Insight from Coaches in the Conference Championship Games
Dec 02, 2023 5:13 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 from some of the coaches in the championship games.
Big10 - Michigan vs. Iowa
Sherrone Moore has done a great job filling in for suspended Jim Harbaugh. It has probably earned him a head coaching position somewhere for 2024. Coach Moore and the Wolverine’s will put their power running game on display vs. a tough Iowa defense.
There definitely was an attitude about the run game which Michigan OC Sherrone Moore put together.
We are going to run the ball!
Create explosive plays in the run game put less people in the box. If you want to create a mentality that WE ARE GOING TO RUN THE FOOTBALL, then put more people in this box. It then opens the big play opportunities in play action.
Another aspect of how the Wolverines run the counter is that they will pull the center - it eliminates the back block ln the 3 technique.
Coach Moore illustrates their counter in this video:
Get Movement with the Down Block
The down block is key to opening up the running lane and building the wall for the Power and Counter. It might now always be a perfect block, but teaching the OL to strain to finish allowed them to make good things happen. Coach Moore gives the coaching points on the down block in this video.
Iowa plays a ball control game and Kirk Ferentz has done a great job managing games. He is in his 25th year as the head football coach at the University of Iowa, which makes him the most tenured coach in college football. He does things the right way.
Coach Ferentz has made an impact on Iowa and college football. Listen to what he has to say about the impact of a coach (click on image for video):
Other clinics from the Michigan and Iowa staffs:
Big XII- Texas vs. Oklahoma State
Texas looks to get into the college football playoff with a win over Oklahoma State. It’s not guaranteed with a win, but it certainly will make some tough decisions for the committee. Oklahoma State has been a spoiler in these games recently, so this could be an interesting game. Let’s look at some coaching insight from each staff.
4 Pillars of Player Development
Developing a championship defense is always built upon the players, and as Co-DC Jeff Choate points out in this video, the health of the players is paramount. He explains their 4 Pillars of developing their players.
Video: Pillars of Player Development
Secondary “Alerts”
Defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach Terry Joseph believes in putting together a solid plan through their weekly process, and he will have to deal with a talented Alabama receivers corp.
They surely will have some “alerts” and Coach Joseph shares how they develop their weekly “Alerts” in this video: (click image for video):
Get Downhill
The Longhorns will need to establish the run and for Coach Flood that begins with establishing the inside zone play. The fundamentals developed in camp will have to carry over to the game field at Darrel K Royal Stadium this Saturday.
Coach Flood gives you an easy, simple drill, “Fit and Walk” his offensive line uses for
- Getting defensive lineman off the ball
- First step fundamentals
- Moving up to the second level
(click on image for video)
Counter is a big scheme for the Longhorns as well. It starts with the line calls which Coach Flood explains here:
The Cowboys will have to control teh clock and do their best to keep the explosive Longhorn offense off the field.
A scheme they lean on is the outside zone scheme because it allows them to distort a defense while being creative in their attack. When presenting this clinic, TE Coach Jason McEndoo pointed our that over a 3-year period the two variations, outside zone and search, have netted the Cowboys 1,726 yards with nearly a 5-yard average every time they call it.
Coach explains the importance of the scheme and its success in their offense here (click on image for video):
The success of the scheme starts with a sound teaching progression. Coach McEndoo believes that in order to be good at something, they need to understand everything about their jobs. That means that everything that they do is taught in a progression. He explains that here (click on image for video):
Modern defenses love to use the 4i defensive lineman. For many schemes, the 4i can cause some issues. In this example, Coach McEndoo illustrates how the play works against a 4i with plus-ed linebackers (click on image for video):
More Clinics by Texas and Oklahoma State staff:
All Gas No Brakes - Steve Sarkisian, HC
DB Play - Terry Joseph, PGC/SEC w/ Steve Sarkisian, HC
Texas Zone Run Game - Kyle Flood, OC/OL w/ Steve Sarkisian, HC
1&2 Back Counter - Kyle Flood, OC/OL
Inside Zone Play with Variations and RPO - Kyle Flood, OC/OL
Run Game Fundamentals - Kyle Flood, OC/OL
Running the Ball with Multiple Schemes vs. Tite Front - Kyle Flood, OC/OL and More
Texas Special Teams: Punt Return Organization - Jeff Banks, AHC/STC/TE
2022 Angelo Clinic Replays - Blake Gideon, SAF and More
Developing a Defensive Passing Game Planning - Terry Joseph, PGC/SEC
Developing Relationships with Your Players - Terry Joseph, PGC/SEC
TE/FB Training - Jason McEndoo, TE, OK St
PAC12 Oregon vs. Washington
This was another great rematch. Washington won a thriller 36-33 in October, and it was another tight game with Washington winning by 3 points again 34-32
Clinics from the Oregon and Washington staffs:
3 & 4-Man Spacing Concepts - Will Stein, OC/QB
Special Teams Philosophy & Drills - Joe Lorig, STC/Nickels
Understanding Position Maintenance: In M.O.F. Closed Principles - Dante Bartee, Analyst
Split Field Man Match Quarters Defense - Dante Bartee, Analyst
Game Planning out of the 4-2-5 - Dante Bartee, Analyst
Cover 3 (1 High Zone) Match Principles vs. 3x1 Formations - Dante Bartee, Analyst
Cover 3 (1 High Zone) Match Principles vs. 2x2 Formations - Dante Bartee, Analyst
Rethinking Defense: From Structure to Communication - Dante Bartee, Analyst
“Quarterback Play & Pass Game Organization” - Nick Sheridan, TE Coach
Developing Fundamentals - Drill Work for ILB - William Inge, Co-DC
SEC Alabama vs. Georgia
Alabam stumbled early in the season, but have been getting better and better each week. Georgia has been dominant as they have the past two seasons on the way to another undefeated regular season.
Clinics from Alabama and Gerogia Coaches:
Q&A with Nick Saban, HC, Alabama
WR Fundamentals/RPOs - Holmon Wiggins, AHC/WR, Alabama
Offense & QB Play - Brandon Streeter, Analyst, Georgia
Effort the Georgia Way - Stacy Searels, OL, Georgia
ACC Louisville vs. Florida State
Florida State has been holding on despite losing their starting QB, and the run game of the ‘Noles will need to be the foundation for the offense. Louisville has had some big wins, and this obviously be the biggest of the season.
Clinics from Louisville and Florida State Coaches:
Gap Scheme Variation with Screens and Run Action - Alex Atkins, OC/OL, FSU
OL Outside Zone Fundamentals & Variations - Gabe Fertitta, FSU
Offensive Line Gap Scheme Fundamentals and Drills - Gabe Fertitta, FSU
3rd Down Teaching - Adam Fuller, DC, FSU
Secondary Play and Fundamentals Ron English, DB, Louisville
MAC Miami vs. Toledo
The Miami (OH) RedHawks (10-2, 7-1) seek their first conference title in four years when they meet the defending champion Toledo Rockets (11-1, 8-0) Toldeo has had an outstanding season behind some great offensive line play led by Co-OC OL Coach Mike Hallett. Miami
Clinics from Toledo and Miami Coaches:
Developing the Offensive Line - Mike Hallett, Co-OC/OL
QB: The Mathematical Equation - Robert Weiner, Co-OC/QB
Defending the RPO from 1-High - Chuck Martin, HC, Miami
Conference USA Mexico State vs. Liberty
Liberty outlasted New Mexico State 49-35 in Conference USA title game, remains in hunt for New Year's Six bid.
Clinics from the Liberty Staff:
Elements of a Winning Program - Jamey Chadwell, HC
Counter Game - Bill Durkin, OL
Freeze Option and RPO - Willy Korn, Co-OC/QB
Sun Belt App St vs. Troy
The Troy Trojans (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt) welcome the Appalachian State Mountaineers (8-4, 6-2) to Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN). Troy lost 2 of 3 games to start the season but has rattled off 9 straight wins. App State is riding a 5-game winning streak.
Clinics from each staff:
Defensive Backs Development/Drills/Tackling - Scot Sloan - DC, App State
Troy University Defensive Line Skills & Drills - Eric McDaniel- DL Coach
AAC SMU vs. Tulane
The Tulane Green Wave (11-1, 8-0 AAC) and SMU Mustangs (10-2, 8-0 AAC) square off in the 2023 AAC Championship Game at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, and the game will be broadcast on ABC.
Tulane seeks its second consecutive AAC title, while SMU aims for its first before departing for the ACC. Here are some notes and numbers to know before the Green Wave and Mustangs compete for the conference crown.
Clinics from the coaches:
In Game Breakdowns and Adjustments - Rhett Lashlee, HC, SMU
Creating Explosive with Tempo Offense - Rhett Lashlee, HC, SMU
Practice planning & Situational Football - Willie Fritz, HC, Tulane
DB Drills and Match Coverage - Josh Christian-Young, LB, Tulane
OLB Drill & Run/Pass Stunts - Josh Christian-Young, LB, Tulane
It’s a weekend full of games that culminate in a champion from each conference. Enjoy the games and learn from the coaches who have brought their teams to the championship game.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski and the CoachesClinic Staff