Best Eleven of 2023, #5: Mental Warfare and Calculating the Pass Rush Plan – Siddiq Haynes, DL Coach, UTSA

We continue our best 11 interviews of 2023, and coming in at #5 is our discussion with UTSA defensive line coach Siddiq Haynes. In this episode, we focused on how he takes on the role of mentor and develops the relationship on and off the field with the players he leads.

He calls it “mental warfare”, and building those bonds helps him to better reach his players and develop them as elite pass rushers. He also digs into the pass rush plan and how it is developed with the skills of his players in mind.

Show Notes: 

A passion developed as a child playing the game

Sports marketing experience

Starting out on the offensive side of the ball for KC Keeler

Learning from Phil Longo

Development as a defensive line coach with Rodrique Wright

The “why” is vital to moving forward in this profession

Mental warfare: Dealing with life and teaching how it applies to the field

Asking the right question to understand where your players are 

Recruiting the whole person

You have to be genuine - you can’t just regurgitate things you have heard

Understanding the opponent’s identity

Collecting data and building the pass rush plan

Presenting this plan to the defensive coordinator and the players

Empowering the players in the process

The filter for simplicity

Here’s why we are spending time on QB windows or rush moves etc.

The importance of self-scouting

Related Siddiq Haynes Episode:

Get to Sack City: https://spoti.fi/3yakdti

Watch Coach Haynes' Presentation: https://bit.ly/3ILgZmw

Thank you for supporting our partners:

Learn More about Pro Quick Draw:

Pro Quick Draw is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio and PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards, and presentations efficiently. It was a software designed with a coach in mind, providing the tools you need to draw quickly and stay organized.

Learn More about Playbook Clinics:

Playbook Clinics is a new coaching clinic series, reimagined from the ground up. Playbook organizes a Convening Panel of coaches in the region, asks them what they want to talk about, and who they want to hear from. Check them out at www.playbookclinics.com, get your staff registered, and use the code “Keith” to save $50.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices