Today we talk with Cleveland Browns Defensive Backs Coach and Pass Game Coordinator Jeff Howard.

After finishing his playing career at Eastern New Mexico University, Howard bypassed plans to go to medical school and chose instead to enter the coaching ranks. He began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at the storied Odessa Permian High School (Friday Night Lights). After working his way to becoming a defensive coordinator there, he went on to an off field position and later an onfield for Texas Tech then took advantage of an opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings. He continues to climb the coaching ranks and has a bright future in the NFL.

In part 1 of 2 he shares what enabled him to move along this path as well as his mindset and approach to coaching.

Shownotes:

-His start in coaching

-Learning the game/being mentored

-Networking and climbing the ranks

-Be intentional -Spend an hour each day

-Be a curious thinker

-Learn all parts of the game

-Learn the other side of the ball

-Defending intent

-Networking to move from HS to college to the NFL

-Taking the long way

-Add more value rather than titles

-Mindset and approach to coaching

-Serving, teaching, team

-Developing player mindset and identity

-Leading and getting players to lead

-Emotional intelligence and empathy

-Teaching in the meeting room = don’t be a dictator

-Teaching from the players perspective

-Stay ahead of the play

-Indispensible for doing the job at amnestying elite level

-Chuck Knoll quote

-Daily routine as a coach to set up a successful practice

-Game day routine

-Game day playlist

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