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In this episode of the Board Drill Podcast, Kyle and Matt sit down with Coach Tom Yashinsky, head coach at Onalaska High School in Wisconsin, to dive into the nuts and bolts of building a consistent and competitive football program from the ground up. Coach Yashinsky brings nearly two decades of experience and shares detailed insight on aligning your program 9–12, structuring staff, developing coaches, and building buy-in across your community. Whether you're a head coach, coordinator, or position coach, this one’s packed with practical wisdom you can apply immediately. Don’t miss the breakdown on practice structure, middle school alignment, and how Onalaska turned a struggling program into a perennial playoff team. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro and how Coach Yashinsky joined the show 1:10 – Onalaska football background and program context 3:04 – Taking over the program under tough circumstances 6:35 – Aligning your staff across all levels (9–12) 9:58 – Year-round planning and development focus 12:45 – The importance of coach retention and mentorship 16:12 – Practice organization and seasonal phases 20:41 – Lifting schedules and coordinating with multi-sport athletes 24:09 – Offseason program and coach roles 28:57 – Building culture: “Be Early, Be Loud, Be Invested” 32:44 – Middle school and youth integration strategies 37:11 – Handling success: sustaining performance and expectations 42:36 – Advice for new head coaches 46:58 – Final thoughts and how to connect with Coach Yashinsky Subscribe, like, and share if you’re a coach looking for real-world solutions and ideas you can bring into your own program tomorrow.

Coach Jordan Irsik is back on the pod, and this one’s packed with insight for defensive coaches at every level. We kick things off with reactions to the 2025 National Championship and break down what made Indiana’s title run so special. From there, Coach Irsik talks through his current offseason mindset, how he’s staying sharp while raising two young boys, and what it looks like to build a pressure package that actually fits your personnel.We also cover game planning, in-season adjustments, why being reflective matters, and how to keep growing without being on the clinic circuit. It's an honest, no-BS convo for coaches who want real tools and perspective.Timestamps:00:00 - Welcome back Coach Irsik01:00 - New baby, offseason life, and podcast circuit02:00 - National Championship reactions03:50 - Indiana’s turnaround and coaching legacy06:30 - What elite defensive football looks like08:00 - Coaching with two kids at home10:15 - Using the offseason to reflect and adjust12:45 - Creating pressures based on your players16:00 - What to emphasize in install and prep19:30 - How to gameplan without overloading22:50 - Teaching coverage vs. scheme complexity25:40 - The reality of adapting in-season29:10 - Staying sharp without the clinic tour32:15 - Building a coaching community35:00 - Final takeaways and parting wisdomSubscribe + leave a review to help us growFollow us on Twitter: @boarddrillVisit www.boarddrill.com for breakdowns, cutups, and more

In this episode of The Board Drill Podcast, Coach Cory Quinn from Tishomingo County High School in Mississippi returns to break down how he creatively gets the tight end, wing, and slot involved in his offense. The episode is split into two recordings due to a quick technical issue, but we jump right back into the conversation without missing a beat.Coach Quinn details concepts like Bogey, Pop, and Train motion, and shows how motion, formation variation, and personnel usage can create stress for defenses and open up explosive plays. Whether you're trying to expand your play-action game or find new ways to get your tight end more touches, this is a clinic-level conversation built for coaches.If you enjoy the show, please like and subscribe. It helps us continue to bring on great guests and keep content coming throughout the offseason.Timestamps00:00 - Intro and Welcome Back Coach Quinn01:28 - Clarifying Tishomingo County02:25 - From Buck Sweep to Balanced Offense04:32 - Getting More from the Slot, TE, and Wing06:58 - Using Motion to Stress the Secondary10:14 - Installing the Bogey Concept14:45 - Creating Vertical Stretches with Motion17:30 - Film Breakdown: Bogey Against Rolled Coverage20:10 - Train Motion to Displace Linebackers21:42 - Coaching Simplicity for Young Tight Ends25:00 - Tagging Switch to Alter Landmarks27:15 - Third and Long Conversion Using TE as the Read29:44 - Formational Adjustments with Empty and Orbit Motion32:03 - When and Why to Call These Concepts35:15 - Wing Release Coaching vs. Zone and Man37:40 - Final Thoughts and Creative Takeaways

Challenges of a First-Year Coordinator | Coach Josh Katz (West Orange HS)In this episode, Kyle and Matt sit down with Coach Josh Katz, Defensive Coordinator at West Orange High School in Orlando, FL, to discuss the real challenges of being a first-year coordinator. From managing egos to finding his identity as a play-caller, Coach Katz brings an honest and tactical perspective to the table. Whether you're stepping into your first coordinator role or you're a seasoned vet looking for fresh insight, this one delivers.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 – Intro & Coach Katz Joins the Show00:45 – Teaching Biomedical Science & Coaching Football02:00 – Coach Katz Shares His Philosophy as a First-Year DC03:30 – Game Planning: What No One Tells You05:15 – Struggles with Practice Planning and Time Management07:10 – Learning to Adjust & Getting Staff Buy-In10:00 – Building the Call Sheet: The Weekly Process14:00 – Halftime Adjustments & Communication with the Staff18:20 – Teaching Coverage Rules to Young DBs22:30 – What Coach Katz Would Tell Himself Week 125:45 – Audience Q&A and Final ThoughtsKEY TAKEAWAYS:First-year coordinators often face information overload — simplify and clarify.You can’t do it alone. Building staff trust and communication is essential.Practice planning is harder than it looks — reps need purpose.Teaching players your system is just as important as having one.Whether you're a high school coordinator, aspiring coach, or just a ball junkie, this episode packs insight, honesty, and some solid laughs.Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more deep-dive football content!Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your pods.Got questions or topics you want us to cover? Drop them in the comments or hit us up on Twitter @BoardDrill!

In this episode of The Board Drill Podcast, we sit down with Coach Tim Dycus, the head football coach at Winter Springs High School (FL). Coach Dycus dives into the details of building a culture, the reality of turning around a struggling program, and the leadership lessons that come with over two decades on the sidelines.Coach Dycus took over a program that many saw as an easy win on their schedule—until now. Under his guidance, Winter Springs just posted its first winning season in years and reached the playoffs. This episode is a must-watch for coaches who are grinding in the trenches, building brick by brick.Timestamps0:00 - Intro & Coach Dycus joins the show1:34 - Taking over a struggling program3:05 - Coach Dycus’ backstory: from business owner to football coach6:42 - What he learned from Seminole County football legends10:17 - How he built a winning culture at Winter Springs14:10 - Getting buy-in from the players and staff17:32 - The small wins that built momentum21:45 - Key schemes and system changes26:10 - Advice to young coaches stepping into tough jobs30:33 - Coaching in the social media age35:21 - Building relationships and developing leaders38:10 - Coach Dycus’ coaching philosophy42:00 - Lightning Round: Favorite drills, toughest opponents, best advice45:50 - Final thoughts and what’s next for Winter Springs football📲 Subscribe for more in-depth football conversations with high school and college coaches across the country.

The Board Drill Podcast - Ep. 13 | Dawson Mitchell | Match Coverage In this episode, Kyle and Matt are joined by Coach Dawson Mitchell (@CoachMitchell48), the linebackers coach at Cartersville High School. Coach Mitchell walks us through how his defense runs 2-Read coverage, how they teach their DBs to handle common route combos, and what pattern-matching looks like in a high school setting.Timestamps:0:00 - Intro and how Kyle connected with Coach Mitchell2:00 - Cartersville’s base coverage philosophy3:15 - Coaching 2-Read: teaching DBs to read 2-to-15:40 - How they handle double slant and smash routes8:25 - Matching routes vs. spot-dropping: what they emphasize10:00 - Teaching eyes, leverage, and hip turns13:45 - Adjusting to different offensive tendencies week to week16:30 - Why they don’t pedal their corners18:05 - Differences between 2-Read, Palms, and Quarters21:10 - Practical drills and how they rep it in practice24:00 - Final thoughts on teaching coverage at the high school levelThis is a pure football episode. No slides. No fluff. Just straight-up ball talk.Subscribe for more in-depth breakdowns and interviews with coaches across the country.

In this episode, we’re joined by Coach Dean Young, DC at Midlothian HS (TX), to break down his unique “Pinch Front” concept and the back-end coverage he calls “Texas Two and a Half.” Coach Young explains how his team adapted through adversity, simplified their rules, and developed a system that mixes Tampa 2 and three-cloud principles with aggressive front play. If you’re looking for a flexible, sound way to adjust your defense to your personnel, this episode is a must-watch.Topics include simplifying coverage rules, adapting Tampa 2 principles, how to cancel gaps with the DL, and why Coach refuses to call anything Cover 3.Timestamped Topics:0:00 - Intro & Guest Welcome1:19 - Origin of the “Pinch Front”2:44 - Adapting to Injuries & Personnel Issues3:45 - From Quarters to Tampa 2 to Base Defense4:32 - Simplifying Rules with Pinch Front6:05 - Explaining “Texas Two and a Half”9:20 - Techniques & Coverage Leverage Details12:50 - Adjusting to 2x2 vs. 3x1 Formations17:10 - Why Coach Hates Cover 320:55 - How the Front Marries the Coverage26:10 - Game Planning Tips & Weekly Adjustments30:42 - Q&A: Coaching the Overhang Player33:05 - Blitz Rules and Complementary Pressures36:30 - Scouting Considerations for This Defense40:18 - Favorite Situational Calls44:00 - Building Confidence in the System47:12 - Final Thoughts & Twitter Fights Over Cover 3Follow Coach Young on Twitter: @CoachDeanYoung Read the original Hex Front article: https://www.boarddrill.com/p/hex-front-theory-can-4-down-defensesLike, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth conversations on modern defensive football. Stay tuned for more from The Board Drill!

S3E2 – Run Fits with Zach Capehart (Silverdale Academy DC) This week, Coach Zach Capehart joins Kyle and Matt to break down run fits from a multiple front structure. Capehart brings a small-school lens — limited practice time, tempo offense, lots of two-way players — and explains how to stay sound without being overly complex. Key Topics (Timestamps in episode): 02:30 – Silverdale program context 06:15 – Why be multiple with two-way kids? 12:10 – Installing fits in short practice windows 22:45 – Front variation without overhauling teaching 32:00 – Advice for coaches dealing with roster constraints If you're a defensive coach looking to simplify without sacrificing soundness, this episode is built for you.

In this episode, Coach Joey Wiles breaks down how head coaches can use the offseason to intentionally grow their staff through college visits. From setting a structured plan to building long-term relationships with college coaches, Wiles provides a roadmap for turning your assistants into future leaders. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & introduction 02:08 – The purpose behind offseason college visits 05:15 – Creating a developmental plan for your staff 08:40 – Building relationships: The Bob Stoops story 12:00 – Why trust matters when visiting college programs 16:25 – Coaching your assistants on how to approach a visit 21:00 – Getting the most out of clinics with intentional roles 25:10 – Head coach’s responsibility to elevate staff 30:00 – Long-term value of structured visits 35:45 – Encouragement for coaches at any stage 41:00 – Final thoughts on mentorship and legacy

This week on The Board Drill Podcast, we dive into the heart of the Flexbone offense with special guest Coach Jose Licon, OC at Hugeton High School in Kansas. Coach Licon brings an authentic, no-nonsense look at midline concepts out of the Flexbone, and how they’re applying it to attack defenses. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intros & How This Episode Came Together 01:20 – The Triple Option Cult & Kansas Football Culture 02:15 – Coach Licon’s Background: From Flexbone QB to OC 03:00 – Overview of Hugeton HS & Their Offensive Identity 04:10 – Why Midline? Simplifying Reads for the QB 06:30 – Split-Back Veer Influence vs. Modern Defenses 09:15 – Midline Variants: Midline Lead, Midline Read, Trap Option 12:50 – Handling 4i Techniques, Slants, and Squeeze Reads 17:10 – Film Breakdown: Key Midline Plays from 2023 22:40 – How They Use Motion to Window Dress the Same Concept 26:05 – Answering “Is Midline Dead?” in Spread Offenses 29:40 – Coaching Points: QB Footwork, Mesh Timing, and RB Path 35:00 – Installing Midline: Drills, Progressions & Scout Prep 40:20 – Q&A: Listener Questions from Twitter 📚 Related Read: Dive deeper with our companion article — Kansas State's Midline Twist on Outside Zone — where we break down how KSU married Midline with Spread principles to punish static defensive fronts. Don’t forget to: 🔔 Subscribe to us on YouTube 📬 Subscribe on Substack → boarddrill.com 🐦 Follow on Twitter @boarddrill

Coach Preston Troyer joins Kyle on this episode of the Board Drill Podcast to unpack what it really means to build a system on offense. The Tonganoxie HS head coach and author of Coaching Football Insight shares lessons from 17 years in the profession, including how to refine your scheme, evolve your identity, and stay grounded in player development. Whether you're a new OC or a vet reworking your playbook, this one’s packed with wisdom. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Coach Troyer’s Journey 04:15 – Building a System: What It Really Means 15:30 – Self-Scouting & Adjusting Over Time 28:45 – Developing Your Coaching Voice 40:00 – Advice for Young Coaches Hit follow and don’t miss future episodes.

In this episode of the Board Drill Podcast, we catch up with Cody Gardner, the Defensive Coordinator at Corner Canyon High School (UT), to dive deep into what it really takes to build and sustain a defensive identity at the high school level. We talk foundational philosophy, how to reset your structure when needed, and how Cody blends system, player personality, and coaching staff dynamics into a cohesive, flexible defense. Whether you're starting from scratch or evolving your current approach, this episode is a blueprint for aligning scheme, culture, and staff into one united vision. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:42 – Gardner’s program vision and year-round player development 08:30 – The role of aggression in defensive identity 14:05 – Building from a 3-4 base with 4-2-5 variation 21:12 – Handling RPO-heavy offenses and adjusting structure 29:45 – Evaluating staff: empowering young coaches and accountability 36:20 – Non-negotiables in team culture 41:58 – Offseason planning and “install backwards” philosophy 48:35 – Advice for young head coaches 55:00 – Final thoughts and closing 🔔 Subscribe to Board Drill for deep-dive conversations with coaches nationwide. 🧠 For more clinic content, resources, and strategy breakdowns, follow us at: Instagram: @boarddrill Twitter: @boarddrill TikTok: @BoardDrill Website: www.boarddrill.com 👍 Like, Share, and leave a comment below if you found this valuable!

The Board Drill Podcast – S2E30 | Dan Blackbourn: Building a Standalone Quick Game In this episode, Kyle and Matt sit down with Coach Dan Blackbourn, OC at Brooks County (GA), to break down the fundamentals of quick game passing. Coach Blackbourn takes us through his step-based teaching philosophy, the importance of treating quick game as more than just an RPO extension, and how he installs and evolves the system from Day 1—even with limited time. ▶️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro and Coach Blackbourn joins01:03 – Why Quick Game Should Stand Alone02:15 – Adapting Illinois Roots to Georgia Football03:40 – The Value of Step-Based Routes vs. Yards05:30 – All-Hitch Install and Coaching Points08:20 – Building the Offense from Scratch11:10 – Handling Spring & Summer Limitations15:45 – Adjusting to Player Skill Levels18:30 – Formation Variations and Teaching Terminology22:00 – Practical Tips for High School Installations 📌 Subscribe for More🔗 BoardDrill.com – Weekly articles, resources, and podcast archives🐦 Twitter: @boarddrill📱 TikTok: @boarddrill

In this episode of the Board Drill Podcast, Kyle and Matt are joined by Tom Elder, Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Chaminade High School (NY), to break down one of the most versatile and effective defensive tools in high school football—5-Man Pressure Systems.Coach Elder dives deep into how Chaminade utilizes a simple yet adaptable pressure philosophy based on four core blitz paths, how they disguise coverages, fit the run with undersized athletes, and put pressure on 17-year-old quarterbacks in a high-academic environment. If you're looking to build a pressure package that’s simple for your players but difficult for opponents to prepare for, this episode is for you.⏱ Timestamps0:00 - Intro & Coach Elder’s Background1:10 - Why 5-Man Pressure is Core to Chaminade's Defense3:00 - Undersized Personnel? Why Movement is the Answer4:55 - Odd vs Even Front Blending in the System6:00 - "Five Notes, Endless Melodies" Philosophy7:30 - 3-Under, 3-Deep Zone Pressure Breakdown9:10 - How to Build Pressure Without Overloading Players12:00 - Split-Safety Structures & Rotation Philosophy13:35 - Day 1-2 Installs: Big 12 & Weak Rotation Coverage15:00 - Teaching Pressure Paths: Edge, Neck, Face18:00 - DL Techniques: Nail, Rail, Anchor20:00 - Using Tags to Dictate Pressure Placement23:00 - Corner Blitz—Why It's a Day One Install26:30 - Scrape & Strike Paths Explained30:00 - Adjusting Pressure for 3x1 & Motion35:00 - Using Pressure to Protect Undersized Fronts37:45 - Real-Game Examples & In-Game Adjustments45:00 - The Power of Motion-Based Blitz Calls51:00 - Closing Thoughts on Simplicity, Speed, and Versatility🎯 Join the Drill 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly breakdowns: https://www.boarddrill.com 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boarddrill 🎥 Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boarddrill 💬 Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/boarddrill 🔔 Don't forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe

The Dash Passing Concept with Coach Wakely Bergener | Board Drill Podcast Ep. 28 In this episode of The Board Drill Podcast, we're joined by Coach Wakely Bergener, Offensive Coordinator at Pauls Valley High School (OK), to break down the Dash Passing Concept — one of the most quarterback-friendly protection schemes in football. Despite some tech hiccups (this is our third attempt to record it!), this episode is a must-watch for coaches looking to create cleaner vision, simplified reads, and smarter protection for their quarterbacks — especially shorter or mobile QBs. Coach Bergener walks us through film, diagrams, and coaching points that have helped his team complete 60% of their passes and average 7.4 yards per play using this concept. 🔗 Follow, Like, and Subscribe 📬 Weekly content direct to your inbox: https://www.boarddrill.com 🐦 Twitter: @BoardDrill 📸 Instagram: @BoardDrill 🎵 TikTok: @BoardDrill Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Why This Episode Was So Tough to Record 01:00 – What is Dash and Why It Matters for QB Vision 02:30 – Welcome Coach Wakely Bergener 04:00 – Origins of Dash at Pauls Valley (Since 2017) 05:30 – Solving QB Vision Issues with Dash 07:15 – Adjusting the Role of the Tailback 09:30 – Using Dash for Mobile, Shorter QBs 11:45 – Protection Breakdown: Rope & Lasso Calls 13:20 – Film Breakdown: QB Vision & Edge Pinning 16:00 – Coaching the QB: Drop Timing & Reversing Out 18:30 – Adjustments vs. Different Fronts & Blitzes 20:30 – Using Condensed Sets and Quick Game Pairings 22:45 – Empty Dash + GIF Concept Ideas 23:25 – What Makes Pauls Valley’s Program Unique 25:00 – Final Thoughts: Food Trucks, Spring Ball, and Split Zone Ties 💬 Have questions or want to connect with Coach Bergener? Reach him on Twitter: @CoachBergener 💻 Visit us at www.boarddrill.com for articles, film cutups, and more podcast episodes focused on building better football programs. 📢 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe — and if you’re running Dash or thinking about installing it, we want to hear from you in the comments!