In Episode 70 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee — presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Photography and Videography — host Kerry Martin sits down with Nate Griffin, SIU offensive assistant coach, for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation about the coaching journey, player development, and navigating the ever-changing landscape of college football. Griffin shares his path from growing up in Colorado to playing fullback at the University of Idaho, and how that foundation led him into the coaching profession, with stops at Truman State, Northern Illinois, and five seasons at Minnesota in the Big Ten, where he worked in quality control and gained valuable experience in film study, game planning, and the day-to-day operations of a major college program. The episode dives into Griffin’s return to the field at SIU, where he now coaches tight ends and H-backs — one of the most demanding and versatile positions in football — discussing what he looks for in recruiting, why the role requires a unique blend of size, athleticism and toughness, and how developing players over time remains critical in a sport increasingly shaped by the transfer portal and NIL. Martin and Griffin also explore the realities of modern college football, including roster management, building a culture, and adapting to constant change, while Griffin offers a candid perspective on balancing coaching demands with family life, the sacrifices required in the profession, and the importance of staying grounded amid the pressures of the game. At the heart of the episode is Griffin’s belief in relationships — with players, coaches and families — and the role those connections play in building successful programs, as he reflects on lessons learned throughout his career and the importance of earning trust within a program. It’s an honest, thoughtful and engaging episode filled with behind-the-scenes insight into college football, personal stories from Griffin’s journey, and a deeper look at what it takes to coach and develop student-athletes at a high level.

In Episode 69 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee — presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Photography and Videography — host Kerry Martin sits down with Carbondale head football coach Bryan Lee for a wide-ranging, candid and often hilarious conversation about resilience, second chances and the long road that led him to a 27-year coaching career and more than two decades as a head football coach.

Lee reflects on his upbringing in rural Murphysboro and the unconventional path that eventually brought him into education and coaching. After early struggles balancing work, college and direction, he credits his future wife for pushing him to take a leap of faith — moving to North Carolina with little more than determination and a car full of clothes. That decision helped him refocus, finish his degree and ultimately discover his passion for teaching and coaching young athletes.

The episode follows Lee’s coaching journey through multiple states and programs, beginning with one of the toughest assignments imaginable — taking over a struggling North Carolina program that had only 16 players and was on the verge of shutting down. Through persistence, culture change and relentless recruiting in the hallways, Lee helped rebuild the team and learned the lessons that would define his coaching philosophy for decades.

Martin and Lee also revisit his return to Southern Illinois, where Lee built successful programs at Chester and later Carbondale. The conversation includes stories about playoff runs, conference championships and the unique culture of high school football in Southern Illinois communities. Along the way, Lee shares memorable moments from his career — including coaching sports he had never played, mentoring future college and professional athletes, and the unexpected experiences that come with seeing former players reach the highest levels of the game.

At the heart of the episode is Lee’s belief that coaching is about far more than football. Drawing from his own experiences growing up, he speaks passionately about the responsibility coaches have to be positive influences in the lives of young people — especially those who may not have consistent support systems at home. For Lee, the greatest victories come not from the scoreboard but from the relationships built and the lives impacted long after the final whistle.

It’s an entertaining, thoughtful and deeply personal episode filled with humor, humility and powerful reflections on leadership, mentorship and the lasting influence of great coaches.

In Episode 68 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee — presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Photography and Videography — host Kerry Martin sits down with Mount Vernon head football coach Dan Mings for a powerful, candid conversation about leadership, rebuilding programs, and what it truly means to develop young men through sport. Mings reflects on his 32-year coaching journey, including 23 seasons as a head coach at Fairfield, Edwards County, Johnson City, and two separate stints at Mount Vernon. The discussion revisits his 14 playoff appearances, six conference championships, and the unforgettable 2005 undefeated regular season that propelled Mount Vernon to the IHSA quarterfinals. But beyond the wins and championships, the heart of the episode centers on culture — how to take over struggling programs, how to recruit hallways instead of waiting for athletes to show up, and how to build a team identity rooted in toughness, accountability, and unity. Raised in rural Raleigh near Eldorado, Mings shares how growing up in a farming family shaped his blue-collar mindset and relentless work ethic. From playing nose guard at Greenville College to becoming an NAIA national qualifier in the hammer throw, his competitive edge has always been part of his identity. That same intensity now fuels his approach to mentoring players — blending hard truth, personal responsibility, and deep care for the kids he coaches.

Martin and Mings dive into the realities of coaching at larger schools in smaller regions, navigating travel challenges, staff loyalty, assistant coach development, and the emotional toll of fighting daily battles to grow a program. Mings speaks openly about the importance of assistant coaches, the value of community trust, and why adapting to the needs of each individual athlete — from “silver spoon” kids to those facing tougher circumstances — is critical to building lasting success. Throughout the episode, Mings emphasizes that championships are temporary, but relationships endure. For him, the greatest victories come years later when former players return to share milestones — marriages, careers, children — proving that the lessons learned on Friday nights carried far beyond the field. It’s an honest, intense, and deeply reflective episode about resilience, loyalty, small-town pride, and the responsibility that comes with shaping the next generation.