Three Outstanding Coaches I Have Utilized as Resources for the Passing Game
Jan 20, 2023 6:51 pm
Coach ,
When studying the game, especially as a young coach, I would seek out coaches who met three criteria:
- Willing to share and be available
- Detailed in their approach
- Ability to help a coach apply concepts to the coach’s offense
I want to share a little about three coaches who were a great help to me throughout my career. All three definitely fit the criteria above, and they continue to share their ideas and teach coaches.
Andrew Coverdale
My first resource for the passing game was Andrew Coverdale. I had consumed all of his books and VHS tapes. Yes, I know that dates me.
It was somewhere in the late 90s that Andrew was speaking at the Glazier Clinic in Cincinnati. I went specifically to see every session of his and I filled up a notebook. A relationship started at that clinic. In 2005, at Ball State University, Andrew was sitting in the audience learning from my clinic on the Stretch play.
We continue to talk and share ideas every off-season.
What I first applied from Coach Coverdale was his quick game (which he wrote about in 3 volumes) and his use of bunch routes.
In 2020 he presented at the free Virtual Summit which I ran at the beginning of the shutdown. He presented on Boundary Passing Concepts.
Coach Coverdale is now the OC at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. He won his 12th state championship while serving at powerhouse Louisville Trinity in the same capacity.
He explains his Pocket - Out Concept for attacking the boundary in this video from his course “Boundary Passes”:
When it comes to creating simple throws and completions, no one is better in my opinion. His strategy and methodology are rooted in best utilizing the talent he has available.
In this video, he shows a simple concept to the boundary with a short throw that picks up 7+ yards every time. He calls it the Smash-Fade:
Dan Gonzalez
After the 2009 season, we wanted to run four-verticals. It made sense for our attack but we wanted to learn all we could. I had read Dan’s book Concept Passing: Teaching the Modern Passing Game. It served as a manual for concept-based teaching. After discussions with Dan, we condensed and compartmentalized his 10 concepts in the book into five. We also installed a four-vertical package greatly influenced by Dan.
In my study of the game and coaches, Dan is one of the most thorough in his approach to studying and analyzing not only what he does, but also what some of the best teams at all levels are doing. He does this every off-season to continue to evolve as a coach and he also shares his knowledge with coaches all over the country.
Here is an example of how he thinks about the game: Why, How & When to Get the Ball to Playmakers
Why is easy!
They can do something with the ball in their hands. It’s obvious to even the novice coach. Let playmakers create an explosive play because 1-2 explosives in a drive greatly increase your chances of scoring in that drive.
How and When are not necessarily as clear cut. Even in the NFL the how and the when are sometimes forgotten. Dan Gonzalez explains the why-how-when here of getting the ball to playmakers here (click on image for video):
One of the basic ways to get the ball to a playmaker is to either force the ball to a player with quick game or with a screen and expect him to create after the catch.
It’s not always the most productive for that playmaker. The defense can either scheme to take that away and/or the playmaker is forced to take unnecessary shots because the space isn’t there with the screens or quicks. A good defense will do things to ensure that the playmaker doesn’t have much room in these situations.
The other way is to count on him to create the space with route running and athletic ability. This is a good strategy, but it certainly places all of the burden on the playmaker.
As a coordinator you should also think about creating the space for him by attacking the structure of the defense allowing for easy throws and space for him to do his thing after the catch.
Coach Gonzalez says it’s about “Creating cavities when the stuff we want to call is taken away by the defense.”
He illustrates an example in the passing game in this video:
When?
Coach Gonzalez and his offensive staff create “Miniscripts” that allow them to speed up the thought process and give the offense a strategic advantage.
How many times have you looked back after a game and regretted not calling something in the game plan designed to get the ball to a playmaker?
We game plan for a reason, yet we tend to get into the ebb and flow of what we normally do and forget the special tweeks.
Coach Gonzalez's practice of creating mini-scripts allows them to get those plays in and make sure that studs get the ball more than complimentary players.
Josh Herring
A few years after meeting Dan, he introduced me to Josh Herring. Dan had so many positive things to say about Josh’s football mind that I quickly followed up.
I talked with Josh and 100% agreed with Dan. Coach Herring has great ideas and a solid plan for teaching them. I ended up publishing two books for him.
He’s at it again sharing his ideas and I’ve picked out a few here that can provide any offense an explosive opportunity.
In this video, he explains the “old school” seam read concept and how they evolved the four vertical framework to match their needs, especially at the high school level. They wanted to get more out of their 4-verts, especially in getting explosives, but without wasting routes (like the field comeback which many younger QBs have trouble throwing). There’s a ton to think about in this video (click on image for video):
Video: Creating 4-vertical effect with seam reads
The back shoulder can definitely take a chunk out of the defense. In this video Coach Herring explains the #1 way they threw the back shoulder in a concept called “Champ” where they can only release two deep and still create an explosive (click on image for video):
Coach Herring believes a key to a successful passing game is moving the launch point. They utilize a half-roll protection he calls Goblin/Gator and includes play action to create the opportunity for explosives. One route concept he likes is what he calls “Ride.” Coach Herring illustrates the “Ride” concept with the film here (click on image for video):
I am excited that I have been able to help share what these coaches do in our clinics and on CoachTube and I highly encourage you to check out their resources.
Dan Gonzalez has 21 courses he’s put together which cover all aspects of the passing game. I highly recommend his resources. They are very comprehensive and give you what you need to develop or enhance your passing attack.
Andrew Coverdale shared his Boundary Pass Concepts. While I was writing this I texted him and encouraged him to share more…stay tuned.
Josh Herring has five presentations that he’s shared:
Unlocking An Explosive Passing Game With Seam Read Variations
Changing The QB Launch Point With The Multiple Keeper Concept
Simple Ways To Attack The Perimeter And Create Playmaker Touches
Five Pass Game and RPO Wrinkles That Score Points
Attitude Passes: Shallow Screen, Smash Option, Multiple Vertical- Josh Herring
He has a bundle - Passes That Score Points
Who are Your Influences?
I’d love to know who has helped you learn the game and what they taught you. Please reply to this email.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski