Today’s guest on the USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is Matt Jones, offensive line coach at Texas Southern University. Jones is in his second season at Texas Southern coaching the O-line. Last year, Jones helped Texas Southern to a rushing average of 126.5 yards per game and only allowed 15 sacks in 11 games. Jones came to Texas Southern after spending one year in the same position at Jackson State University. Prior to Jackson State, Jones spent two seasons in the FBS with Tulane University. Jones coached at Villanova University (tight ends coach) for one season before moving to Tulane.

Jones began his coaching career at the NAIA level with Avila University in Missouri. While an offensive line coach and run game coordinator, Avila set 16 program records, including fewest sacks allowed, rushing yards in a season and rushing touchdowns. Before going to Avila, Jones coached offensive line and tight ends at the University of Saint Francis in Illinois. Jones started in coaching as a student assistant while at Eastern Illinois University and then Lincoln-Way Central High School (Illinois) after graduating from Eastern Illinois.

On today’s show, Jones and host Keith Grabowski talk about his philosophy coaching the offensive line, safe blocking techniques and his social media presence with #LinemanLunch.

Show Notes

• 1:08     The use and beginning of #LinemanLunch
• 3:56     Using visuals in improving coaching
• 4:41      Beginnings of his coaching journey
• 6:00     Advice to coaches who want to advance to the college level
• 7:42      Mentors throughout his coaching journey
• 11:38    Being prepared to test your knowledge of your position
• 14:19    Promoting learning and teaching in your program
• 16:10    Developing a culture within your position team
• 19:55    How offensive line techniques have changed and will adapt
• 24:26   Teaching safe techniques and fundamentals
• 26:15    Using techniques from other sports into football
• 28:44   Balancing building skills and learning schemes in practice
• 32:19    Being efficient with teaching formation
• 34:50   Having the coordinators all on the same page
• 38:50   Creating confidence with play-call decision making
• 40:37   Benefits of using the Duo play on the offensive line
• 43:54   Deciding between blocking schemes based on offensive formation
• 45:04   The Winning Edge     

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