Note: This is a previously recorded podcast episode.

From his childhood in small town Southwest Arkansas to becoming nationally known for his unique approach on the gridiron, we dive into the mind of Kevin Kelley – one of the most unique in the game of football.

Kelley began his coaching career at a junior high school in the Dallas metropolis as a scout and seventh grade coach before taking the offensive coordinator job at Pulaski Academy in 1997 under Kirby Norwood. Kelley hit the ground running after being named head coach in 2003 and won the school's first-ever state championship in his inaugural season. Kelley followed that up with eight more titles in 2008, 20011, 2014-17, 2019 and 2020, totaling 216 wins overall with the Bruins. He was also named the USA Today National High School Football Coach of The Year in 2016 and inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

The immense success and national exposure helped earn Kelley his first Division I FCS job at Presbyterian (S.C.) College, which is where this episode picks up as Kyle Sutherland sat down in June of 2021 with Kelley just weeks after he was hired there. Kelley goes in-depth about his analytical approach to the game including being tabbed "The Coach Who Never Punts," his nine state titles, friendship with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and much more.

Gridiron success is in Barry Lunney Sr.'s bloodline. His father, John Lunney, was a four-time letterman for Arkansas under John Barnhill from 1946-49 and Lunney Sr.'s son, Barry Jr., also earned four letters for the Hogs from 1992-95.

A Fort Smith native, Lunney Sr. went on to play college football at Northeastern State (Okla.) following a successful prep career as a quarterback at Northside. There, adversities regarding playing time taught him multiple life lessons that he would use throughtout his coaching career.

Lunney earned his first job as an assitant in 1974 at Vian (Okla.), and also served stints at Greenwood, along with Fort Smith Southside, before deciding to step away from the game for a couple of years.

Time away gave Lunney a reminder of his passion for the game and he earned his long-awaited chance to be a head coach when he took the job at Beebe in 1987. When Southside, his alma mater's bitter rival, came open in 1989, Lunney went back home and great success was not far behind him.

In 16 seasons leading the then-Rebels, Lunney guided them to four state titles in 1991-92, 1997, and 2002. Having done just about everything possible, Lunney itched for a new challenge and found it at Bentonville in 2005.

As was Southside, Bentonville became a juggernaut under Lunney, earning six trips to the state finals from 2008-2014, winning four of those (2008, 2010, 2013-14) including a thrilling finish in 2014 against rival Fayetteville in his final game before retiring for good.

Since his departure from football, Lunney has been heavily involved with the Fellowship of Christian Atheltes. Hear from him on all that he has going on from that end, his freindship with the legendary John Outlaw - who was key in his offensive switch from the Wing T to the One-Back, and much more.

A Du Quoin (Ill.) native, Lanny Dauksch moved to Arkansas to play at Harding University for the great John Prock before becoming one of the most successful high school football coaches in state history.

Dauksch got his first job under national Hall of Famer Frank McClellan at Barton in 1980. He was the mastermind behind the great defenses of the 1980s and early 90's that helped the Bears win six state championships and a state record 63 consecutive games.

After 15 seasons as McClellan's right-hand man, Dauksch accepted his first head coaching position at McGehee and led the Owls to the state finals three straight years, winning it all in 1998 and 1999. They also advanced to the finals in 1997 where they lost by one point to Osceola.

With the itch to coach in the state's highest classification, Dauksch took over at West Memphis in 2001 where he would win eight consecutive conference titles and took the Blue Devils to the state finals three times from 2003-05.