Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Tony Legando. Legando retired following the 2015 season after spending nearly 50 years with the Huron (Ohio) football program. Over the last 28 years of his tenure, he guided Huron to 211 wins. He discusses the importance of simplicity in schemes, integrating alumni within the program and principles of the Run and Shoot.

Show notes

• 1:09   Why did Legando become a football coach
• 1:51   Key points in Legando's development and philosophy
• 3:47   Culture-building and old school values
• 7:30   The football team's role in the community and bringing alumni back
• 10:37   Teaching players and creating excitement with the Run and Shoot
• 14:07   Principles of Run and Shoot and continuity in pass protection
• 17:26   Breaking down the pass protection scheme
• 20:05   Hot reads and training WRs
• 22:55   Why HS coaches need to be careful trying to emulate college schemes
• 25:25   Draw a great play on a napkin? Great. But can your offensive line block it?
• 27:52   Mistake made as a young coach
• 30:35   Give as much as you ask for from your athletes
• 32:45   Player pathway and the importance of coaching young players with respect
• 36:50   Developing leadership and team-building during the season
• 39:12   The winning edge

Coach Grabowski’s 3 key takeaways:

1. If you're proud of what you're doing, bring people in for it (alumni, etc.)
2. Continuity: how it feeds each year
3. Be relentless

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