Trenchometry

Paul Horne aka The Trench Doctor

Welcome to "Trenchometry," the podcast where football's most crucial battles are won and lost. This isn't just another coaching show; it's a deep dive into the art and science of controlling the line of scrimmage. Join veteran offensive and defensive line coaches as they pull back the curtain on their most effective techniques, strategies, and drills. We'll share proven methods for developing the next generation of trench warriors—from Pop Warner to high school. Whether you're an O-line coach looking to create a dominant run game or a D-line coach focused on unlocking a relentless pass rush, this podcast is your ultimate playbook. Tune in to learn how to enhance your line's performance, elevate production on the field, and turn your unit into the backbone of your team.

  1. 1d ago

    #59 Matthew LemMon: It's All About Shin Angle, Shin Angle, Shin Angle

    Matthew Lemmon is back at his alma mater, St. Mary's College High School, after 11 years as a head coach. He's now focused entirely on coaching the offensive line. In this episode, he joins Paul Horne to explain how he teaches linemen from the ground up. In this episode:Why ankle mobility and shin angle decide how much force a lineman can transferSimple warm-ups that help: knee-over-toe on a box, sitting on your toes, and skipping instead of jogging between drillsWhy heels should start flat in the stance, and how a dropped heel wastes time off the snapThe "failure standard" for drills: if your heel comes up, the rep doesn't countHow leadership and team-bonding trips at camp help linemen communicate on game dayMatthew's walk-on mentality, from San Diego State to the sidelineWhy outside zone pod work is his go-to drillWhether you coach linemen or play the position, you'll leave with drills you can use this week.I can shorten it for Apple Podcasts or YouTube, change the tone, or add timestamps. If you want it to cover the whole episode, select the edit and I'll read the rest. Matthew Lemmon is back at his alma mater, St. Mary's College High School, after 11 years as a head coach. He's now focused entirely on coaching the offensive line. In this episode, he joins Paul Horne to explain how he teaches linemen from the ground up. In this episode:Why ankle mobility and shin angle decide how much force a lineman can transferSimple warm-ups that help: knee-over-toe on a box, sitting on your toes, and skipping instead of jogging between drillsWhy heels should start flat in the stance, and how a dropped heel wastes time off the snapThe "failure standard" for drills: if your heel comes up, the rep doesn't countHow leadership and team-bonding trips at camp help linemen communicate on game dayMatthew's walk-on mentality, from San Diego State to the sidelineWhy outside zone pod work is his go-to drillWhether you coach linemen or play the position, you'll leave with drills you can use this week.I can shorten it for Apple Podcasts or YouTube, change the tone, or add timestamps. If you want it to cover the whole episode, select the edit and I'll read the rest. @CoachMattLemMon www.Fasthallpass.org @Trenchometry

  2. Oct 14

    #57 Mario Chierchia: The Hips Don't Lie

    The difference between a good lineman and a great one often comes down to three things: stance, hips, and hands. Paul Horne sits down with Mario Chierchia, the founder of CC Trench Performance, for a deep look at what really separates players who survive in the trenches from players who control them.Mario breaks down the exact progression he uses with offensive and defensive linemen, starting with hip mobility and power generation before moving into strike timing, leverage, and hand placement. If you coach linemen, train linemen, or play in the trenches yourself, this conversation gives you a practical roadmap for building explosiveness without wasting reps on flashy techniques that do not fit the athlete.You'll discover why hip power is the engine of trench play, how Mario builds movement on air before he ever asks a player to strike, and why his approach changes depending on a player's body type. He explains the difference between run stances and pass stances on the defensive line, how to attack half a man, and why long-armed edge players and shorter, stouter tackles should not be trained the same way.Paul and Mario also dig into the mindset that football builds far beyond the field. From getting knocked down and getting right back up to embracing the grind of practice, workouts, and repetition, this episode shows how trench play becomes a blueprint for life. Mario shares how those lessons shaped his move into training and why he is committed to passing them on to the next generation of linemen.You will also hear about Mario's journey from New Jersey standout to college player and now developing coach, including his current work with CC Trench Performance, his online training plans, and the certifications he is pursuing to sharpen his craft. It is a conversation about development, discipline, and building athletes the right way.Essential listening if you care about offensive line play, defensive line technique, or the hidden details that make football teams tougher, smarter, and harder to beat. Paul Horne is the host of Trenchometry, a podcast focused on the art and science of trench play. Mario Chierchia is the founder of CC Trench Performance, known for training linemen through a technique-first, athlete-specific approach. @CCtrenchperformance www.fasthallpass.org TRENCHOMETRY @thetrenchdoctor

  3. Oct 7

    #56 Tyrone Sapps: 1 Part Violence, 1 Part Tough Love, & 3 Parts Caution

    Most offensive line coaches teach technique. Coach Tyrone Sapp teaches violence, discipline, and a system built to win reps before the ball is even snapped. If you coach linemen, train linemen, or just want to understand what truly separates average trench play from dominant trench play, this conversation is for you.Paul Horne sits down with Coach Sapp of Sapps O-Line Academy to break down the mindset, methods, and coaching philosophy behind elite offensive line development. From his own rise from a freshman-year starter at Dr. Phillips to Bethune-Cookman, to coaching stops at Oak Ridge and back at his alma mater, Sapp brings a career full of hard-earned lessons about toughness, accountability, and building linemen who can translate training directly to the field.You'll discover how Sapp teaches offensive line play through practical, game-ready drills instead of empty repetition. He explains the load foot, launch progressions, duck walks, pad level work, and why his grid-based training helps athletes understand angles, balance, and force. He also dives into stance details, pass protection rules, and why alignment is assignment - because your plan changes when you're head up, tight, wide, or in a true two-eye look.We also break down the psychology of offensive line coaching. Sapp shares why linemen need hard coaching, why trust matters more than coddling, and how fellowship off the field - from Thursday wings to family time around the program - builds the bond that makes tough coaching work. Paul and Coach Sapp compare notes on weight room standards, run-game intent, sled work, and why the best coaches know when to push hard and when to build belief.This episode also explores the bigger picture of football culture, including the value of HBCUs like Bethune-Cookman, the rise of offensive line academies, the risks and rewards of one-on-ones and five-on-five competition, and the family legacy Sapp is building with his son through Sapps O-Line Academy. He even shares why his players know he is no-nonsense but still leads with love.Essential listening if you coach linemen, play offensive line, or want a sharper understanding of how trenches are won. Coach Sapp's approach is equal parts old-school edge and modern training wisdom - and every offensive lineman can take something from it. Coach Tyrone Sapps is the founder of Sapps O-Line Academy, based in Orlando, Florida, where he develops offensive linemen with practical, physical, game-translatable training. He is a veteran high school coach and former offensive coordinator at Dr. Phillips High School, where he helped lead the Panthers to a regional championship and a state final four appearance. Insta- @Sappsolineacademy www.Sappolineacademy.com FastHallPass.org YouTube- @Trenchometry Insta- @Thetrenchdoctor TikTok- @the_trench_doctor

  4. Sep 30

    #55 Savanah Tujague: Big Man Stan: Growing Up in the OL Room

    Savanah Tujague grew up in a college football coaching family, and she has turned that view into a huge social media following as a self-described "big man stan" and certified ball knower. She's also the daughter of NC State run game coordinator and offensive line coach Garrett Tujague. In this episode, Savanah talks about what it's like to be a coach's kid. She covers the moves, the missed time, and how her dad made the time he did have count, from recruiting trips where she stood in the end zone spitting sunflower seeds to team dinners and game-day flights. She explains why her family puts faith first, then family, then football, and how her parents' habit of "surrendering the outcome" plays out for a kid who takes losses hard. She also shares how the constant moves made her closest with her siblings and with the other coaches' kids who understand the life. Savanah also breaks down the truth and myth of offensive lineman stereotypes, how she handles fans criticizing her dad online, and how she scouts him like an offensive lineman, including his best trait and biggest weakness. Along the way, she talks about juggling three family members' games in one weekend, her game-day superstitions, and why she'll always watch the trenches first. The episode closes with a rapid-fire round covering best tailgates, underrated NFL offensive lines, and favorite players. For coaches, this is a candid look at what their families need from them, and why a little quality time goes a long way. Find Savanah: Twitter and TikTok, @Savanah2J www.Fasthallpass.org Insta- thetrenchdoctor TikTok- @the_trench_doctor

  5. Sep 23

    #54 Travis McClain: Small Texas Town, Big Football Culture

    The old coaching advice is backwards: winning Saturday isn't the goal, building young men is. Coach Travis McClain reveals how that mindset reshaped his program, his staff, and the way he leads Mount Vernon football.What starts as a trench talk quickly turns into a deep look at the real engine behind successful programs - relationships, accountability, communication, and a standard that never drops. Travis McClain shares the path from Baylor walk-on and Fortune 500 burnout to head coach and athletic director, and why a season at Salina changed everything he thought he wanted in coaching. You’ll discover: Why McClain believes football is "all about life" and how he teaches that every week The exact way he structures practices in under 90 minutes without losing detail How a two-platoon approach opened up more good-on-good reps and sharper technique Why his staff, including offensive line coach Mike Adams, is built around trust and family How Mount Vernon uses walkthroughs, Google Classroom, and Sunday installs to speed up learning What changed after inheriting a program that needed a reset and how they responded McClain also breaks down the reality of coaching in a small Texas town - where over half the high school is involved in football week after week, where community support matters, and where the smallest details can change a Friday night. If you care about offensive line play, culture building, or what it really takes to turn a program around, this one goes way beyond the scoreboard. Travis McClain, or coach T-Mac, is the head football coach and athletic director at Mount Vernon, Texas, and the voice behind The Quick Six podcast, where he shares unfiltered thoughts on coaching, leadership, and the changing landscape of Texas high school football.Essential listening for coaches, parents, and anyone who believes the best teams are built long before kickoff. @mtvernonknightsfootball @coach_t_mac @Quicksixpod @trenchdoctor www.fasthallpass.org

  6. Sep 16

    #53 Devin Crawford: Being a Relational Coach

    The offensive line is chess at light speed, and Devin Crawford is proving how much wins in the trenches really matter. From a 22-game losing streak to a 37-10 surge at Mary G. Montgomery, he breaks down the coaching mindset, technique, and culture shift that turn overlooked linemen into the engine of a program. Paul Horne sits down with Crawford, a Mobile, Alabama native and former center at North Alabama, to trace his path from player to high school offensive line coach. Crawford shares how early success with Division I talent forced him to humble himself, adapt his teaching, and learn the hard truth that great coaching is never one-size-fits-all. You'll discover how he builds offensive line play around communication, first-step footwork, hand placement, and the kind of mental reps that create automatic execution on game day. He also explains why his program lives on a "take what it takes" standard, why culture starts with relationships, and how becoming a father changed the way he coaches, connects, and protects his players.We break down the exact drill he refuses to skip - "shoot the bird" - and why he believes it gives his linemen an edge in space against linebackers. He also gets candid about a trend he dislikes: padless one-on-ones, which he argues can create bad habits, kill confidence, and even get athletes hurt.Along the way, Crawford and Horne compare notes on building programs from scratch, creating buy-in in tough environments, and turning young men into future coaches, leaders, and contributors off the field. If you coach offensive line, build football culture, or just love hearing how real programs are made, this one belongs on your list.Perfect for coaches, offensive line junkies, and anyone who loves the hidden war inside every snap. Paul Horne, host of Trenchometry; Devin Crawford, offensive line coach at Mary G. Montgomery High School and former North Alabama center, known for helping turn MGM into a rising Alabama football program. @coach_crawford_55 @mgmvikingsathletics @mgm_football_qbclub @the_trench_doctor @thetrenchdoctor

  7. Sep 9

    #52 Garett Tujague: Wolfpack Snatching Souls

    Some offensive linemen protect the quarterback. Garett Tujague built entire careers around protecting a philosophy: win the trenches, win the war. NC State’s offensive run coordinator and offensive line coach joins Paul Horne for a deep, funny, and surprisingly honest conversation about the journey that shaped him - from a football-averse childhood and a late start in the game, to becoming an All-American at Chabot, a BYU standout protecting Ty Detmer, and a coach whose career has stretched across five institutions and 34 years.Tujague breaks down what really matters when recruiting and developing offensive linemen, why he filters prospects through three non-negotiables - length, athleticism, and nasty finish - and how he teaches his room to play fast, decisive, and violent without getting lost in overthinking. He explains why protection comes before passing concepts, why “WAC Champs” was the only goal that mattered at BYU, and how legendary coaches like Lavell Edwards shaped his approach to leadership, humility, and living in the moment. You’ll also hear the stories behind his stops at College of the Canyons, BYU, Virginia, and NC State, including the lessons he took from Bronco Mendenhall, the challenge of building culture during tragedy, and what makes Raleigh such a special football town. Along the way, Paul and Garett dig into offensive line personalities, game-day routines, favorite drills, and why the best rooms are always the funniest rooms.Garett Tujague is the offensive run coordinator and offensive line coach at NC State, where he helps power one of the ACC’s most physical fronts. He has coached bowl teams, record-setting offenses, and NFL talent across a long career defined by detail, toughness, and player development.Essential listening if you love offensive line play, coaching culture, or the kind of football wisdom that only comes from decades in the trenches. @coach2J @packfootball Fasthallpass.org @trenchdoctor @the_trench_doctor

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Trenchometry," the podcast where football's most crucial battles are won and lost. This isn't just another coaching show; it's a deep dive into the art and science of controlling the line of scrimmage. Join veteran offensive and defensive line coaches as they pull back the curtain on their most effective techniques, strategies, and drills. We'll share proven methods for developing the next generation of trench warriors—from Pop Warner to high school. Whether you're an O-line coach looking to create a dominant run game or a D-line coach focused on unlocking a relentless pass rush, this podcast is your ultimate playbook. Tune in to learn how to enhance your line's performance, elevate production on the field, and turn your unit into the backbone of your team.

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