Inside the Headset with the AFCA

On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Deke Adams, Defensive Ends Coach at West Virginia University.

Coach Adams shares his coaching journey through multiple levels of football and reflects on the experiences, relationships, and family support that helped shape his career. From his early days in the profession to coordinating at the FCS level and coaching in Power Four football, Coach Adams discusses the lessons learned along the way and offers valuable advice for coaches navigating their own career paths.

Throughout the conversation, Coach Adams talks about the importance of mentorship, building strong professional relationships, embracing challenges, and remaining committed to growth throughout a coaching career.

Inside the Headset is the official podcast of the American Football Coaches Association, featuring conversations with coaches from every level of football. Each episode explores leadership, career development, coaching philosophy, and the stories behind the profession.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and never miss an episode.

For more information on the American Football Coaches Association, visit AFCA.com.

AFCA Membership opens July 1. Join the AFCA to connect with coaches from across the country and gain access to valuable professional development resources and networking opportunities.

On this episode of AFCA Studio, former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick joins AFCA Director of Education Mario Price to discuss the coaches who influenced his football journey, the lessons he learned during a 17-year NFL career, and how those experiences helped inspire the creation of Crucible.

Having played for nine NFL organizations and learned under numerous offensive coordinators, Fitzpatrick developed a unique perspective on quarterback development, football intelligence, and the importance of decision-making. Now, through Crucible, he is helping quarterbacks at every level gain meaningful mental reps and improve their ability to process information quickly and efficiently.

During the conversation, Fitzpatrick shares how coaches impacted his career, why mental repetitions are critical for quarterback growth, and how technology can help players continue their development outside of practice.

On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Joe Battaglia, Head Coach at Lock Haven University.

Coach Battaglia shares the leadership and business lessons he has applied throughout his coaching career, discusses the value of professional development, and reflects on the journey that led him to become the head coach at Lock Haven.

During the conversation, Battaglia details his experiences as a young coach working his way through the profession, including stops at Temple and Georgia Tech. He discusses the challenges of transitioning into larger roles, lessons learned as a first-time coordinator, and the importance of building strong relationships throughout a coaching career. He also explains the impact the AFCA 35 Under 35 program had on his development and why he encourages young coaches to pursue opportunities that help them grow as leaders.

On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by EJ Barthel, Running Backs Coach at Nebraska.

In this conversation, Coach Barthel reflects on his unique path through the coaching profession, from working in recruiting and player personnel to coaching running backs at the collegiate and NFL levels. He discusses the lessons he learned from legendary coaches, the evolution of recruiting, the development of a personal coaching philosophy, and the importance of embracing challenges throughout a coaching career.

Coach Barthel also shares insights into player development, talent evaluation, building relationships with student-athletes, and Nebraska's commitment to building a physical, productive run game. Additionally, he offers advice for young coaches looking to break into the profession and explains why growth often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Follow Coach Barthel and Nebraska Football here: @Coach_EJBarthel & @HuskerFootball

Be sure to follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review—it helps other coaches discover the show. We release new episodes every week, so be sure to follow and never miss an episode.

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On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Peter Davila, Defensive Coordinator at Keiser University.

In this conversation, Coach Davila shares the journey that has shaped his coaching career, discussing how purpose, perseverance, and professional development have guided him through opportunities at multiple levels of football. He reflects on the mentors who impacted his growth, the challenges of balancing coaching and family life, and the lessons learned throughout his career transitions.

Coach Davila also provides insight into his first experience as a defensive coordinator at Keiser University, discussing leadership, staff development, and the importance of embracing new challenges. The episode concludes with advice for coaches navigating their own careers and seeking to maximize every opportunity in the profession.

Follow Coach Davila and Keiser Football here: 📲 @CoachDavila 📲 @KeiserFootball

Be sure to follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review—it helps other coaches discover the show. New episodes drop every week, so hit that follow button and never miss a conversation.

Find all Inside the Headset content here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset

For more information on joining the American Football Coaches Association, visit afca.com.

1:09 Introduction

1:21 When did you know you wanted to become a part of the coaching profession?

2:09 How did the culture of being a player help you as a coach?

4:29 How did you get your first coaching opportunity?

7:20 Was there anything in 1998 that made you reconsider the profession?

8:40 How do you navigate coaching while raising a family?

10:32 What made you coach high school football on the side?

12:36 How did you navigate returning to coaching with a pay decrease?

15:43 How did you reintegrate yourself into coaching in 2011?

17:37 Why pursue professional development opportunities with the NFL?

20:32 What did it mean to have mentors invest in your development?

22:24 Does the care factor still resonate at the highest level?

24:31 What was your transition to Otterbein like?

26:26 Why was that opportunity the right fit?

28:05 What led to the opportunity at James Madison?

29:28 What stood out from the interview process?

33:03 How did you establish yourself in one place for the first time?

35:49 What were the benefits of changing positions at Albany?

38:09 What challenges have you faced as a first-time defensive coordinator?

42:24 What was the thought process behind coaching the defensive line?

46:25 What advice would you leave for coaches navigating their careers?

49:40 Closing

On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Joey McGuire, head coach of Texas Tech Red Raiders football.

In this conversation, Coach McGuire discusses his path from Texas high school football to becoming the head coach at Texas Tech, the mentors who shaped his coaching philosophy, and the lessons learned while building successful programs at Cedar Hill and Baylor. He also shares insights on leadership, recruiting, player development, culture building, and navigating adversity throughout his career.

Follow Coach McGuire and Texas Tech Football here: @JoeyMcGuireTTU & @TexasTechFB

Be sure to follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share the show with another coach. We drop new episodes every week.

Find us here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset

For more information on joining the American Football Coaches Association, visit afca.com.

On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Bobby Wilder, head coach at Tennessee Tech.

In this conversation, Coach Wilder reflects on his coaching journey, building and leading programs, developing team culture, and adapting through change. He also shares lessons on leadership and what it takes to guide coaches and student-athletes at a high level.

Follow Coach Wilder and Tennessee Tech Football here: @CoachWilderTTU & @TNTechFootball

Be sure to follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a like and leave a review—it helps others discover the show.

We drop new episodes every week, so hit that follow button and never miss a moment.

Find us here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset

On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Matt Nardo, Head Coach at Muskingum University.

In this conversation, Coach Nardo discusses the sacrifices he made early in his coaching career, the importance of maximizing opportunities, and how experiences across multiple levels of football helped shape his leadership philosophy. He also reflects on stepping outside of his comfort zone, building high standards within a program, and lessons learned throughout his journey from graduate assistant to collegiate head coach.

Whether you are a young coach looking to grow in the profession or a veteran coach seeking perspective on leadership and development, this episode offers valuable insight into navigating a coaching career with purpose and persistence.

Follow Coach Nardo and Muskingum Football here: @CoachMNardo & @MuskingumFB

1:08 Introduction 1:26 When did you know you wanted to be a part of the profession? 3:00 How did you get selected to be a student assistant? 4:58 Sacrifices early in his coaching career 7:25 Getting his initial coaching opportunity 10:01 First position coached 12:22 First experience at Muskingum 14:41 Teaching high standards 16:22 Transition to high school football 19:41 Getting outside your comfort zone 22:15 Importance of varied experiences 24:27 Returning to college coaching 29:25 Maximizing opportunities 31:09 Time at Emporia State 35:01 Returning to Kansas high school football 39:26 Coaching in North Carolina 43:17 Lessons from first collegiate head coaching experience 47:07 Difference between GA Matt Nardo and Head Coach Matt Nardo 52:12 Advice for young coaches 54:46 Closing

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On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Tony Dungy. In this conversation, Coach Dungy reflects on his journey from collegiate quarterback at the University of Minnesota to Super Bowl-winning NFL head coach.

Coach Dungy shares lessons learned from legendary coaches like Chuck Noll, Bill Walsh, Marty Schottenheimer, and Dennis Green while discussing leadership, staff building, professional development, and the importance of leading through encouragement. He also opens up about navigating adversity, handling difficult seasons, building championship cultures in Tampa Bay and Indianapolis, and mentoring future coaches and players.

The conversation also dives into Coach Dungy's experiences as one of the early African American NFL head coaches, what it takes to lead in today's NFL, and the advice that shaped his coaching philosophy throughout his Hall of Fame career.

Follow Coach Dungy: @TonyDungy

Be sure to follow Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe for weekly conversations with coaches from across the football profession.

Find more episodes here: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset

On this episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Kaz Kazadi, Football Human Performance Coach and member of the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association Board.

Coach Kazadi shares his journey from a professional playing career into the strength and conditioning profession, along with the lessons learned through transitions across multiple programs. He discusses the role of energy and presence in coaching, and how those elements influence player development, relationships, and team culture.

Follow Coach Kazadi: @muadianvita.kazadi

🎧 Subscribe to Inside the Headset for weekly conversations with coaches across all levels of football. 🔗 Listen to more episodes: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset