Summary: 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
