Inside the Headset with the AFCA – Details, episodes & analysis

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm we sit down with Corby Meekins, the head coach at Lutheran South Academy in Houston, Texas. In this conversation, Coach Meekins discusses the uniqueness of coaching high school football, how he went about building successful cultures, and his experience at the college level. Coach Meekins is in his first season at the helm at Lutheran South following a 3-year stint at the University of Houston. 

Follow Coach Meekins and Lutheran South Football on social media here: 

@corbymeekins & @SouthFootball24 

1:05 Following your passion to be a coach, becoming a coordinator for the first time, and navigating quick and unexpected transitions.  

30:35 Having tough conversations in job moves, working to build competitive rosters at the HS level, and becoming a head coach for the first time. 

1:00:23 Transitioning to the college level, differences between high school football and college football, and navigating staff changes.

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset, we sit down with Payton Pardee, the Special Teams Coordinator for the San Antonio Brahmas. In this conversation, Coach Pardee discusses landing his first coaching job, learning how to recruit and manage rosters, and the uniqueness of his experience coaching in the UFL. Coach Pardee is preparing for his second season with the Brahmas after a 7-3 season this past spring.  

Follow Coach Pardee and the San Antonio Brahmas on social media here: 

@CoachPardee & @XFLBrahmas 

Show Notes:  

1:05 Following in your grandfather’s footsteps, landing your first coaching job, and navigating the transition from a player to a coach. 

22:42 Building a network to help you as a young coach, learning to recruit amid change, and managing rosters at the college and the professional level. 

42:01 Prioritizing player development in the UFL, navigating the XFL/UFL merger and job transition, and how you have grown in the profession.  

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Illinois Head Coach, Bret Bielema. In this conversation, Coach Bielema discusses starting out at his alma mater, working with legendary coaches, and the impact coaches can have on their players. Coach Bielema, who just began his fourth season at Illinois, was recently named to the AFCA Board of Trustees and helped lead the Illini to a 45-0 victory to kick off their 2024 campaign.  

Follow Coach Bielema and Illinois Football on social media here:  

@BretBielema & @IlliniFootball 

1:05 Being shaped by tragedy, differentiating yourself as a coach from a player, and the power of the pen and writing notes.  

18:31 Becoming a full-time coach at Iowa, taking the leap away from your alma mater to advance your career, and joining the staff at Wisconsin.  

39:23 Working under multiple legendary coaches, navigating adversity as a head coach, and joining the AFCA Board of Trustees.  

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring the Defensive Coordinator at Gannon University, Bryan Nardo. Coach Nardo discusses his start in coaching and his career path, his defensive and recruiting philosophy, and the impact the AFCA has had on his career.

Bryan Nardo is currently coaching at Gannon University as the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers coach. He was appointed in February 2022 after 2 years at Youngstown State and 8 years at Emporia State. Coach Nardo was named the Great Lakes Football Conference Assistant Coach of the Year in 2011 while working at Missouri S&T in Rolla, MO. He was also selected as a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute in 2019.

1:20 When did you decide to coach?

2:45 Who did you reach out to for beginning your career?

4:25 Experience as student coach

6:15 Family in the coaching profession

8:20 Work/Life Balance

10:52 How to separate work from home

14:00 Transitioning to a new job

17:25 How long till you got your next job?

18:50 Defensive Philosophy Going to Gannon

21:45 Who do you go to for X&O’s help?

24:12 Experience recruiting at different levels

28:12 What does being a part of the AFCA 35u35 Class mean to you?

30:10 Social/Conclusion

Twitter: @CoachNardo27

Email: nardo001@gannon.edu

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Jameson Croall, the Head Coach at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Coach Croall explains the unique opportunity coaching at a service academy, his coaching path, and some key takeaways from his involvement with the AFCA.

Coach Croall was recently named USMMA Football's head coach in August 2022. This will be his 11th year with the program, first as HC. The previous 10 years Coach Croall served as the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach. A 2009 graduate of Springfield College, Croall played for four years as an offensive lineman for the Pride while earning his bachelor’s degree in physical education. He graduated with his master’s degree from Springfield in 2020.

Show Notes:

0:51 Start of Interview

1:07 What sets apart military academies from other football universities

3:12 Is military service commitment required, what does that look like?

6:30 What is your approach when recruiting at high schools?

9:02 Is your current position the end goal?

12:44 What are the first stats you look at after the game (excluding the score)?

13:48 Magic conversion percentage

14:30 How much of a priority is time of possession?

18:27 How have you developed your offensive philosophy?

21:00 What games do you want to watch the most during a bye-week?

22:06 What are the rewarding parts of coaching a player at a service academy?

25:15 What roles have you played as a coach and within your community; the correlation to serving your team and becoming head coach

28:18 Coaching Volleyball

30:10 What has been your experience with the AFCA and what growth have you seen within yourself sense becoming a 30 Under 30 member?

33:45 Social Media

34:36 End of Interview

Twitter:

@CoachCroall

@USMMAFootball

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Stonehill College’s head football coach Eli Gardner. Coach Gardner discusses the new changes in a coach’s career, the change to Division 1 FCS for Stonehill College, and his experience with the AFCA 35u35.

Coach Gardner is in his seventh year as the head coach at Stonehill. He served in other roles at Stonehill before taking over the head coaching position with experience as the special teams & defensive coordinator and associate head coach. Coach Gardner was a part of the 2018 AFCA 35U35 class at the 2018 AFCA Convention in Charlotte, NC. Coach Gardner is a 2008 graduate of Western New England University, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Gardner completed his Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration from Endicott College in 2014.

1:44 Journey of Climbing the Coaching Ladder

3:16 When did you meet your wife?

4:53 How to prepare family for reality of coaching

7:33 Coaching goals when you first started?

9:54 What changes have you created at Stonehill?

12:11 Any new hires at Stonehill?

16:01 What are some unforeseen responsibilities for you as the HC

19:56 Changes from D2 to D1-FCS

24:32 How prepared were you for the change in divisions

27:16 Prepping players for the jump

29:46 Spring Recruiting - Post D1 Announcement

32:46 Experience with 2018 AFCA 35u35 class

36:13 Social/Conclusion

Twitter Accounts to Follow For More:

@CoachEliGardner

@StonehillFB

This week on Inside the Headset we are featuring Julian Griffin, the running backs coach at UTSA. Coach Griffin discusses his role as NFL Liaison, his recruiting approach, and the importance of having mentors in the profession.

Julian Griffin played wide receiver at ULM from 2008-2012 before becoming a coach at Texas A&M Kingsville. His coaching stops include ULM, Central Methodist, SMU, Arkansas, and is now present at UTSA as the running backs coach. Coach Griffin earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise fitness from ULM in 2012 and his master’s degree in education from Texas A&M-Kingsville in 2015.

2:11 What do NFL scouts look for?

4:07 Experience with PRO Days

6:29 Working with athletes outside of current discipline for NFL

9:44 What do you look for in a RB?

13:57 Who do you look to for advice?

16:01 Relationship with Coach Callaway

19:57 Playing with a target on your back

23:14 Approach when coaching an athlete

26:07 Conclusion

26:39 Social

Twitter: @Coach_Griffin_

This week on Inside the Headset we are featuring Davenport University’s running backs coach, Juwan Lewis.
Coach Lewis discusses his passion for educating others, shares how his faith guides him to pour into his players and his family, and reflects on his community's impact on his coaching career.

Coach Juwan Lewis joined the Davenport staff in 2021 as the running backs coach and high school recruiting coordinator. Prior to coaching at Davenport Coach Lewis was an influential leader at the University of Findlay. Coach Lewis has also coached at Hiram College and Mount Union. Coach Lewis started coaching following a career in Arena Football. Coach Lewis played college football at Eastern Michigan University and Ferris State University. In high school Coach Lewis played in the Army All-American Bowl.

0:56 Spring Ball and Recruiting

1:40  How do you adapt to a new OC?

3:35 When did you decide you wanted to coach?

6:15 Player Knowledge vs. Coaches Knowledge

9:40 Why is sharing knowledge so important?

12:30 Who has influenced your coaching style?

17:30 How has becoming a father impacted you as a coach?

19:55 How have you adjusted your time to present for both your team and your family?

23:08 The Stable mantra

25:59 Social Media

Twitter: @Coach_Jlew

This week on Inside the Headset we are featuring Miami University Ohio’s Special Teams Coordinator, Jacob Bronowksi.
Coach Bronowski talks about his journey to special teams coordinator, how he adjusts for close games, and how he navigates being a great coach and a great family man.

Coach Bronowski is in his first season at Miami (OH) University as the Special Teams coordinator. Coach Bronowski has also had stops at Tennessee, UCF, and Robert Morris. He got his start in coaching in 2017 as a special teams graduate assistant at his alma mater at the University of New Mexico. He played quarterback at UNM (2013) and also spent time as a special teams student assistant with the Lobos in 2014-16 before completing his degree in liberal arts in 2016.

0:29 Start of Interview

0:47 When did you know that you wanted to coach? + Start in coaching 

4:37 How did you end up with special teams? 

6:36 How did not having previous knowledge of special teams impact your career?

8:41 When did you become responsible for all four phases of the special teams?

12:00 What do you implement to try and win when games are close at the end of the fourth quarter?

16:21 How to be a great coach and a family man 

19:41 Conclusion and Social Media

Twitter: @coachjbronowski

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Illinois State’s defensive backs & defensive associate head coach, Mike Banks. Coach Banks talks about his time coaching at his alma mater, what he looks for in upcoming players, and his professional development.

Mike Banks is in his fifth season as an assistant coach in 2022 working with the team's defensive backs. Prior to joining the staff full-time, Banks worked the previous two seasons with the ISU football staff as a graduate manager, while working towards completion of his master’s degree. Banks was a four-year letterwinner for the Redbirds (2011-14) as a cornerback and started all 50 career games he played in. He ranks No. 3 all-time at ISU in career passes defended with 46. Banks received his bachelor’s degree in health education from Illinois State in December 2015 and his master’s degree in psychology of sport and physical activity from Illinois State in May 2018.

He was also recognized as a part of the 2022 AFCA 35u35 class this past January.

1:50 Longevity at Illinois State

3:12 Time with Coach Travis

4:30 Transition from player to coach

6:04 Things you look for in a DB

7:08 Things you hate to see in a player

9:26 Advice for young coaches with kids

11:19 Transition after COVID

14:34 Role as Defensive Asst. HC

17:04 Mentors outside of Illinois State

19:38 Perseverance in applying for 35u35

22:02 Social/Conclusion

Twitter: @Coach_MBanks24