Coaching Points from Coaches headed into Championship Week
Dec 02, 2022 6:44 pm
Coach ,
It’s been a fun season and it’s all boiled down to this in college footbal - Championship Week! We have had 17 of the 20 teams represented in our clinics.
Today we take a quick look at the match-ups and share coaching points for each staff.
The Power 5 Championships
PAC 12 - #12 Utah vs. #4 USC
This is one that many will be watching. A win should solidify USC in the College Football Playoff. A loss opens the door for other teams and the debate begins! It’s also a big game for QB Caleb Williams. A win and strong performance may make him the Heisman Trophy winner.
Let’s take a look at some coaching points from the Trojans Head Coach Lincoln RIley and Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch.
Southern Cal and DC Alex Grinch have a tall task shear as they look to bring the defense from the bottom of the national rankings.
Coach Riley certainly will build upon what he did with the sooners. That starts with having a plan for practice. Offensive success starts with being efficient and effective with the time you have. Coach Riley outlines how the week begins for them in this video (click on image for video):
You can bet that Caleb Williams has succeeded because the offense wasn’t new to him. He is throwing routes he was familiar with at Oklahoma. One of Coach Riley’s favorites is the Air Raid staple, Y-Cross. He breaks down the basics of the route including the progression that Williams uses here (click on image for video):
On the defensive side Coach Grinch shares what the Trojan defense is built upon and why the defense works here (click on image for video):
Utah is a tough competitor in this one and that 1 loss of the Trojans did come at the hands of the Utes in October.
Offensive Line Coach Jim Harding and his unit have the task of paving the way for Tavion Thomas and keeping Cameron Rising upright and distributing the ball around the field. They utilize a six-man protection quite often.
He illustrates Jet 4 Lou in this video (click on image for video):
Big 10 - Purdue vs. #2 Michigan
“The Game” went very well for the Wolverines in a highly competitive Big Ten East with 3 teams ranked in the top 10. They’ve done it on both sides of the ball all season long, and the have a strong 3rd phase led by the efforts of Special Teams Coordinator and Safeties Coach Jay Harbaugh.
As always in a tough conference, special teams can make a difference and the Wolverines have a top coordinator in Jay Harbaugh.
The 2021 Football Scoop Special Teams Coordinator of the Year starts with people, not scheme. He wants to ensure that the people on his unit are the best fit for the job that they are being asked to do. He explains the considerations for personnel here (click on image for video):
Video: Coverage Considerations
Big 12 - #13 Kansas State vs. #3 TCU
Kansas State has proved to be a tough opponent in the Big 12 and they certainly present a strong challenge to TCU going into this one. TCU sits in the #3 spot right now, but just as a USC loss shakes things up, a loss by the Horned Frogs in this game can do the same.
Kansas State
The tradition at K-State was built by retired Hall of Fame Coach Bill Snyder. He explains how that culture was built from nothing
Video: How do you build a culture?
For TCU Head Coach Sonny Dykes, having a high-performing offense is what is driving success on the field.
Like most coaches, Coach Dykes has plays which he hangs his hat on and his favorite is one he calls “Oregon.” Coach illustrates how a single play - what he believes is the best in football, the “Cross,” can provide the versatility to adapt to personnel. He notes that it is difficult to cover if you understand the details.
Coach covers the route in film here (click on image for video):
For TCU Defensive Coordinator Joe Gillespie, pressure will be a part of the package especially run pressure vs. 11, 12, and 20 personnel. A staple pressure for the Frogs is one that looks like their base. Motions and formations don’t force many adjustments. Playing 3-under 3-deep behind it makes it more of a run pressure. They can play it against 10 personnel formations as well. The boundary blitz is called “Burn.” He explains and shows it on game film here.
SEC - #1 Georgia vs. #5 LSU
Kirby Smart has the Bulldogs setup to get back to the College Football Playoff to defend their National Championship.
You can expect the strong foundation that those coaches help establish to remain. Retired OL Coach Matt Luke delivered an excellent presentation at the COOL Clinic in which he talked about organizing and offense. Here he points out how important it is to understand how your players learn (click on image for video):
Video: How Do Your Players Learn?
The LSU Tigers were not in the pre season top 25, but they have shown the improvement that is typically seen when Brian Kelly takes over a program.
It starts with building a strong culture, and that is something that Coach Kelly and Associate Head Coach Brian Polian studied extensively.
Connection is so important for the health of team culture. As Coach Polian points out,
“Relationships lead to winning!”
It took Coach Polian 20 years to really figure that out and he explains the importance of relationships here (click on image for video):
Video: Relationships are the reward
LSU will look to get an edge on Special Teams. Coach Polian harps on perfection and execution for his units. In this drill, the coverage team looks to stack the return team, striking the chest, then ripping through to the bag.
“Long stride, short stride, gather it up.”
It’s that simple to be perfect on coverage. (click image for video):
On the offensive side, the Tiger offense will need to find ways to move the ball against a stingy Gerogia defense.
The RPO is a big part of that attack, and OC Mike Denbrock likes using the tight ends in the RPO game.
One play he likes is the inside zone with the two outside receivers blocking, the tight end running flat behind the line of scrimmage and the QB reading the end and either throwing to the TE or keeping it in the alley.
Here’s a diagram of it:
Coach Denbrock shows the play with practice film here (click on image for video):
The Tigers will have to move the ball in the air as well, and that is something LSU WR Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Cortez Hankton knows how to do well. He was on the Georgia staff in the same position for the Bulldogs National Championship.
Coach Cortez Hankton believes in building pass concepts around the strutures which they use to run the ball. As an example, he coaches up the Double Halt concept that here (Click image to watch clip)
On the defensive side, Matt House has the tall task of stopping the explosive Bulldog offense. A key will be making them one dimensional as much as possible by limiting the run.
For the Tigers’ DC it all starts with being able to build a wall. He explains and thenillustrates that concept here on game film (click on image for video):
ACC - #10 Clemson vs. #24 North Carolina
Clemson’s late season stumbles make them a longshot now for the playoffs even with some help. However, an ACC Championship would put a strong end to 2022. Of course the Tar Heels feel the exact same way.
OC/QB Coach Brandon Streeter has helped his QB face adversity in 2022. Coach Streeter shares exactly what expects from his QB in this video (click on image for video):
DC Wes Goodwin has been a part of some great defenses at Clemson and is took over leading the unit in 2022. For him it all starts with having a solid weekly process which he details here:
You can bet UNC Head Coach Mack Brown is doing everything to create an edge this week. Coach Brown had Al Groh visit practice prior to playing Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, and the insight Coach Groh gave reminded Coach Brown of what they need to do to create the edge. He explains here:
On the Offensive side for the Tarheels, Coach Long looks for the Tarheels to execute with precision. He does that through being simple.
One thing that maybe is getting overemphasized in coaching is simplicity. Coach Longo believes in simplicity with one caveat. He will constantly look to simplify to the point where he says, “If we get any simpler we won't be able to handle all the situations that we see defensively.”
In looking at the playbook, just because something is simple doesn’t mean it stays. He wants to know, “Is this play efficient enough to keep it in the offense?” For him, he can’t have something simple without being efficient.
He explains his philosophy here (Click on image for video):
Video: Introduction to the Approach
Here’s the outline of his philosophy. It’s three things:
Play Fast (speed is a premium)
Play instinctive (play without thinking) Coach discusses how he evaluates instinctiveness here.
Next Play Always (the past does not dictate the future)
Practice and Communication
The simplicity and efficiency influence how the Tarheels practice as well. Their morning practice schedule has served them well in keeping their players physically and mentally fresh.
In addition to the time which works to benefit the offense (and the program), but also a focus on communication in practice that is done in a way that makes their communication efficient in practice.
The morning practice and headphones are explained here (Click on image for video):
The Group of 5 Championships
AAC - #22 UCF vs. #18 Tulane
UCF got the better of Tulane earlier this season.
Tulane, who has achieved a 10-win season for the first time since 1998, beat defending AAC champion Cincinnati for the first time in five tries last week.
They will rely on a strong defense to stop a very strong UCF offense.
On the back end of the Green Wave defense, DB Coach Josh Christian-Young believes strongly in teaching ball skills. It starts with the premise that kids do not throw the ball around enough, especially deep balls. He trains this skill with drills to correct that deficit. He illustrates those here (click on image for video):
Tulane Strength Coach Kurt Hester takes a big role in developing players in the weight room but also in skill acquisition.
One aspect that Coach Hester takes pride in training is vision skills. If you follow him on Twitter, you’ve seen the Tulane players doing this training. He gives an overview here (click on image for video):
Video: Vision Training Protocol
In the earlier match-up, Tulane also had trouble stopping the run against the Knights’ top-ranked rushing unit in the AAC, allowing four rushing scores and 336 yards on the ground with a 6.2 yards-per-attempt average.
The strong attack is built behing the great coaching of OL Coach Herb Hand. For Coach Hand, all they work in practice translates to the game. Precise technique is a standard for Coach Hand.
For any drill to have value, the techniques it teaches should be visible on game film. Coach Hand illustrates a Post Overlap Combo, which he teaches on the Crowther, here (click on image for game film):
C-USA - North Texas vs. #23 UTSA
Not only has Coach Traylor brought UTSA success under his leadership. He’s brought consistent success. Over the past two seasons, only four FBS programs have a better overall record than the Roadrunners’ 22-4 mark: Georgia (26-1), Michigan (24-2), Ohio State (22-3) and Alabama (23-4).
How has Traylor done it? It starts with recognizing that his players are always a reflection of him. With that as the framework, it certainly puts a sense of urgency in developing everyone who he leads. He explains here:
(click on image for video)
The special teams are something embraced by the UTSA staff. Coach Tommy Perry looks for role players who are hungry and he works with the position coaches to utilize starters while being sure he is keeping them fresh for offense and defense. He explains it here:
Video: You DOn’t Mind Playing Special Teams?
North Texas looks to win their first conference title of any kind for the program since 2004. The Green Wave are enjoying a productive season behind a top-flight offense. North Texas is averaging 472 total yards per game, ranking near the top of FBS, and the Mean Green are also producing 34.5 points per game.
North Texas Head Coach Seth Litrell has the Mean Green rusing attack producing 5.3 yards per rush attempt. With gaps and angles created, the pin and pull is an outstanding play from a bunched set. North Texas Head Coach Seth Litrell illustrates the concept in this video:
On the defense side, the Mean Green will have to play complementary footbal. Defensive Coordinator Phil Bennett will have to stop a high powered UTSA offense. They will certainly have to be sound in run fits to stop an offense averaging 173.3 ypg on the ground.In this video he explains how run fits adjust.
MAC - Toledo vs. Ohio
The Toledo Rockets got in on some tie breakers and look to overcome some late season injuries, but you can count on consistency nehind the play of their offensive line.
CO-OC OLCoach Mike Hallett has the Rocketsrunning game ranking near the top of the MAC at 173.2 rushing yards per game this season.
Everywhere he’s been throughout his career, strong fundamentals and technique have been a big part of the success that Coach Hallett brings to the teams he is a part of. He gives the coaching points on OL movement in this video:
The Ohio Bobcats (9-3, 7-1 MAC East) will represent the East division, after winning seven-straight games after a bad loss against Kent State at the start of the conference season. They got on track with with one of the most balanced looks in the country.
In a big game like this, explosive plays can make the difference. That starts with making defenders miss and it’s something Head Coach Tim Albin teaches their skill players in detail. He explains it here:
Another Aspect the Bobcats look to create explosives agfainst is defensive moevement. While it gives most offenses headaches, they see movement as an opportunity. OL Coach Allen Rudolph shares his philosophy:
Video: How Movement Can Create Explosives for the Offense
It starts with teaching the fundamentals that teach picking up movement. Coach Rudolph shows how they do it in this drill:
Video: Covered Backside Step Drill
Sunbelt - Coastal Carolina vs. Troy
Troy has been flying under the radar this season. While they have one of the best records in the Group of 5, they continue to struggle to get national recognition. That can change against Coastal Carolina who has emerged as team to pay attention to.
The Chants have built a strong program by caring for their players. It’s something that Head Coach Jamey Chadwell Identifies as CPR.
CPR stands for coach-player relationship. It’s a concept that Coach Chadwell learned from sitting around the dinner table at his family farm.
That idea has translated to CPR time which they utilize two times a week to build the trust amongst their team members. He explains it here:
On the offensive side the Chants run a unique option attack. Offensive Coordinator Willy Korn explains how the Freeze Option fits into their attack here:
OL Coach Bill Durkin likes the use of the counter play. Coach Durkin points out the footwork of the running back and the quarterback. This allows them to hand off, read, or run an RPO. Here are some examples of the Counter vs. the Odd Front (click image for video):
On the defensive side, sound fundamentals are the standard for linebackers Coach Josh Miller. A drill which he has used for a long time is one he took from the New England Patriots which he shows here:
Mountain West - Fresno State vs. Boise State
The Broncos faced adversity and changes in the early season, but rallied and reached the championship with a strong defense which skyrocketed into the national rankings in major statistical categories.
The Fresno State Bulldogs are winners of seven-straight games. Fresno State is yet to lose a game since the 20-point loss to Boise State on The Blue at the start of October, turning a 1-4 start into a championship berth.
Bulldog OL Coach Saga Tuitele spoke at the first annual Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic on the inside zone play. For him offensive line play starts with giving his players a tool box as he explains here:
Enjoy another great weekend of football and be sure to get your early bird ticket to the 3rd Annual Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic to benefit pediatric brain tumor research and cancer services. Save on Individual and staff passes can be purchased here: lfgf2023.coachesclinic.com
Alway be growing!
Coach Grabowski