After the other thread of Radi getting fleeced by an AI high schooler (joking) I thought why can’t AI become our OLine coach. I told ChatGPT I’m the OLine coach. Kirby is about to fire me and the fans are upset for underperformance. What do I need to do to improve the OLine this season. Then at the end I told it I had lots of injuries so can I just use that as the excuse for last year.
“Thanks for being direct — that’s the right mindset when stakes are high. You're in a high-pressure role at UGA, where expectations are national-title-or-bust, and having top-tier recruits means the margin for underperformance is razor thin. Here’s a focused approach to raise the play of your offensive line:
Would you like a sample weekly plan or film breakdown model for your unit? I can help build that out.
Great — here's a weekly plan and film breakdown model specifically for your offensive line unit at UGA. It's designed to sharpen fundamentals, align with scheme, and raise accountability/performance without burning them out.
Would you like me to build a template playbook install plan, OL grading sheet, or drill catalog next?
Let’s start with a playbook install plan, an OL grading sheet, and a drill catalog tailored for your elite-level program at UGA.
Let me know if you’d like this in PDF or Excel format, or if you want a camp install schedule, film cutup label system, or player development tracker next.
You can — but you shouldn’t. Not at UGA.
Here’s the reality:
Everyone deals with injuries. The standard doesn’t change because it’s Athens. It’s “next man up,” and the fan base, media, and Kirby all expect performance no matter who’s in. Excuses, even valid ones, erode trust in your room and with the head coach.
Want help designing a “next man up” development system or how to tweak scheme for backups (e.g., simplify protections or reduce pull-heavy calls)? I can help build that out next.
“Thanks for being direct — that’s the right mindset when stakes are high. You're in a high-pressure role at UGA, where expectations are national-title-or-bust, and having top-tier recruits means the margin for underperformance is razor thin. Here’s a focused approach to raise the play of your offensive line:
1. Self-Audit First
- Watch every snap, not just the busts. Track patterns: poor pad level, lack of punch, late hands, missed assignments.
- Evaluate your install methods. Are you overloading? Are they thinking instead of reacting? NFL talent or not, if your teaching isn't sticking, it needs to change.
2. Rebuild the Fundamentals (Even with 5-stars)
- Daily technique drills. Base, hand placement, leverage, eye discipline, and footwork. Rep the basics every day, no matter how high-level the player.
- Refocus on pad level and finish. UGA plays in the trenches — low man still wins. Are your guys finishing through the whistle? Are they nasty?
3. Scheme Fit + Simplicity
- Are you asking too much mentally? Complex schemes or protection adjustments might be causing hesitation. Simplify where possible.
- Run fits and combo blocks: Do they understand the why, or just the what? Use film sessions to teach conceptually, not just assignments.
4. Hold the Standard
- Accountability breeds performance. If a starter doesn’t meet the standard, rotate him. That wakes a room up fast.
- Build competition. Even with NFL-bound guys, make them earn it. Let the best 5 play. Entitlement kills edge.
5. Film and Feedback Culture
- Peer grading: Have linemen evaluate each other in film. It builds leadership and awareness.
- Cut-ups of best reps: Reinforce what “right” looks like. Repetition of good behavior is just as important as correcting bad.
6. Collaborate with the OC and Kirby
- Protection schemes tied to QB depth and route timing. Any disconnect? Fix it together.
- Be transparent with Kirby. Let him see you're proactively working the problem. That builds trust and may buy you time.
7. Mindset and Leadership
- Who’s the alpha in your room? If you don’t have one, build one. The best units have a player-coach leader inside the huddle.
- Create identity: Nasty, disciplined, physical. Make that the DNA of your unit — and reward it when it shows up.
Bonus: Ask for Feedback — from Your Linemen
It takes guts, but they’ll tell you if your meetings are too long, your coaching is unclear, or your drills aren’t connecting. Adjust based on what’s helpful.Would you like a sample weekly plan or film breakdown model for your unit? I can help build that out.
Great — here's a weekly plan and film breakdown model specifically for your offensive line unit at UGA. It's designed to sharpen fundamentals, align with scheme, and raise accountability/performance without burning them out.
🗓️ Weekly OL Plan (In-Season)
Monday – Recovery + Mental Monday
- Short meeting (30–40 mins)
- Review 8–10 cutups: explosive plays, busts, effort clips
- Emphasize unit grade (not just individuals)
- OL leader speaks for the group on the unit’s performance
- Walkthrough (30 mins)
- Clean up MAs (missed assignments)
- Mental repping only — focus on ID, communication, fronts
- No pads, no contact. Let them recover physically
Tuesday – Technique Tuesday
- Individual drills (30 mins)
- Emphasis: pad level, footwork, hand placement, leverage
- Start each drill with a coaching point, end with correction
- Group: Combo + protection
- Work GT, inside zone, outside zone, pull drills
- Screen game and protections with DL/Scout
- Film (post-practice, 45 mins)
- Clip the good, bad, and effort plays. Grade out loud.
- Ask questions: “What should he do here?” Call on random guys. Keep it engaged.
Wednesday – Work Day
- Same structure as Tuesday, but speed increases
- Add 11-on-11 pass pro and run period
- Emphasis on full-speed fit and finish
- Add defensive twist pickup, blitz ID
- Simulated crowd noise, communication stress
- Film focus: blitz pickup and missed fits (30–45 mins)
Thursday – Situational + Finish Day
- Red zone, short yardage, 2-minute drill
- Quick individual period to reinforce one issue from Tues/Wed
- Perfect play period: OL must rep 5–8 plays with zero assignment busts or repeat
- Film: show only dominant reps to reinforce confidence
Friday – Mental Wrap + Visual Reps
- Walkthrough: Calls, shifts, motions, communication checks
- Mental test: Pass out a 10-question quiz (e.g., “Draw up 3rd and medium protection vs 3-3-5”) — make it competitive
- Leadership moment: One OL leads final meeting, preps unit for Saturday
Saturday – Game Day
- Remind them of “5 things we control”
- Physical finish
- Communication
- Assignment execution
- Eye discipline
- Nasty energy
🎥 Film Breakdown Model (Use Every Day)
| Category | What to Show | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Effort Tape | Chase plays, pancakes, 2nd-level blocks | Establish identity |
| Busts | Missed IDs, poor hands, poor finish | Accountability |
| Elite Reps | Clean pass sets, 2-for-1 combos | Reinforce success |
| Comparative Tape | Former UGA greats / NFL OL | Show what elite looks like |
| Call + ID Clips | Crowd noise, twist pickup, blitz ID | Build communication |
🧠 Accountability Grid (Weekly)
| Player | Grade | MA | Sacks Allowed | Knockdowns | Film Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT | 85% | 1 | 0 | 6 | A- |
| LG | 78% | 3 | 1 | 4 | B |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Would you like me to build a template playbook install plan, OL grading sheet, or drill catalog next?
Let’s start with a playbook install plan, an OL grading sheet, and a drill catalog tailored for your elite-level program at UGA.
📘 Weekly Playbook Install Plan (OL-Focused)
| Day | Install Focus | OL Emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Mental re-load (corrections + walkthrough) | Adjustments from last game, protection checks |
| Tuesday | Base runs (inside zone, counter, power, wide zone) + Day 1 protections | Pad level, 2i/3-tech handling, double team fits |
| Wednesday | Movement + pressures | Twist pick-up, slide ID, linebacker fits, TE combo work |
| Thursday | Situational football | Short yardage footwork, red zone vertical leverage, screen timing |
| Friday | Mental reps only | Full call-out review, defensive front recognition quiz |
📊 OL Grading Sheet (Game/Practice)
| Player | Play # | Assignment (0/1) | Technique (0–2) | Effort (0–2) | Result (notes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Pancake, sealed edge |
| LG | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | MA on 3-tech stunt |
| C | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Late reach, stalemate |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
- Total Grade = (Sum of earned points / Total possible) x 100
- Create competition: rank and post after each game
- Use same sheet for practice, simplified to 10 random plays per day
🛠️ OL Drill Catalog (Weekly Rotation)
🔹 Run Game
- "Board Drill" – leverage + base drive, no leaning
- "Combo Drill" – guard/tackle vs DL/LB on inside zone
- "Backside Cutoff" – reach and torque vs 3-tech/1-tech
🔹 Pass Protection
- "Set-Punch-Redirect" – hands + recover from edge pressure
- "2v2 Twist Pick-Up" – simulate T-E and E-T games
- "Slide and Anchor" – core strength and recovery vs bull rush
🔹 Situational / Finish
- "Whistle + 3" – block through 3 seconds post-whistle
- "Drive the Dummy" – finish through sled with feet under hips
- "Goal Line Gauntlet" – tight space, max physicality, no MA
🧠 Bonus: OL Culture Slogans (For Room Posters)
- “No Excuses. No Loafs. No MA’s.”
- “Five As One.”
- “We finish what we touch.”
- “Nasty, Smart, Violent.” (Kirby-style DNA)
Let me know if you’d like this in PDF or Excel format, or if you want a camp install schedule, film cutup label system, or player development tracker next.
You can — but you shouldn’t. Not at UGA.
Here’s the reality:
Everyone deals with injuries. The standard doesn’t change because it’s Athens. It’s “next man up,” and the fan base, media, and Kirby all expect performance no matter who’s in. Excuses, even valid ones, erode trust in your room and with the head coach.
Instead of Using It as an Excuse — Flip It:
✅ Use Injuries as a Catalyst
- Reinforce depth development:
Prove that your 2s and 3s are getting meaningful reps in practice and know the system. That reflects on you as a teacher, not just a recruiter. - Emphasize adaptability in your unit:
If your third-string guard is holding his own, that tells Kirby you're coaching them all, not just the 5-stars. - Be honest, but solutions-oriented:
When you talk to Kirby:
What You Can Say (Without Sounding Like You’re Ducking Accountability)
That earns you respect. It’s honest, focused on improvement, and most importantly — it puts the pressure on you to get better without blaming anyone.
Want help designing a “next man up” development system or how to tweak scheme for backups (e.g., simplify protections or reduce pull-heavy calls)? I can help build that out next.
