Episodi

  • Alignment in Action: When the Work Sustains Itself - Keith Murphy and Tesfa Smith | Central Michigan Football

    Alignment in Action: When the Work Sustains Itself - Keith Murphy and Tesfa Smith | Central Michigan Football
    Jan 23 2026
    In the final episode of Alignment in Action, the focus shifts from vision and identity to sustainability. With systems established and expectations set, this episode examines whether alignment holds when responsibility is fully handed off to position coaches. Recorded during Central Michigan’s first season under head coach Matt Drinkall, the episode features extended conversations with special teams coordinator Keith Murphy and defensive line coach Tesfa Smith. Rather than revisiting philosophy, the conversations center on daily execution, accountability, and what alignment looks like once the head coach steps out of the frame. This Alignment in Action episode is paired with the Alignment in Action AI Companion, a behavior-based evaluation and planning tool built directly from these conversations to help coaches assess alignment, ownership, and decision-making when responsibility moves beyond the head coach. For staffs looking to ensure standards hold under pressure and function without constant oversight, this series provides a clear lens and practical application. ⁠⁠Alignment in Action AI Companion⁠⁠ Episode Focus Whether alignment survives beyond the head coach’s direct involvement How standards are maintained through structure rather than supervision The role of clarity and ownership in sustaining culture What accountability looks like when trust is already established Key Themes Alignment expressed through consistent behavior, not language Ownership of position rooms without competing authority Teaching standards that allow players to play fast, not fearful Systems designed to function without constant oversight Development as the foundation of accountability Coaches Featured Keith Murphy, Special Teams Coordinator Tesfa Smith, Defensive Line Coach Connect on X: Keith Murphy: @CoachMurphy87 Tesfa Smith: @CoachTesfa This episode closes the series by showing alignment in its most practical form. Not as vision. Not as identity. But as work that continues when leadership steps back and trusts others to carry it forward. What’s Next The Alignment in Action series concludes here, but the conversations continue inside the Coach and Coordinator Network, where additional articles, breakdowns, and an AI companion tool are available to help coaches apply these lessons inside their own programs. Links can be found at https://coachandcoordinator.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 min
  • Alignment in Action: Owning Your Area - Jim Chapin, OC, Central Michigan

    Alignment in Action: Owning Your Area - Jim Chapin, OC, Central Michigan
    Jan 22 2026
    In Episode 4 of Alignment in Action, the focus shifts from philosophy to authority in practice. After establishing vision, trust, and identity in earlier episodes, this conversation examines what happens when real decisions must be made inside a staff—when someone has to own outcomes, manage people, and carry standards forward. This episode centers on offensive coordinator Jim Chapin and how alignment holds when responsibility is distributed rather than centralized. Before hearing from Chapin, Head Coach Matt Drinkall explains how authority is structured inside the program: Why he views himself as an “owner,” not a micromanager How responsibility is divided across coordinators and departments Why clarity and information-sharing prevent silos How alignment accelerates once systems are in place This structure sets the conditions for coordinators to operate with autonomy and without ego. Owning the football side: Authority means responsibility, not freedom from accountability Vertical leadership with trust: Alignment starts with serving the head coach’s vision Decision-making under pressure: One voice ultimately decides, even after collaboration Low ego, high output: Authority without insecurity or performative control Player advocacy: Coaching quarterbacks without fear, blame, or panic Simplicity over volume: Avoiding bloated systems in favor of executable football Handling adversity: Calm leadership when results lag or pressure rises Standards that survive change: Teaching new players “how we do things” repeatedly Alignment isn’t proven when everyone agrees. It’s proven when decisions are made, when accountability is real, and when responsibility doesn’t fracture trust. This episode shows how authority functions inside an aligned staff, not loudly, not centrally, but through clarity, humility, and ownership. Connect on X: Jim Chapin: @CoachChapin Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 min
  • Alignment in Action: Identity in Physicality | Hayden Mace, Derek Fulton, Sean Cronin - OL, Co-OC/TE, and DC, Central Michigan

    Alignment in Action: Identity in Physicality | Hayden Mace, Derek Fulton, Sean Cronin - OL, Co-OC/TE, and DC, Central Michigan
    Jan 21 2026
    In Episode 3 of Alignment in Action, the focus shifts from vision to execution—exploring how identity is built through the daily work inside the Central Michigan Football building. The episode examines how physicality, defined by Matt Drinkall as a trained mental skill, is taught, reinforced, and sustained throughout the program. Through conversations spanning multiple positions and perspectives, the episode shows how standards move from philosophy to practice. Rather than relying on slogans or speeches, physicality is developed through habits, expectations, and shared accountability that appear every day on the field and in meeting rooms. Across offense and defense, a common theme emerges: simplicity, trust, and effort allow players to play fast, disciplined, and violent when it matters most. The episode highlights how offensive line play sets the tone for the entire team, how tight ends and fullbacks often carry the cultural weight of the offense, and how defensive identity is built on effort, leverage, and collective trust. It also underscores that alignment must withstand fatigue, pressure, and constant evaluation—reinforcing the idea that identity only lasts if it can endure daily scrutiny. This Alignment in Action episode is paired with the Alignment in Action AI Companion, a behavior-based evaluation and planning tool built directly from these conversations to help coaches assess alignment, ownership, and decision-making when responsibility moves beyond the head coach. For staffs looking to ensure standards hold under pressure and function without constant oversight, this series provides a clear lens and practical application. ⁠⁠Alignment in Action AI Companion⁠⁠ Topics: Physicality as behavior, not a slogan Training mental habits that consistently show up on the field How offensive line standards shape team-wide identity Simplifying technique to increase speed, violence, and discipline Why tight ends and fullbacks carry cultural responsibility Teaching unselfish roles and embracing work beyond statistics Defensive identity built on effort, leverage, and trust Building systems that are simple for players and difficult for opponents Eliminating ego to improve teaching, communication, and collaboration Alignment tested by fatigue, pressure, and daily work Connect on X: Matt Drinkall: @DrinkallCoach Hayden Mace: @CoachHaydenMace Derek Fulton: @CoachDFulton Sean Cronin: @CoachSeanCronin Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Episode 4 continues the series Follow all we do at https://coachandcoordinator.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 min
  • Alignment in Action: Trust, Authenticity, and the Work | Christian Dukes & Wes Fleming, CB & Safeties, Central Michigan

    Alignment in Action: Trust, Authenticity, and the Work | Christian Dukes & Wes Fleming, CB & Safeties, Central Michigan
    Jan 20 2026
    In Episode 2 of The Central Michigan Football Staff: Alignment in Action, the focus shifts from the head coach’s vision to how alignment shows up in the staff’s day-to-day work. Recorded during Central Michigan’s first season under new leadership, the episode features conversations with safeties coach Wes Fleming and corners and nickels coach Christian Dukes. Fleming brings a shared history with the head coach, offering insight into how trust, standards, and collaboration are built over time. Dukes joins the staff without that prior connection, providing a clear look at how alignment holds when someone new enters the building. Across both conversations, common themes emerge—not through identical language, but through consistent behavior: honesty with players, genuine relationships, clear standards, and doing the right thing without needing oversight. The episode shows how trust and authenticity move from ideas to action, revealing what alignment looks like when belief turns into behavior and culture is reflected in the daily work. Topics: Alignment as behavior, not slogans or titles Wes Fleming on shared history and why trust is expected How standards show up in daily work and collaboration Authentic relationships across position rooms and sides of the ball Alignment tested when a new coach enters the building Christian Dukes on evaluating fit and building trust without history Teaching standards through honesty, effort, and communication Alignment measured by consistent action, not identical language Connect on X: Wes Fleming: @Fleming_Coach Christian Dukes: @CoachDukes_ Keith Grabowski: ⁠@CoachKGrabowski⁠ Episode 3 continues the series by examining how alignment holds under increased pressure and expanded responsibility across the staff. Follow all we do at https://coachandcoordinator.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    20 min
  • Alignment in Action- Matt Drinkall, Head Coach, Central Michigan

    Alignment in Action- Matt Drinkall, Head Coach, Central Michigan
    Jan 19 2026
    We sat down with Central Michigan head coach Matt Drinkall to talk about how a program is actually built — not through scheme or slogans, but through people, systems, and daily standards. This episode anchors the series. Before resources scale. Before facilities matter. Before wins validate anything. Matt reflects on lessons from Kansas Wesleyan, Army West Point, and now Central Michigan — specifically how leaders support people when the work is constant, the calendar never stops, and demands continue to rise. The conversation centers on staff construction, trust, alignment, and what must remain unchanged as roles, titles, and resources evolve. This episode sets the foundation for every conversation that follows. This Alignment in Action episode is paired with the Alignment in Action AI Companion, a behavior-based evaluation and planning tool built directly from these conversations to help coaches assess alignment, ownership, and decision-making when responsibility moves beyond the head coach. For staffs looking to ensure standards hold under pressure and function without constant oversight, this series provides a clear lens and practical application. Alignment in Action AI Companion Key themes include: Leading when time, clarity, and environment matter more than money How staff culture must survive calendar pressure and fatigue Why authenticity outlasts authority Building systems that don’t rely on constant supervision Preventing silos as staffs grow larger and more specialized What assistant coaches should expect from leadership — and what leadership should expect in return Why truth, alignment, and consistency matter more than consensus Matt will continue to appear throughout the series to reinforce key themes — but from here, the perspective shifts. The episodes ahead move into the position rooms. Upcoming conversations feature assistant coaches and coordinators — different roles, different pressures — all operating within the framework established here. Each episode examines how standards actually show up: In meetings In corrections In collaboration In moments where volume disappears and execution still matters This episode lays the groundwork. The rest of the series shows how it holds up. Connect on X: Matt Drinkall: @DrinkallCoach Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski Coach and Coordinator Network Smart Clinics are built for coaches seeking clarity, alignment, and practical takeaways — not theory. If this episode sparked ideas you want to apply in your own program, learn more at coachandcoordinator.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 min
  • "What Happened?" - Series Pilot with Trevor Hudson

    "What Happened?" - Series Pilot with Trevor Hudson
    Jan 17 2026
    At the AFCA Convention, Coach & Coordinator Network introduces a new series built around one simple—but uncomfortable—question: What happened? Hosted by Trevor Hudson, What Happened?! strips away coach speak, excuses, and surface-level answers. This pilot episode sets the tone for the series: honest self-evaluation, real accountability, and practical reflection from coaches at every level of the game. Across a series of short, unscripted conversations, coaches confront wins that weren’t good enough, losses that still sting, and seasons that demanded ownership instead of explanations. The goal isn’t blame—it’s growth. Why This Series Exists Too often, coaches explain seasons away with injuries, youth, transfers, or bad breaks. What Happened?! challenges that mindset. This series is built on three core ideas: Results matter more than explanations Growth starts with ownership You can’t fix what you won’t admit Whether a team went 12–0 or 6–4, the work begins the same way—by looking in the mirror. Key Themes from the Pilot Episode Extreme ownership over outcomes Accountability before excuses Simplifying systems instead of adding complexity Evaluating staff fit, not just schemes Learning from film, not running from it Situational football as the difference-maker Vulnerability as a coaching strength Featured Conversations Include Pine Creek High School — Trevor Hudson reflects on leaving a state-title program at American Canyon High School, taking on a new challenge, and owning a season that fell short of expectations. Mount St. Joseph High School — A linebacker coach breaks down how explosive plays changed a 6–4 season—and how spring film work will shape the response. Georgetown College — An offensive coordinator explains why over-planning hurt situational success and how simplifying late in the season changed results. Midland University — A defensive coach details how close losses, execution, and recruiting separate good seasons from playoff runs. Montreal Alouettes — A CFL assistant coach reflects on losing the Grey Cup and why first-down defense defined the outcome. Tools & Resources Mentioned Modern Football — Self-scouting, practice analytics, and honest evaluation beyond game day Tully — Training smarter to reduce injuries and build durable rosters Series Vision This pilot offers a glimpse. Future episodes will feature long-form, deep-dive conversations where coaches go beyond the scoreboard—examining decisions, emotions, preparation, and leadership moments that defined their seasons. No highlight reels.No spin.Just one question: What happened? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 min
  • Measuring Performance Under Pressure with Dr. Timothy Royer (Inner Armor)

    Measuring Performance Under Pressure with Dr. Timothy Royer (Inner Armor)
    Jan 16 2026
    At AFCA, Keith Grabowski talks with Dr. Timothy Royer, founder of Inner Armor, to explore what really drives performance under pressure. Dr. Royer brings more than 30 years of clinical neuropsychology experience into the sports world, working with elite athletes, coaches, and organizations across the NFL, NBA, golf, and tennis. Rather than focusing solely on mindset or visualization, his work looks upstream—measuring real-time brain activity, nervous system balance, stress, focus, and physiological readiness. This conversation dives into how coaches and athletes can use objective data to prepare for high-pressure moments, make better decisions, and sustain performance over time—and how this technology is now scalable and accessible for entire programs. Meeting Inner Armor at AFCA How a chance booth-side conversation led to a deeper discussion on performance science. What Inner Armor Actually Measures Why stress, focus, and readiness must be measured physiologically—not guessed. Looking “Upstream” in the Brain Understanding the nervous system, brain activity, and why downstream tools often fall short. Quarterbacks, Pressure, and Real-Time Data How elite quarterbacks prepare for high-stress moments using neurological feedback. Coaches Under Pressure Why coaching performance matters just as much as player performance. Scaling Performance Technology to Teams How Inner Armor moved from concierge services to scalable solutions for entire programs. Beyond Sports: Decision-Making and Resilience Why this work applies to leaders, coaches, and organizations outside athletics. Does This Actually Help You Win? Connecting neurological readiness to adaptability, creativity, and game-day success. Final Thoughts on Sustainable Performance Why optimizing the brain is essential for long-term success in coaching and leadership. This episode is part of the Coach and Coordinator Network ecosystem, where conversations like this don’t stop at theory. Explore Smart Clinics—focused, practical learning experiences designed to help coaches apply ideas immediately and perform better when it matters most. https://coachandcoordinator.com/ Learn more about Inner Armor: https://www.forgeinnerarmor.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 min
  • Tackling, the Tush Push, and More, From Rugby Roots to Football Results with Richie Gray

    Tackling, the Tush Push, and More, From Rugby Roots to Football Results with Richie Gray
    Jan 15 2026
    At AFCA 2026, Keith Grabowski talks with Richie Gray to explore how contact training, tackling methodology, and innovation have reshaped modern football. Richie shares lessons from his rugby background, his work with USA Football and the NFL, and his belief that better technique and better tools lead to safer, more effective play. The conversation focuses on accuracy, realism, and solving problems through coaching rather than rule changes. The discussion also touches on the quarterback sneak and tush push. Richie explains how his insight contributed to the play’s early development and why its success comes from timing, personnel, and repetition rather than gimmickry. He emphasizes that defenses must solve the play through coaching detail and structure instead of relying on rule changes. • How rugby principles influenced modern football tackling • The evolution of the Five Fights tackling system • Why simplicity drives better teaching and execution • Designing tackling equipment that creates realistic contact • Why many common training tools fail to improve accuracy • Early influences behind the quarterback sneak and tush push • Personnel and coaching details that make short-yardage plays work • How defenses should approach solving new offensive trends • Improving late-game lateral and pitch situations • Measuring coaching success by long-term player health Learn more about Smart Clinics at https://coachandcoordinator.com/ Follow: @CoachKGrabowski @RichieGrayGSI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    20 min