Usa Football Coach And Coordinator Podcast

Every coach talks about “The Process,” but few can define it—let alone build it. In this episode, Keith Grabowski introduces a new blueprint rooted in Kaizen, the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement that transformed global manufacturing. Drawing on personal stories from his early career in an automotive factory, Keith explores how Kaizen’s principles—total quality control, system thinking, and empowered people—can reshape how coaches build, lead, and develop their programs. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start improving, this is where your process begins. Dig into the episode & apply to your coaching with our AI Companion: Coach and Coordinator AI - Kaizen Episode Companion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator, Keith Grabowski is joined by Jay Paterno for an honest conversation about the rapidly changing landscape of college football. They break down how the rise of NIL and the transfer portal is reshaping recruiting, player retention, and the day-to-day reality of coaching. Paterno shares deep insights into why emotional intelligence has become essential for today’s coaches, impacting everything from team cohesion to player development and culture building. The discussion also explores the emotional strain coaches face, both personally and within their families, as expectations and pressures continue to climb. Together, they examine honesty in recruiting, the influence of money on the sport, and why mental health must become a priority for every program. Looking ahead, Keith and Jay reflect on what the future of college football may require and why there is still hope in the next generation of coaches who remain committed to leading with integrity and purpose. Chapte

On this episode of Coach and Coordinator Podcast, we sit down with Jason Eck to explore the real-life balance between coaching, family, leadership and the evolving world of youth sports. Eck reflects on the importance of family alignment in every coaching decision from career moves to the daily demands of the season and how being present at home strengthens his effectiveness on the field. He discusses why making youth sports enjoyable is essential for long-term development, and how positive role models shape athletes far beyond the game. Eck also shares strategies for involving family in the coaching process, maintaining connection during stressful stretches, and building a coaching philosophy rooted in service and purpose. Throughout the conversation, he opens up about the lessons learned across his career, the impact of coaching on personal relationships, and the legacy he hopes to leave as both a coach and a father. This episode offers a grounded and inspiring look at what it truly means to lead with int

In this episode, Keith pulls together short teaching moments from Andy Reid, Bob Wylie, Dante Scarnecchia, and Jon Gruden to highlight the coaching wisdom that shaped generations of offensive line coaches. These clips go beyond technique—they reveal how great coaches think, prepare, teach, and adapt. Keith breaks down each lesson and shows how these ideas connect to the learning environment inside the Mushroom Society, including new tools, partner integrations, and the AI Mentors built from COOL Clinic presentations. If you’re looking for practical guidance and a deeper way to grow your offensive line unit, this episode is a strong place to start. Join the Mushroom Society at: mushroom-society.com Use the Mushroom Society AI Mentor for free here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Game Planning Tips, Coach Keith Grabowski shares three playoff-critical concepts that tighten your game plan and sharpen your team’s edge when every possession matters. Andrew Sowder opens the episode with a clear approach to situational football—how to build and use a complete situational chart, when to make two-point decisions, how to practice post-touchdown mechanics, and why your two-point menu must be ready before the season’s biggest moments. Siddiq Haynes, Defensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator at UTSA, breaks down his QB Window Evaluation—a four-window system for studying sack locations, scramble tendencies, completion patterns, and where the quarterback is most vulnerable. It’s a simple, repeatable way to target your pass-rush plan instead of guessing. Garrett McLaughlin, Defensive Line Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at Columbia, closes the episode with a framework for quantifying hidden yardage. He explains how he grades punt net, kickoff start lines, explosives, and st

On this episode of National Coach of the Week, presented by Modern Football Technology, Keith Grabowski sits down with Eric Kjar, head coach of Utah powerhouse Corner Canyon HS, fresh off another state championship. This year’s title marks six championships in the last eight seasons, a run that has firmly established Corner Canyon as one of the premier high school football programs in America. Ranked among the top teams in the nation, Coach Kjar’s Chargers continue to raise the standard through elite practice habits, consistent accountability, and a culture of toughness that shows up every Friday night. In this conversation, Coach Kjar shares how his staff responded to early-season adversity, how they refined their practice structure, and how their players elevated their performance when it mattered most. It’s a detailed look inside one of the country’s most successful programs and what it takes to compete at a national level year after year. Chapters Returning Champion: Six Titles in Eight Years

Brian Kight is back on the show, and this time we get into something most coaches talk about but rarely build: a staff and team that can actually tell each other the truth. We look at why honesty fades during the grind of a season, how communication can get sideways in a staff room, and what leaders can do to fix it. BK walks through the standards he uses with the teams he works with and explains why being able to take the truth matters more than how cleanly it’s delivered. He gives real examples and simple steps any coach can start using right away. If you want your program to communicate better, reduce hidden tension, and handle challenging moments with more confidence, this episode will point you in the right direction. Chapters Introduction and Catching Up with Brian Kight The Importance of Daily Discipline Embracing Change in Coaching Doesn't Matter, Get Better Mindset The Culture of Truth-Telling in Coaching Establishing Standards for Communication Building Trust and Courage i

In this week’s Game Planning Tips, Coach Keith Grabowski brings you three coaches with practical, teachable ideas you can use immediately in your game plan. Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation presents Game Planning Tips. On offense, Jason Mangone, Head Coach at Brockport, shows how to attack an odd front with a downhill inside zone plan. He explains box identification, numbering linebackers, handling movement, and preparing for the three pressures you must block to run the ball with confidence. On defense, Kevin Doherty, Defensive Coordinator at Georgetown, breaks down the Hoya Five-Star Plan — a clear, disciplined framework built on vision, standards, daily fundamentals, and the traits that define elite defensive play. On special teams, Dan Swanstrom, Head Coach at Cornell, covers the special situations that decide games: fair-catch and straddle rules, blocked punt scenarios, momentum plays, hands-team responsibilities, and end-of-game decisions every team must be ready for. Supporting pediatric brain

On this episode of Hansen Ratings D3 Coach and Coordinators of the Week, presented by Tully, hosts Logan and John bring together three powerful coaching conversations that highlight the heart, craft, and leadership behind Division III football. The episode opens with Mary Hardin-Baylor OC Stephen Lee, who reflects on the mentors and experiences that shaped both his coaching identity and his “Frankenstein-type offense.” Lee shares how figures such as Vance Gibson, Phil Fuller, Don Cartho, and Pete Fredenberg influenced his approach, and why mentorship and personal growth remain cornerstones of his career. Next, Carthage DC Adam Weber discusses the challenge of simplifying defensive schemes while still maximizing player performance. Weber explains how flexibility and adapting to player strengths helped his unit “play really fast,” offering a grounded perspective on the evolving demands of modern defensive coaching. Finally, Geneva Head Coach Geno DeMarco dives into the deeper responsibilities of leader

In this solo episode, Keith Grabowski reflects on a powerful idea he discovered only recently when his son shared Rick Rubin’s book The Creative Act. What began as a conversation about hitting and baseball opened the door to a much larger truth about coaching and the offseason. Every winter and spring, coaches get flooded with ideas. Clinics, articles, cut-ups, and social feeds offer endless “solutions” and new ways to install, practice, and teach. Instead of clarity, the volume often leads to confusion. Keith breaks down the Rubin excerpt that stopped him in his tracks and explains how the principles of creativity apply directly to football coaching. He shares the lessons he learned over years of trial and error and why philosophy—not information—is the real filter that allows coaches to grow without becoming overwhelmed. You’ll leave this episode with a clear, practical way to approach the offseason, evaluate new ideas, and build a system grounded in what you believe, not what everyone else is doing. If

In this week’s Game Planning Tips, Coach Keith Grabowski brings you three coaches who show how clarity and intentional teaching create smarter, faster football in every phase of the game. On defense, John Loose, Associate Head Coach and Safeties Coach at Army West Point, breaks down his Cover 6 Toolbox and explains how moving stress — not adding calls — helps players play fast with clear rules. Learn how he adapts field and boundary coverage, manages 3x1 formations, and builds a structure that fits high school football. On offense, Matt Drinkall, Head Coach at Central Michigan, delivers one of the cleanest explanations of RPO football you’ll hear. His filter — Shorter, Faster, Simpler — keeps quarterbacks efficient and keeps the offense operating within its identity. Drinkall outlines what makes RPOs work, what often goes wrong, and how to package them into any system. On special teams, Pete Lembo, now the Head Coach at the University at Buffalo, shows why elite special teams start with top-down support. H

On this episode of Hansen Ratings D3 Coach and Coordinators of the Week, presented by Tully, hosts Logan and John bring together three powerful conversations that highlight leadership, strategy, and personal development across Division III football. First, Delaware Valley OC Mike Isgro shares insights into the art of offensive strategy, emphasizing adaptability in play calling, red zone efficiency, and the importance of decision-making in creating consistent scoring opportunities. Next, Bethel HC/DC Mike McElroy dives into a coaching philosophy centered on cultivating potential in young athletes. He discusses how the right environment or “soil” - helps players and individuals grow stronger, more resilient, and better prepared to succeed both on and off the field. Finally, Hope College HC Peter Stuursma explores the human side of coaching through weekly player wellness surveys and open communication. He reflects on the responsibility coaches have to support athletes beyond the game - helping them navi

On this episode of National Coach of the Week, presented by Modern Football Technology, we dive into a powerful conversation with Santavious Bryant, Head Coach at Grayson HS (GA), who breaks down how relationships form the foundation of team success. Coach Bryant emphasizes that genuine care between players and staff strengthens communication, opens the door to constructive criticism, and fuels personal growth on and off the field. He shares how intentional relationship-building - player to player, staff to staff, and across the entire program - creates an environment where athletes feel supported, accountable, and empowered to receive coaching. This episode highlights why connection, trust, and authentic communication remain at the heart of strong football cultures and sustained team development. Chapters Introduction to Grayson Rams’ Success Developing Players Through Relationships and Leadership How Connection Improves Communication and Coaching The Role of Care, Trust, and Constructive

In this week’s Game Planning Tips presented by Lauren's First and Goal Foundation, Coach Keith Grabowski brings you insights from three coaches who define what championship preparation looks like across every phase of the game. On offense, Joe Moorhead, Head Coach at Akron, breaks down his red zone framework and RPO structure that create simplicity for the quarterback and conflict for the defense. Learn how he divides the field into planning zones and builds an aggressive yet efficient scoring approach. On defense, Mike Elko, Head Coach at Texas A&M, shares how great defenses are built on habits, not calls. His five non-negotiables — relentless effort, pursuit, tackling, ball disruption, and explosive-play prevention — define the culture that drives consistency. On special teams, Sean Saturnio, Special Teams Coordinator at Army West Point, details his ABCs of Punt Blocking: Attack, Block or Bust, and Capture the Field. His system focuses on pressure, discipline, and hidden yardage — treating punt block as

On this episode of Hansen Ratings D3 Coach and Coordinators of the Week, presented by Tully, hosts Logan and John spotlight four outstanding Division III coaches who share how preparation, mindset, and strategy drive consistent performance on and off the field. First, Carnegie Mellon HC Ryan Larsen and OC Andy Helms discuss how practice efficiency, game simulation, and structured communication elevate their program’s offensive execution. They also detail how balancing academics with athletics keeps players focused and disciplined throughout the season. Next, Susquehanna DC Tim Kologrivov breaks down his philosophy of setting high expectations for players every day. He explains how treating each play as its own opportunity builds resilience and accountability — and how strategic thinking can elevate performance beyond physical ability. Finally, UW River Falls HC Matt Walker offers insights into game-day decision-making, exploring the connection between team dynamics, player psychology, and sports scie

On this episode of National Coach of the Week, presented by Modern Football, Keith Grabowski sits down with Chris Greisen, head coach at West De Pere High School, to discuss how he’s built a football program defined by culture, accountability, and innovation. Coach Greisen shares how his team lives by the acronym GRIT — Grind, Responsibility, Intensity, and Trust — and how that mindset drives both player development and strong team chemistry. He also breaks down his approach to simplifying complex offensive concepts, teaching players to “flip the switch” with urgency, and promoting a staff culture built on shared ownership and leadership. Chapters Introduction and Coach Recognition Building a Unified Coaching Staff Defining GRIT: The Four Pillars of Culture Simplifying Offense for Player Success Innovative Play Calling and Team Execution Developing Leadership and Accountability Closing Reflections on Growth and Future Goals Connect on X: Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Chri

On this episode of National Coach of the Week, presented by Modern Football, Keith Grabowski talks with Travis Dixon, Head Coach of Hamilton HS (AZ), about the essential role defense plays in his team’s success. Dixon highlights the preparation, strategy, and adaptability led by Coach Barrett, whose defensive unit challenges the offense daily—sharpening the team’s overall performance come game night. He explains how facing an elite defense in practice provides unique looks and situations that push the offense to grow, promoting a competitive culture built on preparation and teamwork. The conversation highlights how communication and collaboration between the coaching staff translates into consistent success on Fridays. Chapters Introduction to the Week’s Feature Travis Dixon on Defense and Team Growth Coach Barrett’s Preparation and Strategic Approach How Practice Challenges Translate to Game Success Complementary Football and Coach Collaboration Final Thoughts on Team Identity and Co

On this episode of Art of Practice, presented by GoRout, Coach Keith Grabowski sits down with Phil Kleckler, HC at Lindsey Wilson University, to explore how his program balances efficiency, competition, and development to drive sustained success. Coach Kleckler explains how technology like GoRout streamlines communication and enhances practice structure, allowing players to get more quality reps in less time. He also highlights how his staff builds competition across all positions, develops roster depth, and adjusts practice plans to maintain performance throughout the season. This conversation delivers actionable strategies for coaches at every level who want to make practices more intentional and impactful — from integrating modern tools to mastering the fundamentals of player development. Chapters: Introduction to Lindsay Wilson Football and Coaching Philosophy Creating a Competitive Practice Environment Maximizing Efficiency Through Quality Reps Integrating GoRout into Daily Practice

Presented by Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation In this week’s Game Planning Tips, Coach Keith Grabowski brings together three coaches who define what preparation looks like across every phase of the game. On offense, Mark Carney, Head Coach at Kent State University, shares how to use shifts and motions with intent — to control defensive structure, create leverage, and give the quarterback clarity before the snap. On defense, Adam Fuller, Safeties Coach for the LA Chargers, explains his third-down system built on mindset and organization. He teaches players to categorize situations, anticipate concepts, and communicate through shared language so everyone on the field sees the same picture. And on special teams, Jake Schoonover, Special Teams Coordinator at Ole Miss, breaks down how to coach kickoff coverage through time and space. He teaches players to play fast, stay connected, and finish with precision using his three-zone system — speed, combat, and finish. Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation support

On this episode of Hansen Ratings D3 Coach and Coordinators of the Week, presented by Tully, hosts Logan and John sit down with three standout coaches who share the philosophies and preparation that drive their programs’ success in Division III football. First, Eric Stuedemann, Offensive Coordinator at North Central College (IL), explains how structured practice design, teamwork, and a balanced offensive approach fuel one of the most explosive programs in D3. Next, Ethan Nichol, Defensive Coordinator at Baldwin Wallace University (OH), discusses his creative use of “success cut-ups” — highlight reels that help players visualize their potential, build confidence, and reinforce positive habits. Finally, Head Coach Matt Janus of the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse reflects on the emotional and mental challenges of coaching, emphasizing accountability, self-reflection, and the importance of resetting under pressure. Together, these conversations offer powerful insights into how top D3 programs devel