15 Slight Variations To The “Smash” Concept
I’m certain that one constant of every coaches playbook is the “Smash” concept – the Hitch route by the outside WR and a corner route by the slot WR. It’s a great cover 2 beater and an easy read of…
Happy Birthday to the Ultimate Leader
What are the characteristics of a great leader? I have spent the last few months writing about great people and football coaches. I have learned a lot from those guys. But, my ultimate role model for coaching never played a…
THE H.O.P.E FOUNDATION: An Update for 2015
Hugh Freeze, the head football coach at the University of Mississippi, is considered by many as this season’s Football Bowl Subdivision Coach of the Year. He led the Rebels to a regular season of 9-3, a top twenty ranking, and…
Quality Control
As we head into the winter/off-season and jump into our film study from the 2014 season, please find below some ideas for areas of analysis as you reflect on the past year. These are the areas that we will focus…
The Firm Always Knows Best
I hear an expression several times throughout the season (including last week) and every now and then during the off-season: The Firm. The Firm is Smith, Smith, Coverdale and Holcomb. More specifically, Homer Smith, Chuck Smith, Andrew Coverdale, and Mike…
Can Bishop Gorman Win a National Title With a Frontloaded slate?
Tony Sanchez has not lost an in-state game since he took over at Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) heading into the 2009 season and, as such, he set his sights on a higher prize: a national title. Sanchez has worked…
The Military Analogy and Developing Football Leadership
As we embark upon the “battles” of November that will determine the champions and the standings for future championship pursuits, the opportunities for those involved in our great sport to make comparisons between the playing field and the battlefield become…
Hanging Tough in Tough Times
We either have experienced it or will experience it at one or more times as a coach. Anticipation of a successful season is suddenly tempered by key injuries, a tough schedule, and coming up short in the “battle of inches”….
Commentary: California Ready to Chase the Dollar
In a world where money talks and participation trophies are becoming the norm, high school football state championships appear to be the next frontier for those that believe everyone is a winner and every revenue stream should be tapped until…
Running a Better Team Session by Hindering the DL to Have More Players Make Plays in Team Sessions
By Ned Panfile We often have trouble with our ‘look squad’ blocking our defensive linemen during our team defense session. No matter how much we tell the D-line to back off, we can’t get a view about how well…