Inside the Headset with the AFCA American Football Coaches Association

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 

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 

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

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 

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 

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Marco Regalado, the Executive Director of Player Personnel & Recruiting at Rice. Coach Regalado discusses his career path from GA to collegiate recruiting and his meteoric rise on social media. 

 

Marco Regalado begins his second year with the Rice football staff as the director of player personnel and recruiting innovation as well as the NFL liaison. Coach Regalado previously spent time at Washington St. in the recruiting department and was a Texas high school coach for 5 years. Known for his vast social media presence and unique strategies, Coach Regalado has generated a significant following for his modernization of recruiting. 

Follow Coach Regalado and Rice Football on Twitter! 

@CoachRegalado & @RiceFootball 

1:05 Introduction 

2:10 Start of Career 

6:05 Change to D-Line GA 

7:00 Getting into Texas HS football 

9:30 Teacher Certification Process 

11:24 Coaching in various divisions at the HS level 

13:50 Conversations when moving on to new role 

16:20 Growing in social media presence 

19:40 Getting the Washington St. Opportunity 

24:50 Getting experience for scouting 

28:30 Interest in coaching again? 

30:10 Running the recruiting show 

35:00 How to handle the changing landscape of college football? 

36:50 Conclusion