328 episodes

Inside the Headset with the AFCA takes you in-depth with interviews, anecdotes, and breakdown of X&O's with football coaches around the country.

Inside the Headset with the AFCA American Football Coaches Association

    • Sports
    • 4.8 • 213 Ratings

Inside the Headset with the AFCA takes you in-depth with interviews, anecdotes, and breakdown of X&O's with football coaches around the country.

    Joe Bowen, LB - Miami (OH)

    Joe Bowen, LB - Miami (OH)

    This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Joe Bowen, the defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach at Miami (OH). Coach Bowen discusses his entrance into the profession, time as a GA at high-level FBS programs, and returning to his alma mater to coach. 

    Joe Bowen recently completed his first year at Miami (OH) and will add defensive run game coordinator to his responsibilities for the fall. Coach Bowen is a Miami graduate and has spent time at numerous Power 5 programs as a graduate assistant learning from some of the best in the profession. He has also coached and worked with multiple defensive NFL draft selections. 

    Follow Coach Bowen and the Miami Redhawks on Social Media 

    @Coach_JoeBowen & @MiamiOHFootball 

    1:10 Start in coaching 

    3:30 Student Assistant at Miami University 

    7:19 Responsibilities 

    10:20 Learning more about the game 

    12:35 Disciplined approach 

    15:25 Remaining on staff as defensive GA 

    18:50 Being vocal as a young coach 

    23:00 Time at high-level schools as a GA 

    28:50 Takeaways as GA 

    32:00 Various memories at GA spots 

    34:25 Decision-making process for job selection 

    38:15 Development as a coach

    41:00 Returning to alma mater 

    44:00 Importance of the AFCA 

    46:10 Social/Conclusion 

    • 48 min
    Blaise Faggiano, Head Coach - Utica

    Blaise Faggiano, Head Coach - Utica

    This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Blaise Faggiano, the head coach at Utica University. Coach Faggiano details his coaching journey, hiring process, and the value he finds in the AFCA convention. Blaise Faggiano has been the head coach at Utica University since 2008. This past year, Coach Faggiano led Utica to a 10-2 record and 2nd round appearance in the NCAA championship. He holds the most victories in program history along with leading Utica to four ECAC Bowl appearances. 

    Follow Coach Faggiano and Utica Football on Social Media 

    @CoachFaggiano & @Utica_Football 

    0:33 Introduction 

    1:05 Start in coaching 

    2:35 Playing at Ithaca 

    5:15 First job 

    8:00 Preparing for interview 

    10:53 Getting back to alma mater 

    14:55 St. John Fisher interview 

    19:00 Working outside of comfort zone 

    22:25 Lessons learned 

    30:00 Putting together staff 

    35:05 What do you do when needing to fill a role? 

    40:07 Big things to do well in an interview 

    44:25 Why the AFCA is important 

    48:10 Wrapping up 

    48:40 Social 

    49:00 Conclusion 

    • 51 min
    Dr. Alvin Parker, Head Coach - Virginia Union

    Dr. Alvin Parker, Head Coach - Virginia Union

    This week on Inside the Headset we are featuring Dr. Alvin Parker, the head coach at Virginia Union. Coach Parker discusses his rare sustainability in the coaching profession and his passion for the AFCA. Coach Alvin Parker recently completed his 5th season as the head coach at Virginia Union. He has over 24 years of coaching experience, all within the competitive CIAA conference. Prior to coaching at Virginia Union, Coach Parker spent 13 years at Elizabeth City State University. 

    Follow Coach Parker and Virginia Union Football on Social Media! 

    @APtheballcoach & @VUU_Football 

    0:36 Introduction 

    1:15 Growth as HC 

    3:15 Advice for new experience as HC 

    5:55 Building a complete staff 

    10:00 Maintaining longevity 

    12:25 Making the transition to new job 

    15:20 What are you doing to maintain focus/motivation 

    18:05 Finetuning the program and its culture 

    21:20 Stronger than Pride book 

    24:00 Inspiration to help the AFCA 

    27:00 First Convention 

    30:10 Kickoff for Black College Hall of Fame Classic 

    32:00 Play411 

    35:25 Social/Conclusion 

    • 38 min
    Maurice Linguist, Head Coach - Buffalo

    Maurice Linguist, Head Coach - Buffalo

    This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Maurice Linguist, the head coach at Buffalo! Coach Linguist discusses his rapid rise in the profession, influences in the profession, and involvement in the AFCA.
    Maurice Linguist is entering his third season with the University at Buffalo after various stints as a successful assistant and coordinator from FBS football to the NFL. Coach Linguist is heavily involved with the AFCA and was most recently named a Board of Trustees member this past January. 
     
    Follow Coach Linguist and Buffalo Football on Social Media! @CoachMoLinguist & @UBFootball

    • 57 min
    Dave Clawson, Head Coach - Wake Forest

    Dave Clawson, Head Coach - Wake Forest

    This week on Inside the Headset we are featuring Dave Clawson, the head football coach at Wake Forest. Coach Clawson reflects on his start in the profession, and his reputation as a program builder, and offers some advice to young coaches. 

     

    Dave Clawson has been the head coach at Wake Forest since 2014. With a track record of high-level success and conference championships, Coach Clawson has become a well-respected program builder in Division 1 football. In January 2022, Coach Clawson was named a board of trustees 

    0:35 Introduction 

    3:00 First coaching opportunity 

    6:30 Finding your niche 

    8:45 Getting the OC opportunity 

    10:40 Retooling & maintaining offensive consistency 

    12:00 Realization of role 

    14:30 Villanova transition 

    18:15 Getting the HC job at Fordham 

    23:30 How did the rough start as HC shape you today? 

    25:00 Thought process for staff selection 

    29:14 Commonalities of program building 

    31:40 Identifying strengths and weaknesses 

    33:10 Bowling Green conditions 

    36:35 Advice for up-and-coming coaches 

    39:10 Getting involved with the AFCA 

    40:22 Conclusion 

    • 42 min
    Jarae Thurmond, Dir. of Player and Recruiting Relations - Georgia Southern

    Jarae Thurmond, Dir. of Player and Recruiting Relations - Georgia Southern

    This week on Inside the Headset we are featuring Jarae Thurmond from Georgia Southern. Coach Thurmond reflects on his time in the Navy, his career progressing to a spot at Georgia Southern, and the impact the AFCA has had on his career and network. 

    Jarae Thurmond spent 12 years in the United States Navy as a Lead Instructor before medically retiring and joining Georgia Southern. During this time, Coach Thurmond was a semi-pro football player in various locations as well as spending some time as an assistant coach at Sweetwater High School in San Diego, CA. Coach Thurmond then traveled back to Georgia and joined Clay Helton’s inaugural staff at Georgia Southern as an assistant before being promoted this past spring to the Director of Player and Recruiting Relations. 

    Follow Coach Thurmond and Georgia Southern Football on Twitter! 

    @CoachThurmond87 & @GSAthletics_FB 

    Show Notes: 

    0:40 Introduction 

    1:35 Getting started in coaching & football 

    2:50 Similarities between football and the military 

    3:55 Joining the Navy 

    5:00 Semi-Pro Football 

    5:58 Getting involved at Sweetwater HS 

    7:28 Improvement as a coach 

    10:25 Passing on your own experiences to your players 

    11:40 Getting in the door at Georgia Southern 

    16:50 The promotion to Director of Player & Recruiting Relations 

    20:10 Advice for coaches trying to make the jump 

    22:22 Impact of the AFCA 

    24:05 Social Media 

    25:15 Conclusion 

    • 27 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
213 Ratings

213 Ratings

Bear757 ,

Great Interviews

Coach Mint showed how full person coaching and planing can help a program!

Mike Sierra 46 ,

Love it BUT….

Absolutely love this podcast. The content is always great no matter who is on to discuss ball. BUT please turn the volume up on your audio. The volume is very low despite my speakers being on max volume. Thank you and appreciate all of y’all’s great content!

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Love it!!

Awesome insight!!! Great journey!!

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