Coach -

The C.O.O.L. Clinic is just two weeks away, and like Bob Wylie says every year, the line-up is is better than ever (and it is)!

We will count down to the C.O.O.L. Clinic with highlights from some of the legends who have spoken at the clinic.

We start with a C.O.O.L. Clinic from Howard Mudd.

Howard Mudd was an All-Pro NFL guard and legendary offensive line coach. A Hillsdale College captain and NAIA Hall of Famer, he played seven seasons in the NFL before transitioning to a decades-long coaching career. Mudd coached offensive lines for multiple NFL teams, most notably the Indianapolis Colts, where his unit protected Peyton Manning and helped win Super Bowl XLI. Renowned for his no-nonsense style and elite pass protection schemes, Mudd left a lasting legacy in the trenches.

Mental Stuff That Works

In the trenches, it’s rarely about perfection—it’s about mindset. The late, legendary offensive line coach Howard Mudd understood this better than anyone. While technique matters, he knew the secret to unlocking a lineman’s potential wasn't just in drills—it was in the way they think. Here’s a breakdown of the mental principles that worked for him—and still work today.

1. Forget the Myth of the Set Steps

“Three step, five step, seven step is a myth,” Mudd said bluntly. His point? The protection concept doesn’t change just because the drop changes. He taught his linemen to “go jump his ass”—a simple way to say: close space and attack. The mindset is aggressive. Don’t wait. “Get to him before he gets to you.”

2. It’s About the Task—Not the Result

Players often fall into a dark place when they shift focus from doing the job to worrying about the outcome. That fear of failure leads to hesitation and blank stares. “You’ve seen it,” Mudd said. “The look like the guy has no idea where he is. He’s terrified.” His solution? Anchor players in task-focused triggers.

3. Use Simple, Personal Triggers

Mudd’s mental hacks were always custom-fit. One player needed to tell himself, “feet and numbers”—a cue to move his feet and keep his eyes in the right spot. Another needed to remind himself, “keep your belt down.” Another? “Stop looking at his chest—talk to yourself.” These aren't slogans—they're lifelines to focus and flow.

4. Take Chances—and Let Your Players Fail

“If you don’t take a chance, you’re not going to make progress,” Mudd said. He encouraged his players to take risks, to trust their training, and to fight paralysis by analysis. Coaches, too, must be willing to shift players, tweak technique, and experiment. That’s where growth happens.

5. Stop Coaching Every Damn Play

There’s power in silence. “Stop coaching them every play,” Mudd insisted. Let the players play. Let them learn. Not every rep needs a critique—some just need space. Trust builds confidence, and confidence beats fear.

The Bottom Line

Howard Mudd’s brand of mental coaching wasn’t polished—but it was powerful. His players didn’t just learn technique. They learned how to reset, how to reframe failure, and how to keep swinging.

Because in football—and in life—it’s not always about the perfect rep. It’s about finding that mental trigger, locking in, and jumping the damn guy before he jumps you.

Watch the video from the 2014 C.O.O.L. Clinic

Want More of the “Stuff That Works”?

Join the best in the business at the C.O.O.L. Clinic, May 15–17—the premier offensive line clinic featuring NFL, college, and CFL champions. Go beyond X’s and O’s and dive into elite-level mindset, technique, and performance coaching.

🎟️ Register now and get 30-day access to all sessions and replays.

Don’t miss it—your next breakthrough starts here.

See you May 15!

-The C.O.O.L. Clinic Team

P.S. 

This year’s C.O.O.L. Clinic lineup is loaded with elite coaching minds. You’ll hear from Super Bowl champ Jeremiah Washburn, CFL champ Kris Sweet, FBS champ Justin Frye, and NFL legends Jim McNally, Paul Alexander, and Bob Wylie—plus keynote speaker John Harbaugh, Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

You’ll also learn from top NFL offensive line coaches like Aaron Kromer (Bills), Zach Strief (Broncos), George Warhop (Ravens), and Bobby Johnson (Commanders).

And we’re bringing the heat from the college game, too. Here's some of them:

• A’lique Terry (Oregon) – Hands & target in pass pro
• Phil Trautwein (Penn State) – OL evaluation & development
• Matt Drinkall (Army/CMU) – Building a violent interior run attack
• Mason Miller (Baylor) – Pass pro techniques + movement drills
• Rick Trickett (Jacksonville State) – Off-season drills for the full line
• George Barnett (Iowa) – Run blocking philosophy & fundamentals
• 
  

May 15–17. Don’t miss it.

[Register now and get 30-day access to the clinic and replays.]