Jonathan Mailhes

Drew Brees explains why he rejected Nick Saban, a yacht and the Miami Dolphins for a destroyed New Orleans franchise: “On paper, it was Miami all the way. Miami had Nick Saban. They had just come off a 9–7 season. Defense was lights out. They were running the same offense we were running.” “I’m sitting there eating dinner on Wayne Huizenga’s yacht. He’s talking about playing golf in Scotland every summer. No state income tax. I’m like, ‘Dude, this is wallpaper. Miami, here I come.’” “New Orelans was six months post-Katrina. They just hired some unknown head coach named Sean Payton. Who is this guy?” “I’m in Miami in an MRI tube for two hours just aching. They stick these big needles in my shoulder to test the nerve endings. I got this feeling of doubt. They don't really think I will be able to play. Their doctors said I had a 25% chance of coming back and playing again.” “I go to New Orleans and it was like, ‘You are our guy.’ Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis said, ‘We’re building this offense around you.’” “They did everything they could to roll out the red carpet despite all the circumstances. New Orleans was still destroyed.” “Houses were off their foundations. There was a Chevy truck upside down in a living room. The car stops, and there’s a tugboat in the middle of the road.” “I’m looking at my wife like, ‘Are you seeing what I’m seeing?’” “It was one of those moments where it's like this is so much bigger than just football. We get to be part of the resurrection of one of America’s greatest cities.” “This is God’s calling in our life. And that was the determining factor.”

Blocking punts is one of the biggest momentum changing plays in football because it can instantly create explosive plays, flip field position, and completely change the outcome of a game Even when the punt is not blocked, consistent pressure forces quicker operation times, lower trajectories, shorter punts, and protection adjustments that create valuable hidden yardage That is why elite special teams units treat punt block as a calculated discipline built on preparation, technique, and execution rather than simply playing fast From a scouting perspective, organizations place a premium on core special teamers who possess explosive first step quickness, snap anticipation, length, football intelligence, flexibility, balance, and relentless effort Long arms and outstanding body control expand a player’s blocking radius, while disciplined rush lane integrity ensures every player executes his assignment within the pressure scheme. 🚨The best punt blockers attack the football, not the kicker🚨, using efficient angles, violent hand usage, and controlled finishes to maximize their chances of creating a game changing play while avoiding costly penalties Ultimately, the teams that consistently win on special teams are the ones that identify and develop players with the athletic traits, discipline, toughness, and technical skill to create hidden yardage and game changing momentum through the punt block unit

Gap integrity is one of the most important fundamentals of dominant defensive line play because every successful run defense begins with disciplined execution, not individual statistics Every defensive lineman must understand the defensive call, execute his assigned run fit, maintain leverage, defeat blocks, and trust his teammates to do the same. Whether playing in a one gap or two gap scheme, the objective remains the same: eliminate running lanes and force the football where the defense wants it to go Great defensive lines do not chase the football or freelance outside the structure of the defense. They play with disciplined eyes, violent hands, proper pad level, sound technique, and relentless effort on every snap. By controlling blockers and maintaining gap integrity, defensive linemen keep linebackers clean, eliminate cutback lanes, and force offenses to earn every yard From a coaching and scouting perspective, gap integrity is one of the clearest indicators of disciplined defensive line play. It reflects football intelligence, assignment discipline, leverage, block destruction, and trust in the defensive scheme When every defender consistently executes his responsibility, explosive runs become rare, pursuit improves, and the defense creates the long yardage situations that allow the pass rush to take over. Elite defensive line play is built on discipline, leverage, technique, and trust, because controlling your gap is the foundation of stopping the run

ATTENTION all @natchampseries players and parents the time has come! All galleries are LIVE and ready to view.... Check them out! @stinger_brand mailhesphotography.zenfoliosite.com/clients/hsb-ncs

The average NCAA player has a 1.6% shot at the NFL… At LSU, it jumps to 31% 🤯 And at WR? Start 10 games since 2000… 86% chance.

Hidden yardage in special teams is one of the most overlooked parts of football, but it has a major impact on winning. It’s the field-position value a team gains or loses through kickoffs, punts, returns, coverage, penalties, ball security, and situational decisions in the kicking game It may not always show up the same way traditional offensive or defensive stats do, but it directly affects drive length, starting field position, scoring opportunities, and overall game flow. A kickoff covered inside the 20, a punt downed at the 7, a return that gets the offense beyond the touchback line, or a penalty avoided in the return game can all create hidden yardage that helps tilt the field From a coaching and scouting perspective, hidden yardage is really about winning the small field-position battles consistently over the course of a game. It’s not always about one explosive return. It’s about forcing opponents to drive a longer field, creating shorter fields for your offense, making sound decisions in the return game, covering kicks with discipline, and avoiding mistakes that give away free yards The teams that consistently win in special teams usually understand that every yard matters before the offense or defense even takes a meaningful snap. Hidden yardage is won in the margins, and over four quarters those small gains can become a major advantage

Just a sample of the photos to come from this year’s @natchampseries. Game action galleries from the whole series will be posted soon for all players, parents, and friends to check out! STAY TUNED!

Dubb city 🏆 #Kansas

This event should continue to grow as it already has. We played 6 teams with loaded rosters and saw legit baseball all week long. Every pitch matters and it always means more when you represent something bigger than yourself! Thanks to all who had a part in making it happen! @natchampseries

“Make me a quick reference OL drill index for specific areas of OL play”

Why High School Football is Important

First Four Days

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@OLCoachRosen 100% agree!!

A hill I will die on

As a coach, you need a plan to get your team talking. Here are some questions for team discussions. Maybe it can help someone out today.

Sean McVay said, “Winning is a habit; let’s make it ours.” Winning is a lifestyle. It is how you do things. What habits make winning possible? Here are the 6 Habits of Winners. 1. Keep Stacking Days Winners show up every day. It’s not about going all out once in a while but consistency. Small, daily actions compound over time. Whether in the gym, the classroom, or your mindset, showing up EVERY DAY beats sporadic intensity. 2. Focus on the Process, Not Just the Results Winners don’t obsess over outcomes—they focus on the steps that get them there. The journey is where growth happens. By locking in on the process, they make success inevitable by constantly improving what they can control. 3. Embrace the Struggle Winners don’t shy away from challenges or discomfort. They know that growth happens in the tough moments. When others quit or back down, winners lean in. They understand that pain and struggle are part of the path to greatness. 4. Adapt and Adjust Winners are flexible. They don’t stick to a rigid plan when things change - they adapt. Whether it’s a new strategy, an unexpected challenge, or setbacks, winners adjust and keep moving forward. 5. Stay Humble and Hungry No matter how much success they’ve had, winners never think they’ve “arrived.” They remain humble, knowing there’s always room to improve. And they stay hungry, constantly pushing themselves to improve, no matter how much they’ve already achieved. 6. Mental Toughness Winners build mental resilience. They don’t let failures define them or allow external pressures to control their mindset. They train their minds as much as their bodies, learning to stay focused, calm, and confident in any situation. _____ If you like this post, you will love my free weekly newsletter: Great Teams Better Leaders. Join 15,000+ others who read for free each week.

John Curtis Christian (LA) Assistant Coach Jeff Curtis - Split Back Inside Veer - 28x Louisiana State Champs - OL/TE Assignments - QB Footwork - Read Progression