The Football Coaching Podcast with Joe Daniel

Wasted time in practice leads to unprepared players on game day. And with limited hours on the field, every minute has to count. In this episode, Joe and Daniel dive into how to run efficient, high-energy practices that get your players ready—fast. They share how to build out practice plan shells, keep the tempo up with smooth transitions, and make sure your drills actually matter. You'll also hear how to lean on veteran players, use film for faster corrections, and even streamline scouting with tools like wristbands.

A stagnant offense can stall an entire season — even with the right athletes on the field. But constantly adding new plays without structure usually leads to confusion, not results. On this episode of the Football Coaching Podcast, Daniel Chamberlain and Joe Daniel share how to build a dynamic offense the right way — starting with mastery of a base play and layering in variation through motions, shifts, unbalanced formations, and tags. They also introduce the containers principle — a smart way to install new ideas without overwhelming your players or your practice time.

The end of the game of football can be intense! The crowd, the officials, the clock… they all add extra pressure to an already high pressure game. If you keep finding yourself on the losing end of close games, it's likely that you, your coaches, and your players don't understand the situation(s) they are in during crunch time. On this episode, Joe and Daniel discuss the need to add situational football into your practice planning, what situations you should practice, and the need to mentally prepare your players.

An undisciplined defense can bring even the best program to its knees. But, as schemes become more and more complex to try to match the offenses running all over the field, the byproduct is often undisciplined chaos. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss fixing tackling and executing through ASKA, fixing alignments, and ensuring players are doing their job and not their neigbors' jobs through the umbrella principles.

Special Teams, the Third Side of the Ball, can be a secret weapon or a glaring flaw for your team this year. If you keep chasing different schemes week after week, or year after year, you'll never learn to problem solve within your own game. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss how to simplify your Special Teams, teaching each team one way for the whole season, getting rules put in to place so your players can use them to problem solve.

Getting buy in is the foundation of any system in football. Not just Xs and Os systems, but strength and conditioning, recruiting, culture, etc. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the SCS System, coaching like you're teaching a new prep for the first time, and what all goes into the Players' Creed.  

Across the Nation there are teams that are struggling to keep the program afloat due to low numbers. The game is slowly dying, and we're all paying the price. But, you don't have to watch your program die off. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the need to have a system to get players out to play, how we can get more players to say YES to playing, and how to get your players to be salesmen for the team.

It seems like every coach on Earth has the same three complaints: We aren't fast enough, we don't have as many players as the other teams, and we aren't tough enough. But, a general consensus of multiple 30+ year coaches says kids haven't changed… expectations have.  On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss what it means to be tough, how accountability can toughen up your players, and the fact that relationships still reign supreme.  

A football coaching staff is often made up of a bunch of the same type of people. Those people aren't great at communicating, they all think their way is the best way, and often they won't even speak the same language due to the influence of different coaching trees throughout their careers. Sometimes that inability to communicate can hurt the team. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the ASKA Principle, how to get your staff using the same language, and the benefits of you, your staff, and your team when communication is streamlined and made common.

Every year, the law of averages says you'll face at least two teams that simply have better talent than you do. But, you don't have to concede those games. You can have a plan to go out and beat them on the gridiron. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the beating teams by eliminating errors using the Coach Simple philosophy, and how to unlock the potential of your team.

Stopping the run is imperative in the game of football. You have to take away the opponents ability to move the rock, especially between the tackles. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the umbrella run fits, how you can use it with the scheme, coaches, and players you have now, and how you can stop any offensive formation or scheme.

The success of a team is tied to so many variables. X's and O's can't win every game. Jimmy's and Joe's can take you far, but how can we get those guys on the field if we aren't at a powerhouse school? Your support chain, the parents, admin, community, all play a very large role in the success of a team. On this episode Joe and Daniel are joined by Coach Justin Kinzie to talk all things support. They talk about the groups you need to prioritize to gain supports, what that conversation might look like, and when you'll know that enough is enough and a situation just isn't winnable.

Practice makes perfect. WRONG! Perfect practice makes perfect… any your 3 hour practices aren't perfect. In today's game, the science says less is more when it comes to “getting in work.” Your extended practices are making your players worse on Friday night. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss all things practice schedules. Being efficient with your time, prioritizing what the “right” things are you need to be practicing, and ensuring your players get what they need, but not everything and the kitchen sink.

So, your passing game is broken. Your QB is terrible, your receivers can't catch, the O-Line can't block a soul… we've been there. Luckily, you don't have to install a non-passing offense and become one dimensional.  On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the usability and benefits of a simplified passing game, why you don't need to teach progressions, and how you can add options to your passing game to meet your players where there are and bring them forward.  

Relational coaching, although not a brand new concept, has been on the rise as of recently. With the increase of NIL opportunities and Transfer Portal antics, coaches have had to rely on relationships in the locker room more than ever before. On this episode, Joe and Daniel are joined by Travis Davidson of Team Sports Consulting Group to talk about the options available to coaches to ensure they're building the relationships that matter.

Friday Nights in the fall to the common person is about Friday Night Lights, “the boys of fall,” and the 11 v 11 competition on the field. For the coaches on the sidelines, Friday nights are just an “unstandardized test.” We've studied all week, and now we just have to solve the problems as they come along. On this episode Joe and Daniel talk with Jackson Wiggins to cover common Friday Night problems, usual ways that they solve those problems and others, and how to implement changes in the heat of the game!

We all know a coach is only as good as the staff they hire. But, hiring the right guys out of the pool you have access to isn't always the easiest thing to do. We're breaking it down to try and make it easier. On this episode Joe and Daniel talk everything you need to know about the wrong coaches to hire, the right coaches to hire, and what to do with your staff once you've made all the hires.

Quarters coverage, with man or zone match principles, can be one of the best defensive coverages in football if you get the proper reps and communication. But, there are even options within the coverage, a dime package as Joe was introduced to it, that allows you to be more efficient and look more complex. On this episode Joe and Daniel talk all about Quarters coverage, the new dime package, and how you can stay versatile in the ever changing arms race between offense and defense.

It's the offseason, which mean the weights in your weight room should already be bangin' and clangin'. But, we aren't all being the absolute most efficient with our weight room practices. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the importance of the right person running your weight room, getting an expert to develop your weight room plan, and who all you should be running INTO your weight room.

“QB Guru” is a title that's often thrown around… and seems to be rarely regulated. We aren't QB Guru's on the podcast, and we're big on “hire a professional.” So, we brought the professional to you! On this episode, Joe and Daniel are joined by Mitch Wieland to discuss developing your QBs, what fundamentals are absolutely necessary for them to have, and how soon you can start.

Defensive lines come in various shapes and sizes… and techniques and alignments and stances and stunts and…  On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the different defensive fronts that are in use today. They discuss the odd and even fronts, odd (different) fronts gaining popularity, and the reasoning behind all these alignments.

Not all QB Alignments are made the same. Some allow you to do more in the run game, while others help your High School Quarterback see the field better for passing. The option game is different in each. So which is right for you? On this episode Joe and Daniel are discussing the benefits of each QB alignment, what they lack, and how you can use each of them in your current offense to show a different picture.

“There's nothing new under the sun,” is a statement that lives in football as much as anywhere else. At this point, recreating the wheel for a football system, offensive or defensive, is like recreating the wheel… it's unnecessary. On this episode Joe Daniel and Daniel Chamberlain are joined by Brandon Samuels to discuss finding and utilizing coaching resources available today.

In this episode of the Football Coaching Podcast, host Daniel Chamberlain is joined by Coach Chris Cole to discuss high-pressure defensive strategies in football, particularly focusing on how to implement and adapt these techniques. They explore the concept of drinking from the fire hose as a new head coach, referencing experiences from both small school levels and powerhouse programs like Bixby. The conversation covers various defensive fronts, the importance of outside linebackers, and using tight fronts to disrupt offensive plans. They encourage coaches to simplify reads for players to eliminate analysis paralysis and share insights on effective halftime adjustments. The episode closes with their personal 'level up' moments, highlighting recent learnings and strategies for continued coaching development.

As most of our seasons have come to an end, it's time to take note of the good and bad from the last 10+ weeks. There has no doubt been some highlights that you've handled perfectly… and some lowlights of things you just weren't prepared for. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the methodical evaluation of your program, from what makes up an evaluation, why you need to do it now, and how to carry it out without forgetting anything.

Football is the greatest game ever. EVER! But, that doesn't mean it comes without its issues. Unfortunately, most of those issues we bring on ourselves. On this episode Joe Daniel and Daniel Chamberlain discuss the newest issues they're seeing in their respective states, how recruiting and NIL have helped and hurt High School Football, and how a “transfer portal” is good, bad, and ugly.

Building a successful program is something most coaches dream of. Sure, taking over a juggernaut and continuing that success is great… but building from the ground up and breaking through to new levels of success is what we nearly all have an urge for. But, what does a successful program look like? What are the building blocks that make it up? On this episode Joe and Daniel are joined by James Ransom to talk just that! What does success look like, how can we start shaping our program in that direction, and can any program actually achieve success…

Combo blocking is the key to your Zone run game, and maybe your gap scheme too. They could be the most important blocks your offensive line will make all year. But, the most important part of any system needs to be coached the hardest. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss what combo blocks are, why we use them, and how to coach them to ensure they are executed correctly on game day.

The playoffs are a magical time for football coaches, players, and teams. But, they do not come without their own hurdles. It's always great to coach the extra games, but you'll find there's a little more to it than your regular game week. On this episode Joe Daniel and Daniel Chamberlain breakdown the advantages and disadvantages to playing a new or unknown opponent, as well as some things you can do to better prepare for the game.

Bracket coverages are an advanced way to help lock down, or eliminate the threat of, a star WR. You can also use it to cover a bunched group of WRs. On this episode Joe and Daniel talk all things double coverage, what it is, why you need to carry it, and how to best utilize it in your base defenses.

Shifts and Motions, also known as “Window Dressing,” are growing exponentially in High School football. Not only are they growing in frequency, but in complexity as well. Throwing shifts and motions into an already efficient offense can lead to explosive results! On this episode Joe and Daniel are discussing what shifts and motions are, why they use them in their offenses, and how they gameplan to make use of shifts and motions.

Every coach identifies the games on their schedule each year that are winnable, and those that just aren't. We often have that game on the schedule that if we found a way to win, would be considered an upset. But, what is the magic behind the upset, and how can we get there? On this episode, Joe and Daniel discuss what makes up an upset, why it's so important for your program, and how to approach the big game weeks.  

There are MANY situations that play out during a football game. It's hard to pinpoint any one that's the MOST or LEAST important. But, without a doubt, playing defense in the Red Zone is very important.  On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the importance of Red Zone Defense, why we're forced to make changes to our base defense in the Red Zone, and how you can scheme those changes up for your next game.

Playcalling has changed drastically over the years. From running a WR in to communicate each play, to signals, radio comms, and poster boards. We all do things a little differently. On this episode, Joe and Daniel are talking with innovator and Head Football Coach Thad Wells to discuss his “Rooski” play calling system. Listen to find out how the Rooski system can give you an edge by simplifying football for your players.

Throughout our careers, we have both stumbled upon greater understandings of the game of football, the schemes that fit into it, and the path of being a coach. We call these our “Aha Moments.” On this episode, Joe and Daniel talk about their individual “Aha Moments” on Offense, Defense, and in regards to the total program.

In the modern game, tags make the world go round. Whether you're tagging formations, pass routes, run blocking, or RPOs… Tags can create a whole new offensive world for  you and your team, without adding another base play to the playbook. On this episode, Joe Daniel and Daniel Chamberlain discuss the importance of using tags in your offense, what tags are, and how you can start using them TODAY!  

Three Safety Defenses have started making a name for themselves at places like Iowa State University. But, high schools across the land are also incorporating more of the scheme in their defense. Sometimes a new thing is good, especially if it fits the “Coach Simple, Play Fast, Win!” ideology. On this episode Joe and Daniel are joined by PJ Gibbs, the creator of the Fast and Physical defensive system, to discuss the Three Safety Defense, how it can help your team, and how to sprinkle some into your current scheme this year.

It's week 8, your playoff chances are on the line. Your star Running Back is deemed ineligible because he let his grades slip. What do you do? Well, hopefully you put some plans into action long before this happened. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the ways you can fill holes in your depth chart well before they happen. They talk causes for players to miss time, why you need a plan in place, and what those plans may look like.

College Football 25 is taking the world by storm in 2024! After 11 years of waiting, the “boys are back in town.” We're all playing just as much as you… except for when we're in practice of course. On this episode Joe and Daniel are joined by friend of the show, and YouTube gaming sensation, Ron McKie to talk about the new game, the pros and cons, and how we can use the game to teach football.

Just like the offensive episode from last week, this episode is all about trimming down that expansive playbook you've built over the last 12 months.  On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the process of playbook management, what you can do to trim your playbook without cutting it too much, and when to expand what you're running.

After a full summer of learning all the newest trends, adding 100 tags to your system, and now it's time to get it all installed. But, we have to be real with ourselves at some point about what we can get installed with any confidence. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the process of playbook development, why you need to trim your playbook, and how to decide what stays and goes.

The fourth phase of the game, the referee, is something that we all need to better understand. We all focus on offense, defense, and sometimes… special teams. But focusing on the Ref crew is often overlooked. On this episode Joe Daniel and Daniel Chamberlain are joined by Mike D the Referee from the Whistle Talk podcast. We talk all things reffing, coaching, and some hilarious stories.

Condition in the days of old was something of a debacle. Due to the increase of research and knowledge in this realm, most of us are moving forward and looking for a better way. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss how conditioning is changing from the past to the present, how they're establishing new norms and following the science, and how to change your own program throughout the training calendar to best help your players.

Option football is as old as the game itself, but it's also still based on one player making some type of read to know where the ball will go. When defending the option, you are being put in a spot to be WRONG. So, you need to have a plan to force the QB's hand. On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the intricacies of QB Read option plays, why it's important to have a plan to stop them, and how to game plan them throughout the week.

Unbalanced formations add a lot of stress to the defense. From adjustments, counts, angles… It all adds up on young players trying to communicate their issues to a coach. So use it to your advantage! On this episode Joe and Daniel discuss the definition of unbalanced formations, their advantages, and why gap scheme pairs with them so easily.