Today’s “Your Call” episode of USA Football’s Coach and Coordinator Podcast dives into shared responsibilities across a coaching staff and the use of the co-coordinator role. We are joined by coaches from Friendswood High School (TX), Hinsdale South High School (IL), and Rocky River High School (OH) to discuss the benefits, challenges, and strategies for utilizing the co-coordinator role.

Show Notes

Friendswood High School Staff:

Robert Koopman, head coach @robertkoopmann

Seth Harris, run game offensive coordinator @coachsethharris

Scott Smith, pass game offensive coordinator @scottjsmith81

02:50 Head coach thoughts on the advantages of a co-coordinator system

04:15 The deep dive, focus, and development of “experts”

05:15 Efficiency in film breakdown

05:40 Bringing it together into one cohesive plan

07:54 The game planning process that starts with the head coach

08:54 Making decisions on game day

09:55 Communication during and between series

12:38 Situations that require one coach to take the lead

14:45 Tips on making co-coordinators work

Hinsdale South High School staff:

Mike Barry - head coach, run game offensive coordinator @coachbarry50

Scott Hansen - pass game offensive coordinator @coachhansen05

18:07 How it starts with the philosophy of the program

21:18 How coordinators increase efficiency

22:55 Preparing the game plan and the team by distributing the work

26:00 Putting everything together into one game plan

27:50 Happy coaches make a happy staff

31:35 Handling sideline adjustments

33:10 Tips for the co-coordinator who works with the head coach

36:26 Empowering your staff to be successful in sharing the responsibility

39:14 Sharing responsibility helps build a staff

Rocky River High School staff

Josh Wells, head coach, run game defensive coordinator @coachwells1

Austin Cordova, defensive pass game coordinator @coachcoop_21

41:00 Balancing being the head coach with helping a young defensive coordinator

43:05 Making sure the front end and back end of the defensive game plan fit together

45:10 Understanding each other in the big picture

46:29 How the head coach is freed up to handle other parts of the program

47:23 Decisions and communication process on game day

50:40 How adjustments on the sideline and at halftime are made and the use of instant replay

51:55 Head coach giving his eyes to other phases of the game

54:00 #1 key to making the co-coordinator system work

Coach Grabowski’s article on making co-coordinators work

https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/2094/making-co-coordinator-coaching-roles-work-to-an-advantage

Listen to the Coach and Coordinator Podcast all season long for tips, strategies, and concepts that can help you be successful.