Coach -

Hal Mumme, the Godfather of the Air Raid offense, believes the right offensive line coach can make or break a team’s success. He said,

“You have to really be dedicated to the techniques and the drills. It's about doing things repetitively so that you become so great at it, you raise your skill and craft to an art form.”

Finding the perfect coach for this critical role, regardless of your offensive system, starts with identifying key traits and asking the right questions.

What Makes a Great Offensive Line Coach?

• Teaching Comes First - Great offensive line coaches know how to teach. They break down complex techniques into digestible steps and ensure every player, regardless of skill level, understands their role. Coaches who focus on teaching empower their players to execute at a high level.

• Commitment to Repetition - Mumme emphasizes that repetition is the foundation of mastery. This ability to embrace the mundane leads to extraordinary results.

“A great offensive line coach has to have a great capacity for boredom—not because they get bored, but because they’re willing to do repetitive things over and over without losing focus or inventing distractions.”

• Problem-Solving Under Pressure - The Air Raid offense demands quick adjustments. The best coaches identify issues in real time and resolve them without losing composure. Instead of panicking, they calmly analyze, adapt, and communicate solutions to their players.

• Simplicity Wins -In a system like the Air Raid, complexity doesn’t equal success. Effective coaches focus on doing a few things exceptionally well. They resist the temptation to add unnecessary schemes and instead prioritize precision and execution.

• Unwavering Focus - Mumme warns against coaches who stray from the fundamentals.

“You don’t want a coach who comes into your office with tangents like, ‘Why don’t we put in the power or a long trap?’ You need someone committed to keeping it simple and perfecting what we already do.”

Questions to Ask During the Interview

Hiring the right offensive line coach requires asking insightful questions that reveal their mindset and approach. Consider these:

1. "How do you keep players engaged during repetitive drills?" This question uncovers how the coach motivates players through the relentless repetition that the Air Raid demands.
2. "What would you do if we threw the ball 50 times a game?" The Air Raid thrives on heavy passing. This question tests the coach’s understanding of the offense and their ability to prepare for its unique demands.
3. "How do you handle game-day adjustments?" You need a coach who keeps their cool under pressure and confidently makes quick, effective decisions.
4. "What’s your philosophy on building offensive line culture?" A coach’s philosophy reveals their long-term vision and how they plan to foster a strong, cohesive unit.

Why It Matters

The offensive line sets the foundation for the Air Raid (or any) offense. Without consistent protection and execution, even the most dynamic quarterbacks and receivers can’t perform. By hiring a coach with the right traits—someone dedicated to repetition, simplicity, and teaching—you set your team up for success.

As Hal Mumme reminds us, mastery isn’t about adding more; it’s about perfecting what you already do. When you find a coach who shares this vision, you’ll not only elevate your offensive line but your entire offense.

Coach Mumme put together his Air Raid O-Line  Masters Class.  He covers every aspect of Offensive Line Play in the Air Raid along with his thoughts on finding and hiring the right offensive line coach.  Check it out here: Air Raid O-Line  Masters

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S.

Coach Mumme will be speaking at the National Air Raid Convention - Run and Shoot Edition featuring June Jones, Jerry Glanville, and Nick Rolovich on January 10th and 11th in Palm Springs, CA.  Can’t make it? There’s a virtual component so you will be able to access the presentations virtually. Register here