On this episode of D3 Coach & Coordinator of the Week, host Keith Grabowski highlights three standout Division III football leaders as they discuss performance evaluation, defensive disruption, and program building. This multi-coach showcase features Trinity Offensive Coordinator Wade Lytal, Linfield Defensive Coordinator Jackson Vaughan, and UW-Eau Claire Head Coach Rob Erickson.
Coach Wade Lytal opens the episode by introducing Trinity’s Offensive Control Index, a metric tracking controllable factors such as penalties, negative plays, and drops instead of relying on fixed yardage goals. He explains how a fast, disciplined huddle break helps control offensive tempo.
Next, the defensive segment Linfield Defensive Coordinator Jackson Vaughan explores how holding a top-tier offense to season lows in passing and scoring depends on winning money downs and forcing early turnovers.
Finally, Head Coach Rob Erickson breaks down UW-Eau Claire’s marquee victory over UW-La Crosse. He explains how 21 years as an assistant coach shaped his program-building philosophy, why hiring relationship-driven coaches is important, and how a 351-yard rushing performance reinforces the team’s “next play, last play” mindset.
Chapters:
- Wade Lytal on Trinity’s 646-Yard Rushing Dominance
- Speed Physicality and the Offensive Control Index
- Using Huddle Discipline and Clean Breaks as a Tempo Tool
- Matching Explosive Plays to Field Position and Game Flow
- Rob Erickson on UW-Eau Claire’s 27-10 Victory Over UW-La Crosse
- Building the Program Pyramid and Lessons from 21 Years as an Assistant
- Hiring Relationship-Driven Coaches and Empowering Staff
- Controlling the Clock with 351 Rushing Yards and Staying in Your Lane
Connect on X:
Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski
Logan Hansen: @LogHanRatings
Wade Lytal: @CoachLytal
Jackson Vaughn: @CoachJVaughan
Rob Erickson: @CoachE_Blugolds
Presented by Hansen Ratings and the Coach and Coordinator Network.