Inside the Headset with the AFCA American Football Coaches Association

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.  

This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Mike Bloomgren, the Head Coach at Rice University. In this conversation, Coach Bloomgren takes us through his career that has taken him to schools across the country, explains the value of coaching at different levels of football, and talks through how he took the lessons others taught him and applied it to his coaching. Coach Bloomgren, who led the Owls to a bowl game last season, was recently selected as a member of the AFCA Board of Trustees.  

Follow Coach Bloomgren and Rice Football on social media here: 

@mbloom11 & @RiceFootball 

Show Notes:  

1:05 Starting out as a football coach, playing football vs. coaching football, including your significant other in career decisions.  

17:23 Sharpening your tools as a young coach and experience coaching in the NFL. 

28:15 Opportunity to coach at Stanford, interviewing and hiring coaches, making the jump to being a head coach.  

43:42 Turning down head coaching jobs in order to find the right fit, creating a culture, being named to the AFCA Board of Trustees. 

This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Jeff McMartin, the Head Coach at Central College. In this conversation, Coach McMartin discusses why he got into coaching, getting to serve as the head coach at his alma mater, and being selected as the President of the AFCA this past January. Coach McMartin has served as the Head Coach at Central College for 20 years and the Dutch have never finished a season below .500 during his tenure.  

Follow Coach McMartin and Central College Football on social media here:  

@mac4fb & @CUI_Football 

1:00 Getting started in the coaching profession, taking advantage of unexpected opportunities, working as a Graduate Assistant. 

23:07 Getting your first full-time job, involving your family in decisions to move/change jobs, serving as a track coach and a football coach.  

35:58 Sharpening your tools as you go throughout your career, flipping to the offensive side of the ball, taking your first coordinator job.  

51:32 Taking your first head coaching job at your alma mater, finding success year after year, experience being a part of the AFCA.   

This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Clark Lea, the Head Coach at Vanderbilt University. In this conversation, Coach Lea talks through his journey to becoming the head coach of his alma mater, working hard to earn job opportunities, and the value of constantly learning. Coach Lea, who was recently appointed to the AFCA Board of Trustees, is entering his fourth season with the Commodores.  

Show Notes: 

1:19 Early years in the coaching profession. 

17:57 First experience as a full-time coach being responsible for a position group. 

32:00 Years spent as a position coach to prepare yourself for a coordinator position. 

40:10 Challenges as a first-time coordinator and first-time head coach. 

This week on Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Jay Norvell, the head coach at Colorado State University. In this conversation, Coach Norvell takes us through the journey he took to get to where he is today, his experiences in both high level college football and the NFL, and the people that helped him grow throughout his career. Coach Norvell, who just completed his second season leading the Rams, was recently selected to the AFCA Board of Trustees, representing the Mountain West Conference.  

Show Notes: 

1:01 Introduction 

1:19 When did you know that you wanted to be a football coach?  

3:23 Transitioning from a player to a coach 

5:17 Impact of being around well-known, popular coaches 

8:01 Transitioning from defense to offense 

10:49 Ending NFL career and beginning coaching career 

12:27 Opportunities to coach at Northern Iowa and Wisconsin 

14:58 Growth experienced while at Wisconsin 

16:34 Transition to Iowa State 

18:32 Largest areas of growth up to this point in your career 

20:54 Learning as a coach.  

23:56 Experience in the NFL  

29:42 Takeaways from being an NFL coach 

32:50 Developing your own offense in preparation for a coordinator job 

36:51 Learning curves that come with being a first-time coordinator 

39:55 How are you continuing to develop yourself professionally as you grow in your career? 

42:58 Experience at Oklahoma, stepping away from being a coordinator 

46:57 Process behind becoming a Head Coach for the first time 

48:57 Importance of building relationships  

51:44 Building a Staff and Investing in Minority Coaching Programs 

55:54 Being named to the AFCA Board of Trustees 

57:40 Conclusion