Getting Coaches Involved

By Tate SmithOffensive Coordinator - Odessa Permian High School

In the spring of 2023, I became the offensive coordinator at Permian High School. Being one of the premier programs in Texas certainly brings its own set of challenges, especially when you are tasked with not only managing the athletes but also onboarding a completely new offensive coaching staff. The initial thought of keeping the system running while adding diversity is a good one; but when faced with a new team of coaches, you quickly realize the depth of the challenge, especially in a high-pressure environment like Texas high school football. As an offensive coordinator, it is crucial to recognize that not everyone will have the same level of understanding of the game, both among your coaching staff and players. This is why clear, detailed communication is essential. Here are a few strategies for breaking things down effectively for both your coaches and players, especially on game day.

Here are some steps to ensure success in both coaching your athletes and effectively integrating your new offensive coaching staff into your system:

1. Onboarding the New Offensive Staff

• Establish Clear Communication from the Start: Right from the beginning, ensure that every coach on the staff is clear on their responsibilities, both in terms of their position group and overall role within the offensive system. Since you are dealing with coaches who might not be familiar with your system, providing them with the framework of your offensive philosophy is crucial.

• System Overview and Expectations: Schedule an intensive session to walk through the entire offensive system. You want to clearly outline your overall philosophy (e.g., tempo, read-based decisions, balanced attack) and why each piece of the system works together. Include film examples, diagrams, and written materials to help everyone visualize and understand the big picture.

• Assign Specific Film Breakdown Roles: Since film breakdown is essential for preparation, assign specific tasks to each coach. For example, your offensive line coach should focus on the front-seven defensive alignments, while your wide receiver coach should be breaking down defensive back coverages and how they correlate with the route combinations. Explain how they should identify key tendencies and make in-game adjustments.

• Weekly Coaching Clinics: Dedicate some time each week for staff development sessions where you break down film together, review practice footage, and discuss game plans. This keeps the staff aligned on the system and helps prevent miscommunications.

• Get Everyone Involved in Game Planning: Ensure that your staff has a role in game planning, whether it is evaluating the opponent's defense, suggesting tweaks to the offense, or reviewing personnel matchups. This involvement builds confidence and helps develop a cohesive coaching unit.

2. Breaking Down Film for Coaches

• Teach How to Identify Key Tendencies: Emphasize the importance of understanding defensive schemes and the tendencies that can be exploited. For example, have coaches look for whether the defense blitzes on obvious passing downs or whether certain defensive players consistently overplay certain areas of the field.

• Teach the “Why” Behind Every Play: Make sure your coaches understand not only the play but why it works against a specific defensive scheme. For instance, explain how Zone Read Options running play is designed so you do not have to block everyone. It allows you to create numbers either on the zone or on the option. Another example is how Play Action pass with motion works well against a roll defense. When coaches understand the “why,” they can better teach players how to read and react on game day.

• Focus on Player Evaluations: During film review, make sure the coaching staff focuses on both the strengths and weaknesses of your players. This enables them to coach to each player's strengths and help them improve on their weaknesses. This approach is vital when you have a mix of unfamiliar staff members who may not yet be familiar with your athletes.

• Use Data and Analytics: If possible, use data and analytics to break down opponents' tendencies and help coaches prepare for different in-game scenarios. Tools like Hudl or other film analysis platforms can help provide advanced metrics to further inform decisions.

EX. (Questions used to help break down opposing team’s defense):

• FRONT – (O-Line Coach):

Do they flip their DL Strong & Weak, or do they play Right & Left?

Favorite front by D & D and Field Position?

Who is their BEST DL?

• SECONDARY- (Wide Receiver Coach):

Favorite coverage by D & D and Field Position?

Who is their BEST cover man? Their poorest?

Can we create mismatches with shifts and motions?

• LB’s- (Running Back Coach):

Are they downhill or gap LB’s or will they run?

Who is their BEST LB?

Do we have a match up that we can take advantage of?

• PRESSURE- (TE/Slot Coach):

Do they Blitz? If yes, when, and how?

What coverage do they play behind their zone blitzes?

Do they press when playing Cover 0?

3. Game Day Assignments for Coaches

• Clearly Define Roles on the Sideline and in the Press Box: On game day, everyone should know exactly where to focus their attention. For example, your offensive line coach on the field should be watching the three linemen closest to the sideline and defensive front to the sideline closely to identify any stunts or shifts. The offensive line coach in the box should watch the two lineman and front to the field. On the other hand, the wide receivers coach should be watching defensive backs for any soft spots or coverage mistakes. Tight end or slot coach watch blitzes and who is maned on backs.

• Real-Time Adjustments: It is essential that your coaches are not just passive observers on the sideline—they need to actively communicate observations and adjustments to you. Assign someone to be your "eyes" on the defense, helping to identify any shifts or tendencies that could inform your next play call. Use of video in the press box and at halftime is vital to in game adjustments.

• Stay on Top of the Tempo: As offensive coordinator, you are the conductor of the tempo, but you’ll need your staff’s full cooperation to execute it. Make sure that everyone knows how quickly to move from one play to the next. Your quarterback coach, for instance, should be ready to help the quarterback keep the offense moving without delay.

• Effective Communication with Players: Designate someone to relay quick adjustments to players on the field (Coach to O-line and TE as well as a Coach to skill players), especially when it comes to subtle tweaks in route running, blocking schemes, or even managing player fatigue.

• Manage the Clock and Situational Awareness: Assign one coach to be the "clock manager" who keeps track of time during the game, particularly in critical situations such as two-minute drills or when you are running tempo.

4. Building Trust and Cohesion

• Foster Collaboration: Encourage open communication between your new coaching staff. Trust is built when they know their opinions are valued, and you are all on the same page. This collaboration will be key to your success, especially with a diverse group of coaches.

• Weekly Check-ins: After each game, have a staff meeting to go over what worked and where improvements can be made. Discuss how the game plan was executed and whether the staff needs to adjust certain coaching techniques or coverage areas.

• Player Development Through Coaching: Remember that your new coaches are also responsible for player development. Make sure they are focused on coaching the fundamentals, teaching their position groups to consistently execute under pressure, and pushing them to make incremental improvements throughout the season.

5. Emphasizing the Culture of a Big-Time Program

• Permian Pride: Recognize that coaching at a highprofile program like Permian means you are not just coaching football—you are shaping young athletes to represent one of the most storied high school football programs in Texas. Make sure your new coaching staff understands the responsibility that comes with it, both on and off the field.

• Consistency: As the offensive coordinator, it is crucial to be a steady hand, ensuring that even though there are a lot of changes with new coaches, the expectations remain high, and the culture of excellence is upheld. That consistency will rub off on both the staff and the players.

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Transitioning to a new offensive scheme or an unfamiliar staff and high expectations can be overwhelming, but it is also an exciting opportunity to shape a new generation of athletes and coaches. With clear communication, detailed instructions, and strong leadership, you can successfully integrate your system, build trust with your staff, and lead any offense to great heights.