 On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset presented by CoachComm, we are featuring Illinois Head Coach, Bret Bielema’s General Session speech from the 2023 AFCA Convention. In this talk, Coach Bielema discusses how he creates a culture of being Tough, Smart, and Dependable, defines important characteristics of Illinois Football, and gives some practical advice to young coaches. Coach Bielema just completed his third season as the Head Coach of the Fighting Illini.    Connect with Coach Bielema and Illinois football on social media here.    @BretBielema & @IlliniFootball     Show Notes:     1:06 Introduction    3:41 Career Highlights    5:20 Tough. Smart. Dependable.    7:35 Characteristics of Illinois Football    13:55 Practice Planning     19:21 In-Practice Drills    31:05 Culture outside of the building     32:08 Choose a job you love    33:10 Conclusion  

Bret Bielema, Head Coach - Illinois

Inside the Headset with the AFCA takes you in-depth with interviews, career breakdowns, and coaching development with football coaches around the country.

Sports

Football

 This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Mike Babcock, the Head Coach at McKendree University. In this conversation, Coach Babcock discusses his humble beginnings in the profession, how he has navigated the ever-changing world of college football, and his commitment to pushing the game of football forward. Coach Babcock is entering his 12th season leading the Bearcats and has been a member of the AFCA Board of Trustees since 2023.    Follow Coach Babcock and McKendree Football on social media here:    @MikeBabcock44 & @Mckendree_FB    Show Notes:    1:04 Becoming a coach after playing, value of coaching on both sides of the ball, humble beginnings as a coach.    21:23 First full-time job at San Diego, navigating the profession with your significant other, juggling other responsibilities on top of coaching.     40:41 Opportunity at Colorado State-Pueblo, learning from mentors and peers, transition to McKendree.    57:52 Differences between being the Head Coach and an Assistant Coach, finding comfort in longevity, moving football forward.   

Mike Babcock, Head Coach - McKendree

 This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we  sit down with Joe Gillespie, the Head Coach at Midway High School in Waco, Texas. In this conversation, Coach Gillespie shares why he chose to pursue coaching, some of the behind-the-scenes conversations that take place when making career decisions, and his passion for high school football in the state of Texas. Coach Gillespie was hired at Midway in January after stints as the Defensive Coordinator at Tulsa and TCU.     Follow Coach Gillespie and Midway HS Football on social media here:     @joe_gillespi3 & @MidwayFB    1:04 Fulfilling the dream of being a football coach, getting on staff at Stephenville HS, challenges that come with leading a successful high school program.     26:49 The impact that player health has on success, getting the opportunity to move to coaching in college, determining if a job is the right fit.    46:00 Learning curves that came with being a first-time coordinator, behind the scenes conversations that happen in job transitions.    1:01:28 Coaching at a place with no previous connections to the staff, similarities in successful teams at the high school level and the college level, returning to high school football.   

Joe Gillespie, Head Coach - Midway HS (TX)

 This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we  sit down with Mike Bloomgren, the Head Coach at Rice University. In this conversation, Coach Bloomgren takes us through his career that has taken him to schools across the country, explains the value of coaching at different levels of football, and talks through how he took the lessons others taught him and applied it to his coaching. Coach Bloomgren, who led the Owls to a bowl game last season, was recently selected as a member of the AFCA Board of Trustees.      Follow Coach Bloomgren and Rice Football on social media here:    @mbloom11 & @RiceFootball    Show Notes:     1:05 Starting out as a football coach, playing football vs. coaching football, including your significant other in career decisions.     17:23 Sharpening your tools as a young coach and experience coaching in the NFL.    28:15 Opportunity to coach at Stanford, interviewing and hiring coaches, making the jump to being a head coach.     43:42 Turning down head coaching jobs in order to find the right fit, creating a culture, being named to the AFCA Board of Trustees.  

Mike Bloomgren, Head Coach - Rice

 This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we  sit down with Jeff McMartin, the Head Coach at Central College. In this conversation, Coach McMartin discusses why he got into coaching, getting to serve as the head coach at his alma mater, and being selected as the President of the AFCA this past January. Coach McMartin has served as the Head Coach at Central College for 20 years and the Dutch have never finished a season below .500 during his tenure.     Follow Coach McMartin and Central College Football on social media here:     @mac4fb & @CUI_Football    1:00 Getting started in the coaching profession, taking advantage of unexpected opportunities, working as a Graduate Assistant.    23:07 Getting your first full-time job, involving your family in decisions to move/change jobs, serving as a track coach and a football coach.     35:58 Sharpening your tools as you go throughout your career, flipping to the offensive side of the ball, taking your first coordinator job.     51:32 Taking your first head coaching job at your alma mater, finding success year after year, experience being a part of the AFCA.    

Jeff McMartin, Head Coach - Central College

 This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we  sit down with Clark Lea, the Head Coach at Vanderbilt University. In this conversation, Coach Lea talks through his journey to becoming the head coach of his alma mater, working hard to earn job opportunities, and the value of constantly learning. Coach Lea, who was recently appointed to the AFCA Board of Trustees, is entering his fourth season with the Commodores.     Show Notes:    1:19 Early years in the coaching profession.    17:57 First experience as a full-time coach being responsible for a position group.    32:00 Years spent as a position coach to prepare yourself for a coordinator position.    40:10 Challenges as a first-time coordinator and first-time head coach.  

Bret Bielema, Head Coach - Illinois

Download our free app to listen on your phone