Inside the Headset with the AFCA

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset, we sit down with Payton Pardee, the Special Teams Coordinator for the San Antonio Brahmas. In this conversation, Coach Pardee discusses landing his first coaching job, learning how to recruit and manage rosters, and the uniqueness of his experience coaching in the UFL. Coach Pardee is preparing for his second season with the Brahmas after a 7-3 season this past spring.  

Follow Coach Pardee and the San Antonio Brahmas on social media here: 

@CoachPardee & @XFLBrahmas 

Show Notes:  

1:05 Following in your grandfather’s footsteps, landing your first coaching job, and navigating the transition from a player to a coach. 

22:42 Building a network to help you as a young coach, learning to recruit amid change, and managing rosters at the college and the professional level. 

42:01 Prioritizing player development in the UFL, navigating the XFL/UFL merger and job transition, and how you have grown in the profession.  

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Jacksonville State Safeties coach, Brandon Napoleon. In this conversation, Coach Napoleon discusses how he broke into the profession, the lessons he learned as a young coach, and how he works to take advantage of every opportunity he is given. Coach Napoleon is in his first season at Jax State.  

Follow Coach Napoleon and Jax State football on social media here:  

@CoachNapoleon & @JaxStateFB 

1:05 Impact of transferring on your career as a coach, breaking into the coaching profession, and finding ways to learn and build a network.  

20:04 Early job opportunities, taking advantage of learning opportunities, and experience at Buffalo.  

43:00 Most impactful stops in your career, landing at Jax State, and looking back on your career.  

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Moravian Head Coach, Jeff Long. In this conversation, Coach Long discusses how his background as a teacher helped him in coaching, how he grew as a young coordinator, and being handed the keys to the Moravian program. Coach Long is in his second season leading the Moravian program and was a member of the 2024 AFCA 35 Under 35 class.  

Follow Coach Long and Moravian football on social media here:  

@CoachLongMUFB & @MoravianFB 

Show Notes:  

1:05 Similarities between Teaching and Coaching, breaking into the profession, and transitioning from coaching high school to college.  

24:05 Internship with Philadelphia Eagles, developing as a young coach, and transitioning to John Carroll. 

46:41 Becoming a coordinator for the first time, the opportunity to be a Head Coach, and AFCA 35 Under 35 Experience.  

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with West Georgia Running Backs coach, Reid Sanders. In this conversation, Coach Sanders reflects on the moment he realized he wanted to pursue coaching, his early experiences leading a team as a young coach, and his time as a high school Head Coach. Coach Sanders is in his first season at West Georgia and was a member of the 2024 AFCA 35 Under 35 class.  

Follow Coach Sanders and West Georgia Football on social media here:  

@RTS_9 & @UWGFootball 

1:05 Breaking into the profession, leading a room as a young coach, and returning to your alma mater as a coach.  

27:30 Moving to the High School level, applying professional and college schemes to the high school level, and becoming a head coach. 

44:47 Hiring a high school coaching staff, returning to the collegiate level, and AFCA 35 Under 35 Experience.  

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Furman Defensive Coordinator, Duane Vaughn. In this conversation, Coach Vaughn discusses his career with Furman, how he has continued to develop as a coach, and his experience in the AFCA 35 under 35. Coach Vaughn is in his 13th season with the Paladins and was a member of the 2024 AFCA 35 Under 35 class.  

Follow Coach Vaughn and Furman Football on social media here:  

@Coach_DVaughn & @PaladinFootball 

1:05 Getting started at Furman, the value of coaching on both sides of the ball, and getting promoted to full-time.  

17:25 Moving to the defensive side of the ball, staying focused on your tasks as you navigate staff change, and serving as a recruiting coordinator as college football changes.  

39:32 Getting promoted to Defensive Coordinator, learning to see the game holistically, AFCA 35 Under 35 experience.  

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Widener Head Coach, Mike Barainyak. In this conversation, Coach Barainyak discusses his passion for the game of football, how he strives to serve his players, and the importance of being where your feet are. Coach Barainyak is in his sixth season at Widener and was a member of the 2020 AFCA 35 Under 35 class.  

Follow Coach Barainyak and Widener Football on social media here:  

@Coach_Barry & @Widener_FB 

Show Notes:  

1:05 Having a passion for the game since childhood, coaching guys that you played with, and wearing many hats as a coach at a small school.  

22:32 Opportunities to learn at different levels of football, coaching JV as a young coach, and stepping out of your comfort zone and expanding your knowledge.   

46:16 Returning to Pennsylvania to coach at Widener, becoming the Head Coach at Widener, and experience in the AFCA 35 Under 35. 

This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Danny Wuerffel from the Wuerffel Foundation as he reflects on his playing career, shares his passion for community service, and talks about the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and its collaboration with the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. A former Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion at the University of Florida, Danny Wuerffel has devoted his life to serving others and honoring the service contributions of current college football players. 

Follow Danny Wuerffel and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy on social media here:  

@DannyWuerffel & @WuerffelTrophy 

1:05 Reflecting on your successful playing career and the coaches that impacted your career.  

8:30 Getting involved with Desire Street Ministries and becoming the Executive Director following Hurricane Katrina. 

16:55 Establishing the Wuerffel Trophy and partnering with the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.  

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Southern Illinois Defensive Coordinator, Antonio James. In this conversation, Coach James discusses getting his start at the high school level, navigating job changes, and learning from every experience he has. Coach James is in his third season at Southern Illinois and has helped lead the Salukis to a 2-1 start to their 2024 season. 

Follow Coach James and Southern Illinois Football on social media here:  

@2_adjames & @SIU_Football 

1:05 Getting started at the high school level, emphasizing the basics at every level, and opportunity to jump to the college level. 

22:36 Being confident in your teaching ability, navigating staff and job changes as a young coach, and opportunity at Morgan State. 

54:30 Learning from each experience, coaching away from the spotlight, and opportunity at Southern Illinois. 

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Missouri State Head Coach, Ryan Beard. In this conversation, Coach Beard discusses the value of building genuine relationships, taking leaps of faith to advance his career, and his AFCA 35 Under 35 experience this past January. Coach Beard, a member of the 2023 AFCA 35 Under 35 class, just kicked off his second season leading the Bears.  

Follow Coach Beard and Missouri State Football on social media here:  

@Ry_Beard & @MoStateFootball 

1:05 Transitioning from player to coach, building genuine relationships with your network, and volatility of the coaching profession. 

20:57 Defining your why as a coach, coaching at the Division 2 level, and returning to Western Kentucky. 

40:01 Benefits of coaching special teams, navigating the profession with your spouse, and transition to Central Michigan. 

1:02:14 Adapting to the ever-changing nature of football, becoming the Head Coach at Missouri State, and experience in the AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute.  

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Illinois Head Coach, Bret Bielema. In this conversation, Coach Bielema discusses starting out at his alma mater, working with legendary coaches, and the impact coaches can have on their players. Coach Bielema, who just began his fourth season at Illinois, was recently named to the AFCA Board of Trustees and helped lead the Illini to a 45-0 victory to kick off their 2024 campaign.  

Follow Coach Bielema and Illinois Football on social media here:  

@BretBielema & @IlliniFootball 

1:05 Being shaped by tragedy, differentiating yourself as a coach from a player, and the power of the pen and writing notes.  

18:31 Becoming a full-time coach at Iowa, taking the leap away from your alma mater to advance your career, and joining the staff at Wisconsin.  

39:23 Working under multiple legendary coaches, navigating adversity as a head coach, and joining the AFCA Board of Trustees.