In this episode of Four Thumbtacks, Brad and Billy sit down with Whiteland (IN) Head Coach Darrin Fisher, a 30+ year veteran who has spent the last 21 seasons building one of Indiana’s most consistent programs.
Coach Fisher shares how he thinks about what actually wins in today’s game: the seven core stats he tracks, why explosive plays have changed the equation, and how concepts like turnover margin, red zone efficiency, and “starting fast” really show up on Friday nights. He explains how Whiteland’s practice structure and how a daily “1–0” plan keep the program anchored in physicality, ball security, and fundamentals.
You’ll also hear the origin story of his allegiance to the Fly Sweep —how an I-formation coach in 1999 ended up in Salem, Oregon learning from Mark Speckman, joined a tight-knit “Fly Club” of coaches across the country, and eventually built his complete offensive system around these concepts.
Along the way, Fisher opens up on:
The evolution of high school football and why big plays now trump some traditional metrics
How Whiteland structures a practice week
Using film and analytics to correct, teach, and move on from wins and losses
The heartbreak of coaching, the joy of relationships, and why football players are “a special breed”
His best advice for young coaches: find a system, commit to it, and stop aimlessly chasing the newest scheme
Whether you’re a high school coach, play caller, or just love the craft of building a program, this conversation is packed with practical ideas, and veteran wisdom that can be applied at any level.
To learn more about CoachTree, email us at football@coachtree.us.
Brett Dietz, Head Football Coach at DePauw University, joins Four Thumb Tacks to talk football, leadership, and the lessons learned from a life immersed in the game. A former four-sport college athlete and professional QB in Europe and the Arena League, Coach Dietz brings a unique perspective on how experience shapes coaching style.
We dive into:
Coach Dietz also shares stories from recruiting, arena football, and the storied Monon Bell rivalry—and wraps up with a rapid-fire 2-minute drill.
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Dr. Chris Carr, Director of Performance Psychology for the Green Bay Packers, joins us to explore the mental side of football. From rewiring mindset after a drop to game day focus, he shares lessons from decades with elite athletes and coaches.
Key topics:
To learn more about CoachTree visit www.coachtree.us, or email at football@coachtree.us
This week features Billy Riebock, Head Football Coach at Millikin University. We talk:
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This week's chat features AJ Steward, Running Backs Coach at UCLA. We dive into:
To learn more about CoachTree, visit our website at www.coachtree.us or email us at football@coachtree.us
This week features Joey Lynch, Sr. Offensive Analyst at Texas A&M, we talk:
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Today we are joined by Bobby Johnson, Offensive Line Coach for the Washington Commanders. In our conversation, we discuss:
To learn more about CoachTree, visit us at www.coachtree.us or email us at football@coachtree.us.
Joey Hecklinski is the Head Football Coach of Goshen High School (IN). We discuss his transition from a 10 year collegiate coaching career to leading a high school program.
Key Takeaways:
To learn more about CoachTree, visit us at www.coachtree.us or email at football@coachtree.us
Travis Daugherty is a High School Basektball Coach of the Year turned Founder and CEO of Champions 101. At Champions 101, Travis and his team focus on high performance, winning behaviors and effective leadership. We discuss:
To learn more about CoachTree, visit us at www.coachtree.us or email at football@coachtree.us
Brad Seiss has led Merrillville High School to repeatable success over his 10+ year tenure. We learn how he's built the program and focus areas for their primary goal - a return of a State Championship. We discuss:
To learn more about CoachTree, visit us at www.coachtree.us or email at football@coachtree.us
Colin Johnson is an Offensive Line Coach and former Interim Head Coach at Ball State University. He discusses:
To learn more about CoachTree, visit us at coachtree.us or email us at football@coachtree.us.
Kevin Lynch is fresh off his hire as the Head Football Coach of Butler University. Our deep dive includes:
To learn more about CoachTree, visit us at coachtree.us or email us at football@coachtree.us