On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we sit down with Deke Adams, Defensive Ends Coach at West Virginia University.

Coach Adams shares his coaching journey through multiple levels of football and reflects on the experiences, relationships, and family support that helped shape his career. From his early days in the profession to coordinating at the FCS level and coaching in Power Four football, Coach Adams discusses the lessons learned along the way and offers valuable advice for coaches navigating their own career paths.

Throughout the conversation, Coach Adams talks about the importance of mentorship, building strong professional relationships, embracing challenges, and remaining committed to growth throughout a coaching career.

Inside the Headset is the official podcast of the American Football Coaches Association, featuring conversations with coaches from every level of football. Each episode explores leadership, career development, coaching philosophy, and the stories behind the profession.

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For more information on the American Football Coaches Association, visit AFCA.com.

AFCA Membership opens July 1. Join the AFCA to connect with coaches from across the country and gain access to valuable professional development resources and networking opportunities.

On this episode of AFCA Studio, former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick joins AFCA Director of Education Mario Price to discuss the coaches who influenced his football journey, the lessons he learned during a 17-year NFL career, and how those experiences helped inspire the creation of Crucible.

Having played for nine NFL organizations and learned under numerous offensive coordinators, Fitzpatrick developed a unique perspective on quarterback development, football intelligence, and the importance of decision-making. Now, through Crucible, he is helping quarterbacks at every level gain meaningful mental reps and improve their ability to process information quickly and efficiently.

During the conversation, Fitzpatrick shares how coaches impacted his career, why mental repetitions are critical for quarterback growth, and how technology can help players continue their development outside of practice.

On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Joe Battaglia, Head Coach at Lock Haven University.

Coach Battaglia shares the leadership and business lessons he has applied throughout his coaching career, discusses the value of professional development, and reflects on the journey that led him to become the head coach at Lock Haven.

During the conversation, Battaglia details his experiences as a young coach working his way through the profession, including stops at Temple and Georgia Tech. He discusses the challenges of transitioning into larger roles, lessons learned as a first-time coordinator, and the importance of building strong relationships throughout a coaching career. He also explains the impact the AFCA 35 Under 35 program had on his development and why he encourages young coaches to pursue opportunities that help them grow as leaders.