In this episode of Four Thumbtacks, Brad and Billy sit down with Whiteland (IN) Head Coach Darrin Fisher, a 30+ year veteran who has spent the last 21 seasons building one of Indiana’s most consistent programs.

Coach Fisher shares how he thinks about what actually wins in today’s game: the seven core stats he tracks, why explosive plays have changed the equation, and how concepts like turnover margin, red zone efficiency, and “starting fast” really show up on Friday nights. He explains how Whiteland’s practice structure and how a daily “1–0” plan keep the program anchored in physicality, ball security, and fundamentals.

You’ll also hear the origin story of his allegiance to the Fly Sweep —how an I-formation coach in 1999 ended up in Salem, Oregon learning from Mark Speckman, joined a tight-knit “Fly Club” of coaches across the country, and eventually built his complete offensive system around these concepts.

Along the way, Fisher opens up on:

• The evolution of high school football and why big plays now trump some traditional metrics

• How Whiteland structures a practice week

• Using film and analytics to correct, teach, and move on from wins and losses

• The heartbreak of coaching, the joy of relationships, and why football players are “a special breed”

• His best advice for young coaches: find a system, commit to it, and stop aimlessly chasing the newest scheme

Whether you’re a high school coach, play caller, or just love the craft of building a program, this conversation is packed with practical ideas, and veteran wisdom that can be applied at any level.

To learn more about CoachTree, email us at [email protected].

Brett Dietz, Head Football Coach at DePauw University, joins Four Thumb Tacks to talk football, leadership, and the lessons learned from a life immersed in the game. A former four-sport college athlete and professional QB in Europe and the Arena League, Coach Dietz brings a unique perspective on how experience shapes coaching style.

We dive into:

• Building a championship culture at DePauw
• The concept of "raising the floor" vs just raising the ceiling
• Coaching through COVID and the impact on team identity
• Grit equity, player development, and surrounding yourself with the right people
• Installing and evolving the QB Run RPO with practical, game-ready insights for high school and college coaches

Coach Dietz also shares stories from recruiting, arena football, and the storied Monon Bell rivalry—and wraps up with a rapid-fire 2-minute drill.

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🔗 Links:

• Learn more at: coachtree.us
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• Questions or feedback? Email us: [email protected]

Dr. Chris Carr, Director of Performance Psychology for the Green Bay Packers, joins us to explore the mental side of football. From rewiring mindset after a drop to game day focus, he shares lessons from decades with elite athletes and coaches.

Key topics:

• Building mental routines
• Rewind & re-record technique
• Preparing under pressure
• Supporting player wellness
• Coaching through the grind

To learn more about CoachTree visit www.coachtree.us, or email at [email protected]

This week features Billy Riebock, Head Football Coach at Millikin University. We talk:

• Journey to First Time Head Coach
• What it means to be in the big chair
• Importance of Loyalty, Learning and Prioritizing the work
• How he and his staff are approaching a program rebuild

To learn more about CoachTree visit www.coachtree.us, or email at [email protected]

This week's chat features AJ Steward, Running Backs Coach at UCLA. We dive into:

• His evolution of RB Coaching Points
• Faith in the Coaching journey
• Building trust with a new position group

To learn more about CoachTree, visit our website at www.coachtree.us or email us at [email protected]

This week features Joey Lynch, Sr. Offensive Analyst at Texas A&M, we talk:

• Focusing on the big picture and organization
• Prioritizing "expense" in your weekly plan
• How to coach the back shoulder fade

To learn more about CoachTree, visit us at ⁠www.coachtree.us⁠ or email at ⁠[email protected]

Today we are joined by Bobby Johnson, Offensive Line Coach for the Washington Commanders. In our conversation, we discuss:

• Bobby's 30 year D1 and NFL career
• Knowing where the technique skeletons are buried
• Coaching to your player's X-Man Power
• An inside look into the NFL coaching cycle

To learn more about CoachTree, visit us at www.coachtree.us or email us at [email protected].

Joey Hecklinski is the Head Football Coach of Goshen High School (IN). We discuss his transition from a 10 year collegiate coaching career to leading a high school program.

Key Takeaways:

To learn more about CoachTree, visit us at www.coachtree.us or email at [email protected]

Travis Daugherty is a High School Basektball Coach of the Year turned Founder and CEO of Champions 101. At Champions 101, Travis and his team focus on high performance, winning behaviors and effective leadership. We discuss:

To learn more about CoachTree, visit us at www.coachtree.us or email at [email protected]

Brad Seiss has led Merrillville High School to repeatable success over his 10+ year tenure. We learn how he's built the program and focus areas for their primary goal - a return of a State Championship. We discuss:

To learn more about CoachTree, visit us at www.coachtree.us or email at [email protected]