Short one this week, but for a good reason. I got to take my girls to their first NFL game, and even though it was a hot one, it was a ton of fun.
I also got to share the experience with my best friend and assistant coach, who was doing the same with his two kids. We didn’t talk a ton of our own football, though, this weekend, which is surprising for us because we’re 8 days away from our own season starting. We instead talked about the Bills, beer, his son’s Pop Warner, and how crazy things are in the “big city” of Rochester compared to our own corner Northern New York.
I’m not concerned, though, about how little football we talked so close to the season. For the past three seasons together we have been on the same page in everything, and we’re more than ready for this upcoming season together. The same can be said for my other two assistants, at well, who have completely bought in to our JV mission and the program as a whole, and whom I trust more than any three men with our kids, our system, and our philosophy.
Coaching at the junior varsity level is one of the most uniquely demanding and fulfilling experiences in football. It’s where the foundation of a program is laid, where raw players are molded into varsity-ready contributors, and where the values, skills, and systems of the varsity program are instilled. One of the most critical elements to success at the JV level is the effective use of assistant coaches. While head coaches at the varsity level often have a large, experienced staff with clearly defined roles, JV coaches must be intentional, adaptable, and strategic in how they deploy their assistants.
For many years I coached at the JV level with only two coaches. In some more fortunate years, I’ve had three. Last year, with 52 kids, I was very fortunate to have 4 assistants, and will be retaining three of them this upcoming season. Managing adults can sometimes be a tricky task, but it’s never been that way with this particular group of coaches, and for that, I’m extremely thankful. Good coaches can be the difference between an easy, successful season or a long and draining season, and it all starts with how you put them in a position to be successful.
This post breaks the process into three key areas: position assignments, coordinator assignments, and gameday responsibilities. By clearly defining expectations and providing autonomy within structure, JV head coaches can create an environment where assistants thrive, athletes grow, and the entire program benefits.
At the JV level, assistant coaches often double up on responsibilities. They may coach both sides of the ball, manage multiple position groups, or step in as coordinators. I’ve had many years where I’ve been the head coach, DC, OL, DL, and Special Teams Coach. The key to managing this is clarity and consistency. Every assistant should have a clear position group to own, with daily teaching goals and season-long development plans.
Consider your staff’s strengths and experience. If one coach played offensive line in college, they should work with the linemen. If another coach has defensive back experience, make them the secondary coach. But beyond background, match personality and teaching style to the players’ needs. Young linemen need a detail-oriented coach with patience. Skill players often thrive under coaches with energy and enthusiasm.
Each assistant should be given a daily coaching focus for their group. For example:
These daily goals should be discussed during pre-practice meetings and reflected upon afterward. This allows for accountability without micromanagement.
Rather than scripting every drill, give assistants the freedom to select their own drills that align with the day’s goals. This ownership creates more investment and creativity. You provide the framework—they fill it with their expertise. A great practice plan will include the “what” and “why”, but allow your assistants to create the “how.”
When I create my practice plans, I send them early on in the day to all of my coaches. The plan shows where Indy’s will be, how long they will have, what different groupings there will be for pods, and who is in charge of each station (a little trick I picked up from my varsity coach to curb any confusion.) What I don’t fill in, though, are the drills to run. My coaches know the gameplan, and I give them goals to accomplish every day, but like I said earlier, they’re responsible for figuring out how they’re going to do it.
While some JV programs operate with one head coach and several position coaches, I’m a big believer in assigning offensive and defensive coordinators at the JV level. Not only does this create a clearer division of responsibilities, but it also helps assistants develop their leadership and planning skills—something that benefits your whole program in the long run.
The JV offensive coordinator should be responsible for:
They should be encouraged to take ownership of the offense while staying aligned with varsity’s core philosophies. Weekly meetings with the head coach to review install progress and adjust game plans help keep things on track.
This coach should lead the installation and teaching of the base defense, run fits, and coverage concepts. Like the offensive coordinator, they’ll run their side of the ball during practice and call plays on game day.
It’s critical they understand the gradual install approach we prefer at the JV level: build a strong foundation in alignment, run fits, and base coverage before moving into blitzes and pressures
If you have the luxury of a third strong assistant, having a dedicated special teams coordinator can be a game-changer. If not, special teams can be divided among coaches with clearly assigned units—e.g., one coach takes kick return, another handles punt coverage, and so on.
Gameday is where preparation meets execution—and where chaos can ensue if roles aren’t clearly defined. JV games often lack the resources of varsity (no press box, limited staff), so every assistant must know exactly what they’re doing from the first whistle to the last.
Here’s how we typically assign responsibilities:
Each coach has a job to do between series as well:
Having written assignments for each coach removes confusion and builds a rhythm throughout the game. Just like your players, coaches need reps and clear expectations to perform well.
Games are fun, but practice is where development happens. Here’s how you utilize assistants effectively Monday through Thursday:
Hold a 10-minute coaches’ meeting before practice. Review the plan, establish key coaching points for each group, and discuss any player needs or discipline issues. This short meeting gets everyone aligned.
Design your practice around stations so that every assistant is active. For example:
Each coach runs a 10-15 minute session with their group, and players rotate. This keeps everyone moving and allows coaches to focus on specific teaching objectives.
After practice, take five minutes to debrief. Ask your assistants:
This creates a culture of reflection and growth—for coaches and players.
At the JV level, the focus should always be player development. Wins are great—but development is the metric that matters. Your assistants are your biggest asset in that mission. By empowering them with clear roles, encouraging ownership, and aligning them with your vision, you multiply your program’s ability to grow.
Remember:
When JV coaches are aligned, energized, and empowered, the results speak for themselves—not just in the JV record, but in the preparedness and confidence of the players as they ascend to the varsity level. And that’s what building a real football program is all about.
Let your assistants coach. Give them goals. Challenge them to grow, because just like our players, they’re learning, too.
Next week will be the last of my weekly installments, as my own season will be starting, and I’ll be shifting to a bi-weekly model for the duration of my season, just to keep some sanity for myself. For my last weekly article for a while, I’m going to go in with some last minute tips for a new season, whether you haven’t started yet, or a few weeks in. We’re all starting something, whether it’s practices or games, and we could all use some pointers.
In the meantime, keep checking out the rest of coachingshare.com, and check out my Twitter and Instagram, @coacheaston268. Also, check out The JV Playbook on Facebook and Instagram, and join The JV Community, a group of coaches on Facebook who can help each other grow. While you’re at it, go to youtube and check out One Play the JV Way, where I go through and teach how we coach up our kids on specific plays.
Have a good way, and remember, Teach It, Build It, Rep It, That’s the JV Way.
