{"id":12497,"date":"2025-11-18T17:30:31","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T17:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/?p=12497"},"modified":"2025-11-21T17:32:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T17:32:25","slug":"pete-lembo-special-teams-organization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/?p=12497","title":{"rendered":"Game Planning Tips: Building Elite Special Teams Through Organization and Top-Down Support"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Special Teams Start at the Top<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In football, special teams organization plays a crucial role in overall team success. Before Pete Lembo became one of the nation\u2019s most respected special teams coordinators, he was a longtime head coach. That unique perspective shaped how he organized, taught, and emphasized special teams \u2014 and it\u2019s why he believes the most important ingredient in special teams organization football isn\u2019t a scheme, a drill, or a technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s support from the head coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you want great special teams, you have to have support from the top. The head coach must be involved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether at Lehigh, Elon, Ball State, Memphis, South Carolina, or now Buffalo, Lembo has operated with one foundational belief:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Special teams unify the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A head coach who actively invests in the kicking game connects with more players, sends a stronger message to the roster, and ties together offense, defense, and game-changing plays \u2014 all vital parts of strong special teams organization in football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Game Planning Tips - Moving Stress, Simplifying RPOs, and Structuring Special Teams\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Mw1rBC_Zpd4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Head Coach Involvement Changes Everything<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lembo explains that when the head coach is visible and active in special teams organization football, several things happen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Players take it seriously.<\/strong> If the head coach stands behind the operation, the message becomes clear: special teams matter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coaches stay connected across the roster.<\/strong> Special teams uses nearly every position group. A head coach can coach pods, evaluate depth, and stay close to players who may not be starters on offense or defense.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Game-planning becomes coherent across all three phases.<\/strong> Fake punts, surprise onside kicks, pooch strategies, and directional punts all require the head coach\u2019s input. He sees the full picture of the opponent, the roster, injuries, and the week\u2019s strategy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Culture gets reinforced daily.<\/strong> Recognition, buy-in, effort standards, and personnel decisions all carry more weight when driven by the head coach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEverywhere I\u2019ve been, the best players on the team \u2014 regardless of their offensive or defensive role \u2014 are on the punt team. It\u2019s that important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Pete-Lembo-Buffalo-University-Quotes-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Pete-Lembo-Buffalo-University-Quotes-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Pete-Lembo-Buffalo-University-Quotes-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Pete-Lembo-Buffalo-University-Quotes-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Pete-Lembo-Buffalo-University-Quotes-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Pete-Lembo-Buffalo-University-Quotes-800x450.png 800w, https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Pete-Lembo-Buffalo-University-Quotes-400x225.png 400w, https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Pete-Lembo-Buffalo-University-Quotes.png 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Special Teams as a Program Connector<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lembo built his reputation on more than scheme \u2014 he designed a special teams organization football system every coach and player could understand, adopting terminology and coaching language that carried across all phases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This led to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>More consistency in fundamentals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clearer expectations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faster teaching<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Better alignment between offense, defense, and special teams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe similar terminology you use on special teams should carry into offense and defense. It streamlines teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By simplifying vocabulary and emphasizing crossover coaching points, he reduces mental load and accelerates skill development \u2014 essential components of effective special teams organization in football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Head Coach\u2019s Role Throughout the Week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lembo encourages head coaches \u2014 at all levels, but especially high school \u2014 to build a weekly rhythm that keeps special teams integrated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Attend pods<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Coach a specific unit or sub-unit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Review fake and surprise opportunities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaborate with the special teams coordinator on personnel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reinforce special teams wins in meetings and walkthroughs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When this becomes habit, special teams stop feeling like a transition period and start becoming a competitive advantage in football through strong special teams organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Special teams organization football is not about collecting schemes \u2014 it\u2019s about establishing top-down support, shared language, and total program investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSupport from the top is a big deal. When the head coach is involved, special teams becomes a weapon \u2014 not a time-out between offense and defense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About Pete Lembo \u2014 Head Coach, University at Buffalo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pete Lembo is the Head Coach at the University at Buffalo and one of the most respected special teams minds in the country. A longtime head coach and former Power 5 special teams coordinator, he is known for building elite special teams units through top-down organization and unified program structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/podcast\/taking-a-ceo-approach-to-coaching-pete-lembo-head-coach-university-of-buffalo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Taking a CEO Approach to Coaching \u2013 Pete Lembo, Head Coach, University of Buffalo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/coachandcoordinator.com\/podcast\/from-the-archives-andy-kotelnicki-offensive-coordinator-u-buffalo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">From The Archives &#8211; Andy Kotelnicki, Offensive Coordinator, University of Buffalo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-more-on-coach-pete-lembo\">More on Coach Pete Lembo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ubbulls.com\/staff-directory\/pete-lembo\/522\">Coach Pete Lembo bio<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Coach and Coordinator Media<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coach and Coordinator Media is the leading daily football coaching podcast and educational platform, featuring interviews with elite coaches from the NFL, NCAA, and high school ranks. With 1.5 million downloads per year and a community of 20,000 coaches, we&#8217;re committed to developing the &#8220;10% Coach&#8221;\u2014those dedicated to excellence and continuous growth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"excerpt","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[2182,1070,1668,1636],"class_list":["post-12497","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-game-planning","tag-game-planning-tips","tag-pete-lembo","tag-team-building","tag-team-success"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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