D3 Football

Balancing Head Coaching and Coordinating Roles

In most of the coaching profession, especially at the high school and small college levels, coaches often wear multiple hats. For many, the combination of head coach and coordinator can feel like juggling two full-time jobs. The task is challenging, but many coaches, like Bethel University’s Mike McElroy, work to master it. In his first…

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Jeff Simmons Shares His Keys to Film Study to Block More Punts

Carnegie Mellon dominated punt blocking in 2023, and they are continuing that trend in 2024. The Tartans led the nation in 2023 with 10 blocked kicks, including eight blocked punts. In 2024, they currently hold the top spot again, with three blocked punts and six blocked kicks so far. For special teams coordinator Jeff Simmons…

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What Gets Measured Gets Managed

Sometimes as coaches, we don’t do the important things often enough. We may install something in camp and then forget to emphasize the key principles daily, or in our time crunch of the season, we might save some work for the big moments only. It’s something that two-time national champion Shane Dierking has learned to…

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The Players-Formations-Plays Game Planning Process

Simpson College Robbie Aldinger learned from one of the best ever while he was a student assistant and then intern at the University of Mount Union. Retired Hall of Fame Coach Larry Kehres built his offenses on the principle of “Players-Formations-Plays.” It’s been a philsophy that the dozens of coaches at the high school, college,…

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Quarterback-Centric, Tempo Based Offense

Matt Walker, head coach at University of River Falls, was recently recognized as the Coach and Coordinator Head Coach of the Week presented by Hansen Ratings for his leadership and staff. Under his guidance the team puts the quarterback at the middle of everything. On top of that, they are tempo based in practice which…

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A Guide to Preparing for Uptempo Offense

A good uptempo offense presents one of the toughest challenges for a defense. Coach Matt Tschetter, defensive coordinator at Wartburg College, and his staff actively use strategies to handle this fast-paced, high-pressure style of play. They focus on conditioning the defense to keep up with the tempo, simplifying communication, and drilling game-like tempo in practice….

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Practicing Like You Play: How Ben Dixon’s Game-Like Practices Lead to Game Day Success

The old adage “practice how you play” is more than just a slogan; it’s a mindset that that leads to game day success. For Ben Dixon, the offensive coordinator at Calvin,  it’s all about preparing his players to execute under real-game conditions by simulating those same conditions in practice—both physically and mentally. Game-Like Tempo and Efficiency…

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Time Well Spent – How Less Practice Time Led to Better Performance

The “grind” is often seen as the pathway to success, but Ursinus College head coach Peter Gallagher took a different approach. Gallagher and his staff found that less time on the field—strategically managed—could lead to better results, both for their players and for the coaches themselves. Their changes enhanced the team’s performance and promoted a…

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Building the Brotherhood

At Springfield College, football goes beyond the field; it’s a foundation for building a lifelong brotherhood. Head Coach Mike Cerasuolo builds a culture rooted in personal relationships, accountability, and purpose. His philosophy ties success on the field to the bonds formed off it, shaping Springfield’s team culture into one of the strongest in Division III…

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Fast and Focused – Uptempo Practices for Huddle Teams

When you think of uptempo football, images of fast-paced, no-huddle offenses immediately come to mind. But Ryan Fleetwood, the offensive coordinator at Salisbury University, has found a unique approach to incorporating uptempo practices into a team that still huddles during games. His philosophy balances the best of both worlds: practicing at breakneck speed while maintaining…

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