Podcast
The Coaching 101 Podcast
Hosted by Kenny Simpson and Daniel Chamberlain · EN
Welcome to The Coaching 101 Podcast, hosted by Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson, where football coaching takes center stage! Whether you're a seasoned football coach, a rookie on the sidelines, or just a die-hard fan eager to learn more about the game, this podcast is your playbook for success.
Join Daniel and Kenny as they break down game strategies, share insights on player development, explore leadership on and off the field, and tackle the challenges of coaching at every level. Featuring interviews with top coaches, athletes, and experts, every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies to help you build winning teams and inspire greatness.
Step onto the field and into the minds of coaching pros—because greatness starts with the right game plan!
36episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Q&A: Accountability, Building Culture, and Starting (or Rebuilding) a Program
Apr 1601:04:12Tap to summarizeOn the Coaching 101 Podcast, hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson discuss being worn down late in the season, Kenny’s Coaches Cap (coachescap.com) and the importance of skin care after Daniel has minor surgery, then pivot to a Q&A episode. Daniel shares he was let go from a new head coaching job after making too many small mistakes, losing the AD’s trust, and pushing culture changes too quickly, emphasizing extreme ownership; Kenny advises interviewing administration for support. They share a quote of the week from Tom Landry—“You can’t improve what you don’t define”—and Kenny promotes his upcoming fiction book Iron Valley (May 15) and a Field House spring-install session (April 26). Key coaching topics include balancing being a player’s coach with accountability, avoiding harassment, rebuilding struggling programs through alignment, easy wins, realistic goals, and culture, spring football priorities, staff-building mistakes, parent trust through communication and involvement events, and first steps to start a program from scratch, plus sponsor mentions.00:00 Welcome To Coaching 10100:41 Season Grind And Travel01:22 Coaches Cap And Skin Care03:46 Let Go From Head Job05:32 Quote Of The Week Intent07:22 Iron Valley Book Launch10:11 Sponsors And Shoutouts12:51 Q And A Player Coach Balance20:55 Dream Matchup OU Vs Miami23:27 Young Coach Beliefs Changed28:18 Build Your Perfect Scheme29:25 Dream Scheme Picks29:46 Defensive Coordinator Choice30:19 Arkansas Spread Innovators31:13 Wishbone With Switzer31:54 Fixing Struggling Programs32:51 Culture And Easy Wins36:21 Spring Ball Priorities42:09 Staff Building Mistakes47:48 Finding Great Assistants50:43 Winning Parent Trust56:06 Starting From Scratch57:21 Field House And Sponsors01:00:12 Final Thanks And SignoffDaniel Chamberlain:@CoachChamboOKChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.comchamberlainfootballconsulting.comKenny Simpson:@FBCoachSimpsonfbcoachsimpson@gmail.comFBCoachSimpson.com
Transcribe →Simple Defensive Answers vs Modern Spread & Tempo Offenses
Apr 900:54:00Tap to summarizeOn an Easter Sunday episode of The Coaching 101 Podcast, hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson discuss simple defensive answers to modern spread offenses, focusing on defending space and tempo with rules-based systems. They emphasize having a defensive “home” with adaptable rules, simplifying scouting reports to key players and a few core calls, empowering select defenders to make limited checks, and using defensive timeouts when alignments are dangerous. To reduce mental busts, they stress practicing tempo looks, drilling situations like third down and red zone, using concise film cutups, and establishing clear non-negotiables (e.g., don’t get beat deep or lose the edge). They also advocate teaching concepts through layering, ensuring players know their help, and leveraging personnel packages to highlight player strengths.00:00 Podcast Kickoff00:38 Easter Choir Stories02:46 Road Trip to Oklahoma04:17 Clinics and Zoom Install05:51 New Fiction Book07:42 Sponsor Shoutouts10:06 Quote on Leadership12:52 Defending Spread Offense16:43 Rules Based Defense21:54 Alignment Tempo and Timeouts26:32 Expecting Mental Busts26:43 Practice Under Pressure28:57 Situational Defense Days29:57 Let Them Fail30:29 Film Cutups That Stick32:10 Non Negotiables Rules34:03 Rules Based Coverage Fixes37:44 Match Coverage Over Spot Drop40:19 Simple Keys Base Rules42:41 Teach Concepts Layering45:05 Help Rules Personnel Packages48:00 Sponsors Season Eight Wrap49:59 Socials Final MessageDaniel Chamberlain:@CoachChamboOKChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.comchamberlainfootballconsulting.comKenny Simpson:@FBCoachSimpsonfbcoachsimpson@gmail.comFBCoachSimpson.com
Transcribe →Building an Offensive Identity: How to Decide What Your Team Does Best w/ Jason Parker
Apr 601:03:41Tap to summarizeOn this episode of The Coaching 101 Podcast, Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson are joined by Caddo/“Cola” coach Jason Parker to discuss building an offensive identity and deciding what a team should do best. They cover evaluating personnel relative to opponents, starting with what coaches can teach, and adapting within a system rather than changing offenses yearly. Kenny explains using strengths/weaknesses, planning for worst-case scenarios, and trimming the play menu with a “rule of three,” while Parker shares his program’s evolution from unbalanced single wing to adding spread and screens, plus lessons from temporarily abandoning what his kids knew best. They also address preventing outside pressure from forcing scheme changes, using player confidence as a factor in key calls, and briefly debate Memphis’ decision to ban practice music, plus sponsor and clinic updates.00:00 Podcast Kickoff00:46 Offseason Travel Updates03:14 Spring Ball Rules Explained04:26 Quote of the Week Intensity07:03 Sponsors and Shoutouts09:19 Building Offensive Identity14:56 Parker’s Personnel-Based Evolution22:23 Staying Systematic Not Chasing30:23 Avoiding Scheme Creep on Staff31:26 Single Wing Identity34:41 Stop Scheme Chasing37:51 Rule of Three Offense42:32 Kids Know the Call49:41 Roster Audit Process53:20 Music at Practice Debate57:13 Sponsors and Sign OffDaniel Chamberlain:@CoachChamboOKChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.comchamberlainfootballconsulting.comKenny Simpson:@FBCoachSimpsonfbcoachsimpson@gmail.comFBCoachSimpson.com
Transcribe →Coaching Mistakes to Leave Behind: Efficiency, Process Over Wins, and Honest Self-Reflection
Mar 2600:51:54Tap to summarizeOn The Coaching 101 Podcast, hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson close out season seven by reflecting on coaching mistakes they’ve outgrown and how self-reflection improves teams and personal life. After a Lou Holtz quote about character in the final stretch, they discuss key lessons: time in the office doesn’t equal wins (an 0–10 season revealed inefficiency), winning at all costs isn’t the only goal (focus on development and process), chasing trends to look “cool” without purpose hurts execution, and too many rules create enforcement problems—simpler standards and individualized accountability work better than “equal” treatment. Daniel adds mistakes like believing X’s and O’s solve everything, assuming you have all the answers, and thinking leaders can’t ask for help. They explain why coaches miss their own flaws (confidence, loneliness, excuses, and critiquing others) and suggest improvement through mentors, self-care, continuous learning, structured feedback, and accepting hard truths.00:00 Podcast Cold Open00:26 Walkup Music Idea01:38 Season Finale Setup01:59 Mistakes Theme Intro03:01 Quote and Book Plugs05:45 Sponsors Shoutouts08:16 Kenny Mistake Time Equals Wins12:14 Beyond Winning At All Costs14:36 Stop Chasing Trends16:28 Simpler Rules Better Culture20:25 Daniel Xs and Os Limits22:39 Leaders Ask for Help22:59 Asking for Help23:34 Staffing Beyond Friends24:19 Why Leaders Miss Flaws27:25 Finding Reality Checks28:30 Excuses and Blame Traps31:29 Confidence Versus Humility35:49 Healthy Self Improvement41:32 Feedback Culture and AARs44:08 Hard Truths and Growth45:15 Sponsors and Wrap UpDaniel Chamberlain:@CoachChamboOKChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.comchamberlainfootballconsulting.comKenny Simpson:@FBCoachSimpsonfbcoachsimpson@gmail.comFBCoachSimpson.com
Transcribe →The First 15 Plays in Football: Scripted Drives, Strategy, and Game Planning
Mar 2100:50:43Tap to summarizeOn The Coaching 101 Podcast, Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson recap returning from Boston clinics, then discuss how they script plays and drives. Simpson explains that because their offense is unique, early plays aim to both score and gather information by showing motions, shifts, empty, trips, and unbalanced looks to confirm defensive alignments, rotations, and player keys, revealing advantages and matchups. Chamberlain adds scripting can also create future scouting complexity while avoiding rigid adherence to long 15–20 play scripts that can ignore hot plays, rhythm, personnel groupings, or standout athletes. Simpson uses a “3 plays for each of the first 3 drives” approach plus additional first/second half calls, and also scripts third-down and red-zone calls as tools to rely on under pressure. They note scripts evolve weekly based on opponent strengths, their own personnel, and tendency breakers without overthinking.00:00 Podcast kickoff in Boston00:44 Family trip and Bruins stories02:46 Clinic tour and spring prep04:18 Head coach time management05:48 Quote of the week setup07:32 Sponsor shoutouts10:52 Scripting plays overview12:27 Early script to gather intel17:36 Daniel’s scripting philosophy20:22 Breaking the old script rules22:06 Script as a flexible tool23:08 Call Sheet Mindset24:26 Scripting Three Drives25:57 Personnel Rotation Planning27:38 Situational Scripts29:41 When to Go Off Script32:14 Evolving Weekly Scripts38:05 Wrinkles and Tendency Breakers41:32 Overthinking Tendencies42:45 Wrap Up and SponsorsDaniel Chamberlain:@CoachChamboOKChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.comchamberlainfootballconsulting.comKenny Simpson:@FBCoachSimpsonfbcoachsimpson@gmail.comFBCoachSimpson.com
Transcribe →
How to Teach Football Concepts to HS Players (not just coaches)
Mar 1200:55:25Tap to summarizeOn The Coaching 101 Podcast, hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Coach Kenny Simpson discuss clinic season in Houston and Daniel’s new head coaching job, then share a quote: “The best competitors have a short memory and have a long focus,” emphasizing competing without fear of failure. They highlight sponsors and Kenny’s resources, then dive into teaching high school players concepts rather than memorized plays by starting with the big picture, using rules-based “families,” layering installs, and keeping language modular and consistent to avoid “wasted words.” They explain using formations, tags, and simple blitz/coverage rules to appear complex to opponents while staying simple for players, plus crawl-walk-run and pressure-testing in practice. They close with a game-management scenario on when to sub up 28 and the risks of doing it too early.00:00 Clinic Season Check In00:59 New Head Coach Buzz02:44 Honeymoon Phase Advice04:48 Quote of the Week06:25 Sponsor Shoutouts08:57 Teaching Concepts Not Plays13:43 Rules Based Offense Defense16:15 Families and Simple Rules19:52 Consistent Language and Tags24:30 Defensive Word Examples25:55 Sticks Tag Cover Three26:59 No Wasted Words30:37 Rules Over Memorization31:43 Making It Work Fridays37:59 Install Crawl Walk Run41:05 Situation Of The Week46:44 Sponsors Books Clinics50:46 Final Sign OffDaniel Chamberlain:@CoachChamboOKChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.comchamberlainfootballconsulting.comKenny Simpson:@FBCoachSimpsonfbcoachsimpson@gmail.comFBCoachSimpson.com
Transcribe →
Why Simple Football Offenses win More Game Than Complex Schemes
Mar 500:52:45Tap to summarizeDaniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson close out a shorter Coaching 101 Podcast episode by discussing why coaches should keep their football systems simple during clinic season, when it’s easy to overload an offense or defense with new ideas. They define “simple” as being simple for players (not necessarily for coaches or opponents), emphasizing fundamentals, clear rules, fewer mental errors, and the ability to make in-game adjustments through tags and modular layering rather than constantly adding new concepts. They argue that simplicity improves execution, confidence, tempo, and problem-solving, and they describe a funnel approach where coaches handle complexity while younger or less experienced players receive streamlined responsibilities. Kenny shares examples of building depth from a core concept like stick by changing who runs it, adding reads, and attaching it to runs as RPOs, while stressing that drawing up layers doesn’t matter without blocking, throwing, catching, and tackling. The episode includes a quote on poise from John Wooden about “just being you,” notes upcoming clinics (including a 4-2-5 defensive clinic in Boston March 13–14 and Kenny’s GUN-T clinic schedule), and sponsor mentions for Aport video boards, Winning Edge Performance Analytics, and Blended Threads, plus updates on Kenny’s books and the GUN-T System website and system owner pricing.00:00 Welcome to Coaching 101 + Why This Episode Is Short00:24 Clinic Season Danger: Don’t Bloat Your System02:09 Fundamentals First: Simple Done Well Beats Creative Too Soon02:50 Book Updates & the Buck Book Restock04:27 Quote of the Week: John Wooden on Poise (Be Yourself)07:38 Sponsor Shoutouts: Aport, Winning Edge Analytics, Blended Threads09:43 Upcoming Clinics: 4-2-5 Boston + Gun-T Tour Dates11:53 Part 1 Begins: What “Simple Scheme” Really Means12:57 Simple for Players, Complex for Opponents: How to Layer Without Overload22:56 Why Simplicity Wins: Faster Adjustments & Players Recognize Answers25:08 Simple Systems = Confident Kids (Adjustments & Tempo)26:34 How Simple Is Simple? Tempo, Two-Way Players & Football IQ27:43 Keep Rules Small: Coverages, Checks & the “Funnel” Teaching Model29:22 Why Two-Minute Offense Works (and Why Not Use It More?)30:20 Why Simple Wins: Fundamentals, Fewer Errors & Smarter Line Roles32:52 Modular Tags: Add “Looks” Without Adding Complexity34:15 Burn It Down to an Identity: Core Runs + Layering Concepts35:29 Stick Concept Deep Dive: Tags, Reads, Motions & RPO Attachments39:51 Defense Version of Layering: Edge Blitzes + Coverage Rolls41:40 Crockpot the Playbook: Trim, Master the Basics, Then Expand43:20 Wrap-Up, Sponsors, and Where to Find the Hosts48:05 Final Thanks & Closing Message: “Find a Way”Daniel Chamberlain:@CoachChamboOKChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.comchamberlainfootballconsulting.comKenny Simpson:@FBCoachSimpsonfbcoachsimpson@gmail.comFBCoachSimpson.com
Transcribe →
In-Game Adjustments in High School Football: How to Adapt without Overthinking
Feb 2601:04:16Tap to summarizeDaniel Chamberlain and Coach Kenny Simpson open with February coaching updates, including state conventions, the coaching carousel, and clinic season, and discuss the difference between social/job-networking clinics and scheme-intensive clinics. They share an Abraham Lincoln discipline quote and relate it to the GWAT 100 February mileage challenge. Kenny promotes his books (Complete Guide to Buck Sweep from the Shotgun and O-10 to 10-0), the Gun-T system update (7.0), and the move of Gun-T resources to gunteesystem.com, then lists upcoming Gun-T clinics (Sacramento, Houston, Ohio, Boston, and a newly added Tampa clinic March 20–21). Daniel promotes the 4-2-5 Defense Clinic in Boston (March 13–14), possible Naples, Florida dates, speakers including Brady Bradbury and a Massachusetts state-championship coach host, and notes early-bird pricing and hotel deadlines. The main topic is in-game adjustments: defining them as planned, built-in counters to unexpected looks or opponent changes (personnel, fronts, coverages, or targeted matchups), not desperation play-calling. They emphasize preparing adjustments in the offseason, keeping a small, concept-based system with tags, practicing answers during the week, assigning coaches specific “eyes” (front, back end, formations, fits), and communicating clearly between drives and at halftime, with great coaches adjusting in real time. Examples include flood-and-go, pop pass, false pulls, and formation changes when opponents struggle to align. They discuss evaluating adjustment ability (between drives vs halftime vs “we’ll fix it next week”), and the importance of writing down halftime plans. A “situation of the week” covers facing an unexpected bear front after preparing for two-high; Kenny explains abandoning dead scripted calls, using numbers/space and built-in tools, and coordinating quick conversations with line and QB coaches to adjust run game, protections, and pass/RPO answers before the next series. They close with sponsor mentions (Aport video boards and fundraising, Winning Edge Performance Analytics, Blended Threads), and share where to find them and the podcast on social media.00:00 Welcome + February Coaching Carousel & Clinic Season00:30 State Conventions: Networking, Gossip, and What Clinics Are Really For02:55 Quote of the Week: Discipline (Lincoln) + Team Themes Update04:14 G-Watt 100 Challenge: Discipline in Real Life05:42 Books, Gun-T System Updates, and New Website Resources07:56 Upcoming Clinics Tour + 4-2-5 Boston Details12:45 Today’s Topic: What Are In-Game Adjustments?19:03 Why In-Game Adjustments Matter (Neutralize Strengths, Exploit Weaknesses)24:39 How Great Coaches Adjust: Between Drives, Halftime, and Preparation30:16 Practical Steps: Defensive Adjustment Process (Don’t Chase Ghosts)31:29 Defensive End-Game Adjustments: Stop the Star, Pressure the Backup QB33:03 Offensive Built-In Answers: Tags, Flood-and-Go, and Planning for Counters34:08 Practice Like Friday: Scout-Team Freedom & Midweek Adjustment Reps35:51 Coach’s Eyes & In-Game Communication: Assigning Keys and Spotting Trends36:50 Halftime Case Study: Real Adjustments vs Desperation Calls38:24 Pregame Film Study & Learning from Officials’ Keys41:46 Write It Down: Call Sheets, Walking Halftime Meetings, and Staying Organized43:15 System Design: Modular Tags, Communicable Calls, and Player Ownership49:11 Situation of the Week: Too-High to Bear Front—Immediate Game-Day Response55:37 Sponsors, Clinics, Where to Find Us, and Final MessageDaniel Chamberlain:@CoachChamboOKChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.comchamberlainfootballconsulting.comKenny Simpson:@FBCoachSimpsonfbcoachsimpson@gmail.comFBCoachSimpson.com
Transcribe →
Football Simplified: Mastering Box Counting and What it Means For Your Offense
Feb 1900:47:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Coaching 101 Podcast, co-hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson discuss strategies for simplifying football by effectively counting the box and leveraging formations. They share insights on handling snow days, recent clinics they've attended, and upcoming events. The episode dives into the importance of understanding numbers and leverage in both the run and pass game, and offers tips on using formations, shifts, and motions to gain an advantage. They also discuss how to teach players, particularly quarterbacks, to recognize and exploit defensive weaknesses. Tune in to make football coaching simpler and more effective!00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:33 Weather and School Updates01:36 Clinic Experiences and Travel Stories03:47 Upcoming Clinics and Events06:37 Quote of the Week and Announcements12:43 Counting the Box: Basics and Importance20:21 Edge Setting and Defensive Intentions21:25 Formations and Motions to Gain Advantage22:07 Run Game Solutions and RPO Strategies22:54 Utilizing Shifts and Motions in Offense24:31 Condensed Formations and Blocking Strategies25:46 Quarterback Run Game and Defensive Challenges28:57 Counting the Box and Leveraging Advantages33:31 Teaching Players to Read Defenses36:52 Coaching Strategies and Player Autonomy40:13 Conclusion and AnnouncementsDaniel Chamberlain:@CoachChamboOKChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.comchamberlainfootballconsulting.comKenny Simpson:@FBCoachSimpsonfbcoachsimpson@gmail.comFBCoachSimpson.com
Transcribe →
The Key to Long-Lasting Coaching Success w/ Kevin Swift
Feb 1201:20:02Tap to summarizeJoin hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson on the Coaching 101 Podcast as they welcome special guest Kevin Swift from Oregon. In this episode, they delve into the importance of making football simple for success, exploring Coach Swift's impressive 41-year career. They cover topics like avoiding coaching burnout, evolving as a coach without losing core identity, the importance of relationships over X's and O's, and sustaining longevity in the coaching profession. Additionally, hear insights about balancing personal life with a coaching career, building a supportive community, and the significance of player relationships. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge and experience from seasoned coaches who have thrived in the football industry.00:00 Introduction to the Coaching 101 Podcast00:34 Meet Coach Kevin Swift01:50 Coach Swift's Coaching Journey05:27 Quote of the Week and Sponsor Shoutouts09:36 Discussing Longevity in Coaching16:30 Challenges and Rewards of Coaching36:46 Evolving as a Coach39:37 The Importance of Innovation in Coaching40:19 Building a Collaborative Coaching Environment41:18 Adapting to New Defensive Strategies41:48 The Journey of Becoming a Head Coach42:52 Challenges of Coaching in Small Towns43:52 Developing Assistant Coaches from Scratch45:32 The Role of Senior Players in Coaching46:14 Creating a Winning Culture48:34 Balancing Football and Personal Life54:54 Evolving Coaching Philosophies56:06 The Importance of Relationships in Coaching01:00:39 Sustaining a Long Coaching Career01:08:21 Closing Thoughts and Resources for CoachesDaniel Chamberlain:@CoachChamboOKChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.comchamberlainfootballconsulting.comKenny Simpson:@FBCoachSimpsonfbcoachsimpson@gmail.comFBCoachSimpson.com
Transcribe →