Where Strategy Meets Story

From college football operations to leading one of Ohio’s most tradition-rich programs, Coach Tom Phillips joins 614 Headsets to talk about why Newark Catholic was the right move, what it takes to rebuild and sustain winning cultures, and the lessons learned from nearly every level of football.

What happens when an offensive-minded head coach steps back into the coordinator role — and then takes over one of Central Ohio’s premier football programs?

In this episode, Mark Solis breaks down his journey from Northeast Ohio to Columbus, why New Albany Eagles was the right opportunity at the right time, and what coaches can expect from the next era of Eagles football. From leadership lessons learned as both a head coach and defensive coordinator to the influence of legendary mentors like Larry Kehres, Jim Tressel, and Lee Owens, this conversation is packed with insight on culture-building, staff leadership, defensive philosophy, and adapting as a coach over time.

What does 30+ years of winning football ACTUALLY teach you? In Episode 100, we sit down with Mark Crabtree of Dublin Jerome High School to break down what it actually takes to build—and sustain—a winning program over decades. Coach Crabtree shares the real story behind his career: the early lessons, the tough failures, and the principles that have stood the test of time in high school football.

Episode 99 dives into a rising program with Coach Kevin Board, who reveals his up-tempo, wide-split offensive system, how he’s using Tony Holler’s “Feed the Cats” to keep players fast and fresh, and the blueprint for total program alignment—from youth to varsity—while cutting down weekend game-planning to give coaches their time back without sacrificing Friday night results.

Unlock the cheat codes behind one of football’s most explosive defenses as Coach PJ Gibbs reveals how to build a fast, physical 3-high system—covering everything from game-changing run fits and pressure packages to film study secrets and tempo-based stems that give your defense the edge every Friday night.

In Episode 97 of the 614 Headsets podcast, Ryan and Kyle are joined by guest host Nathan Snedeker and Ryan’s brother Ronald Sayers, OHSAA Director of Eligibility and Technology, to answer coaches’ biggest questions about OHSAA operations. Ron breaks down state championship decisions, NIL in Ohio, investigations, and the real truth behind compliance, lawsuits, and competitive balance—plus a few stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Why base your offense in the Pistol? Because it forces balanced defensive calls, widens the field, and creates a longer mesh point for lethal RPO and play-action flexibility.

In Episode 96 of 614 Headsets, Dublin Coffman Head Coach Nick McVay drops a masterclass on pairing the Pistol with an RPO-driven, spread triple-option foundation. McVay also outlines Coffman’s core program pillars, offseason “combat training” with wrestling, and the “Once a Rock, Always a Rock” brotherhood culture.

Episode 95 of 614 Headsets features new Lancaster Head Coach Jeremy McKinney, who shares why he left a winning program to take on a new challenge. He breaks down his philosophy of family, academics, and simple schemes that let players play fast, including position “one sheets,” interchangeable defenders, flexible fronts, and a no-tackle practice approach designed to keep players healthy while building a playoff-caliber program.

Episode 94: After a brutal season, Coach Cameron Barker rebuilt his defense from the ground up—cutting through the noise, simplifying for a young roster, and turning data into dominance. From fixing first-down struggles to building momentum with a statement shutout, this is a masterclass in trusting the process and coaching what actually wins.

In "Developing the Relentless" Coach Edwards give us an inside look on how he develops player accountability, strength in the face of adversity, and getting value from every player within his program.