Third down is a critical situation. For the defense, it means getting off the field, and for the offense, it’s about moving the chains en route to putting points on the board. While the concept is simple - gain the yards necessary for a first down - the strategy, execution, decision-making and awareness is not as easy. The coaches highlighted in this podcast share their ideas on planning for, practicing and executing their offense. The featured guests are some of the best in the country when it comes to converting on third down. Listen as these current and former collegiate coaches illustrate how they move the chains.

1.        Keith Grabowski – Identifying categories to work as well as keys to executing on third down. Listen to the entire episode.

2.        Brad Spencer – Prepping and analyzing third down

3.        Steve Fairchild – Prepping for a situational third down

4.        Zach Tinker – Analyzing the situation on third down

5.        Brian Hughes – Practicing third down

6.        Jordan Neal – Game planning third and fourth down

7.        Michael Lombardi – Utilizing an aggressive second-down strategy

Brad Spencer is offensive coordinator at North Central College in Illinois. North Central was an offensive powerhouse at the Division III level this past season. Currently, they are playing for the Division III National Championship. In 2018, Spencer’s offense was ranked No. 1 in third down and red zone efficiency, top three in completion percentage and top 10 in total offense and scoring. Coach Spencer shares how they analyze and prepare for third down execution. Listen to his episode.

Steve Fairchild, a former NFL offensive coordinator and college head coach, talks about ways to be proficient on third down in the red zone. Fairchild was a five-year NFL offensive coordinator servicing the Buffalo Bills, St Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers. He worked 18 years in the collegiate game, four of which were spent as head coach of Colorado State. Listen to his episode.

Zach Tinker is the former head coach of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. In 2018, Coach Tinker’s offense ranked No. 1 in passing and third down conversion, top 10 in scoring and top 20 in completion percentage. He shared is philosophy on analyzing third down as well as understanding third down context and how to practice for third down. Listen to his episode.

Brian Hughes is the offensive coordinator at LIU Post in New York. Coach Hughes has been at LIU Post for 22 years, and in 2017 he helped the team finish top 10 in passing offense, total offense and scoring offense. LIU Post also finished No. 1 in Division II in third down conversion percentage. Hughes covers every aspect of how they practice third down. Listen to his episode

Jordan Neal is currently the head coach at Division III McMurry University in Texas. He joined us when he was the offensive coordinator of a prolific offense at Hendrix College (Conway, Ark.). Neal’s offense at Hendrix averaged more than 600 yards per game in 2016 and excelled on third down. He discusses his approach to third down game planning. Listen to his episode.

Michael Lombardi joined the Coach and Coordinator Podcast to share his stories of coaching with icons like Bill Walsh, Bill Belichick and late Raiders owner Al Davis. Lombardi shares insights into the coaching profession, which he learned from the best to ever coach the game. All these are detailed in his book, “Gridiron Genius – A Master Class in Winning Championships and Building Dynasties in the NFL.” In this segment, he talks about one of his pet peeves of “third and manageable.” Listen to his episode