February 3, 2016
Killing time
This is the most challenging time in football history to be a defensive coordinator. Offensive coordinators figured out that the rulebook allows the offense considerable leeway for creativity, including limitless formations and tempo variations. Holding the title of defensive coordinator is most challenging in amateur football where you are likely limited in resources, including preparation ...
January 18, 2016
Wake up to keep up – building DC ideology.
The toughest offense we have had to defend in the past four decades is a balanced offense that can spread and tighten up with double and triple tight ends. Our best solution started as a crisis. Ten years ago, we lost a starting defensive end and a starting linebacker within 48 hours of game time. Without changing the system, we added a component that has since become one of our base ...January 9, 2016
Stop learning… stop earning.
There was nowhere to post our family vacation pictures in the spring of 1984. There was no Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to post my pregnant wife and two daughters on the 50-yard line at the University of Michigan after the spring game that concluded their coaching clinic. This family vacation cost us a fortune. There was no Disneyland in Syracuse, New York but Syracuse in the spring of ...December 29, 2015
The most important position in football
This is an excerpt from the Niagara X-Men Football Team Policy & Procedure. This is our lifeline, our doctrine, our ideology and philosophy that governs every word of what we teach and every decision we make. Every X-Men coach and every player must commit to these policies and procedure without compromise. What is the most important position in football? Not quarterback, not running back ...
December 14, 2015
Zero-Zero: The most important football stat
The most important statistic I care about after 40 seasons of coaching football is Zero-Zero. Zero deaths, zero catastrophic injuries. None of my players have died, none were paralyzed, none suffered a broken neck, and none on defense reported a concussion. Zero-Zero is my primary coaching objective. It’s in writing – part of my Program Code of Conduct that explains every element of my ...December 10, 2015
“Perfect Season” Streak
I’ve been blessed with a perfect streak – 40 consecutive seasons of no deaths, paralysis, broken necks, and no reported defensive concussions. I love perfect seasons. Undefeated seasons are Sacred Memories because they teach lessons that will last a lifetime. Perfect seasons open your eyes to the connection between potential and possibilities. You will change your mind-set about ...December 8, 2015
It’s not a part of the game.
In 1984 I told my assistant coaches that I hate injuries in football. Hate, not dislike, not mild contempt… hate. “It’s a part of the game,” one of them said. “Bullshit,” I said. “No it isn’t. Injuries are not a part of the game. Injuries are apart from the game. Our job is to keep injuries apart from the game, not a part of the game.” History doesn’t repeat itself. We repeat history. Dual ...November 30, 2015
SWAT Tackling
Enjoy a FREE preview of SWAT Tackling DVD SWAT Tackling Instructional Video and eBook Available NOW! I banned shoulder tackling in 1985 because it is ineffective and unsafe. Using the head and shoulder for initial contact leaves the tackler in a position of weakness, not to mention at risk of catastrophic injury. I have proven that there’s a better way. In 30 years, none of my players have ...November 2, 2015
The way out of the hell of losing.
Losing is hell. The only way to escape is to lift your way out. You have to lift yourself out of the hell of losing or you will move in for life. You turn around a losing team in the weight room. Lift, then lift some more, then keep lifting until you have out-lifted the rest of the competition. It’s delusional to believe that you can turn around any team by staying weak. We’re all born weak ...October 26, 2015
Xs and Os won’t matter if you don’t tackle this problem.
“Defensive Coordinator” is more than a title for your resume, website, and Facebook profile. Defensive Coordinator is a life-and-death job. You are responsible for the lives of your players. The number one priority of every DC, regardless of level of football, is “ensuring the highest level of player safety.” Teaching tackling that removes the head from contact, will accomplish this goal. ...October 4, 2015
This part of football is life & death.
Tackling is a life and death issue. the decision to go for it on 4th down or going for two or opening the game with an onside kick is not a matter of life and death. There are no life and death play-calling decisions in football. Tackling is a different story. Tackling is a matter of life and death. That’s why I banned shoulder tackling in April, 1985. I love football as much as anyone, ...September 18, 2015