The Coaching 101 Podcast

Kenny Simpson and Daniel Chamberlain
  • 4.8 (56)
  • Football
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Coaching 101 Podcast, hosted by Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson, where football coaching takes center stage! Whether you're a seasoned football coach, a rookie on the sidelines, or just a die-hard fan eager to learn more about the game, this podcast is your playbook for success. Join Daniel and Kenny as they break down game strategies, share insights on player development, explore leadership on and off the field, and tackle the challenges of coaching at every level. Featuring interviews with top coaches, athletes, and experts, every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies to help you build winning teams and inspire greatness. Step onto the field and into the minds of coaching pros—because greatness starts with the right game plan!

  1. Jun 18

    Red Zone Offense: High vs Low Red Zone, Man Beaters, Motion, and QB Run Game

    Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson discuss summer coaching installs and upcoming open installs, the Field House’s June focus on defense, and a quote from the forthcoming Team Themes Volume Six: “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” The episode’s main topic is red zone offense, defined less by the 20-yard line and more by when defenses change behavior, with Simpson distinguishing “high red zone” (playbook still open) from “low red zone/goal line” (condensed space). They explain why offenses need a red zone plan due to tighter windows, increased defensive aggression, amplified penalties, and pressure to finish drives, noting spread teams often struggle without answers. They outline building a plan around 2–3 trusted run plays and 2–3 red-zone man-beater pass concepts, using motion, condensed splits, adjusted route landmarks, tempo, QB run or wildcat, and identifying defenders forced into unfamiliar roles. 00:00 Podcast Kickoff 00:36 Summer Talk 01:10 Open Install Trips 03:18 Crabs And Oysters 04:24 Quote Of Week 05:57 Field House Updates 07:48 Sponsor Break 11:08 Red Zone Basics 13:31 High Vs Low Red 18:33 Why Plan Red Zone 21:03 Pressure And Identity 22:43 Spread Offense Challenges 24:26 If Then Counterpunch 25:21 Red Zone Pressure 26:09 Automatics Break Down 26:57 Bend Dont Break Defense 28:10 Core Pass Answers 30:50 Run Game Adjustments 32:02 Motion And QB Run 35:14 Route Landmarks And Downs 40:04 Force Multipliers Tempo 44:45 Find The Stress Defender 46:35 Sponsors And Sign Off Daniel Chamberlain: @CoachChamboOK ChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.com chamberlainfootballconsulting.com Kenny Simpson: @FBCoachSimpson fbcoachsimpson@gmail.com FBCoachSimpson.com

    52 min

  2. Jun 11

    Defensive Breakdown of Offensive Opponents: Filtering Film, Automatics, and Staff Roles

    On The Coaching 101 Podcast, hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson discuss how to break down an opponent’s offense for defensive game planning, alongside a quote about how shared hardship builds deeper connection than shared success and a brief discussion of balancing “old school” toughness with modern sports science. They promote the Field House program (Gun-T and Three Force content, weekly calls, capped at 100 members) and sponsors Ace Sports video boards, Winning Edge Performance Analytics, and Blended Threads. The main coaching content covers why defensive breakdown is difficult (weekly scheme variation, fixing your own weaknesses, information overload), using a “wife watch” to identify key players, and a 70/80/90 rule for tendencies leading to staff notes, player checks, and team-wide automatics. They define automatics and kill calls, emphasize limiting them, targeting 6–10 big-play chances, and outline delegating breakdown tasks by position coach (run game/red zone, RPO/protection, pass concepts/third-and-long/two-minute/backed-up) while ensuring consistent, accurate data entry, hit charts, down-and-distance organization, and key cutups. 00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup 00:43 Quote of the Week 01:13 Embracing Hardship Lessons 03:41 Old School vs Science Debate 06:52 Field House Overview 08:58 Sponsors and Shoutouts 12:14 Defensive Breakdown Framework 13:23 Challenges for Defensive Coordinators 15:10 Filtering Data and Priorities 17:15 Wife Watch and Stop Their Guy 18:51 Tendencies and Automatics 21:05 Keys Checks and Big Plays 24:47 Mind Reading Trap and Overfocus 26:38 Fix Your Weaknesses 27:40 How Much Film 28:36 Avoid Bland Prep 30:29 Too Much Data 32:13 Finding Tendencies 33:00 Automatics And Kills 38:48 Rip Plays Out 41:12 Staff Breakdown Roles 47:35 Must Have Breakdown Pieces 52:35 Wrap Up And Sponsors Daniel Chamberlain: @CoachChamboOK ChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.com chamberlainfootballconsulting.com Kenny Simpson: @FBCoachSimpson fbcoachsimpson@gmail.com FBCoachSimpson.com

    58 min

  3. Jun 4

    Coaching Adults: Delegation, Expectations, and Trust in Managing Assistant Coaches

    Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson discuss offseason heat, bringing in Marines through a free Glazier program for a fitness/team-building test, and a Confucius quote about moving mountains by carrying small stones to frame staff development. They promote “The Field House” membership, transitioning from May’s gun T offense sessions to June defensive topics starting with defensive game planning, and note they’re capping membership at 100. The main episode focuses on head coaches managing assistant coaches: creating a coaches’ manual, clearly defining roles, using non-negotiables vs negotiables, meeting one-on-one and weekly, helping assistants reach career goals, and delegating to reduce burnout without micromanaging while leveraging staff diversity. They outline criteria for giving responsibilities (ownership, coachability, willingness) and emphasize correcting mistakes through private, direct communication, clear expectations, follow-up, and documentation when necessary. 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:36 Summer Heat Talk 01:21 Marines Team Challenge 02:44 Fresh vs Tough 05:09 Quote of the Week 07:03 Field House Update 09:18 Sponsors Shoutouts 10:53 Managing Assistants 13:58 Roles and Manuals 15:33 Nonnegotiables Framework 21:52 Communication and Delegation 26:19 Assistant Responsibilities 28:07 Earning More Trust 29:22 Earn More Responsibility 29:39 Staff Goals and Ambition 30:31 Coachable Loyalty and Trust 31:33 Doing the Unfun Jobs 34:13 Delegation Boundaries 36:34 Diverse Staff Without Micromanaging 39:46 Teach Delegation Not Dumping 41:20 Avoid Burnout With Systems 42:26 Rotate Roles to Develop Coaches 46:02 Correcting Adults With Clarity 57:57 Closing Sponsors and Wrap Daniel Chamberlain: @CoachChamboOK ChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.com chamberlainfootballconsulting.com Kenny Simpson: @FBCoachSimpson fbcoachsimpson@gmail.com FBCoachSimpson.com

    1h 3m

  4. Jun 2

    Hard Coaching vs. Bad Coaching: Standards, Trust, and Relationships

    Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson discuss youth sports becoming a business and share stats on costs and participation drop-off, then move into the episode’s main topic: the difference between hard coaching and bad coaching. Using examples like Pete Carroll, Bill Belichick, and Nick Saban, they argue coaches can win with different personalities but must coach authentically, with clear intent, and avoid yelling as a default. They emphasize demanding without demeaning, not treating athletes like military recruits, and building trust so tough coaching is received properly. Simpson explains why coaches struggle balancing toughness and relationships, recommending focusing on a few key non-negotiables, recognizing “fair isn’t equal,” and choosing battles wisely. Both stress that coaches must be experts who explain the “why,” support players off the field, correct without embarrassing, and prioritize discipline over harassment. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:55 Youth Sports Burnout 01:51 The Business of Youth Sports 03:30 Baseball Parenting Lessons 06:20 Quote of the Week 08:40 Sponsor Shoutouts 10:18 Hard vs Bad Coaching 17:54 Demanding vs Demeaning 21:08 Trust and Toughness 23:30 Balancing Relational Coaching 25:20 Respect Before Likeability 26:34 Discipline With Relationship 28:05 Coaching in the Gray 29:33 Pick the Right Battles 31:57 Coaching Culture Shift 35:10 Social Media and Winning 37:42 Standards With Support 38:49 Show Up Off Field 39:50 Explain the Why 40:43 Expertise Builds Buy In 42:33 Discipline Not Harassment 44:10 Be Know Do Leadership 47:59 No Yelling Just Coaching 49:20 Sponsors and Sign Off Daniel Chamberlain: @CoachChamboOK ChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.com chamberlainfootballconsulting.com Kenny Simpson: @FBCoachSimpson fbcoachsimpson@gmail.com FBCoachSimpson.com

    54 min

  5. May 21

    Organizing Practice for Maximum Reps and Minimum Standing Around

    On The Coaching 101 Podcast, hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Coach Kenny Simpson discuss why practice scheduling and efficiency matter, especially during spring ball and installs. They share a John Wayne quote on courage and relate it to fear of failure through Daniel’s story about his son facing a pressure at-bat. The episode promotes Simpson’s Field House coaching community and briefly thanks sponsors Ace Sports, Winning Edge Performance Analytics, and Blended Threads. The main content defines what an efficient practice looks like based on a program’s reality (staff size, roster size, two-way players), emphasizing clear daily priorities (1–3 goals), scheme-matched drills, Tony Holler’s “wave theory” of high/low intensity, small-group coaching over “busy work,” and situational team periods. They argue shorter, organized practices beat long ones, stress scripting reps (including backups and young players), building a drill book, training players to run drills, using timekeeping, and having contingency plans when practice is disrupted. 00:00 Welcome and Spring Ball 00:25 Efficiency Mindset 01:26 Quote of the Week Courage 02:38 Beckett Baseball Story 04:29 Fear of Failure Lessons 04:47 Field House Coaching Community 07:19 Sponsors and Partner Shoutouts 10:52 What Efficient Practice Means 14:14 Five Keys to Practice Efficiency 20:26 Busy vs Productive Reps 24:06 Game Like Drills Not Gadgets 25:11 Balancing Install and Fundamentals 26:28 Why Shorter Wins 28:04 Shrink Time With Smarter Drills 29:12 Drills Must Match Scheme 31:21 Racehorse Training Mindset 32:50 Focus Effort And Culture 39:39 Scripting Reps For Everyone 41:13 Drill Books And Player Led Execution 43:01 Wave Theory And Rep Recovery 49:09 Assistants Timers And Backup Plans 53:15 Sponsors And Final Signoff Daniel Chamberlain: @CoachChamboOK ChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.com chamberlainfootballconsulting.com Kenny Simpson: @FBCoachSimpson fbcoachsimpson@gmail.com FBCoachSimpson.com

    59 min

  6. May 14

    How to Teach Defensive Run Fits without Overloading Your Players

    On The Coaching 101 Podcast, hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson discuss spring football challenges and introduce Tom Landry’s quote, “Being aggressive doesn’t mean being undisciplined,” tying it to intelligent defensive play. Simpson explains the Fieldhouse membership at fbcoachsimpson.com, including a free meeting offer tied to purchasing his first fiction book, Iron Valley, releasing May 15. The main topic is installing defensive run fits without overloading players by using simple, consistent rules (inside hip vs outside hip), emphasizing two-on-one tackling, and creating language that solves many situations (option, RPOs, boot, formations) without constant “if/then” checks. They argue defensive breakdowns often come from complexity and hesitation, recommend teaching structure first (spill/force/alley concepts), using pods and drills to rep fits, and keeping fits stable across fronts, blitzes, and formations. 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:36 Mothers Day Banter 03:22 Spring Ball Grind 05:37 Quote of the Week 06:59 Fieldhouse Membership 11:45 Sponsors Shoutouts 14:16 Defensive Run Fits 15:22 Hip Leverage Rules 17:21 Two on One Tackling 22:51 Avoiding Oklahoma Drill 26:12 Backers Play Fast 27:00 Simple Key Reads 28:28 Language That Sticks 29:25 Why Defenses Bust 31:18 Cues And Kill Calls 35:59 Take Your Shots 41:14 Install Without Overload 42:05 Pods And Fit Drills 46:55 Structure First Umbrella 49:39 Wrap Up And Plugs Daniel Chamberlain: @CoachChamboOK ChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.com chamberlainfootballconsulting.com Kenny Simpson: @FBCoachSimpson fbcoachsimpson@gmail.com FBCoachSimpson.com

    55 min

  7. May 7

    Core Run Plays: Choosing Families, Simplifying Teaching, and Maximizing Execution

    Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson discuss spring football scheduling, summer team camps, and a quote on maintaining standards through adversity, then focus on selecting and teaching core run plays. They emphasize first deciding team identity (run-heavy, balanced, or pass-heavy), then choosing a small number of run concepts that attack the perimeter, interior, and a change-of-direction element (counter/reverse), while majoring in either gap or zone and pairing runs with RPO/play-action. They argue coaches should prioritize schemes they can problem-solve, use tags and window dressing (formations, motions) to expand without overloading linemen, and build clear, rule-based teaching that answers defensive looks. They also introduce Simpson’s “Field House” community with courses, recorded Zoom calls, and Q&A, including an upcoming session on attacking man-zero. 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:36 Spring Ball Check In 02:10 Summer Camp Schedule 04:04 Quote Of The Week 05:59 Adversity In Youth Sports 07:05 Sponsor Shoutouts 09:56 Core Run Plays Overview 12:04 Building Your Run Identity 15:04 Gap Vs Zone Decisions 21:43 How Many Runs To Carry 24:19 Tags Families And Playbook Size 27:01 Run Concept Families 27:46 Major In Core Plays 28:32 Play Count Reality Check 30:24 Tags Over New Schemes 30:54 Minimize Upfront Learning 32:17 Three Play Run Menu 33:09 Maximize Game Night Execution 33:36 Trojan Rules For Everyone 35:37 Rule Based Blocking Counts 38:28 Window Dressing And Motion 39:38 Quarterback Run Cheat Code 40:57 RPO And Play Action Answers 42:25 Move Numbers Not Rules 46:12 Field House Community Launch 46:31 How Field House Works 49:12 Upcoming Topics And Man Zero 51:31 Sponsors And Sign Off Daniel Chamberlain: @CoachChamboOK ChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.com chamberlainfootballconsulting.com Kenny Simpson: @FBCoachSimpson fbcoachsimpson@gmail.com FBCoachSimpson.com

    55 min

  8. Apr 30

    Rebuilding and Sustaining Culture: "Restore the Rock" w/ Eric Knickerbocker

    On The Coaching 101 Podcast, hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson interview Connecticut head coach and author Eric Knickerbocker about rebuilding and sustaining football culture at Rockville High School after 15 straight losing seasons. Knickerbocker shares his 22-year coaching journey, how studying leadership and culture books led him to write Restore the Rock, and how reflective writing helped him evaluate what worked and what didn’t. He explains that early turnaround efforts focused on digging into program history to create identity and a clear vision (“Restore the Rock,” later shifting to “Raise the Rock”), while buy-in required involving players, aligning stakeholders, and gaining administrative support. The group discusses leadership responses, maintaining success amid rising expectations, and hard truths of head coaching, including self-doubt, losing people, talent and scheme fit, and the loneliness and complexity of leadership. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:36 Coach Background 02:21 Culture Is Fragile 03:29 Quote Of The Week 05:32 Sponsor Shoutouts 08:22 Why Write The Book 12:07 Reflecting To Improve 13:27 Restore The Rock Identity 15:46 Fear And Teaching 20:35 Buy In From Adults 21:45 Player Led Culture 24:40 Shared Values Simple Rules 26:23 Three Rules of Dumbness 26:56 Craft Before Culture 28:38 Emotional Bank Deposits 29:37 Programs That Fit 30:50 Big Picture Coaching 33:31 Vision That Drives Buy In 35:37 Pivoting After Success 39:45 Untold Head Coach Truths 41:44 Talent Scheme Loneliness 46:43 Blueprints Rank Reality 49:10 Book Sponsors Farewell Daniel Chamberlain: @CoachChamboOK ChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.com chamberlainfootballconsulting.com Kenny Simpson: @FBCoachSimpson fbcoachsimpson@gmail.com FBCoachSimpson.com

    56 min
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4.8
out of 5
56 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Coaching 101 Podcast, hosted by Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson, where football coaching takes center stage! Whether you're a seasoned football coach, a rookie on the sidelines, or just a die-hard fan eager to learn more about the game, this podcast is your playbook for success. Join Daniel and Kenny as they break down game strategies, share insights on player development, explore leadership on and off the field, and tackle the challenges of coaching at every level. Featuring interviews with top coaches, athletes, and experts, every episode is packed with tips, stories, and strategies to help you build winning teams and inspire greatness. Step onto the field and into the minds of coaching pros—because greatness starts with the right game plan!

Information

  • Creator
    Kenny Simpson and Daniel Chamberlain
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    170
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Coaching 101 Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Coaching 101 Podcast

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