Keep Your Pads Down!

Shaud Williams, University of Oregon Assistant Strength Coach for Football, joins KYPD for episode #130! We kick things off talking about his West Texas roots, days as a player as a running back at Texas Tech and later at the University of Alabama, and then the Buffalo Bills. Coach Williams also talks about what the Ducks have been doing in the weight room this offseason and what his favorite auxiliary lifts are for the OL/DL. We close out our conversation by talking some football with the former RB and then asking him who was the best defensive player he ever played against.

Former Southlake Carroll and Oregon Wide Receiver Blake Cantu joins us today in a very special KYPD episode. Cantu, a high school state champion, Under Armour All American, and highly touted recruit, arrived at Oregon with sky high expectations. However, injuries ended Cantu's career prematurely which led to him to turn to drugs and alcohol, and the next several years of his life were marked by addiction, depression, an accidental overdose, and jail time. Then, seven months ago, Cantu reached out to one of his former high school coaches for help. Today, Cantu is seven months sober and a resident at Haven Homes, a faith centered recovery facility in Texarkana, Texas and shares his story of brokenness, restoration, and the faithfulness of God.

William and Mary Defensive Line Coach Keenan Carter joins us for Episode #128! Coach Carter played Nose Guard at the University of Virginia before a brief career in the NFL. Today Coach Carter talks about the three "Musts" of his Defensive Line and goes through his defensive line manual for players which includes the three different types of stances he teaches, keys, and specific techniques. Coach then walks us through some of his favorite drills for both the Tribe's odd and even fronts, and we close out with Coach giving us his top spots to stop and eat on the recruiting trail in the D.C., Maryland, Virginia, area.

Western Michigan Defensive Line Quality Control Coach Casey Rowe joins KYPD for episode #127! In our conversation, Coach Rowe discusses his journey from high school to Division 1 coach and how the Mustangs use twists and stunts to create havoc for opposing offenses. We also talk about pass rush and how many steps an average Defensive End takes when sacking an opposing QB. We wrap up by talking about the Bronco's emphasis on "matching hands" and asking Coach Rowe which position is harder to play--Offensive or Defensive Line.

In this episode of KYPD, we are joined by Colorado School of Mines Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach, Tripp Thomas! We begin by talking about Coach's career which has spanned five states and vastly different experiences and his rise from a NAIA assistant, to high school coach, to Division II Defensive Coordinator in just a few short years. We talk about the unique challenges and benefits that come from coaching at CSM and the things they have done to help them be the one of the top rush defenses in the country in 2019 while being a primarily base defense. Coach goes on to talk more about his defensive philosophy, individual drills, and his advice for high school kids in the recruiting process.

Spring Westfield Defensive Line Coach Steven Urgelles joins us for Episode #125! The Mustangs were an impressive 12-1 in 2021 in arguably the toughest region of the largest classification of football in the state of Texas and finished as undefeated district champs and Regional Semi-Finalists. The Mustangs were led by a dominant defensive line, headlined by Houston signee A.J. Holmes who racked up all kinds of awards this season and was an absolute terror for offenses. Today, Coach Urgelles discusses how he coaches "knock back" with his defensive line and discusses specific techniques that he feels are imperative to controlling the line of scrimmage. He also gives us some of his favorite EDD's for coaching knock back, and then we finish up with questions about film study and offensive line breakdown.

Northwestern State University Defensive Line Coach Kevon Beckwith joins us today to talk about his journey through the coaching ranks which started with him being a student coach, to GA, to a full time Division I assistant coach. We then get into his coaching progression for the Demon Defensive Line which covers situation/stance, mode, alignment/assignment, read key, and technique. We also talk about some of Coach's favorite every day drills that he likes to work with his guys throughout the season.

In one of our most inspirational episodes ever, SMU Offensive Analyst Herschel Sims joins us to share his story of pain, regret, and redemption. As a senior at Abilene High School (TX), Coach Sims was ranked as one of the top running backs in the nation before committing to play football at Oklahoma State. He was kicked off of the team after a promising freshman season and from there his life and journey through the game of football took several dramatic turns that ultimately led him back to his hometown of Abilene where he finished his playing career at Abilene Christian University. Today, Coach Sims tells his story and shares the lessons he learned as a young man and highlights the coaches who were there for him in his darkest moments.

In this episode, University of Houston Defensive Line GA Demerick Gary joins us to talk some ball. We talk about Coach's playing career at SMU, how he got into coaching, and this past season spent with the Arkansas Razorbacks where the Hogs won nine games and defeated Penn State in the Outback Bowl. We then get into pass rush and discuss Coach Gary's approach to coaching getting after the passer. Coach also shares some of his favorite "low impact" pass rush drills that can be done year-round and then gives a few music recommendations for an offseason playlist.

Katy Paetow Defensive Line Coach Matthew Beeler joins us for episode #120! In this episode, we discuss the Panthers' historic run to a 5A DI State Championship in just the school's fifth year of existence. We also talk about Paetow's "read and react" defensive front and how they coach their guys on alignment, steps, block destruction, and pass rush. We close out our conversation discussing Coach Beemer's gamed superstitions...