Trenchometry

The offensive line is chess at light speed, and Devin Crawford is proving how much wins in the trenches really matter. From a 22-game losing streak to a 37-10 surge at Mary G. Montgomery, he breaks down the coaching mindset, technique, and culture shift that turn overlooked linemen into the engine of a program. Paul Horne sits down with Crawford, a Mobile, Alabama native and former center at North Alabama, to trace his path from player to high school offensive line coach. Crawford shares how early success with Division I talent forced him to humble himself, adapt his teaching, and learn the hard truth that great coaching is never one-size-fits-all. You'll discover how he builds offensive line play around communication, first-step footwork, hand placement, and the kind of mental reps that create automatic execution on game day. He also explains why his program lives on a "take what it takes" standard, why culture starts with relationships, and how becoming a father changed the way he coaches, connects, and protects his players.We break down the exact drill he refuses to skip - "shoot the bird" - and why he believes it gives his linemen an edge in space against linebackers. He also gets candid about a trend he dislikes: padless one-on-ones, which he argues can create bad habits, kill confidence, and even get athletes hurt.Along the way, Crawford and Horne compare notes on building programs from scratch, creating buy-in in tough environments, and turning young men into future coaches, leaders, and contributors off the field. If you coach offensive line, build football culture, or just love hearing how real programs are made, this one belongs on your list.Perfect for coaches, offensive line junkies, and anyone who loves the hidden war inside every snap.Paul Horne, host of Trenchometry; Devin Crawford, offensive line coach at Mary G. Montgomery High School and former North Alabama center, known for helping turn MGM into a rising Alabama football program.@coach_crawford_55 @mgmvikingsathletics@mgm_football_qbclub@the_trench_doctor@thetrenchdoctor

Some offensive linemen protect the quarterback. Garett Tujague built entire careers around protecting a philosophy: win the trenches, win the war. NC State’s offensive run coordinator and offensive line coach joins Paul Horne for a deep, funny, and surprisingly honest conversation about the journey that shaped him - from a football-averse childhood and a late start in the game, to becoming an All-American at Chabot, a BYU standout protecting Ty Detmer, and a coach whose career has stretched across five institutions and 34 years.Tujague breaks down what really matters when recruiting and developing offensive linemen, why he filters prospects through three non-negotiables - length, athleticism, and nasty finish - and how he teaches his room to play fast, decisive, and violent without getting lost in overthinking. He explains why protection comes before passing concepts, why “WAC Champs” was the only goal that mattered at BYU, and how legendary coaches like Lavell Edwards shaped his approach to leadership, humility, and living in the moment. You’ll also hear the stories behind his stops at College of the Canyons, BYU, Virginia, and NC State, including the lessons he took from Bronco Mendenhall, the challenge of building culture during tragedy, and what makes Raleigh such a special football town. Along the way, Paul and Garett dig into offensive line personalities, game-day routines, favorite drills, and why the best rooms are always the funniest rooms.Garett Tujague is the offensive run coordinator and offensive line coach at NC State, where he helps power one of the ACC’s most physical fronts. He has coached bowl teams, record-setting offenses, and NFL talent across a long career defined by detail, toughness, and player development.Essential listening if you love offensive line play, coaching culture, or the kind of football wisdom that only comes from decades in the trenches.@[email protected] @trenchdoctor@the_trench_doctor

The offensive line is not just blocking - it's chess at light speed, family legacy, and the foundation of winning football. Tyler Rodden breaks down how he built a new program at Olathe West from scratch, turned a blank slate into a playoff contender, and teaches high school linemen to think, move, and compete like a unit.Paul Horne opens with the case for why the trenches decide everything, then Tyler shares the story behind a football life that started with three older brothers, a dad who wore No. 65, and a coaching path shaped by the mentors he followed from Olathe Northwest to Shawnee Mission South to Olathe West. Along the way, they get into the hidden work that actually changes a team: culture, trust, and the daily habits nobody sees. You'll discover:Why Tyler starts with mentality and culture before techniqueHow "Hog Heaven" Friday workouts create a true us-against-the-world edgeWhy high school offensive line coaching is different from college clinic adviceThe zone principles he uses to simplify complex run schemesHow muscle memory, stance comfort, and daily fundamentals help kids play faster under stressPaul and Tyler also dig into the realities of opening a brand new school, building cohesion across a young roster, and making sophomores into leaders before the first varsity seasons ever arrive. If you've ever wondered how a staff creates instant buy-in, or why some programs stay competitive even when everything is new, this conversation gives you the blueprint.And because this is trench life, the episode does not stay all serious. Tyler shares the emotional meaning behind wearing No. 65, the locker-room Christmas music story that nearly sparked a fight, his pregame country-song ritual, and why pepperoni pizza still wins every time. Essential listening for coaches, offensive linemen, and anyone who loves the behind-the-scenes psychology of great teams.fasthallpass.org www.olatheschools.org/west@olathewestowls

Offensive line coaching is not just teaching blocks, it's building a system that actually shows up on Friday night. Coach Chad Johnson breaks down how he turned years of notes, drills, and game-day details into a massive plug-and-play resource coaches can use immediately - from stance and starts to zone combos, stunt answers, and situational game-day charts.If you're a young offensive line coach, a coordinator trying to simplify your install, or a veteran coach who wants better organization and sharper teaching, this conversation is loaded with practical takeaways. Chad explains how he built Game Day Systems, why he organizes everything around identity and non-negotiables, and how his Substack grew into hundreds of resources, weekly coaching journals, and detailed breakdowns that help coaches transfer knowledge from the notebook to the field. You'll discover:How Chad built his offensive line vault from a simple clock-management form that exploded on social mediaWhy he believes coaches fail when they know a lot but can't teach it clearlyThe system he uses to build an offensive line from the ground up, starting with identity, practice structure, and daily standardsHow he teaches zone footwork, combos, and when to come off on linebacker workWhy repetition beats novelty, and why some of the best coaching happens in the boring details most people skipCoach Paul Horne also shares hard-earned lessons from the trenches, including why a drill only matters if you can find it on film, why bad habits have to be coached out early, and why offensive line development is really about making the game simpler, not fancier.Chad also opens up about his journey from Sterlington, Louisiana, to Neville High School in Monroe, where he's helped mold elite tackle prospects like Will Campbell and Lance Hurd. Along the way, he shares the real story behind his coaching philosophy, the lessons learned from wins and painful losses, and the humor and personality that come with coaching some of the most unique characters in football.This one is essential listening if you coach offensive line, run an up-tempo or zone-based offense, or just want a better process for turning ideas into results. By the end, you'll walk away with a sharper way to think about practice, teaching, and what it really takes to own the trenches.X/Twitter: @coach_ChadJohnTikTok: @coachChadJohnSubstack: https://gamedaysystems.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web

The Indiana State Sycamores are walking into one of the toughest gauntlets in FCS football, and Drew Page and Andy Hertlein are ready to meet it head-on in the trenches. If you care about offensive line play, Missouri Valley grind, or what it really takes to survive a schedule loaded with ranked opponents, this episode is for you. Drew Page and Andy Hertlein break down the mindset behind an offensive line that has to communicate fast, stay physical, and reset every week against elite competition. With a season opener against Southeast Missouri, a marquee trip to Purdue, and conference battles that could define the playoff picture, the pressure is real - and so is the belief inside the room. You'll discover:Why Indiana State feels different this year after a full offseason in the systemHow the Sycamores built chemistry through team competitions, bowling, Spider-Man, and camp bondingWhat it means to play center and guard in a tempo offense where every pre-snap detail mattersHow Drew and Andy handle the mental and physical toll of camp, reps, and constant position flexibilityWhy the Missouri Valley Conference turns even a 6-6 season into a postseason raceDrew shares what it’s like to be the veteran in the room, balancing leadership, snap responsibility, and the reality of a brutal workload. Andy opens up about stepping into a bigger role, learning to slow the game down, and leaning on Drew’s experience while adjusting to the demands up front. Together, they give a clear look at the trust, toughness, and communication required to anchor an offense built to go fast and hit first. This conversation also gives you a rare window into the human side of a college football season - the long days, the inside jokes, the family ties, and the small moments that turn a locker room into a unit. If you want a smarter, more honest look at how an offensive line prepares for a year that could end in playoff football, this is essential listening.Perfect for fans of college football, offensive line play, and underdog teams with real postseason ambitions. As always: master the trench, win the war.@Ahertlein8@Drewwpagee@ISUFB@[email protected]