Shiloh Christian (Springdale, Ark.) head coach Jeff Conaway sits down with Keith in this episode of the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast. Conaway helped guide Shiloh Christian to a state title in the mid-2000s and in 2014 returned to the program as the head coach. Conaway discusses the virtues of being a continuous learner, his offseason platoon system and why players don’t have bad practices—coaches do. He also breaks down his packaged play concept which helped Shiloh Christian win 11 games and earn a berth in the Arkansas Class 4A semifinals.

Show notes

• 1:04   Why Conaway started coaching football
• 2:24   Lessons learned from first coaching job
• 3:26   Key points in career development
• 4:44   Pillars of Conaway's coaching philosophy and the value in partnering with parents
• 6:13   Coaching strengths and expertise
• 7:47   Building culture
• 10:14   Offensive philosophy and taking what the defense gives
• 12:39   Maintaining consistency amid personnel change
• 14:47   How many reps are needed to master key plays?
• 16:22   Teaching in week leading up to game
• 17:51   Breaking down Conaway's packaged play
• 20:30   Coaching QBs to make good decisions
• 22:45   Play calls in critical moments, and how to practice them
• 27:12   Using one-word terminology to increase tempo
• 31:10   Turbos--one word, three plays
• 33:25   Players don't have bad practices, coaches do
• 35:12   Book recommendation
• 36:48   Favorite technology
• 38:54   Creating offseason competition with a platoon system
• 42:39   Offseason learning
• 43:39   Concerns for future of the game
• 46:32   Advice to a young coach
• 48:06   Creating balance
• 51:17   Creating culture--with your coaches
• 52:03   Two-minute drill
• 56:01   The winning edge

Listen to the full episode below: