Inside the Headset with the AFCA

David Dean, Head Coach - University of West Georgia

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Waldorf University Head Coach, Will Finley. Coach Finley shares his plan for handling adversity, highlights the importance of building a strong coaching staff, and explains his motivations that drive his passion for coaching. Will Finley became the head coach for the Warriors in the spring of 2020 after spending one season as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. In his first season as the Warriors head coach, Finley led Waldorf to a 6-3 record overall and in NSAA play, good for a third-place finish in the standings. Coach Finley was also named to the 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute by the AFCA. Coach Finley's team earned a season-best ranking of No. 24 in the NAIAFBALL Top 25 poll, landed 17 players on the NSAA All-Conference Teams and 1 player the first 1st Team All-American honors in program history. As defensive coordinator in 2019, his first season on the Waldorf staff, Coach Finley helped the team to a 7-3 overall record and the program's first NAIA Top 25 ranking as Waldorf finished the season No. 23 in the nation. Coach Finley began his coaching career as the running backs coach at Benedictine from 2011-13, while working on his Masters, and moved to linebackers coach at Benedictine from 2013 through 2018. He also served as interim defensive coordinator for the Ravens in 2018, helping guide the team to the NAIA National Championship game. [1:48] Start of Interview [3:14] Biggest change in year two as a head coach [4:41] Handling adversity [6:01] Preparing to become a head coach [7:26] Building a coaching staff [10:22] Learning from other coaches [13:36] Motivation for coaching [15:04] Building a playbook [18:53] 35 Under 35 experience 

Will Finley, Head Coach - Waldorf University

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring longtime college coach, Bob Trott. Coach Trott discusses the importance of cultivating relationships throughout the coaching journey, discusses the evolution of recruiting in the college game, and gives advice on how to maintain professional development. Bob Trott is a former College and NFL coach where he most recently spent time as the Defensive Coordinator at East Carolina. His coaching career spans four decades, which includes 17 years at the FBS level and nine seasons in the NFL. Coach Trott has experienced action in 12 bowl games as either a player or coach. Coach Trott was also Defensive Coordinator and Safeties coach at James Madison for three years (2016-18) prior to ac­cepting the Pirates’ post. Coach Trott groomed seven FCS All-America selections, a national and CAA defensive player-of-the-year choice and 18 all-league picks while at JMU. Coach Trott's NFL experience includes defensive staff assignments with the New York Giants (1991-92), New England Patriots (1993-95) and Cleveland Browns (2005-08). In addition to JMU and Richmond, Coach Trott also served as de­fensive coordinator at Arkansas (1984-89), Clemson (1990), Duke (1996-01), Baylor (2002) and Louisi­ana-Monroe (2003-04).  In 2017, Coach Trott received the FootballScoop.com FCS Coordinator-of-the-Year honors. [1:49] Start of Interview [2:49] Enjoying every spot in the coaching journey [4:43] Building the culture at Air Force [5:38] Cultivating relationships [13:06] Evolution of college recruiting [16:56] Adapting on the defensive side of the ball [20:43] Maintaining professional development [23:38] Protecting the game of football 

Bob Trott, Defensive Coach

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring longtime Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator, Bud Foster. Coach Foster shares the life lessons he learned through coaching, speaks on his personal relationship with Hall of Fame Coach Frank Beamer, and highlights how he adapted his defensive schemes to compete with everchanging offenses. Bud Foster is the former longtime Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator where he spent 33 seasons coaching. The architect of Tech’s famed Lunch Pail Defense, Foster was the the longest continually tenured FBS assistant coach at the same school with those 33 years of service until his retirement in 2019. Coach Foster held the distinction of serving as Tech’s defensive signal caller starting in 1995 before taking over sole possession of defensive coordinator duties in 1996. Coach Foster was a key component in helping the Hokies register the nation’s longest active bowl streak recognized by the NCAA, a 26-year stretch that began in 1993. Coach Foster was a recipient of the 2006 Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in the country, and was a finalist on three other occasions (1999, 2001, 2005). Coach Foster was named the Division I-A Defensive Coordinator of the Year by the AFCA after helping lead the Hokies to the 1999 national championship game. Under Coach Foster's leadership, his defenses had led the nation in a major defensive statistical category nine times and have placed in the top five 44 different times. Since Coach Foster was promoted to Defensive Coordinator (1996), 45 of his defensive players where drafted into the NFL including 11 players picked in the first/second round. [1:05] Start of Interview [1:58] Life lessons football teaches [6:22] Favorite memories while coaching [11:50] Relationship with Frank Beamer [19:12] Navigating coaching opportunities [24:00] Staying at one school for most of your career [28:42] Adapting defensive schemes over the years 

Bud Foster, Former DC - Virginia Tech

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Carroll High School Head Coach, Alex Washington. Coach Washington highlights his experience transitioning from player to coach, shares lessons he learned while working as a Graduate Assistant, and discusses his methods on how he keeps his players accountable on and off the field. Alex Washington is entering his fourth season as the Head Coach of Carroll High School in Monroe, Louisiana. This is his fifth season overall coaching at Carroll since beginning as an assistant coach in 2017. Prior to Carroll, Coach Washington spent two seasons at Bastrop High school (LA) as an assistant coach under head coach Brad Bradshaw. Before transitioning to the high school level, Coach Washington spent two seasons at Division II Livingstone College (NC). Washington got his start in the coaching world from AFCA Executive Director, Todd Berry when he hired him onto his coaching staff at the University of Louisiana-Monroe as a Graduate Assistant in 2012. Coach Washington is no stranger to Carroll High School, having played for the Bulldogs from 2003-2006. Washington had a decorated high school career where he was an All-State Offensive Linemen and a highly touted recruit. He ended up signing with the University of Ole Miss where he played in 38 games and helped lead the Rebels to two Cotton Bowl victories during his time in Oxford. [1:03] Start of Interview [1:55] Starting in the coaching profession [3:52] Maintaining relationships with former coaches [5:03] Personal transition from playing to coaching [6:33] Lessons learned while as a Graduate Assistant [9:13] Networking and looking for jobs [13:00] Maintaining a positive public image [15:18] Separating yourself from other coaching candidates [18:53] Keeping players accountable on and off the field. 

Alex Washington, Head Coach - Carroll HS (LA)

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Jacksonville State Receivers Coach, Cody Wells. Coach Wells reflects on this past year’s football season that was impacted by COVID, discusses last week’s thrilling upset victory over Florida State, and gives insight on how to keep a team focused going forward after a big win. Cody Wells enters his sixth season on John Grass’ staff after returning in 2016 to take over as the quarterbacks coach. The 2021 season will be his third leading the JSU wide receivers. He has played a large role in helping JSU claim three OVC titles and just six OVC losses in four seasons, extending the Gamecocks’ streak of conference titles to an OVC-record five from 2014-18. While leading the receiver room, Wells has coached three All-Conference players and lead a unit that has been consistently at the top of the conference in multiple receiving categories. Wells returned to JSU after spending the 2015 campaign as quarterbacks coach of the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks. Prior to ULM, Coach Wells assisted with the JSU wide receiver uint that helped propel the Gamecocks to an unprecedented amount of success during his one season in 2014. In that season, the Gamecocks went 10-2, which included a perfect OVC record and fourth OVC title. [1:05] Start of Interview [1:51] Playing football during the Covid season [3:45] Learning from losses [8:55] Live in the moment, play in the now [10:56] 2 minute drill mentality [13:59] Beating FSU on the final play [19:45] Keeping focused after a big win 

Cody Wells, Wide Receivers - Jacksonville State

This week on this special edition of Inside the Headset, we are featuring the former Head Coaches of the military academies that coached during the tragedy of 9/11. These coaches include former Air Force Head Coach Fisher DeBerry, former Navy Head Coach Charlie Weatherbie, and former Army Head Coach Todd Berry. In this episode all three coaches tell their personal 9/11 stories while coaching at their military academy institution, discuss what recruiting was like post 9/11, and highlight the unique experiences of coaching at a military academy. Todd Berry is the current Executive Director for the AFCA where he has served since 2016. Coach Berry served four years as the Head Coach for the Army Black Knights from 2000-2003 which included the 2001 9/11 season. Prior to his stint at Army, Coach Berry was the Head Coach of Illinois State from 1996-1999 where he lead the Red Birds to two FCS postseason playoff appearances. Most recently Coach Berry was the Head Coach of the Louisiana-Monroe football program where he coached from 2010-2015. Fisher Deberry is the former Head Coach of the Air Force Falcons. Coach DeBerry coached the Falcons from 1984-2006 and achieved a great amount of on-field success during his 21 seasons at Air Force. Under Coach DeBerrys leadership, Air Force dominated the Commander-in-Chiefs series going on to win the trophy 14 times. In addition to that, Coach DeBerrys Air Force teams won three conference titles and also went to numerous postseason bowl games where they won a total of six during his tenure. Due to Coach DeBerry's historic career where he won six coach of the year awards, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Charlie Weatherbie is the former Head Coach of the Navy Midshipmen. Coach Weatherbie spent seven seasons (1995-2001) at Navy where he lead the Midshipmen to one bowl win. Prior to Navy, Coach Weatherbie spent three seasons as the Utah State Head Coach where he won a conference championship in 1993. Coach Weatherbie's last head coaching spot was at the University of Louisiana-Monroe where he coach from 2003-2009. During his time at Louisiana-Monroe Coach Weatherbie lead the Warhawks to a conference championship in 2005. Coach Weatherbie is currently the director of the First Baptist Orlando Love Orlando Initiative, which distributes funds in the greater Orlando, Florida area to prevent homelessness. [1:16] Start of Interview [2:35] Life at West Point on 9/11 [3:59] Message to players on 9/11 [8:05] Managing adversity on and off the field [13:52] Recruiting post 9/11 [22:24] Playing for the Commander-in-Chiefs Trophy [27:24] Experience coaching at multiple Academy Institutions [29:38] Closing thoughts on the 9/11 Anniversary 

Todd Berry, Charlie Weatherbie, & Fisher DeBerry - Former HC's for Army, Navy, & Air Force

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring University of San Diego’s Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach Tyler Sutton. Coach Sutton highlights his early coaching experience as a graduate assistant, shares advice on how to become an effective coordinator, and explains his philosophy for coaching running backs. Tyler Sutton enters his ninth season as an assistant coach with San Diego in 2021 and his second as the offensive coordinator. Sutton has risen through San Diego’s coaching ranks over the last eight seasons after joining the Toreros in 2013 as a volunteer offensive assistant before being promoted to assistant coach for the 2014 season. He started coaching the running backs before taking on the special teams coordinator role in 2018. He also served as the team’s recruiting coordinator during his tenure. In his time with USD, Sutton has been a part of six consecutive seasons of nine or more wins, seven conference championships, five FCS Playoffs appearances, and two FCS playoff wins. Prior to coaching in San Diego, Sutton spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons as a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater, University of Redlands. He served as the Bulldogs’ defensive line coach and added special teams coordinator responsibilities for the 2012 season. Sutton began his coaching career at Granite Hills High School in San Diego County. Coach Sutton played football at The University of Redlands where he spent four seasons and received All-Conference honors his senior year. [1:03] Start of Interview [1:57] Personal start into coaching [4:13] Lessons learned working as a graduate assistant [6:10] Interviewing for coaching jobs [7:44] Coaching players that you played with [9:06] Becoming an effective coordinator [11:17] Getting players to "buy in" [12:50] Running Back coaching Philosophy 

Tyler Sutton, OC - San Diego

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Lake Erie College Head Coach, Reilly Murphy. Coach Murphy discusses his different experiences coaching at various college levels, provides insight on how to turn a struggling program around, and highlights the culture of accountability he has created within his team. Reilly Murphy is entering his third season as the Head Football Coach at Lake Erie College.  Murphy came to Lake Erie College after serving as the offensive coordinator for fellow Division II member Fayetteville State University. While heading the offensive side of the ball the Broncos ranked among the top offenses in the country with an average of 32.33 points per game while rushing for 216 yards per contest, 26th in Division II. Fayetteville State was also in contention for the NCAA playoffs after being ranked regionally before the defeat in the championship game. Murphy’s coaching career is diverse as he has coordinated offenses at private, public, and historically black colleges. He previously also served as the offensive coordinator of Dixie State University. Before that he was the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Western New Mexico University. Murphy has also coached at Bethel College, Notre Dame College, and Grossmont College. During his collegiate career, Murphy attended Grossmont where he played quarterback and led the Griffins to a national championship in 2005. He was an Academic All-American and was honored with the Joe Roth Memorial Award given annually to a California Junior College football player who best exemplifies characteristics of leadership, humility, and class. He was then granted a scholarship to play at Indiana State where he was a two-year starter and named the Gateway Conference’s Newcomer of the Year in 2006. [1:04] Start of Interview [1:17] Coaching at different college levels [3:11] Being an effective recruiter [6:1] Turning a program around [9:13] Building up players in a program [11:55] Culture of accountability [19:08] Personal 35 Under 35 experience 

Reilly Murphy, Head Coach - Lake Erie College

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Tiffin University Head Coach, Cris Reisert. Coach Reisert shares the importance of learning the opposite side of the ball, discusses his personal transition from player to coach, and goes into detail throughout his journey to becoming a head coach. Cris Reisert is entering his third season as the Head Football Coach at Tiffin University. Tiffin officially claimed the conference championship title in 2020 with a perfect 6-0 mark, playing a spring season due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Reisert earned his second consecutive Great Midwest Coach of the Year honor with an undefeated run through the league standings to officially make it back-to-back trophies. During the 2019 campaign, Reisert led the Dragons to arguably the best season in program history. Tiffin finished the regular season 9-1 along with a perfect 7-0 mark in GMAC play to claim the conference title. As a result, the Dragons earned their first-ever berth into the NCAA DII playoffs. Prior to Tiffin, Reisert served for two seasons as Ohio Dominican's offensive coordinator, helping to lead the Panthers to some of the top offensive numbers in Division II. Reisert directed one of the best offenses in the nation in 2017 as ODU led the country in completion percentage, passing efficiency and fewest turnovers committed, ranked second in third-down conversions, third in passing offense and fourth in total offense. Prior to that Reisert spent three seasons as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Elon University. Prior to working at Elon, Reisert spent the 2013 season as the assistant offensive line coach at Ball State University. As a four-year starter at quarterback for Ohio Dominican, Reisert set 10 NAIA passing records and was named the 2007 NAIA Player of the Year. [0:27] Start of Interview [0:56] Learning the opposite side of the ball [3:22] Transition from playing to coaching [6:33] Lessons learned coaching the Offensive Line [9:50] Coaching Tight Ends [13:32] Becoming a Coordinator [16:39] Learning from other coaches [19:05] Putting together a coaching staff [22:30] Personal 35 Under 35 testimony 

Cris Reisert, Head Coach - Tiffin University

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring New York Jets Defensive Assistant, Chip Vaughn. Coach Vaughn details his personal football journey, explains the motto he lives and coaches by, and discusses embracing challenges and adversity. Chip Vaughn is entering his second season with the New York Jets as a defensive assistant coach where he works with the secondary. Prior to the Jets, Vaughn spent one season as the defensive backs coach for the Air Force Falcons where he helped the team finish the 2019 season with a pair of wins over Power 5 programs and a top-25 national ranking. Coach Vaughn has also spent time at Fayetteville State and Winston-Salem State where he also coached the defensive backs. Vaughn was selected to the 2020 American Football Coaches Association 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. A Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship coach with New Orleans during training camp in 2018, he was also one of 15 coaches selected to participate in the 2018 NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy. Vaughn is a former fourth-round selection by New Orleans in 2009 and was a part of the Saints XLIV Super Bowl team. Vaughn also spent time with other NFL franchises including the Eagles, Colts, and Panthers before retiring in 2011. [0:25] Start of Interview [0:54] Personal football journey [5:45] "Keep Grinding" motto [9:04] Playing confident, not cocky [13:42] Lessons learned coaching at the high school level [18:22] Embracing challenges and adversity [20:54] Personal 35 Under 35 experience 

Chip Vaughn, Defensive Assistant - New York Jets

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Campbell University Quarterbacks Coach, Adam Morris. Coach Morris discusses the recently founded Coaches Coalition group, shares what recruiting looks like at the FCS level, and highlights the importance of the AFCA 35 Under 35 program. Adam Morris is entering his ninth year at Campbell University where he serves as the Camels' offensive pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Despite playing a four-game, all-FBS schedule in 2020, Coach Morris lead one of the top offenses in the country finishing 4th overall in offense at the FCS level. Following the season, Morris was selected to the AFCA 2021 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. Prior to becoming the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, Coach Morris spent six seasons as Campbells wide receiver coach where his receivers set multiple season season records. Morris came to Campbell after spending the 2012 season as an offensive quality control coach at Liberty University. Prior to Liberty, Coach Morris spent two season at the University of Kansas where he served as the quality control coordinator for special teams in 2010 and defensive quality control in 2011. Morris got his start in the collegiate ranks at his alma mater, Ithaca, where he served as assistant director of football operations and offensive quality control staff member. [0:27] Start of Interview [0:57] The Coaches Coalition group [4:00] Working in the NFL [8:44] Continued growth in the coaching journey [14:37] Recruiting gameplans [19:02] Importance of the 35 Under 35 Institute 

Adam Morris, Passing Game Coord. - Campbell

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring University of Dayton’s Assistant Coach, Jeris Getter. Coach Getter discusses his journey with cerebral palsy, highlights the importance of building lasting relationships with players, and explains his why. Jeris Getter is entering his second season at the University of Dayton as Assistant Defensive Coach, Scout Special Teams and Scout Offense. He is a 2017 Indiana University East graduate, where he earned his bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and minor is Sports Marketing and Management. Currently he is attending graduate school at Ohio University studying Coaching Education. Previously Getter was an Assistant Football Coach at Earlham College from May 2017 to November 2018. At Earlham, he had various positions that included coaching defensive line, defensive backs and linebackers. [0:25] Start of Interview [0:50] Coaching with cerebral palsy [2:02] Personal football journey [5:36] Building strong relationships with players [11:58] Not letting others define you [15:31] Advice for people who want to coach but feel as if they don't "fit the mold" 

Jeris Getter, QC - Dayton

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Wofford’s Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Tyler Carlton. Coach Carlton highlights the importance of leaving a positive impacts on players, shares how he has turned past negatives into positives, and gives his testimony on how the AFCA 35 Under 35 program has helped his career thus far. Tyler Carlton was named the quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator at Wofford in July of 2021. Carlton spent five seasons on the coaching staff at Western Carolina and during the 2019 season was co-offensive coordinator. Prior to working with the Catamounts, he spent four seasons working at Clemson under offensive coordinator Chad Morris. Serving as an offensive analyst at Clemson, Carlton’s duties included assisting the offensive staff on a day-to-day basis while also aiding in video breakdown of opponents. Carlton was an American Football Coaches Association 35 Under 35 honoree in 2017. A 2009 graduate of Tulsa, earning a degree in exercise science, Carlton got his coaching start at Tulsa as a student assistant in 2008-09, progressing to offensive quality control assistant in 2010 under Morris. While on staff, he was a part of two bowl appearances including a win over Ball State in the 2008 GMAC Bowl and defeating Hawaii in the 2010 Hawaii Bowl. Originally from Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Carlton played collegiately at Tulsa as both a wide receiver and punter from 2004-06 where he was a member of the 2005 Conference USA championship squad. He also earned a bowl ring as the Golden Hurricanes won the Liberty Bowl. [0:33] Start of Interview [1:09] Leaving a positive impact on players [4:36] Being let go and dealing with adversity [10:07] Turning positives into negatives [18:53] Decision to accept job at Wofford [25:53] Making smart decisions not quick decisions [31:13] Personal 35 Under 35 experience 

Tyler Carlton, OC - Wofford

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Marshall High School (TX) Head Coach, Jake Griedl. Coach Griedl discusses the importance of investing time in your athletes, speaks on the challenges of coaching at a historically good programs, and gives advice to young coaches who aspire to advance in the coaching ranks. Jake Griedl is entering his third season as the Head Coach for Marshall High School. Griedl came to Marshall in the spring of 2017 serving as the Offensive Coordinator. At Marshall, Griedl coordinated an offense that ultimately set program season records for points scored and total yards in 2018, as the Mavs won a second straight district championship and went three rounds deep in the playoffs. In seven years as a high school assistant coach, Griedl has worked with teams that have won six district championships and he has coached in a total of 24 playoff games in those seven seasons. Prior to Marshall, Griedl served as the wide receivers coach at Class 6A powerhouse Lake Travis from 2013-2016. Griedl’s time at Lake Travis culminated in 2016 with the Class 6A state championship. Prior to Lake Travis, Griedl coached wide receivers at Boerne High School in 2012-2013. His first coaching job came at the collegiate level in 2011-2012, when he served as wide receivers coach/return specialist coach as a graduate assistant at Southern Arkansas University. Griedl received a B.A. in History from Concordia University-Nebraska in 2012, where he was a three-year starter and team captain at slot receiver. In 2021 Coach Griedl was named to the AFCA 35 Under 35 class. [0:28] Start of Interview [1:01] Lessons learned from other coaches [5:47] Exceeding expectations [10:03] Investing time in your athletes [12:10] Challenges of coaching at a program with a rich history [18:30] Advice for young coaches [22:48] What the 35 Under 35 program as done for him 

Jake Griedl, Head Coach - Marshall H.S. (TX)

Inside the Headset with the AFCA takes you in-depth with interviews, anecdotes, and breakdown of X&O's with football coaches around the country.

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Inside the Headset with the AFCA

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