Scotty Walden, Head Coach - Austin Peay

Inside the Headset with the AFCA

On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, Scotty Walden, the head coach at Austin Peay, talks through his journey as a football coach. Coach Walden shares how he got his first opportunities in coaching, the learning curves he experienced throughout his career, and how he has grown into the coach he is now. Coach Walden, a member of the 2019 AFCA 35 Under 35 Class, led the Governors to a huge week 3 victory.

Follow Coach Walden and Austin Peay Football on social media here:

@APSUcoachSW & @GovsFB

Show Notes:

0:52 Introduction

1:36 Experience as a transfer and with the transfer portal

8:14 What was the moment that led you to wanting to be a football coach?

10:35 Experience playing middle school football in Texas

12:26 Starting out as a student assistant coach

15:07 Transition to Offensive Coordinator in year two as a coach

17:05 Delineating the line between being a former player and coach

21:05 Learning curve of being a first-year coordinator

24:47 Transition to ETBU and continuing to develop as a coach

31:35 Where did you go to learn and grow your offensive system?

34:33 Leading coaches who have more experience

38:12 Transition to Head Coach at ETBU

41:25 Biggest challenges in first year as a head coach

43:11 Decision process behind the move to Southern Miss

45:35 Serving as an interim head coach during 2020 season

49:08 Opportunity to become head coach at Austin Peay

52:27 Biggest difference in year 1 and year 2 at Austin Peay/Biggest place of growth in career

57:27 Growth in the hiring process

1:00:22 Conclusion

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