We are nearing Halloween, and chasing ghosts might seem like the seasonal thing to do. Unless you are a defensive coordinator. Defensive game planning can sometimes feel like chasing ghosts. With countless offensive schemes and potential adjustments, it’s easy to get lost in the possibilities of what the opposition might do. The challenge for coaches…
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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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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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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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At DePauw University, the defense isn’t just a unit—it’s a subculture within the team, driven by trust, communication, and alignment to the team’s culture. As Defensive Coordinator Ryan McElwain puts it, “Defensively, it’s a subculture of our team. We’re all wearing the same colors on Saturday, but within the defense, we push each other to…
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Keith Grabowski and Logan Hanson review standout performances and coaching achievements from the second week of the Division III football season. They feature Salisbury University’s Ryan Fleetwood for his high-scoring offense in a 59-38 win over Muhlenberg, DePauw College’s Ryan McElwain for a 33-0 shutout against Berry College, and Springfield College’s Mike Cerasuolo, who emphasizes…
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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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In this episode of the Coaching Coordinator Podcast, Blake Harrell, the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at East Carolina, discusses the evolution of a team’s identity during the early stages of the season. Coach Harrell highlights the importance of flexibility and adjusting strategies to align with the team’s strengths and weaknesses. He shares insights…
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In our kickoff of Season 2 of the Accelerate Everything Series, host Dub Maddox is joined by the esteemed Brian Vaughn, the creator of the Blitzology blog and a highly experienced linebackers coach at West Texas A&M University. Together, they delve into defending condensed formations and more. In this insightful episode, Brian, with his wealth…
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In this episode, Josh Sabinas explores data-driven insights to optimize defensive game plans, the impact of tackles for loss, efficiency rates, and other key analytics on defensive performance.
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