Coach Brooke Stafford is the defensive line coach at Lufkin High School in Texas, one of the premier prep programs in the country. In addition to his coaching duties, he has another job: Stafford (pictured) is the Recruiting Coordinator for the Lufkin Panthers. With the guidance of Head Coach John Outlaw, the Panthers have had 131 players receive scholarships over the last 12 years.
Having the normal responsibilities as a recruiting coordinator, Stafford spends time with the school counselors, prepares a detailed profile sheet for each player – both with athletic and academic information – and spends lots of time on the phone with college recruiters from all over the country. But Stafford has made his position unique in that he asks each college coach visiting the school – at whatever level – to spend time with the Lufkin staff and discuss strategy and X’s and O’s. In short, a free coaching clinic.
Each day Stafford will tell the Lufkin staff which recruiter is visiting and what player he is looking at. He will then coordinate a strategy session during the coach’s visit so that the Lufkin staff will have the benefit of a clinic session. “We do it with coaches at all levels that visit,” said Stafford. “Besides the Division I-A schools, we have regular clinic sessions with D I-AA, D-II, D-III, and NAIA schools. We’re now looking at different types of defensive coverages and a number of coaches will talk about specific coverages. As a staff, we can learn offensive, defensive and special teams strategy.
“It started a few years ago with Leon Burtnett on the Washington State staff. They played Texas in the Holiday Bowl a few years ago and beat them. At the time Texas was platooning Chris Simms and Major Applewhite at quarterback. One was a runner and one wasn’t and Washington State had to prepare for both. Burtnett spent three hours with us and focused on how you stop the zone read. We were then able to implement a number of his points in a game the following fall. Now, each coach that visits has a skull session with us. It’s part of their itinerary when they visit and no one has turned us down.”
Preparation is also a major part of this month’s issue of AFM: Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster discusses their pressure defense and Louisiana Tech Head Coach Derek Dooley talks about a major commitment to punt return coverage. That, plus Texas’ pass protection blocking schemes and Part II of The Pistol offense. We hope you enjoy this issue of AFM.
Respectfully,
Rex Lardner
Managing Editor
American Football Monthly
rlardner@lcclark.com
561-355-5068 (x 329)
Having the normal responsibilities as a recruiting coordinator, Stafford spends time with the school counselors, prepares a detailed profile sheet for each player – both with athletic and academic information – and spends lots of time on the phone with college recruiters from all over the country. But Stafford has made his position unique in that he asks each college coach visiting the school – at whatever level – to spend time with the Lufkin staff and discuss strategy and X’s and O’s. In short, a free coaching clinic.
Each day Stafford will tell the Lufkin staff which recruiter is visiting and what player he is looking at. He will then coordinate a strategy session during the coach’s visit so that the Lufkin staff will have the benefit of a clinic session. “We do it with coaches at all levels that visit,” said Stafford. “Besides the Division I-A schools, we have regular clinic sessions with D I-AA, D-II, D-III, and NAIA schools. We’re now looking at different types of defensive coverages and a number of coaches will talk about specific coverages. As a staff, we can learn offensive, defensive and special teams strategy.
“It started a few years ago with Leon Burtnett on the Washington State staff. They played Texas in the Holiday Bowl a few years ago and beat them. At the time Texas was platooning Chris Simms and Major Applewhite at quarterback. One was a runner and one wasn’t and Washington State had to prepare for both. Burtnett spent three hours with us and focused on how you stop the zone read. We were then able to implement a number of his points in a game the following fall. Now, each coach that visits has a skull session with us. It’s part of their itinerary when they visit and no one has turned us down.”
Preparation is also a major part of this month’s issue of AFM: Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster discusses their pressure defense and Louisiana Tech Head Coach Derek Dooley talks about a major commitment to punt return coverage. That, plus Texas’ pass protection blocking schemes and Part II of The Pistol offense. We hope you enjoy this issue of AFM.
Respectfully,
Rex Lardner
Managing Editor
American Football Monthly
rlardner@lcclark.com
561-355-5068 (x 329)
Every Issue. Every Article. Free.
American Football Quarterly is now free for every coach — no subscription, no login. Browse all the issues, or get each new edition by email.
