On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, Scotty Walden, the head coach at Austin Peay, talks through his journey as a football coach. Coach Walden shares how he got his first opportunities in coaching, the learning curves he experienced throughout his career, and how he has grown into the coach he is now. Coach Walden, a member of the 2019 AFCA 35 Under 35 Class, led the Governors to a huge week 3 victory.  

Follow Coach Walden and Austin Peay Football on social media here: 

@APSUcoachSW & @GovsFB 

Show Notes: 

0:52 Introduction 

1:36 Experience as a transfer and with the transfer portal 

8:14 What was the moment that led you to wanting to be a football coach? 

10:35 Experience playing middle school football in Texas 

12:26 Starting out as a student assistant coach  

15:07 Transition to Offensive Coordinator in year two as a coach 

17:05 Delineating the line between being a former player and coach 

21:05 Learning curve of being a first-year coordinator 

24:47 Transition to ETBU and continuing to develop as a coach 

31:35 Where did you go to learn and grow your offensive system? 

34:33 Leading coaches who have more experience 

38:12 Transition to Head Coach at ETBU 

41:25 Biggest challenges in first year as a head coach  

43:11 Decision process behind the move to Southern Miss 

45:35 Serving as an interim head coach during 2020 season 

49:08 Opportunity to become head coach at Austin Peay 

52:27 Biggest difference in year 1 and year 2 at Austin Peay/Biggest place of growth in career 

57:27 Growth in the hiring process 

1:00:22 Conclusion 

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