On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Coe College Defensive Coordinator and 2024 AFCA Division 3 Assistant Coach of the Year, Cody Baethke. In this conversation, Coach Baethke discusses why he wanted to become a football coach, being willing to take risks, and being recognized as the Division 3 Assistant Coach of the Year. Coach Baethke helped lead the Kohawks to a 9-2 record and a berth in the NCAA Division 3 Playoffs in the 2024 season.  

Follow Coach Baethke and Coe Football on social media here:  

@CodyBaethke & @KohawksFootball 

1:30 Breaking into the profession at the High School level after a collegiate playing career. 

14:45 Jumping to the college level as a GA, impact of family on career decisions, and returning to your alma mater.  

31:13 Serving as a baseball coach while coaching football, becoming the Defensive Coordinator at Coe College, being named as 2024 AFCA D3 Assistant Coach of the Year.  

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Salisbury University Head Coach and 2024 AFCA Division 3 Coach of the Year, Sherman Wood. In this conversation, Coach Wood discusses his journey in the coaching profession, navigating challenges while maintaining consistency, and what the AFCA has meant to his career. Coach Wood led the Sea Gulls to a 12-1 record and a berth in the NCAA Division 3 Quarterfinals during their 2024 campaign. 

Follow Coach Wood and Salisbury Football on social media here:  

@slwood4 & @SeaGullFootball 

Show Notes:  

1:30 Entering into the coaching profession at your alma mater and early years in the coaching profession.  

13:58 Opportunity at Bowie State, helping a program grow into a playoff team, navigating quick staff changes, and returning to Salisbury as the Head Coach.  

35:44 Growing and Developing as a Head Coach, opportunity to return to Salisbury, and maintaining consistency. 

47:12 Being named 2024 AFCA Division 3 Coach of the Year and impact of the AFCA. 

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Keiser University Head Coach and 2024 AFCA NAIA Coach of the Year, Myles Russ. In this conversation, Coach Russ discusses his entry into the profession, his journey to becoming the head coach at Keiser, and being named Coach of the Year in the NAIA by the AFCA. Coach Russ led the Seahawks to an undefeated regular season and an appearance in the NAIA National Championship game in 2024.  

Follow Coach Russ and Keiser football on social media here:  

@CoachMylesRuss & @KeiserFootball 

Show Notes:  

1:30 Navigating the transition away from playing and moving into the coaching profession. 

21:11 Transition to Keiser, building a culture from the ground up, and becoming an Assistant Head Coach. 

35:56 Becoming the Head Coach at Keiser and building a staff.  

54:59 Being named 2024 AFCA NAIA Coach of the Year and 2024 AFCA 35 Under 35 class.  

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we preview the 2025 AFCA Convention with Hazel Green High School Head Coach, Fred Farrier. In this conversation, Coach Farrier and Mario Price give you everything you need to know prior to heading to Charlotte for the 2025 AFCA Convention. The 2025 AFCA Convention runs from January 12th to January 14th in Charlotte, NC.  

Follow Coach Farrier on social media here: @CoachFredT 

Show Notes:  

1:28 Introduction 

2:05 Importance of being involved with the AFCA 

4:00 First Timers Meeting and tips for first timer attendees 

7:20 Information about Skills & Drills and Buzz Sessions 

9:19 Preparing for the AFCA Convention 

12:40 Information about Breakout Sessions and GA Career Panel 

14:42 Impact of GA Career Panel Session 

19:33 Information about High School, Junior College, CFL, International, and Collegiate General Sessions 

22:08 Impact of General Sessions and learning from P5 Head Coaches 

25:04 Information about Tailgate Party and New Programming available this year 

28:40 Final Tips for Convention Attendees 

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Scott Milanovich, the head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In this conversation, Coach Milanovich walks through his journey into the profession, his experiences in both in the CFL and the NFL, and how he has developed as a coach throughout his career. Coach Milanovich led the Tiger-Cats to a 7-11 record in his first season.  

Follow the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the CFL on social media here: 

@Ticats & @CFL 

Show Notes: 

1:30 Playing career in college and pros, transitioning from being a player to a coach in the same league, and getting your first opportunity in the CFL.  

18:41 Uniqueness of coaching in the CFL and roster building, becoming a CFL Head Coach for the first time, and finding success early on as a Head Coach and working to maintain it.  

36:28 Coaching in the NFL, returning to the CFL during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and learning to adapt as a coach. 

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we are featuring Mizzouri Head Coach, Eli Drinkwitz’s General Session talk from the 2024 AFCA Convention. In this talk, Coach Drinkwitz discusses various drills and circuits that he has used to find success throughout his career. Coach Drinkwitz led Mizzou to a 9-3 record and a bid to the Music City Bowl this season. 

Follow Coach Drinkwitz and Missouri Football on social media here:  

@CoachDrinkwitz & @MizzouFootball 

Show Notes:  

1:30 Special Teams Circuit and Tackling Drills 

19:30 Team Drills (Tackling and Ball Security) 

32:19 Ram Pass Play / General Thoughts 

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm we sit down with Corey Mace, the head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In this conversation, Coach Mace discusses the uniqueness of the CFL, his journey to becoming a head coach, and how he approaches roster management and culture building. Coach Mace led the Roughriders to a 9-8 record this past season, making it to the West Division Final. 

Follow Coach Mace, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the CFL on social media here:  

@CoreyJMace & @sskroughriders & @CFL 

1:30 Finding your passion for coaching, unique aspects of the CFL, and transitioning from a player to a coach.  

23:19 Getting to experience the Grey Cup as a player and a coach, becoming a defensive coordinator and a head coach and finding quick success, and building a culture at the professional level. 

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we are featuring UNLV Head Coach, Barry Odom’s General Session talk from the 2024 AFCA Convention. In this talk, Coach Odom discusses his coaching journey, how he approaches building a program, and his recruiting philosophy. Coach Odom has led the Rebels to an 8-2 record so far in the 2024 campaign.  

Follow Coach Odom and UNLV Football on social media here:  

@Coach_Odom & @unlvfootball 

1:30 Coaching Journey 

15:45 Building a Program 

34:48 Recruiting Philosophy 

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm we sit down with Corby Meekins, the head coach at Lutheran South Academy in Houston, Texas. In this conversation, Coach Meekins discusses the uniqueness of coaching high school football, how he went about building successful cultures, and his experience at the college level. Coach Meekins is in his first season at the helm at Lutheran South following a 3-year stint at the University of Houston. 

Follow Coach Meekins and Lutheran South Football on social media here: 

@corbymeekins & @SouthFootball24 

1:05 Following your passion to be a coach, becoming a coordinator for the first time, and navigating quick and unexpected transitions.  

30:35 Having tough conversations in job moves, working to build competitive rosters at the HS level, and becoming a head coach for the first time. 

1:00:23 Transitioning to the college level, differences between high school football and college football, and navigating staff changes.

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.