Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) offensive coordinator Andrew Coverdale sits down with Keith in this episode of USA Football’s Coach and Coordinator podcast. Coverdale dishes on how he defines toughness, why offensive coordinators need to understand the philosophy—and not just the schemes—behind opposing defenses and why “culture vs. scheme” is a false dichotomy. Coverdale also shares the key offensive concepts that paved the way for Trinity’s 15-0, state title-winning season in 2016. SHOW NOTES • 3:30 Most important advice Coverdale has ever received • 4:20 What made him want to be a football coach • 5:55 First coaching job • 7:38 Keys to development • 10:25 The philosophy of Coverdale’s offense • 12:50 How to build 'collective consciousness' in a program • 14:05 Defining toughness • 16:00 How to be a teacher • 20:00 Keys to maximizing the walkthrough • 23:20 How to keep more players engaged in walkthroughs • 23:40 The key concept Coverdale leaned on during his team’s 15-0 season in 2016 • 25:40 Beginning the process of game planning, and why understanding the philosophy of a defense is critical • 30:40 Translating a game plan to practice script • 33:20 Mastering play-calling in the red zone through preparation • 36:45 Mistakes made as a young coach—and lessons learned • 38:55 Best coaching advice received • 41:45 Why culture vs. scheme is a false dichotomy • 42:50 Book recommendation • 44:22 Lessons learned from coaching clinics • 46:20 Learning this offseason from Chris Peterson • 47:50 The NFL defensive trend that will make its way down to high school soon • 48:10 Favorite piece of coaching technology • 49:20 How to balance football with faith and family • 52:00 Concerns for future of our game • 54:30 Toughest defense to face • 57:20 Why Coverdale would love to learn from former De La Salle coach Bob Ladouceur • 60:00 What gives him the winning edge

The amount of technological tools at the fingertips of coaches is immense. Austin James Smith, Southeastern University (Lakeland, Fla.) quarterbacks coach and founder of VAR Football, joins the show to unpack all things virtual reality-related. He dives into how coaches can utilize 3D training, virtual video and hologram training to have players better prepared mentally for games. SHOW NOTES • 1:40 How James got his start • 4:44 His start with virtual reality training • 10:32 Progression of augmented reality in football • 11:37 Introducing Josh Rosen to virtual reality training • 14:35 3D training vs. virtual reality video in training QBs • 16:00 Evolution of holograms in coaching • 19:45 VR training as part of a team's culture (making mental training as fundamental as physical training) • 22:52 Work flow for coaches installing plays with virtual reality • 26:44 Mastering reads and progressions through use of virtual reality • 28:34 Workflow needed to implement virtual reality and augmented reality systems • 31:25 Deciding what to practice on the field, what to practice in virtual reality • 34:08 Using virtual reality at non-QB positions • 37:50 Using virtual reality to eliminate surprises • 38:50 Why young coaches especially need to embrace technology • 40:45 Logistics of setting up virtual reality training • 43:50 The winning edge

Bobby Acosta joins the show in this episode of the Coach and Coordinator podcast, where he discusses his time coaching Joe Flacco at Delaware, how his high school coach inspired him to get into coaching and why he leans on a core group of 26 plays. He and Keith also dive into play calling with the game on the line and why some young coaches may be focusing on scheme at the expense of fundamentals. SHOW NOTES • 2:10 Inspired to have career in coaching--by his HS coach • 5:57 Building culture through communication and organization • 7:43 Strength in mastering the fundamentals • 9:17 Outrepping the opponent • 10:24 Relying on inside zone--and protecting it with other plays • 12:12 Recipe for winning: base offense + red zone + third downs • 14:38 Why Acosta allows his players to name plays • 15:45 Practice scripting: base plays vs. new wrinkles • 17:18 Why practicing third down plays is often overkill • 18:11 Incorporating playmakers into base 26 plays • 19:52 Playcall with game on the line • 22:28 Mistake made as a young coach • 23:43 Best coaching advice ever received • 24:45 How does a coach find balance? • 26:37 Book recommendation • 27:37 Lessons learned on the clinic scene • 31:19 Spread offense a danger to fundamentals • 32:05 Utilizing PowerPoint • 33:05 Advice to a young coach

In this episode of the Coach and Coordinator podcast, Brent Eckley, head coach of Jackson (Mo.) High School, sits down with Keith to discuss his expertise in the RPO. Eckley also touches on the importance of offseason strength training, why he does an offseason book club with his coaching staff and why his players are allowed to keep their phones with them during morning weight room sessions. SHOW NOTES • 1:45 Getting started as a football coach • 2:40 Why young coaches should volunteer their first year • 4:25 Key to development as a coach • 6:40 Being a great coach = being a great mentor • 8:15 Offseason strength and conditioning as foundational to team culture • 11:10 Building cultures among coaches through delegation • 13:22 Offseason book study as a staff • 15:22 Eckley’s areas of expertise • 17:20 Learning and mastering the RPO • 23:22 Defeating man coverage with RPO and teaching "the rub" • 25:15 Quarterback drills for RPO offense to master timing • 26:42 Game-planning as an RPO team • 29:00 Scripting practice and the cumulative effect of reps • 31:40 4th quarter, third-and-7, +30 yard line: What's the play call? • 34:29 Mistakes made as a young coach • 37:38 The one reason Eckley allows phones in the weight room • 40:10 Why all coaches should consider having a "Final Practice" • 43:00 Spending a whole day with a coach rather than learning during a 45-minute clinic session • 44:45 Advantage of pivoting from 10 personnel to 11 personnel • 45:50 Concerns for future of the game • 49:35 Importance of educating and supporting officials • 50:30 Advice for a young coach

Great coaches are great teachers. Austin Barone, former Kansas University football player and co-founder of Just Play Sports Solutions, joins the show to discuss the technology divide between modern players and coaches, why 8-box diagrams fall short, and how quizzing players creates an added layer of accountability in programs. SHOW NOTES • 1:15 How the JustPlay learning system started • 3:20 Why 8-box diagrams fall short • 4:55 Bridging the gap between coach teaching style and player learning style • 8:15 How important is it to make learning relevant to players today? • 11:53 Playbooks that make sense for the modern athlete • 13:22 How JustPlay speeds up the athlete learning curve for transfers and players changing positions • 15:45 The reinforcement and feedback that JustPlay provides • 17:00 Quizzing players to create accountability • 18:30 Advantages of digital quizzes vs. traditional quizzes • 21:00 The struggle young athletes have in studying film properly • 22:15 Accounting for different teaching styles • 24:00 Two-minute drill • 26:55 The winning edge

Rich Alercio, head coach at St. Johnsbury Academy (Vt.), joins the show to discuss why coaches should think twice before leaving to take a new job, mastering the pin-and-pull RPO and why he incorporates his family into his program. St. Johnsbury (Vt.) head coach Rich Alercio remembers receiving the same advice years ago that many young coaches still hear today: To move up the ladder, coaches always need to keep an eye on their next step up. Alercio heard that coaches should seek a new position every two-to-three years. He took the advice, leaving a job where he was comfortable—but finding his new role unfulfilling, even though it came with the allure of slightly more money and great responsibility. It was a decision that Alercio regrets, and one that he hopes today’s young coaches can learn from. “If you find a good job, where you like it, you’re learning and growing, stay there,” Alercio said, during an appearance on the USA Football Coach and the Coordinator podcast. Though Alercio’s career eventually got back on track, he’s quick to encourage young coaches to think twice about leaving a good situation, particularly if it’s an environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance. “It’s a heck of a lot easier balancing life, family and happiness when you have a good job and you stick with it,” he said. To listen to Alercio’s full interview on the USA Football Coach and the Coordinator podcast with Keith Grabowski, see below: SHOW NOTES • 2:05 What made Alercio want to be a football coach • 3:05 Can't coach a team with three coaches (HC/DC/OC) Learn to wear a lot of hats • 3:30 On the virtues of staying at the job you're at and resisting the urge to jump elsewhere • 4:30 Second-hand learning from Jim McNally and the importance of physiology in coaching • 8:14 Building culture in a program • 9:55 Expertise in offensive line • 10:52 Key points of offensive philosophy • 12:35 Taking advantage of summer • 13:30 Pin and pull scheme • 15:20 Advantage of Pin and Pull scheme • 21:50 Go-to play to keep a drive alive • 23:35 Mistake made at young coach (Leaving good situation in hopes of finding a better one) • 24:50 Best coaching advice (Don't let anyone outwork or outlast you) • 25:28 Book suggestion (Unbroken about Louie Zamperini) • 26:28 Clinic takeaway: "Pitt" front • 28:58 Desire to learn more about RPO and read game in general • 29:15 Favorite piece of coaching technology (Hudl) • 30:38 How to create work-life balance • 32:30 Looking ahead: Concerns for future of the game • 36:05 Motto "Fast and Physical" • 36:30 Two-minute drill segment • 39:47 Winning edge = family