S. 4 E. 4 - Blair Cavanaugh - Incarnate Word STC - Imua and the One Shot Mentality

Season 4, Episode 4 of the Iceman Podcast featured Blair Cavanaugh, Special Teams Coordinator at Incarnate Word, interviewed by host Brett Arkelian. The episode delved into Blair's journey, from his upbringing in Corvallis, Oregon, to his experience as a walk-on player and eventually becoming a college coach. Highlights included insights into coaching philosophy, such as creating buy-in among players and building a culture of care within the team. Blair discussed the unique challenges and rewards of coaching college football, including gaining respect as a first-time coordinator and dealing with adversity. Key topics covered the ethos of Incarnate Word's special teams unit, emphasizing speed, aggression, and physicality. The episode concluded with rapid-fire questions, advice for young specialists, and reflections on coaching and family. 0:00-0:22 - Iceman Podcast Intro 0:40 - Blair Cavanaugh Introduction 1:38 - Heavy Hitter’s Section Presented by The Kicker’s Bible: What is Your Why? 2:25 - Brett and Blair’s Meeting 3:30 - Blair’s Experience at Syracuse - Justin Lustig 5:40 - How Coach Lustig Created Buy In - Authentic Self 6:50 - Create Buy In - Past Players That Played at Your School. Video Clips Talking About the Importance. Drills to Game - College to NFL 9:10 - From Son of College Coach to Becoming a College Coach 10:00 - Hawaii Football’s Dominance in the 2000’s 13:45 - The Unique Experience Your Kids Get by Being a College Football Coach - I Wouldn’t Change It for the World 15:30 - Growing Up in Corvallis, Oregon 18:30 - Struggle of Being a Walk On 22:30 - Playing on the Team of Your Dad Who is a College Coach. Plus and Minuses 27:35 - The Start of Blair’s Coaching Career 29:00 - Common Traits of Special Teams Coordinators 30:40 - Mythbuster’s Section Presented by The Kicker’s Bible - What is the Most Overlooked Fundamental? 31:20 - How Blair Ended Up at Incarnate Word? 33:00 - First Thing That You Do When You Become a Special Teams Coordinator - Build Relationships. Make It Fun and Competitive 35:30 - How to Create Excitement - Player of the Day 37:50 - Specialist's Schedule with NFL Level Specialists 41:45 - The Importance of Mental Cues and Self Talk 43:40 - Carrier Dome Rocking 45:00 - Gaining Coaches' Respect as a First-Time Special Teams Coordinator 47:10 - One Shot Mentality & Imua 48:10 - What is Incarnate Word’s Special Teams Unit Known For: Fast, Violent, Physical 49:30 - Building Culture of Care 52:50 - How to Mimic Game Situations - Friday Night Calls 55:10 - Rapid Fire Section Presented by The Kicker’s Bible 55:50 - Best Advice He Received from His Father 56:50 - Putting Your Family First 57:35 - Facing Adversity - Getting Fired 58:43 - Is Coaching College Football Everything He Dreamed Of 59:45 - Who Are You a Mix Of? 1:01:47 - Coolest Stadium or Experience? 1:02:58 - Advice to Young Specialists 1:04:15 - Closing Statements & Where You Can Follow Coach Coach Cavanaugh