Central Washington head coach Ian Shoemaker is the guest of this episode of the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast. Shoemaker discusses a number of topics, including how the mere presence of a tight end on the field can make defensive coordinators think twice. He also hits on the importance of run-pass balance, how drones can save college coaches money and why empowering assistant coaches is an important part of overall staff development.

Show notes

• 1:17   Coaching journey
• 4:55   The challenge of combining systems that don’t fit together
• 6:15   Focus on the job you have
• 8:32   The importance of run-pass balance in keeping defense off guard
• 10:38   Scheme and the importance of personnel flexibility
• 12:27   The tight end paradox challenge: Finding, recruiting and converting them
• 13:31   Why simply having a tight end on the field makes defensive coordinators think twice
• 17:07   Approach to coaching as teaching
• 20:28   How drones can save your program money (and time)
• 23:59   Building culture and involving players in the process
• 27:08   Staff building, and why it’s important to empower assistant coaches
• 30:28   Breaking down Shoemaker’s “Indy” play
• 33:39   Involving your playmaker
• 35:58   Playcalling with the game on the line
• 38:54   Book recommendation
• 40:24   Why watching other teams practice can make you a better coach
• 41:06   Learning hitch-boot
• 42:12   Concerns for future of the game
• 43:51   Be willing to be poor early on

Subscribe to the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast on iTunes and listen to the full episode below: