The Coaches Collective Podcast - Bob Ladouceur

In Episode 1 of The Coaches Collective, we had the opportunity to sit down with one of the most successful high school football coaches in the country - Coach Bob Ladouceur, from De La Salle High School in Concord, CA.

In 1979, as a 25 year old, first year head coach, Bob Ladouceur was stepping into a program at De La Salle that had never had a winning season. He found the job posting in the local newspaper. 

Little did he know he was about to embark on one of the most storied high school football coaching careers. Fast forward 399 wins later, his teams topped the USA Today Rankings 5 different times. 

Most well-known for his historic 151 game win-streak, Class of '01 National High School Football HOF induction, and his career record of 399-25-3, Coach Lad is the last guy to talk stats and accolades. 

“I never wanted to coach college ball. I never intended to be noted or famous. I looked at football as a vehicle to reveal character.”

We talk coaching style and philosophy, developing players and staff, and the nuances of his Split Back Veer Offense. No matter the level, if you’re a coach, you can take something from this interview - the guy knows how to win.

“I wasn’t the Knute Rockne guy before the game. I didn’t really believe in that. I thought all the work and the words had to be said already.”

Coaches, get your pen and notepad ready for this one.

By Coaches, for coaches - content you can take from the Podcast to the Field.

-Derick Perkins

Find this Episode on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

Play Action Switch Mills

Switch Concepts are a staple of Run & Shoot offenses, but you can see them everywhere now. If defenses commit to stacking the box and playing Cover 1 expect to see these Switch Concepts. The genius of the Run & Shoot is the freedom receivers have to adjust their routes based on the coverage. Normally the Slot would run a Wheel Route, but because he is able to win Inside Leverage he converts to a Post.

• Switch to “Mills Concept”

  • Post from (new) #1

  • Dig from (new) #2

• Play Action - QB Eyes Move Free Safety to the Boundary

• 7-Man Protection (Delayed Release)

Veteran Receivers thrive with sight adjustments to their routes. Play Action 7-Man Protection gives time for the Switch to happen and still create vertical separation on the Post. If you’re getting a lot of Cover 1, try to isolate your speedy slot with a Big Post!

3 Minute Clinic: 2020 Alabama - Pin & Pull + Bubble Screen

Alabama forces the defense to play sideline to sideline with a Pin & Pull to the Boundary and Bubble Screen to the Field. They are able to out leverage the defense by running the Bubble with #1 from the Bunch alignment and "pulling" the H-Back to Lead.

Checkdown Double Pass

Back in 1993 Florida State and Notre Dame had an epic showdown in South Bend. It was the only loss of the season for a dominant Florida State team. At the time they were running an unprecedented offense known as the “Fast Break Offense” which operated from the Shotgun and helped pave the way for the Modern Spread Offense. Led by Charlie Ward, the offense was nearly unstoppable. This play in particular is such a great design. RB Swing Checkdown (Lateral), Double Pass before the Flat Defender can close to the RB.

• Shallow Cross Spacing

  • Slot Under

  • WR Curl (& Go)

  • RB Swing to the Flat

• Lateral to the RB

• WR Curl & Go

I always wonder why more coaches don’t use Checkdown Double Passes vs. Coverages that are late to rally to the Flat. It’s always good to maximize the number of guys you have on the field who can throw the football. Even though FSU was unable to complete this throw, the concept is incredible!

Running "Boot" 4 Verts out of Empty Quads

Whenever you line up in Empty one of the first issues to address is Pass Protection. While 5 Wide Receivers creates inherent problems for defenses, it also exposes weaknesses for offenses. Some Defensive Coordinators see Empty as an opportunity to zero their coverage and bring maximum pressure. One way to give and Empty look but still deter the blitz is to use an in-line Tight End to create a three man surface. Here Memphis lines up in Quads Lt. Diamond with a Boundary Nub TE.

• 4x1 Alignment allows the Offense to ID the Coverage (Man or Zone)

• The Diamond Quad presents an immediate Screen threat

• QB Fakes the Bubble Screen

• LG Pulls in Boot Protection

• QB Pump Fakes and Relocates to his Boot Landmark

• 4 Verts with a Bender from #3

• Bubble & Leak Middle by the Diamond Point

What is so genius about this scheme is the fact that Screens are an extension of the Run Game for Outside Zone Teams. This allows the QB to “Boot” off Fake Screen Action. Even out of Empty, the Defense responds like it’s an Outside Zone Play Action to the Trips Side. The Nub TE deters a blitz because of the possibility of 6-Man Protection. I love this play especially if you pair it with tempo!

Tite Front with Roaming Nose

The Tite Front is a three down defensive line alignment created with a 0 Nose (Head Up on the Center) and two 4i Defensive Ends (Inside Shade on the Offensive Tackle). The Tite Front has taken the football world by storm because it allows defenses to close down interior gaps and force the ball to the edges. It also creates muddier reads for the Quarterback in any sort of Zone Read scenario because there is not an immediate C-Gap Defender. Back in 2013 Oregon Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti would Align in a Tite Front, but Roam the Nose 3-4 yards off the Line of Scrimmage.

• Nose & Will Linebacker are responsible for A-Gaps

• The Nose can Spike Frontside or Backside A, Will LB will “Make him right” by taking over the opposite A-Gap.

• 4i’s play through the Shoulder of the Tackle for the B-Gaps

• Overhang Defenders are responsible for the C-Gaps

In the traditional Tite Front with the Nose Zeroed on the Center it is presented as a “Two-Gap” Technique, but ultimately the Nose will often fall to Backside A-Gap and the LB will Takeover the Frontside A-Gap. One drawback of the Tite Front is the possibility of the Nose being reached by the Backside Guard on any type of Wide Zone or Outside Zone Play. When the Nose is off, it makes reach blocks much more difficult and also gives the Nose the capability of declaring his gap with momentum. If you’re experimenting with the Tite Front, this is a nice little wrinkle to add in!