Up Close In Personnel with Alex Brown

Ep. 26 - Eric Galko - Scouting in the XFL & Roster Construction

In my conversation with Eric Galko of Optimum Scouting, we touched on everything from comparing quarterbacks to characters from the classic show, "The Office" to scouting processes, navigating the football industry and behind the scenes stories from his experience overseeing player personnel within the XFL!

 

Knowing Eric as both a friend and former colleague, this was one of the most enjoyable conversations I've recorded and chock full of personnel insight!

 

Here are some of my own takeaways from the episode, but please be sure to comment or tweet at me with what you took away from the show:

 

• Network with a purpose - BRING VALUE.

 

UTSA's Joe Price discussed this when he joined the show (Episode 4) but you have to find a way to stand out from the pack. Identify possible pain points or problems to solve for the people you're trying to connect with, be patient and be prepared with an answer when the time comes.

 

• Hire people that are UPWARDLY DRIVEN.

 

To reach true heights as an organization, you have to bring in high performers. With that said, most high performers will have their own career aspirations and part of the role of being a leader is developing your employees to reach their own personal and professional potential. Be prepared to lose your best employees as they climb the ladder and accomplish their dreams, and continually seek, recruit and incorporate those types of workers into your program. That applies to recruiting, coaching and any business field for that matter.

 

• Decision makers want to hear your ONE LINER (Not your entire report).

 

Don't lose the forest for the trees and get lost in the minutiae. Break down the role of the player you are evaluating and what his fit is within your program/scheme. That's it. Have the rest of the scouting report information ready to answer any follow up questions, but cut to the chase because decision makers don't always have the luxury of time.

 

• When constructing your roster, DON'T MISS ON INFO.

 

What are we talking about when it comes to info? That's your background and character of a player, the work ethic, coachability, accountability, professionalism, etc. That's injury history. That's verified measurables and up to date testing numbers. Lastly, but certainly not least is the analytics piece. How does a player with "x" production and measurables stack up historically to other players at his position?

 

The information gathering component to scouting is the most OBJECTIVE segment of an extremely SUBJECTIVE process. Being aware of the subjectivity of evaluating the game film and limiting errors within the more predictive, objective field of research/information is the first step in lowering your "misses".

 

 

Again, be sure to hit me up with your top takeaways from the episode and thank you for taking time out of your day to tune in!

 

If you enjoyed listening to Eric talk ball, you can follow him on Twitter at @EricGalko! Also, don't forget to check out our official website, UpCloseInPersonnel.com for complete show notes and future updates on the show!

Ep. 25 - Jordan Arcement - Making The Connection

In my conversation with Jordan Arcement - Director of Recruiting from UVA, we honed in on relationship building and making the connection as a recruiter.

 

Over the course of this podcast, we've had multiple guest bring up how important relationship-building is in the process and how it separates the good from the great recruiters.

 

Still, this is one episode where we dig past the surface and provide specific examples of how to execute; and while some of the conversation gears around Jordan's experiences, there are two main principles that any recruiter can take away from this episode.

 

1). You need to DEFINE YOUR WHY (PURPOSE).

 

Jordan's why is deep, it's tough, but it's real, authentic and relatable to recruits. Growing up in a single parent household after losing his father, Jordan seeks to provide that mentorship and guidance as a father-figure to recruits who may not have a father in their life. Moreover, he also endured career ending injuries and is able to relate to the uncertainty and doubt that clouds an athlete's mind when the game is ripped away.

 

2). Secondly, you have to BE ORGANIC.

 

Everybody likes to talk ball, but that's also the only thing most people talk about with recruits. Don't be afraid to open up and be vulnerable with the recruit you're engaging with. Trust is vital, and it's a two-way street -you have to give it in order to receive it.

 

As you get to know more information about the person you're talking to, find common interests and common ground that you can hone in on. Once you've found that connecting piece, you're able to have a different relationship than other schools and stand out.

 

If you enjoyed listening to Jordan talk shop, you can follow him on Twitter at @JordanArcement! Also, don't forget to check out our official website, UpCloseInPersonnel.com for complete show notes and future updates on the show!

 

Thanks for tuning in and see you next week!

Ep. 24 - Neil Stratton - Inside the NFL Scouting Industry

If you're interested in the world of NFL scouting, then this episode is for you! Neil Stratton, President of Inside The League, talks shop on the scouting process, how to break into the industry and his new book called "Scout Speak"!

 

 

"Scout Speak" is an easy $9.99 purchase that can be found on Amazon (link provided below) and touches on all things related to the scouting process, the draft room and how to carve a career out in the industry!

 

 

Current and former NFL scouts weigh in on the various topics covered in the book, all adding their own flavor and unique draft room or road trip stories for you to read through.

 

 

 

Getting to my conversation with Neil, we got deep in the weeds on what the best scouts have in common, the difficulty in "evaluating the evaluators" and how to break into the game for the young, aspiring NFL scout out there listening to the show.

 

 

Here are my notes and main takeaways from this week's episode:

 

 

Commonalities Among the Best Scouts

• Courage to develop their own opinions and be wrong, while learning from mistakes
• Awareness that this is a people driven industry and the ability to connect with people
• Consistency in always showing up

 

 

Evaluating the Evaluators

This question is ultimately a tough ask for anyone to answer, but Neil does a great job of breaking down exactly why this question is rarely answered:

 

• It's an "Ole Boy Network" and most scouts don't want to fire their buddies
• There's a distinct difference between information gatherers and talent evaluators, so that adds a layer of complication
• So many people are involved in the cross checking process, which makes the pick more of a consensus and collective decision (by design)
• Ultimately, success is a function of the area the scout oversees, team needs and the development process once that player reaches your building

 

 

*In my mind, the only way to get an accurate assessment of your process as an evaluator is to implement and execute a system of case studies -I.E. reviewing previously acquired players, re-grading them off the film, assessing how they performed in your program, identifying what went right (or wrong), and identifying how those positive or negative traits may have been overlooked or glossed over.

 

 

Breaking Into the Scouting Industry

Asking this one is also a difficult question for Neil, but he nailed it on this podcast:

 

 

The human element - Nothing is more important than connecting with scouts and decision makers that can vouch for your character, ability but most of all, your personality. Don't take the easy way out with a text or email. Make the effort to write a handwritten letter or take the time to call and create a dialogue. People want to hire other people they like. It's a pretty simple fact.

 

 

There's an old saying that it's not what you know, but who you know. That may be true, however the real quote should read "It's not what you know, but who knows you."

 

 

Build your reputation one day at a time, master the area you are in currently and invest in relationships.

 

 

 

You can follow Neil on Twitter at @InsideTheLeague, visit his website Inside The League and check out his latest book on scouting, "Scout Speak" on Amazon!

Ep. 23 - Lucas Jadin - Unlocking Yourself Mentally

This week's convo with Lucas Jadin covers mental skills training and his new book "Win In The Dark". The book dropped at the perfect time, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and it was an absolute privilege to have Lucas on the show!

 

From a process, habits and routines perspective, here were some quick nuggets that I took away from the episode:

 

Finding Balance

Balance can be elusive in the world of high performance, so we should instead focus on harmony and alignment with our principles.

 

Stress comes out of not being in alignment with who YOU want to be as a person.

 

Passion is when you're working on things that align with who you are and what you want to be.

 

Putting First Things First

When it comes to coaching, teaching, investing in the lives of other people and leading, there is a lot of giving involved that can leave us feeling empty. How do you find restoration and refuel?

 

For Lucas, with having a full house of kids, he talks about how he "bookends his day".

 

Have a routine, whether that be reading or meditating to quiet your mind in the evening. Plan out your next day, the night before and allow your mind to slow down.

 

That means turning the TV off, putting the phone away, let your mind rest while your body does the same.

 

Comparison from Two Lenses

Comparison is something we cover extensively in this episode.

 

The negative effects of comparing oneself to others is obvious, particularly from the lens of insecurity. The feelings of self doubt, inadequacy will undoubtedly creep into the back of your mind during these moments.

 

Instead, Lucas talks about using comparison as a superpower. By coming from a place of security and knowing our self worth, we can look at the success of others and use that as an inspiration for our own growth.

 

For recruits, recruiters, coaches, and all listeners of the show, I do hope that you are taking time to put first things first in your own life.

 

Invest in yourself and don't neglect your own mental health. You need to be filling yourself up on a daily basis. For me, that's spiritually, relationally, mentally and physically, in that order. What do you do to start your day on the right foot, and how are you working to "unlock yourself mentally"?

 

This one was much different than previous episodes, but please comment, hit me up with what you thought of this week's show and check below for your listener's guide to the topics covered!

• Living in Alignment with your principles (3:21)
• Nightly Routines & Bookending Your Day (5:47)
• Lucas' Personal Journey in Mental Training (8:36)
• Overcoming the Fear of Failure (14:10)
• “Win In The Dark” Origins (36:37)
• Learning Internally from our Forged in Fire Moments (41:25)

 

You can follow Lucas Jadin on Twitter at @Lucas_Jadin and find his newest book, "Win In The Dark" on Amazon!

Ep. 22 - Steve Palazzolo - PFF & The Role of Analytics in Football

In this conversation with Steve Palazzolo, we talk through how he got involved with the football analytics juggernaut - Pro Football Focus - and the role that their data plays for decision makers across the sport.

 

Broken down to its core, PFF provides information to help football teams make better decisions regarding gameplanning and personnel.

 

Instead of taking the route of efficiency and evaluating the most recent four games, PFF cuts down the time it takes to cutup games and allows coaches to digest a higher sample size of plays. This leads to more informed decision making, better data and a better process overall!

 

From a personnel standpoint, production isn't limited to archaic stat lines that left out the context of the other players' contributions to a given play. PFF's vision and aim is to find the truth in the stats, and Steve does a great job of going into detail with multiple stories and examples.

 

Lastly, when talking through the best team builders in the NFL, Steve dropped the following insights on what separates the good from the great teams in the league. The top two teams from a team building perspective, the Patriots and the Ravens, consistently remain ahead of the curve and always seem to zig when the rest of the league zags.

 

Hope You Enjoy the Show & Below is Your Listener's Guide to the Pod:

 

• Interview with Steve Palazzolo (2:50)
• Steve's Experience as a Minor League Pitcher (4:48)
• PFF & Seeing the Vision for Success (10:00)
• How Teams Utilize PFF Data & Analytics (15:10)
• "Figuring Out What the Data Means" (19:09)
• Baseball Cards & Steve's Passion for Stats (25:48)
• Why the Patriots & Ravens Excel at Team Building (29:39)

 

You can follow Steve on Twitter at @PFF_Steve! Also, don't forget to check out our official website, UpCloseInPersonnel.com for complete show notes and future updates on the show!

Ep. 21 - Trip Couch - Baseball Crossover in Recruiting & Evaluating

This week's notes will read different than previous week's.  I'll drop a handful of main takeaways and you can visit UpCloseInPersonnel.com for the complete show notes! Thanks for taking time to listen and see you next week!

 

1. Pro Tip for Live Evaluations

• "Let the players come to you."
• Avoid the urge to be right and instead focus on being present.
• Information changes. Scouting is dynamic, not static

 

2. Evaluating the Character & "Makeup" of a Player

• Trust, discipline and maturity are non-negotiables
• Does the player have a growth mindset?
• How do they handle life, specifically when they're away from the game?

 

3. Final Pieces of Advice for Identifying Talent

• Focus on what the player CAN do!
• Surround yourself with great evaluators and learn from them
• Take the time to evaluate your hits AND your misses
• Constantly build your "rolodex" of player evaluations
• Recruit kids that aren't on lists -I.E. trust your eyes, not your ears as an evaluator
• Value players that "get it done", even if it doesn't "look pretty"
• And finally, always lean on the side of athleticism and traits with underclassmen

Let me know your takeaways from this episode by tweeting me @alexm_brown, emailing the show at upcloseinpersonnel@gmail.com or sending in a question through the site's official website, upcloseinpersonnel.com!

 

Also, Be sure to follow Coach Trip on Twitter at @TripCouch11 and check out more on South Carolina Baseball at https://gamecockbaseball.exposure.co/!

Ep. 20 - Dane Brugler - Challenges Facing Scouts During COVID-19

From a content perspective, this show is all about the mindset, approach and traits required to excel as an evaluator in the football industry.

 

Whether you're working at the collegiate level, pro level or just a fan of the draft, Dane breaks down his process and gives real actionable advice on how to hone the skill of evaluating football talent.

 

Like I do each and every week, here's your listener's guide to the pod:

 

• Traits of the Best Evaluators in Football (2:51)
• NFL Scouting Mentors & Influences (5:05)
• Information Gathering as a Talent Evaluator (7:33)
• Maximizing Every Day & Self Improvement (10:15)
• The Importance of Culture & Chemistry (14:10)
• Books & Listens Recommended by Dane (18:40)
• Dane's Path to the Draft & Football Journey (21:39)
• Putting Family First & Balancing Career Aspirations (26:14)
• Best Advice for Evaluating Prospects In-Person (32:05)
• Upcoming Challenges for Scouts this Fall (36:37)
• Advice for Making School Calls & Scouting Virtually (44:21)

 

You can follow Dane on Twitter at @dpbrugler! Also, don't forget to check out our official website, UpCloseInPersonnel.com for complete show notes and future updates on the show!

 

Thanks for tuning in and see you next month for season 2!

Ep. 19 - Darrick Yray - Evaluating Insights, Last Chance U & Transfer Recruiting

Our conversation with Darrick Yray spans all things related to recruiting and personnel. We talk about the role of serving as Director of Player Personnel, diving deep into leadership and management advice early on.

 

One thing that really stood out for me was when Darrick talked through his mindset of wanting to make the lives of his assistants easier, because at the end of the day "if they're operating smoothly, I'm operating smoothly." We talk through the importance of taking responsibility for the growth and development of your assistants. That can apply to any mid level manager in business, sports or otherwise.

 

From a recruiting perspective, he listed five key qualities of top recruiters:

• Good Heart: Have the recruit's best interest in mind
• Meticulous: Detailed and relentless in approach
• Humble: "There's two types of people: those who are humble and those who are about to be"
• Relatability: Have to be able to connect with recruit & family
• Ability to Walk Away: The evaluation process never stops

 

We also talked about evaluating recruits, both as athletes and people. Physically, recruiters need to rely on verified numbers -both for measurements and for athleticism testing. That's how we can best determine the future outlook or projection of a player.

 

Then, as you get into the recruitment process, paying attention to social media activity can paint a very clear picture of who a player is. Darrick says in the episode, "If you listen closely enough, kids will tell you who they are."

 

Lastly, we had to talk about "Last Chance U" and transfer recruiting. For Darrick, the world of transfer recruiting is college football's version of the "waiver wire". His process is all about the fit and the why.

 

How does the player fit on the field with the team (ability) and fit in the locker room (character)? The why refers to reason(s) for transferring in the first place, along with the question "does he love football."

 

This is a great episode for anyone wanting to learn how to run a department in recruiting or personnel, so I hope you enjoy listening!

 

As I do each and every week, here is a breakdown of topics covered:

• Responding to the Adversity of COVID in Recruiting (2:57)
• Darrick's Approach to Leadership & Management (9:55)
• Common Traits Among Top Recruiters (11:28)
• Examples of Top Recruiters & Darrick's Influences (16:11)
• Searching for Any Competitive Advantage (20:08)
• Walk-On Wannabe to Coaching & Personnel (23:45)
• The Benefit of Operations Experience in Recruiting (26:49)
• Defining Leadership & Lessons Learned in Corvallis (29:23)
• Navigating Head Coach Turnover in Recruiting (32:14)
• Breaking Down the Role of a DPP (34:30)
• Evaluating Insights & Projecting Underclassmen (38:08)
• What the Month of August Looks Like in Recruiting (42:03)
• Learning from & Serving NFL Scouts as the Pro Liaison (46:01)
• Managing the "Waiver Wire" & Transfer Recruiting (49:34)
• Last Chance U & the Wright Brothers (55:14)
• Sendoff Advice to Recruits, Parents and HS Coaches (59:06)

 

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Up Close In Personnel with Alex Brown!

 

Be sure to follow Darrick on Twitter at @dyray22, and don't forget to check out the official website, UpCloseInPersonnel.com for notes, updates and more!

 

Ep. 18 - Omar Hales - Lessons Learned in Life & Recruiting

This week's episode is heavy. Omar Hales from Baylor opens up about his life, and how he's been able to overcome time and time again. His story is inspiring to say the least, and you can just feel the passion and enthusiasm he has for recruiting

 

The topic I planned to hone in on was going to center around overcoming the challenges that have been posed by COVID-19 in recruiting. We do cover that later in the podcast, but this show has plenty for those interested in both the recruiting and evaluating aspects of football.

 

Recruiting-wise, it's clear that Omar, aka "Omeezy" is adamant about being yourself and authentic when building relationships. My favorite part of the show is when he talks about how he doesn't ascribe to the word "recruiting" but rather the word "relating". Omar's philosophy centers around building "REALationships".

 

From an evaluation standpoint, we talk about what it means to be a "numbers based" program and how measurables serve as the initial filter to the process. After filtering based on height/weight/speed measurements, the focus shifts to the character and quality of the person (are they a program fit). Last but not least, you go to the tape. In the words of Coach Matt Rhule, "Don't tell me what can't do. Tell me what he CAN do!"

 

And with all that, here's your roadmap through this conversation:

• Similarities Between Recruiting & Dating (4:44)
• Having fun with the recruiting process  (6:14)
• Connecting & Relating > Recruiting (10:41)
• “Paying your dues” in the industry (15:23)
• Omar’s Incredible Life Story (27:06)
• “If you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way” (33:00)
• Teaching, Coaching and how things came full circle for Omar (35:11)
• Lessons learned from Coach Rhule and Coach Aranda (44:18)
• The Role Recruiting Plays in Building a Winning Culture (48:14)
• Topic of the Week: Overcoming COVID Challenges in Recruiting (57:41)
•  The “numbers based” approach to recruiting & player development (1:00:54)
• Evaluating character & program fit (1:02:59)
• Philosophy on Recruiting Underclassmen (1:07:18)
• Sendoff advice for recruits, parents and coaches (1:11:19)

Ep. 17 - Ashton Washington - Building Your Personal "LinkedIn"

As someone who's made the jump from covering recruiting to DOING the recruiting now at the highest level, Ashton Washington brings so much insight to the table for recruits and professionals alike.

 

In this episode, we discuss her professional journey, lessons learned along the way and what recruits need to do in order to make the most of their opportunities off the field and in social media. She's been everywhere from 247 to the XFL and now is smack dab in the middle of the Big Ten, working as the Director of High School Relations for the University of Illinois.

 

"Personal LinkedIn" is a phrase I've heard Ashton use many times on-air and it's the primary focus of this episode. In the digital age we live in, it's easy to click "connect" without ever creating an in-person or face-to-face connection. Ashton talks at length about the importance of being intentional with your personal and professional network, and we relate the concept to recruits and also to aspiring young coaches or recruiters. At the end of the day, nothing is more effective than stacking positive, in-person impressions you make on other people in whatever field, profession or path you are pursuing.

 

Like I do each week, here is your "TLDR" cheat code to the podcast:

• Why the best recruiters are the most authentic (4:15)

• How to evaluate the authenticity of a recruiter (5:44)
• Learning the recruiting game as the big sister of a star recruit (8:12)
• The impact of Ashton's dad and battling self doubt (10:28)
• Ashton's passion for being the "big sister of recruiting" (12:53)
• Prayer and staying connected with those around you (15:25)
• The bond of a brother and sister: Parker and Ashton Washington (18:31)
• Falling love with the recruiting process as a high schooler (22:26)
• Pursuing the dream of working in college football (24:00)
• Life as Director of HS Relations for Illinois (36:45)
• Topic of the Week: Building Your "Personal LinkedIn" (40:21)
• Advice to RECRUITS on building your "Personal LinkedIn" (40:58)
• Advice on breaking into the industry of college football (45:12)
• The importance of getting mom and dad on your side (46:47)
• Do's and Don’ts when it comes to social media (49:01)
• How the COVID pandemic is advancing the recruiting industry (53:11)
• Sendoff advice for recruits, parents and HS coaches (54:31)

 

Nothing is more valuable than the in-person impression you leave people with, and there are no shortcuts in building relationships. Tune in for the advice and encouragement brought by Ashton, who you can follow on Twitter at @Ash3Washington!

 

Also, don't forget to check out the official website of the show, UpCloseInPersonnel.com for weekly updates and to submit any/all of your questions!