In this episode, Kyle and Matt sit down with Coach Will Cockerill, DC at powerhouse Denton Ryan (TX), to break down his approach to defensive structure, in-season adjustments, and leadership in the face of adversity. Coach shares how his team battled through the tragic mid-season loss of their DC and still finished as one of the top defenses in Texas 5A. From efficiency metrics to blitz philosophy, this is a masterclass in building a fast, physical, and resilient defense.
📌 Timestamps0:00 – Intro & Will’s background2:00 – Overcoming adversity & honoring their fallen coach5:15 – Season recap: top 5 defense in Texas 5A7:10 – What metrics matter? Havoc Rate & Stop Rate explained10:00 – Gameplanning with intent: tailoring fronts to attack weaknesses14:30 – The art of A-gap pressure and front multiplicity20:20 – Film study habits & how they prep during the week26:00 – Personnel deployment & week-to-week adjustments32:00 – Favorite calls vs heavy run teams37:45 – Practice structure: teaching through data43:30 – Advice to young coaches & being intentional with time48:00 – Outro & Resources
🔗 Follow Us + Resources
* Twitter: https://twitter.com/boarddrill
* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boarddrill
* Subscribe to the podcast for new episodes and weekly scheme breakdowns!
* Newsletter: Sign up via the website for direct access to weekly articles and podcast drops.
💥 Like, subscribe, and share if you’re serious about building better defenses.
