keithgrabowski

Shaped by Coaches – Shaping Players

For Antonio Graham, head coach at Owasso High School, football is more than just a game. It has served as his lifeline, guiding him through some of life’s hardest moments. Growing up in a challenging environment, Graham relied on football for structure and a way forward. It shaped him into the man and coach he…

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How Peter Stuursma Uses Staff Autonomy, Culture Building, and Outside Evaluation to Drive Winning Programs

Peter Stuursma, head coach of Hope College football, has built a successful program. He joined the Coach and Coordinator Podcast and shared three components that are a part of this succes. By developing staff autonomy, a strong team culture, and seeking continuous improvement through outside evaluation, the Dutchmen have experienced success. In seven seasons, Stuursma…

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Reed Florence’s Step-by-Step Approach to Game Planning

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…

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D3 Coach and Coordinators of the Week – Week 1

In this inaugural episode of the D3 Coach and Coordinators of the Week, Keith Grabowski chats with Logan Hanson, the creator of the Hanson Ratings system for NCAA Division III football. We explore his coaching journey and the analytical gaps he identified, leading to the development of his rating system. Logan outlines his grading criteria…

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How the Three-Ball Drill Prepares Players to Defend RPO

As it has been for the last decade, the Run-Pass Option (RPO) is one of the most challenging offensive schemes for defenses to counter. Teams using RPO continue to be creative in how they stress defenders with dual responsibilities. To combat this, defenses must have precise communication, clear assignments, and above all, discipline. One innovative…

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100 Hours to Kickoff – A Teaching Progression

It’s easy to point to a failed play and attribute it to a flawed scheme. But for Coach Colin Duling, offensive coordinator at Bethel University, the realization came that the issue wasn’t in the playbook—it was in the execution. After reviewing film from several games and seeing his team consistently fall just short of making…

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National Coach of the Week – Patrick Walsh, Head Coach, Serra High School (CA)

We are back for another episode of our 2024 National Coach of the Week Series presented by Modern Football Technology. Since taking over as head coach of Serra High School’s football program in 2001 at just 26, Patrick Walsh has transformed the Padres into a powerhouse. With 196 wins, he is the school’s all-time winningest…

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Getting More Out of Your Scout Teams

Scout teams are often the unsung heroes of a successful football program. They help prepare the first-string players for the real action on game day, simulating the opposition’s tactics and testing your starters. But let’s face it – scout teams are tough to manage. Players on these teams don’t see a lot of playing time,…

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Using Film Grading and Game Goals to Improve and Stay Process-Oriented

Hall of Fame Coach Bill Walsh was known for his process-oriented approach to the game. He once said, “The score takes care of itself if you take care of the process. It’s not about playing for the scoreboard, but about preparing in a way that will lead to success.” It’s a sound approach that allows…

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The Shift from Play Caller to Game Manager

With back-to-back state championships, Kyle Schmitt, the head coach at Archbishop Spalding High School in Maryland, has proven that effective game management is as important as the talent on the field. Like all coaches, he valued his role as a player caller, but a shift in perspective as a head coach, he recognized the need…

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