An offense that executes, moves the chains and scores points builds its foundation on detailed preparation. Reed Florence, Offensive Coordinator at Marietta College, has created a weekly game-planning routine that sharpens both practice and game-day performance. He shared his blueprint on the Coach and Coordinator Podcast, highlighting his approach to preparation, high pressure practices, and execution.
Sunday: Building the Game Plan
The game week begins on Sunday. Florence and his staff dive into film, breaking down the opposing team’s last five games. Their goal is to uncover tendencies in defensive alignments and understand the opponent’s base defensive strategy.
“We break down the last five games and figure out their base defense and philosophy,” Florence explains. He encourages each coach to develop their own ideas and perspectives for the upcoming game.
Monday: Focusing on First and Second Downs
Monday is all about first and second downs. Florence and his coaches refine the early-down game plan based on their film study. They analyze how the defense adjusts in various situations to identify key opportunities.
“Monday is about figuring out the defense’s base on early downs and giving our guys the best chance to succeed,” says Florence.
While players take the day off, the staff locks in on early-down tendencies, prepares for defensive pressures, and scripts Tuesday’s practice.
Tuesday: Practicing Under Pressure
Tuesday is the hardest practice day of the week. Florence pushes the players with difficult defensive looks, preparing them for the toughest situations they might face on game day. They run through the most challenging scenarios—blitzes, alignments, and mismatches—so game day feels easier by comparison.
“On Tuesday, we give our players the hardest looks—tougher than what they’ll face on Saturday,” Florence says. “We want to make practice harder than the game.”
Wednesday: Mastering Third Downs
Wednesday focuses entirely on third downs. The coaching staff splits this critical down into categories: third-and-long (11+ yards), third-and-medium (3-6 yards), and third-and-short (1-2 yards). They study defensive tendencies in each situation and build a specific game plan for every scenario.
Part of their success relies on the quarterback being trained to put the offense in the best play. Florence gives his quarterbacks the freedom to check out of plays based on the defense’s alignment. “We give our quarterbacks the freedom to check out of plays if the defense shows us a look we don’t like,” Florence explains. “That adaptability keeps our offense moving.”
Thursday: Red Zone and Situational Football
Thursday focuses on red zone and coming out. The staff breaks down defensive tendencies in the red zone, goal line, and coming out of their own end zone, identifying key areas where the defense pressures and where the offense can strike.
Like Turesday, they simulate the toughest situations possible, ensuring players are ready to execute under pressure on game day.
Friday: Final Review and Walkthrough
On Friday, the team shifts to mental preparation. Florence and his staff review the entire game plan, walk through key plays, and make last-minute adjustments. The goal is to ensure every player understands their assignment and feels prepared for the game.
Empowering Coaches and Players
Florence has designed their work to be a collaborative coaching environment. Drawing from his early experience under Joe Fincham at Wittenberg, Florence empowers his assistant coaches to develop their own ideas within a framework of understanding he’s already illustrated in their off season work. He encourages his staff to generate new ideas and opinions, giving them ownership of their position groups.
Success Through Preparation
Reed Florence’s game-planning process centers on preparation, collaboration, and adaptability. By breaking the week into clear phases—early downs, third downs, red zone, and situational football—Florence ensures his offense is fully prepared. His focus on empowering coaches and players results in a dynamic, adaptable team ready for any challenge. For any coach looking to sharpen their offensive preparation, Florence’s approach offers a clear blueprint for success.
About Reed Florence
Coach and Coordinator Podcast Announces Week 1 D3 Offensive Coordinator of the Week Presented by Hansen Ratings
Reed Florence, Offensive Coordinator at Marietta College, Recognized for Dominating Performance in 55-0 Victory Over St. John Fisher
September 13, 2024 – The Coach and Coordinator Podcast, in collaboration with Hansen Ratings, is proud to announce Reed Florence, offensive coordinator at Marietta University, as the D3 Offensive Coordinator of the Week for Week 1. Florence’s offensive unit displayed a remarkable performance in Marietta’s commanding 55-0 win over St. John Fisher, posting exceptional numbers and efficiency on both passing and rushing plays.
Notable Stats:
- 585 total yards of offense
- 393 yards passing, 192 yards rushing
- 9.4 yards per play
- Opened the game with a 99-yard, 4-play TD drive
- Scored touchdowns on 5 of the first 6 possessions
- All touchdown drives covered over 50 yards, including:
- 99 yards (4 plays)
- 81 yards (8 plays)
- 79 yards (6 plays)
- 70 yards (10 plays)
- 68 yards (7 plays)
- 65 yards (1 play)
- 58 yards (8 plays)
- 55 yards (2 plays)
Florence is assisted on offense by Pete Nank, Terry Geiger, Adam Eichorn, and Bryce Agnew.
Florence’s innovative approach and precise play-calling kept the Marietta offense firing on all cylinders throughout the game, securing an impressive victory and earning him this week’s Offensive Coordinator of the Week honor.
