Season 6, Episode 3 is with Pat Fox, Head Coach at Notre Dame Prep in Pontiac, MI. Coach Fox joins me to talk about his up pressure look and a variety of man pressures. Follow Coach Fox on Twitter @PEFGDefense. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Join us on Twitter to discuss t…

Season 6, Episode 2 is with Mike Granato, Defensive Coordinator at Coffee High School in Douglas, GA. Coach Granato joins me to discuss his Stack defensive coverages, pressures, when he "breaks it," as well as his championship drills. Follow Coach Granato on Twitter @CoachG_dbnation. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast,…

Coach Vass Defense is a comprehensive, out-of-the-box defensive system with everything you need to coordinate a top-tier defense. The system has a complete, robust, defensive scheme, a modular framework, and a teaching methodology to get into Even, Odd, Mint/Tite, Bear, Odd-Stack, and 3-High Safety structures. Installation videos & schedules Fully …

Season 6, Episode 1 is with Kyle Cogan from Benedictine College. Coach Cogan joins me to discuss different run fit categories (Max, Solo, Lever-Spill-Lever, and Ball Fits) and how they would fit against common plays. Follow Coach Cogan on Twitter @CoachCogan. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcas…

Season 5, Episode 15 is with Blake Williams, former NFL and FBS Defensive Coordinator and Super Bowl winner! We discuss Buddy Ryan, 2 Trap pressures, a special Dbl Corner Blitz, and answer listener questions! Follow Coach Blake Williams on Twitter @Coach_BWilliams. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive …

Season 5, Episode 14 is with Marvin Ridge High School Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Michael Nahum. We talk about signal stealing and answer listener questions, including defending 20 Personnel FIB formations, Wing-T, offensive & defensive trends & more! Follow Coach Nahum on Twitter @CoachNahum60. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, …

Season 5, Episode 13 is Kyle Cogan, DB Coach at Benedictine College in Atchinson, Kansas. We answer listener questions, including preparing for a team that runs a different offense when their stud is hurt (he might be coming back), Shotgun, 23 Personnel Wildcat, Cover 7 Triangles to Stack, & More Follow Kyle Cogan on Twitter @CoachCogan. Follow me …

Season 5, Episode 12 is Adam Gaylor, Jenks HS Defensive Coordinator. We talk about 22 Personnel with Unbalanced, handling 12 Personnel with YY Wing, game-planning multi-formation teams, and much more! Follow Adam Gaylor on Twitter @CoachAdamGaylor. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassO…

Season 5, Episode 11 is with former Georgia, Wisconsin, Alabama, Tennessee, and Michigan assistant (and 2-time National Champion) Garrett Cox. We talk about defending the Art Briles offense, wristbands, Nickel to 12 Personnel, and working for Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Jeremy Pruitt, Mike Macdonald, and Dave Aranda. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, t…

Season 5, Episode 10 is with former LSU & Baylor assistant Ronnie Wheat. We take listener questions related to planning practice during bye weeks, assigning tasks in the press box, studying & attacking pass protection, Catch technique & more! Follow Ronnie on Twitter @CoachRWheat. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, an…

Season 5, Episode 9 is a solo effort. I take listener questions related to defending the Air Raid, Unbalanced Flexbone w/ a TE, Red Zone coverages, 1 Double # to a TE, between series box etiquette, and using DBs to defend Boot. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Join us on Twi…

Season 5 Episode 8 is with Jerry Gordon. Coach joins me to talk about coaching in Italy, including the application process, his defensive philosophy, and most importantly, the delicious food and drink! Follow Jerry Gordon on Twitter, @JerryGordonFB. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVass…

Season 5 Episode 7 is with West Texas A&M Linebacker coach, Brian Vaughn (AKA Blitzology). Coach joins me to talk about his method for off-season studying, what he's found on Tampa 2, and the pressures that come with it, to make Non-Traditional Tampa calls. Follow Brian Vaughn on Twitter, @BrianMVaughn. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's a…

Season 5 Episode 6 is with University of Kansas Senior Defense Analyst Mark DeLeone. Coach joins me to talk about concepts from the NFL that can be adapted to the college and high school levels. Topics Include: 3rd Down game planning Cover 3 - Zone vs. Match depending on QB ability Doubling the offense's best player Why teams run Match & more! Foll…

Season 5, Episode 5 is with Scott Goolsby, Defensive Coordinator at Auburn HS, in Auburn, AL. Coach joins me to discuss his 4-3 defensive package. Follow Coach Goolsby on Twitter @CoachScott34. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Join us on Twitter to discuss the episode! Here …

Season 5, Episode 4 is with Randall Joyner, Defensive Line Coach & Run Game Coordinator. We discuss his pass rush progression! Topics Include: The approach Alignments Angles - Power & Speed Stance & Getoff Footwork Use of Hands The moves he teaches & how he teaches them Game planning vs. different setters (puncher, clamper, riser, alternater) Coach…

Season 5, Episode 3 is with Brian Nix, Head Coach at Alcoa High School in Alcoa, Tennessee. We discuss his defensive system: fronts, stunts, coverages, and pressures. Topics Include: Alcoa's base package Internal plugs Boundary reduction Choosing DL techniques (5 vs. 4 vs. 4i) Pressure philosophy Stopper calls Specialty defenses Starting with a fou…

Season 5, Episode 2 is with Chad McGehee, Head Coach at James Clemens High School in Madison, AL. Coach McGehee talks about his base structures with boundary and field reduction, coverage adjustments, pressures, things to be ready for if you run the defense, and more! Follow Coach McGehee on Twitter @CoachMcGehee. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, t…

Season 5, Episode 1 is with Benedictine College Safeties Coach, Kyle Cogan. We discuss his entire Cover 7 package, which he splits into 4 categories: Cones, Brackets, Triangles, and Boxes. The tools in the "Cone" family contain what he calls Indian, Switch, and Outlaw with soft vs. hard call/aggressive vs. passive. The "Bracket" family tools are CC…

Season 4 Episode 18 is with ESPN's Mina Kimes! We talk about a week in her life during football season, balancing fandom & neutrality, show preparation, professional development, analytics, which coach she would start an NFL franchise with, the Championship Question & more! Follow Mina Kimes on Twitter @MinaKimes. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, t…

Season 4 Episode 17 is with Stanford Defensive Analyst, Ben Robertson. We discuss his end-of-the-season self-scout process, as well as offensive trends that defensive coaches will see next year. Follow Coach Robertson on Twitter @BenR4033. Follow me on Twitter @CoachVass, the show's account @MDGAPodcast, and the offensive podcast @RunVassOption. Jo…

Season 4 Episode 16 is with IMG Defensive Coordinator, Brian Niedermeyer. We discuss listener-submitted questions. TOPICS INCLUDE Letting Kids Influence Decision Making Hiring Someone from AFCA Practicing Against Formations & Shifts "Dime Rabbits" Sim Pressures Adjusting Personnel Year-to-Year Switching to Odd Fronts What to Watch During the Practi…

Season 4, Episode 15 is with Chad McGehee, current Head Coach of James Clemens High School in Madison, AL, and former Hoover High School Defensive Coordinator. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics include: Packaging a Defense When you See Everything Empty with Best Offensive Players Inside Educating Players ab…

Season 4 Episode 14 is with Justin Garza HS Head Coach & DB Coach, Yosef Fares. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics Include: Yosef's Atlanta Falcons Training Camp Journey Taking Over a New Program Defending Sugar Huddles Defending Bucksweep & Pin-Pull Defending the Perimeter at the Middle School Level Quarter…

Season 4 Episode 13 is with Benedictine College Safeties Coach, Kyle Cogan. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics Include: Defending Jet out of the Gun Cut Coverage Question Quick Tips vs. Flexbone Favorite Red Zone Coverages What to Scout? Choosing Coverages When Do You Chase Ghosts? Follow Coach Cogan on Twit…

Season 4, Episode 12 is with Adam Gaylor, Defensive Coordinator at Jenks High School in Jenks, OK. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics include Power Read, 12 Personnel with a running QB and sprint-out passing, Coach Gaylor's Float front, how many pressures to carry into a game, defending Split Gun 20/21 perso…

Season 4, Episode 11 is with Jim Camarillo, Defensive Coordinator at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, AZ. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics include training young DBs, playing the pass against 12 Pers Ace w/ run threats, defending Split Zone Bluff, Cover 1 Rat Pressures, 2x1, 11 Personnel FIB Adjustments.…

Season 4, Episode 10 is with the creator of Match Quarters, Cody Alexander. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics Include: Defending Double Move Routes Odd Fronts & 4-2-5 Learning the Foundation of Defensive Language Attacking 6-man Sort Protections Wing-T RPOs Split Veer & Bone Call Sheets Defending Different …

Season 4, Episode 9 is with Dante Bartee, Defensive Coordinator at Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics Include: When to "Sell Out" to a Tendency Defending Boot Pass When they are Bigger and Stronger Defending Wide Plays to Tight Bunches Coverages to Avoid vs. Certain Formation…

Season 4, Episode 8 is with Dante Bartee, Defensive Coordinator at Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS. We discuss the philosophy behind game planning and how we go about it, using many different examples for you to match with your defensive philosophy. Topics Include: Starting the Process Looking at Structures First Run Hit Chart Individual Hit Charts…

Season 4, Episode 7 is with Brandon Lechtenberg, Defensive Coordinator at Central Oklahoma, in Edmond, OK. We discuss the things you need to cover during Fall Camp and your "pre-season" to have an effective defense. Topics Include: State of the Pod Welcome Brandon Lechtenberg Philosophy on Pre-Season Thoughts on Individual/Offensive Diversity The C…

Season 4, Episode 6 is with Dan Lanning, Head Coach at the University of Oregon. We discuss the process for planning pressures for runs and passes, as well as some of his favorite concepts. Topics Include: Planning the Pressure Paths "Blackboard" Calls Sim Pressure - Drop Technique/Implications Cross Dogs Sim Check System to Bad Looks Coverage Affe…

Season 4, Episode 5 is with Rich Wright, Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO. We discuss the elements in his wildly successful, 4-down, Quarters-based system out of Double Gs/2is. Topics Include: Base Call: Husker Check "The Great Lie" Building Back to Front 5 Techniques Playing the B Gap & M…

Season 4, Episode 4 is with Jeremy Pruitt, former Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, FSU, and New York Giants Coach. We go through his favorite 3rd Down coverages and their strengths, weaknesses, and when he likes to/not use them. Topics Include Cover 2/25 Buster Cut on the Backside Issues with Buster & Solutions "Douglas" Tag (52) & Cougar Cougar vs. Bu…

Season 4, Episode 3 is with Bobby April, OLB coach at Wisconsin. Coach April and I go through all of the run techniques and pass drops required for his position in a "multiple' defense like Wisconsin. His position plays traditional OLB in the 3-4 sets and then moves to DEs in their Nickel package, which requires quite a bit of dropping. Topics Incl…

Season 4, Episode 2 is with Nick Rapone, Safeties Coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although Coach Rapone currently handles Safeties, he's one of the best Corners coaches in the world, so I wanted him to join us about the fundamentals needed to play the position, as well as Press, Off, and Bail Techniques. Pardon the long stories at the beginning…

Season 4, Episode 1 is with Kyle Cogan, Corners & Nickel Coach, at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. We discuss all things related to blitz coverage, including 2 & 3-Deep Fire Zone Coverage, 5-/6-Man Cover 1 pressure, Cover 0 (Blitz Coverage), 2 Under/3 Deep Coverage (Eyes), and more! Topics Include: 3 Deep Fire Zone Intro, Transitioning fro…

Season 3, Episode 20 is with Brian Vaughn, LB Coach at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. We discuss the entire process of putting a "season to bed" and look forward to the following year. Topics Include: Wrapping Up the Season Technique Checklist Examining Calls Modular Teaching Setup Changing Techniques vs. Changing Coverages Getting to Bear Wit…

Season 3, Episode 19 is with Santiago HS LB Coach (Corona, CA) Terrance Gant. We answer listener-submitted questions. TOPICS INCLUDE: ILB Play in Rip/Liz in 2x2 How to Get to the Endzone on D! Defending Fast RB Motion Tampa 2 Invert out of 3-3 Approaching Teams that Run Different Offenses Dividing Time for Future Opponents Scheduling Smart in Pre-S…

Season 3, Episode 18, is me flying solo to answer listener-submitted questions about the TCU 4-2-5 system. Topics Include: Terminology Application to Other Schemes How to Keep the Front Multiple Pros/Cons of a Slanting Even Front Setting the Front & Coverage Independently Slanting Techniques - When to Cross Face Coaching Points for Gate/Torch Stunt…

Season 3, Episode 17 is with John Rice, Head Coach at Riverside Poly HS in Riverside, CA. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics Include Helping Shorter Corners Calling the Defense In Game planning vs. a Team That Kicked Your Ass Goal Line Package Adjustments Defending the Split Back Veer Breaking Down Pass Pro …

Season 3, Episode 16 is with Mount Carmel HS (San Diego, CA) Defensive Coordinator, Diante Lee. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics Include: Defending a Grab Bag Offense Scripting Inside Run & 7-on-7 Seeing the Whole Picture Read the Show Notes for Previous Answers Wanting a Head Coaching Job Defending Pin & …

Season 3, Episode 15 is with Westminster HS (Atlanta, GA) Defensive Coordinator, Neema Salimi. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics Include: How Much Do You Tell the Players? What is Statistically Significant? How to Disguise Coverages vs. √ With Me Important Point about Check with Me How Many Fronts Do You Ca…

Season 3, Episode 14 is with Benedictine College Nickel & Corners Coach Kyle Cogan. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics Include Gameplanning/Matching Pers Groups Practicing Against "One-Offs" Tips for First-Year Coaches Adjusting to the Back Flipping Helping Your Corners - Man with Nickel Defending Great WRs …

Season 3, Episode 13 is with Baylor Defensive Coordinator Ron Roberts. We discuss every situation related to field positions when game planning and Coach Roberts drops some absolute golden nuggets! Topics Include: Fringe Zone Red Zone Game planning High Red Zone Game planning Low Red Zone The Goal Line Newer Plays Teams are Running Inside 25 Living…

Season 3, Episode 12 is with Saint John Bosco Defensive Coordinator Chris King. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics Include: Opponent Indicators DL Play vs. Zone How LB Philosophy Fits With DL Matching Personnel Structuring Call Sheets & Practices Game planning 10 Personnel RPO Teaching Flop Reads Defending T…

Season 3, Episode 11 is with Adam Gaylor, Defensive Coordinator at Jenks High School in Jenks, OK. Coach joins me to answer listener-submitted game planning questions. Topics Include: Gameplan - Starting Point Game planning - Personnel vs. D&D Practice/Gameplan - Weekly Schedule Playing Former Teams How Many Empty Checks? 1 Word Calls Defending a P…

Season 3, Episode 10 is with DJ Eliot, former Defensive Coordinator at Kansas, Colorado, and Kentucky. We discuss every situation related to Down & Distance and considerations when game planning. Topics include: Down & Distance overall philosophy, selecting calls from your menu, factoring hash & field zones (Malzahn), stopper calls, answer sheets, …

Season 3, Episode 9 is with Cortney Braswell, Inside Linebackers coach at Army. We discuss the evolution of the "Nate Woody 3-4 Defense," including changing drops and overhang adjustments, as well as when and how to change from Tite to a Slant/Angle defense. Topics include the evolution of the "Nate Woody System," moving the stress points, eliminat…

Season 3 Episode 8 is with Michael Nahum, Defensive Coordinator, Assistant Head Coach, and LB Coach at Marvin Ridge HS in Marvin, NC. We discuss how Coach uses Odd and Even fronts using the same personnel on the field, as well as the rest of his defense and philosophy, to confuse offenses. Topics include meshing Odd and Even fronts with the same pe…