In our first special teams episode of 2020, your host Keith Grabowski welcomes SUNY Cortland special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Jake Spalik onto the Coach and Coordinator podcast. Coach Spalik came to SUNY Cortland in 2019 after spending two seasons as a wide receivers coach at Stevenson University (Md.). Hear how Coach Spalik helped lead his unit to the nation’s top spot in Division III college football in blocked kicks and punts this past season.
0:21 Intro
0:59 Coach Spalik’s background
1:58 Leading the nation in blocked kicks/punts
3:12 Discovering special teams players
4:15 Allotting time for special teams
6:13 Staff involvement
7:32 Schematic setup for blocking kicks/punts
9:55 Entering the mind of the opponent
10:33 Different techniques for blocking kicks/punts
12:21 Avoiding penalties
13:06 Returning a blocked kick
14:26 Practicing field goal block
16:33 Opponent scouting/tipoffs
17:58 Attacking different formations on special teams
19:58 Handling eligible and ineligible players
21:44 Getting through the shield
24:10 Time management for special teams in practice
26:10 Returning blocked punts for touchdown
27:04 Kick return game
28:39 Setting up blocks in return game
31:17 Reverses on kick return
32:30 Practicing efficiently
34:11 Evaluating special teams play
35:57 The winning edge
37:21 Closing
You can follow Coach Spalik on Twitter here: @JakeSpalik1
For further inquiries, Coach Spalik’s email is jacob.spalik@cortland.edu