Inside the Headset with the AFCA American Football Coaches Association

This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Anthony Goliver a defensive GA at UCLA. In this conversation, Coach Goliver discusses his transition from serving in the US Marine Corps to coaching at UCLA, getting the opportunity to coach on-base while in Japan, and his future goals in the profession. Coach Goliver is a 7-Year Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and is entering his third season with the Bruins. 

Follow Coach Goliver and UCLA Football on social media: 

@anthony_goliver & @UCLAFootball 

Show Notes:  

1:06 Experience in the Marines and coaching while on base in Japan.  

11:35 Soldiers to Sidelines Program experience and transition to UCLA. 

22:00 Navigating staff changes and growing as a young coach. 

27:54 Future goals and advice to young GA’s. 

On this episode of The Extra Yard, we sit down with Clark Flatt of the Jason Foundation and Dr. Don Arterburn of Baylor Athletics to discuss mental health awareness. May is Mental Health Awareness month, and Mr. Flatt and Dr. Arterburn talk about preparing coaches to recognize warning signs of mental health struggles in their players and staffs, how coaches can help players navigate through mental health struggles, and how to handle crises and emergencies should they arise.  

Learn more about the Jason Foundation and the NCAA’s Mental Health Best Practices here: https://jasonfoundation.com/ & https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2016/5/2/mental-health-best-practices.aspx 

Show Notes:  

0:47 Episode Introduction 

2:20 Clark Flatt – President, Jason Foundation 

17:32 Dr. Don Arterburn – Director of Mental Health Services, Baylor Athletics  

42:01 Episode Conclusion 

This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Van Malone, the Assistant Head Coach and Corners coach at Kansas State. In this conversation, Coach Malone discusses his journey into the profession following a successful NFL career, his passion for developing young athletes, and his commitment to pushing for minority inclusion in the game of football. Coach Malone, who is entering his sixth season in Manhattan, KS, helped lead the Wildcats to a 9-4 record and a victory in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in 2023.  

Follow Coach Malone and K-State Football on social media here:  

@VanBMalone3rd & @KStateFB 

Show Notes:  

1:05 Getting started in the coaching profession following an NFL career. 

16:00 Adjusting, growing, and learning as a young college coach. 

34:51 Opportunities at Texas A&M, Tulsa, and Oklahoma State and finding on field success in the DB room.  

45:02 Taking on a Coordinator role at SMU and an Assistant Head Coach role at K-State.  

1:02:55 Being heavily involved in Minority Advancement in the coaching profession.  

This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Jason Simpson, the Head Coach at UT Martin. In this conversation, Coach Simpson discusses the importance of using your network, being willing to self-evaluate and change for the betterment of the team, and joining the AFCA Board of Trustees this year. Coach Simpson is entering his 19th season at UT Martin and has led the Skyhawks to three straight OVC Championships.  

Follow Coach Simpson and UT Martin Football on social media here:  

@Coach_JSimpson & @UTM_FOOTBALL 

Show Notes: 

1:04 Getting started in the profession, using your network, learning, and growing as a young coach.  

27:12 Navigating through difficult times in the profession, first experience as a coordinator, being able to adjust and change.  

46:08 Challenges that come with being a Head Coach, working to maintain success, identifying coaches with a high potential for success.  

This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Mike Babcock, the Head Coach at McKendree University. In this conversation, Coach Babcock discusses his humble beginnings in the profession, how he has navigated the ever-changing world of college football, and his commitment to pushing the game of football forward. Coach Babcock is entering his 12th season leading the Bearcats and has been a member of the AFCA Board of Trustees since 2023. 

Follow Coach Babcock and McKendree Football on social media here: 

@MikeBabcock44 & @Mckendree_FB 

Show Notes: 

1:04 Becoming a coach after playing, value of coaching on both sides of the ball, humble beginnings as a coach. 

21:23 First full-time job at San Diego, navigating the profession with your significant other, juggling other responsibilities on top of coaching.  

40:41 Opportunity at Colorado State-Pueblo, learning from mentors and peers, transition to McKendree. 

57:52 Differences between being the Head Coach and an Assistant Coach, finding comfort in longevity, moving football forward.  

This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Joe Gillespie, the Head Coach at Midway High School in Waco, Texas. In this conversation, Coach Gillespie shares why he chose to pursue coaching, some of the behind-the-scenes conversations that take place when making career decisions, and his passion for high school football in the state of Texas. Coach Gillespie was hired at Midway in January after stints as the Defensive Coordinator at Tulsa and TCU.  

Follow Coach Gillespie and Midway HS Football on social media here:  

@joe_gillespi3 & @MidwayFB 

1:04 Fulfilling the dream of being a football coach, getting on staff at Stephenville HS, challenges that come with leading a successful high school program.  

26:49 The impact that player health has on success, getting the opportunity to move to coaching in college, determining if a job is the right fit. 

46:00 Learning curves that came with being a first-time coordinator, behind the scenes conversations that happen in job transitions. 

1:01:28 Coaching at a place with no previous connections to the staff, similarities in successful teams at the high school level and the college level, returning to high school football.