Complimentary plays off of toss19:10 Mainstays of the air raid 20:41 Quick game23:45 Advantages of calling a straight ru or quick vs. RPO24:50 Story about Mike Leach and Sonny Dykes25:44 Mesh appearing in everyone's playbook in 201928:20 Shallow screen (Pick)31:08 Shallow screen/draw RPO32:39 Winning Edge34:57 Recruiting areasTwitter:@meacham_doug@CoachKGrabowski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest on Coach and Coordinator Podcast is Travis Johansen, who is entering his second season as defensive coordinator at University of South Dakota. Previously, Johansen served as the defensive coordinator at Grand View since 2013. The Vikings were 61-11 in his six seasons with five conference championships, six NAIA playoff appearances and won 2013 national title following a 14-0 campaign. Grand View finished in the top 15 of the national rankings all six seasons including four top 10 rankings.Johansen was a finalist for Heart of America Assistant Coach of the Year in each of the last two seasons prior to coming to USD, and was a national coordinator of the year finalist in 2015. He was even featured in a Sports Illustrated article, “The Search to Save NFL Defenses,” this past November. Grand View ranked as one of the top NAIA defenses throughout Johansen’s tenure and produced seven defensive All-Americans.Coach Johansen joined the podcast today to talk about transition into a new program. He provides insight in what he did from the beginning heading into year two. This episode provides a blue print for taking over a defense in a new program.Show Notes:2:58 What it means to be a coordinator4:11 Understanding the new landscape to get started7:13 Why were you brought in?9:05 First task - build the staff11:20 Getting the staff prepared to coach a new defense13:24 Understanding the skill sets of coaches15:40 Listening and learning from the staff17:46 Process of evaluating the roster and player skill sets20:35 The first spring install21:53 Learning and adjustments to the install and player placement23:05 Setting the stage for what the unit is about/culture28:07 Installation teaching methods for getting the defense to play fast29:27 Ironing out the bumps and building to game one32:13 Playing the game in context; prioritizing what you will see34:53 What to look for in putting together the depth chart and install for fall camp37:53 Preparation for going into year two40:54 Self evaluation as a coach44:54 Winning edge in transitioning into a new program47:39 Recruiting areas and contact informationTwitter:@CoachTJohansen@CoachKGrabowski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, Keith Grabowski is joined by recurring guest Dub Maddox, new offensive coordinator at Oklahoma powerhouse Union High School in Tulsa, Okla. Coach Maddox is not only a decorated coach but also an author with his works, Adapt or Die, From Headset to Helmet and What is Open. The creator of the R4 System shares his thoughts on space, time and talent and how he quantifies those at each position. On a bigger picture, Grabowski and Maddox discuss how the concept fits into building a culture within a team.Show Notes:2:21 How Maddox has utilized the extra time during the off season5:15 How the constraints of space, time, and talent drive everything in football9:20 Protocols for ever position11:13 Weapons for defense and receiver tools to defeat them12:53 Example of how it works for inside receivers17:02 Rhythm blocks for linemen18:42 Read blocks at the second level19:57 Rush family of run blocks22:49 Calibrating the run game with R426:00 How correctly understanding and operating within space, time, talent build a culture31:25 Coach Maddox’s contact and resourcesTwitter: @CoachDubMaddox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we listen to a returning guest, Coach Kenny Simpson, about how he balances family and football. Coach Simpson is the head coach at Southside High School in Arkansas and he also is the author of the novel, "Find A Way." Tune in and learn about Coach Simpson's journey and his insight into the coaching landscape.Show Notes:4:11 Stars of your home team6:34 Coach Simpson's family11:09 Making career choices16:24 Dealing with negative press19:29 Moving recommendations22:07 Family involvement in your program25:13 Assistant coaches and their families26:49 Being present at home28:11 Maximizing game-planning time30:30 Cruise clinic35:09 Lessons for other coaches37:17 Valuing your players38:57 Writing "Find Your Way"41:06 Legacy as a coachYou can follow Coach Simpson on Twitter here: @Fbcoachsimpson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome in the Offensive Coordinator at St. Xavier High School, Coach Andrew Coverdale. Coverdale was Trinity’s offensive coordinator from 1999-2002 and from 2006-18. He also spent three seasons (2003-05) as the head coach at Castle (Indiana). Learn how Coach Coverdale runs his offense and how he teaches the concepts of playing an uptempo style of ball to his players on this episode.Show Notes:2:30 Playing fast13:36 Finding the answer19:51 Working on concepts22:11 Procedures to playing fast34:03 Accomplishing the objective36:55 Streamlining for players39:21 The winning edgeYou can follow Coach Coverdale on Twitter here: @AndrewCoverdale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome in the new head coach at Notre Dame College (Ohio), Mickey Mental. After spending 11 seasons previously on staff, Coach Mental has worked his way up the coaching ladder to the head coach position. Coach Mental began his career in 2009 as a graduate assistant. He was promoted to Recruiting Coordinator in 2013, before being named the Offensive Coordinator prior to the 2015 season, and he then became the Assistant Head Coach in 2016. Now Coach Mental is in the head coach and he gives insight into his experiences and his offense during this episode.Show Notes:2:42 Dream of being a coach8:17 Training regimen9:33 Climbing the ladder11:08 First play-call12:00 Coaching team to success12:58 Enjoying the process14:03 Excelling in recruiting15:31 Building the program16:43 Process for developing an offense18:01 Favorite RPO19:36 Transition to head coach20:51 Coach Mental's program23:00 A rewarding process24:39 The Winning Edge25:19 Recruiting areasYou can follow Coach Mental on Twitter here: @mmental7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s podcast, AJ Smith, Houston Roughnecks WR Coach, joins host Keith Grabowski to talk about new technology in film storage and use. Coach explains his system including the ins and outs of how to effectively use the technology. Show Notes:1:42 XFL rules and potential for return4:38 Run and Shoot offense and what Coach has learned from June Jones6:13 Some of the offensive adjustments they used in the XFL10:14 Culture of passing in the run and shoot13:37 Coach’s highest % route16:40 Shallow Screen19:00 VAR Systems24:48 Advances in film storage30:10 Coach showing and explaining his film storage system37:20 The breakthrough coach has made with his controller 41:20 How his film doesn’t have any lag42:42 One of coach’s new plays they rolled out this year44:22 Nebraska play50:58 QB Reads53:04 Curl and Go58:07 Connect with coachTwitter: @CoachKGrabowsk @AustinJamesXFL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we welcome in Sam Schwartzstein, the XFL's Director of Football Operations, Innovation, and Strategy. Schwartzstein played college football at Stanford from 2008 to 2014, including playing in the Fiesta Bowl and the Rose Bowl.Tune into this episode to learn how the XFL used analytics, fan appeal, and safety guidelines to help construct rules to make the XFL a new brand of football.Show Notes:2:47 Pathway to XFL5:08 Taking a different approach8:00 Blitz formula10:14 Other successful concepts14:03 Future of kickoffs17:36 Onside kicks19:52 4th downs24:45 Shortening the game30:44 Meaningless plays33:07 Learning from the XFL35:19 Giant beer-snake37:22 Favorite XFL rule changeYou can follow Sam on Twitter @schwartzsteins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator podcast, we feature part of USA Football’s “Inside the Program” series. Coach Steve Specht has been the head coach at St. Xavier High School (Ohio) since 2004. During his tenure Coach Specht has led the Bombers to three state championships, and he also was named NFL High School Coach of the Year as well.Hear how Coach Specht approaches game planning with his program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we continue our interview with Nick Davis, the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Tune in and hear how Coach Davis devises his defensive scheme, and how he installs the various coverages and fronts he utilizes. Learn how to discover your team's best coverages for various situations during practice.Show Notes:3:14 Concept overview4:56 Being flexible6:43 Word association8:29 Beginning teaching method12:13 Disguise aspect15:58 Disguise coverages18:49 Gap reads21:13 Coverage structure23:45 Man-match coverage27:39 Play-calling on the field30:12 Diverse defensive concepts32:15 Installing concepts39:43 Practice structure41:16 In game adjustments43:36 Converting to the system46:04 System development51:02 Technology as learning tool52:01 Audio playbook56:30 Mobile learningYou can follow Coach Davis on Twitter @Spread_Defense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices