#59 Matthew LemMon: It's All About Shin Angle, Shin Angle, Shin Angle

Former FIU offensive lineman Mike Montero joins coach and host Paul Horne to discuss his path from a high school walk-on to playing college and professional football in France, and how those experiences shaped his coaching. Montero explains why fundamentals, communication, and football IQ help offensive linemen progress from basic technique to reading defensive tells.keywordsMike Montero, Paul Horne, offensive line coaching, FIU football, walk-on athlete, football in France, offensive line fundamentals, football IQkey topicsMike Montero began playing football at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, moved from defensive line to offensive line, then played five years at FIU as a walk-on.Montero describes the walk-on mindset: believe you belong, absorb coaching, and string together consistent days of improvement.After college, he pursued football in France and Arizona rather than immediately hanging up his cleats, gaining international experience and lasting friendships.In France, Montero played a 16-game schedule spread across roughly six months, with a bye week between games, and coached younger players alongside his playing commitments.Montero reflects on how football culture and disciplined systems may help explain the growth of leagues in countries such as Japan, Germany, and Austria.After his playing career, Montero moved into coaching and education; he is an assistant athletic director at Somerset Academy in Pembroke Pines and trains offensive linemen.His coaching begins with fundamentals such as stance, footwork, hand placement, first steps, and getting to the point of contact, with groups organized by age and experience.Montero prioritizes football IQ and communication: identifying the Mike, coordinating double teams, recognizing twists, and understanding what the defense is trying to accomplish.Paul Horne and Montero discuss progressing from technique and scheme fundamentals to advanced pre-snap clues, including defensive alignment, stance, and hand position.Takeawaysyou just gotta believe that you belong.It's about putting consecutive days together.basics win.We're not trying to be the best in the state of Florida.there's always gonna be somebody knows a little bit more.just play as long as you can.Fundamentals before scheme-specific and advanced recognition: build technique, then systems and reads.Age- and experience-based training groups, with flexible placement to expose developing players to more experienced peers.Sound Bites"just play as long as you can.""basics win.""let's have a system"Chapters00:00 The show’s recording backlog and publishing plans02:14 Mike Montero’s route from Miami high school football to FIU05:03 The walk-on mindset: believing you belong06:34 Track and field, shot put, and choosing football10:55 Playing in France and seeing football from a new perspective13:16 How European teams recruit and develop players17:52 A 16-game season with a bye week between games19:25 From the end of playing to coaching and athletic administration22:11 Why offensive line coaching starts with fundamentals26:22 Building football IQ through protection calls and communication29:25 Moving from basic technique to reading defensive tellsGuest nameMike [email protected]

Offensive line play is chess at light speed, and this week's guest has spent three decades teaching it. Paul Horne sits down with Kevin Sabo. Kevin is the offensive line coach at Aurora University, an elementary PE teacher, and the founder of Fist Football Academy.In this episode:How Fist Football Academy began in 2011, and what the name stands forWhy Kevin moved from standard playbook teaching toward a more biomechanically sound approach, drawing on Joe Moore's methodsHow he builds linemen from the ground up using posture, kinesiology and functional strengthHow he balances teaching, college coaching, training sessions and familyHow he runs Sunday recovery sessions that focus on whatever each player needs mostIf you coach, play or just love the trenches, this one is for you.I can shorten it for Apple Podcasts or YouTube, change the tone, or add timestamps. If you pick the edit you're publishing, I'll base it on that version [email protected]@trenchometry

Matthew Lemmon is back at his alma mater, St. Mary's College High School, after 11 years as a head coach. He's now focused entirely on coaching the offensive line. In this episode, he joins Paul Horne to explain how he teaches linemen from the ground up.In this episode:Why ankle mobility and shin angle decide how much force a lineman can transferSimple warm-ups that help: knee-over-toe on a box, sitting on your toes, and skipping instead of jogging between drillsWhy heels should start flat in the stance, and how a dropped heel wastes time off the snapThe "failure standard" for drills: if your heel comes up, the rep doesn't countHow leadership and team-bonding trips at camp help linemen communicate on game dayMatthew's walk-on mentality, from San Diego State to the sidelineWhy outside zone pod work is his go-to drillWhether you coach linemen or play the position, you'll leave with drills you can use this week.I can shorten it for Apple Podcasts or YouTube, change the tone, or add timestamps. If you want it to cover the whole episode, select the edit and I'll read the rest.Matthew Lemmon is back at his alma mater, St. Mary's College High School, after 11 years as a head coach. He's now focused entirely on coaching the offensive line. In this episode, he joins Paul Horne to explain how he teaches linemen from the ground up.In this episode:Why ankle mobility and shin angle decide how much force a lineman can transferSimple warm-ups that help: knee-over-toe on a box, sitting on your toes, and skipping instead of jogging between drillsWhy heels should start flat in the stance, and how a dropped heel wastes time off the snapThe "failure standard" for drills: if your heel comes up, the rep doesn't countHow leadership and team-bonding trips at camp help linemen communicate on game dayMatthew's walk-on mentality, from San Diego State to the sidelineWhy outside zone pod work is his go-to drillWhether you coach linemen or play the position, you'll leave with drills you can use this week.I can shorten it for Apple Podcasts or YouTube, change the tone, or add timestamps. If you want it to cover the whole episode, select the edit and I'll read the [email protected]@Trenchometry

The 5 A Way: Coaching, Accountability, and Brotherhood in the TrenchesThe offensive line is more than blocking—it’s leverage, communication, and split-second problem-solving. In this episode of Trenchometry, host Paul Horne talks with Coach Jacob Milligan about teaching young linemen to think, adjust, and compete.Jacob shares how he fell in love with the offensive line, learned all five positions, and found his path into coaching. He also explains the meaning behind Five in the Arena, his approach to “purposeful reps,” and why he believes that practice is sacred.Together, Paul and Jacob discuss the foundations of offensive-line play, including stance, steps, communication, and adapting to what players see on the field. They also get candid about accountability, playing time, and the honest conversations coaches sometimes need to have with players and parents.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why stance and steps are essential starting points for young linemenHow to prepare players to communicate before, during, and after a playTurning everyday drills into purposeful, game-ready repsUsing honesty and film evidence in conversations about playing timeHow mentors and relationships shaped Jacob’s coaching philosophyA conversation about technique, leadership, and the brotherhood that makes the trenches [email protected]@thetrenchdoctor@Trenchometry

The difference between a good lineman and a great one often comes down to three things: stance, hips, and hands. Paul Horne sits down with Mario Chierchia, the founder of CC Trench Performance, for a deep look at what really separates players who survive in the trenches from players who control them.Mario breaks down the exact progression he uses with offensive and defensive linemen, starting with hip mobility and power generation before moving into strike timing, leverage, and hand placement. If you coach linemen, train linemen, or play in the trenches yourself, this conversation gives you a practical roadmap for building explosiveness without wasting reps on flashy techniques that do not fit the athlete.You'll discover why hip power is the engine of trench play, how Mario builds movement on air before he ever asks a player to strike, and why his approach changes depending on a player's body type. He explains the difference between run stances and pass stances on the defensive line, how to attack half a man, and why long-armed edge players and shorter, stouter tackles should not be trained the same way.Paul and Mario also dig into the mindset that football builds far beyond the field. From getting knocked down and getting right back up to embracing the grind of practice, workouts, and repetition, this episode shows how trench play becomes a blueprint for life. Mario shares how those lessons shaped his move into training and why he is committed to passing them on to the next generation of linemen.You will also hear about Mario's journey from New Jersey standout to college player and now developing coach, including his current work with CC Trench Performance, his online training plans, and the certifications he is pursuing to sharpen his craft. It is a conversation about development, discipline, and building athletes the right way.Essential listening if you care about offensive line play, defensive line technique, or the hidden details that make football teams tougher, smarter, and harder to beat. Paul Horne is the host of Trenchometry, a podcast focused on the art and science of trench play. Mario Chierchia is the founder of CC Trench Performance, known for training linemen through a technique-first, athlete-specific [email protected]@thetrenchdoctor

Most offensive line coaches teach technique. Coach Tyrone Sapp teaches violence, discipline, and a system built to win reps before the ball is even snapped. If you coach linemen, train linemen, or just want to understand what truly separates average trench play from dominant trench play, this conversation is for you.Paul Horne sits down with Coach Sapp of Sapps O-Line Academy to break down the mindset, methods, and coaching philosophy behind elite offensive line development. From his own rise from a freshman-year starter at Dr. Phillips to Bethune-Cookman, to coaching stops at Oak Ridge and back at his alma mater, Sapp brings a career full of hard-earned lessons about toughness, accountability, and building linemen who can translate training directly to the field.You'll discover how Sapp teaches offensive line play through practical, game-ready drills instead of empty repetition. He explains the load foot, launch progressions, duck walks, pad level work, and why his grid-based training helps athletes understand angles, balance, and force. He also dives into stance details, pass protection rules, and why alignment is assignment - because your plan changes when you're head up, tight, wide, or in a true two-eye look.We also break down the psychology of offensive line coaching. Sapp shares why linemen need hard coaching, why trust matters more than coddling, and how fellowship off the field - from Thursday wings to family time around the program - builds the bond that makes tough coaching work. Paul and Coach Sapp compare notes on weight room standards, run-game intent, sled work, and why the best coaches know when to push hard and when to build belief.This episode also explores the bigger picture of football culture, including the value of HBCUs like Bethune-Cookman, the rise of offensive line academies, the risks and rewards of one-on-ones and five-on-five competition, and the family legacy Sapp is building with his son through Sapps O-Line Academy. He even shares why his players know he is no-nonsense but still leads with love.Essential listening if you coach linemen, play offensive line, or want a sharper understanding of how trenches are won. Coach Sapp's approach is equal parts old-school edge and modern training wisdom - and every offensive lineman can take something from it.Coach Tyrone Sapps is the founder of Sapps O-Line Academy, based in Orlando, Florida, where he develops offensive linemen with practical, physical, game-translatable training. He is a veteran high school coach and former offensive coordinator at Dr. Phillips High School, where he helped lead the Panthers to a regional championship and a state final four appearance.Insta- @Sappsolineacademywww.Sappolineacademy.comFastHallPass.orgYouTube- @TrenchometryInsta- @ThetrenchdoctorTikTok- @the_trench_doctor

Savanah Tujague grew up in a college football coaching family, and she has turned that view into a huge social media following as a self-described "big man stan" and certified ball knower. She's also the daughter of NC State run game coordinator and offensive line coach Garrett Tujague.In this episode, Savanah talks about what it's like to be a coach's kid. She covers the moves, the missed time, and how her dad made the time he did have count, from recruiting trips where she stood in the end zone spitting sunflower seeds to team dinners and game-day flights. She explains why her family puts faith first, then family, then football, and how her parents' habit of "surrendering the outcome" plays out for a kid who takes losses hard. She also shares how the constant moves made her closest with her siblings and with the other coaches' kids who understand the life.Savanah also breaks down the truth and myth of offensive lineman stereotypes, how she handles fans criticizing her dad online, and how she scouts him like an offensive lineman, including his best trait and biggest weakness. Along the way, she talks about juggling three family members' games in one weekend, her game-day superstitions, and why she'll always watch the trenches first. The episode closes with a rapid-fire round covering best tailgates, underrated NFL offensive lines, and favorite players.For coaches, this is a candid look at what their families need from them, and why a little quality time goes a long way.Find Savanah: Twitter and TikTok, @Savanah2Jwww.Fasthallpass.orgInsta- thetrenchdoctorTikTok- @the_trench_doctor

The old coaching advice is backwards: winning Saturday isn't the goal, building young men is. Coach Travis McClain reveals how that mindset reshaped his program, his staff, and the way he leads Mount Vernon football.What starts as a trench talk quickly turns into a deep look at the real engine behind successful programs - relationships, accountability, communication, and a standard that never drops. Travis McClain shares the path from Baylor walk-on and Fortune 500 burnout to head coach and athletic director, and why a season at Salina changed everything he thought he wanted in coaching.You’ll discover:Why McClain believes football is "all about life" and how he teaches that every weekThe exact way he structures practices in under 90 minutes without losing detailHow a two-platoon approach opened up more good-on-good reps and sharper techniqueWhy his staff, including offensive line coach Mike Adams, is built around trust and familyHow Mount Vernon uses walkthroughs, Google Classroom, and Sunday installs to speed up learningWhat changed after inheriting a program that needed a reset and how they respondedMcClain also breaks down the reality of coaching in a small Texas town - where over half the high school is involved in football week after week, where community support matters, and where the smallest details can change a Friday night. If you care about offensive line play, culture building, or what it really takes to turn a program around, this one goes way beyond the scoreboard.Travis McClain, or coach T-Mac, is the head football coach and athletic director at Mount Vernon, Texas, and the voice behind The Quick Six podcast, where he shares unfiltered thoughts on coaching, leadership, and the changing landscape of Texas high school football.Essential listening for coaches, parents, and anyone who believes the best teams are built long before kickoff.@mtvernonknightsfootball@coach_t_mac@Quicksixpod @trenchdoctorwww.fasthallpass.org

The offensive line is chess at light speed, and Devin Crawford is proving how much wins in the trenches really matter. From a 22-game losing streak to a 37-10 surge at Mary G. Montgomery, he breaks down the coaching mindset, technique, and culture shift that turn overlooked linemen into the engine of a program. Paul Horne sits down with Crawford, a Mobile, Alabama native and former center at North Alabama, to trace his path from player to high school offensive line coach. Crawford shares how early success with Division I talent forced him to humble himself, adapt his teaching, and learn the hard truth that great coaching is never one-size-fits-all. You'll discover how he builds offensive line play around communication, first-step footwork, hand placement, and the kind of mental reps that create automatic execution on game day. He also explains why his program lives on a "take what it takes" standard, why culture starts with relationships, and how becoming a father changed the way he coaches, connects, and protects his players.We break down the exact drill he refuses to skip - "shoot the bird" - and why he believes it gives his linemen an edge in space against linebackers. He also gets candid about a trend he dislikes: padless one-on-ones, which he argues can create bad habits, kill confidence, and even get athletes hurt.Along the way, Crawford and Horne compare notes on building programs from scratch, creating buy-in in tough environments, and turning young men into future coaches, leaders, and contributors off the field. If you coach offensive line, build football culture, or just love hearing how real programs are made, this one belongs on your list.Perfect for coaches, offensive line junkies, and anyone who loves the hidden war inside every snap.Paul Horne, host of Trenchometry; Devin Crawford, offensive line coach at Mary G. Montgomery High School and former North Alabama center, known for helping turn MGM into a rising Alabama football program.@coach_crawford_55 @mgmvikingsathletics@mgm_football_qbclub@the_trench_doctor@thetrenchdoctor

Some offensive linemen protect the quarterback. Garett Tujague built entire careers around protecting a philosophy: win the trenches, win the war. NC State’s offensive run coordinator and offensive line coach joins Paul Horne for a deep, funny, and surprisingly honest conversation about the journey that shaped him - from a football-averse childhood and a late start in the game, to becoming an All-American at Chabot, a BYU standout protecting Ty Detmer, and a coach whose career has stretched across five institutions and 34 years.Tujague breaks down what really matters when recruiting and developing offensive linemen, why he filters prospects through three non-negotiables - length, athleticism, and nasty finish - and how he teaches his room to play fast, decisive, and violent without getting lost in overthinking. He explains why protection comes before passing concepts, why “WAC Champs” was the only goal that mattered at BYU, and how legendary coaches like Lavell Edwards shaped his approach to leadership, humility, and living in the moment. You’ll also hear the stories behind his stops at College of the Canyons, BYU, Virginia, and NC State, including the lessons he took from Bronco Mendenhall, the challenge of building culture during tragedy, and what makes Raleigh such a special football town. Along the way, Paul and Garett dig into offensive line personalities, game-day routines, favorite drills, and why the best rooms are always the funniest rooms.Garett Tujague is the offensive run coordinator and offensive line coach at NC State, where he helps power one of the ACC’s most physical fronts. He has coached bowl teams, record-setting offenses, and NFL talent across a long career defined by detail, toughness, and player development.Essential listening if you love offensive line play, coaching culture, or the kind of football wisdom that only comes from decades in the trenches.@[email protected] @trenchdoctor@the_trench_doctor