ODAF Intro:
00:00:00
This episode is brought to you by the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation.
2
:
00:00:03
Because of you, we create winners
in the classroom, in athletic
3
:
00:00:07
competition, and in life.
4
:
00:00:09
Become a member today
5
:
00:00:13
Mike: Monarch Nation, me and Aaron
are back with another ODU alum doing
6
:
00:00:19
big things in the football world.
7
:
00:00:22
, We are joined today by Coach Brandon Carr.
8
:
00:00:24
He is the head coach of Indian
River High School football, he's
9
:
00:00:27
won Region Coach of the Year.
10
:
00:00:28
The guy's doing big things.
11
:
00:00:30
Welcome to the show, Coach.
12
:
00:00:33
Brandon Carr: Yes, thank
you, guys, for having me on.
13
:
00:00:36
, Mike: We're blessed to have you.
14
:
00:00:37
So we, we wanna start at the beginning.
15
:
00:00:39
So we know you're a coach.
16
:
00:00:40
We know you've played football.
17
:
00:00:42
At what age did you
start playing the game?
18
:
00:00:46
, Brandon Carr: I started at a young age,
um, around that age when everybody's
19
:
00:00:48
starting to play flag football.
20
:
00:00:50
I think that's like five, six years old.
21
:
00:00:52
You kinda get out there,
start moving around.
22
:
00:00:54
Um, but then I kind of took a break
for a while, um, and not by choice.
23
:
00:00:58
, Growing up Pop Warner,
I'm a little too heavy.
24
:
00:01:00
So I f- fell over to the
baseball side of things.
25
:
00:01:03
Um, but then I jumped right back
into it in, uh, middle school, and
26
:
00:01:06
then it just took off from there.
27
:
00:01:08
You know, did some time at, uh,
Western Branch in Chesapeake.
28
:
00:01:12
Then I was at Fork Union for a year and
a half, then finished up at Old Dominion
29
:
00:01:16
Aaron: All right, so if you go all the
way back and we look at your original
30
:
00:01:20
ODU bio, which is interesting to go
back to those pages for:
2009
31
:
00:01:26
I think when we had Robbie Duncan
on about a week ago, it has all you
32
:
00:01:29
guys listed as outside linebackers
still instead of o- offensive lineman.
33
:
00:01:34
… But your bio i- it's got you listed, it
had you listed as a All Tidewater guard.
34
:
00:01:38
You were in a all-star game or two.
35
:
00:01:42
At what point did you realize,
"Hey I'm pretty good at this," or
36
:
00:01:46
did someone have to convince you?
37
:
00:01:48
Did th- were they ever like, "Hey,
man, you're pretty good at this game"?
38
:
00:01:52
Brandon Carr: Well, it's funny
you say that because , I wanted
39
:
00:01:53
to play baseball growing up.
40
:
00:01:55
I wanted to be a baseball player.
41
:
00:01:56
And, um, ninth grade, um, that
spring I had missed a couple wei-
42
:
00:02:01
uh, weightlifting sessions and Coach
Lou Johnston pulled me in and he's
43
:
00:02:04
like, "Hey, like, where you been at?"
44
:
00:02:06
And I was like, you know, "I'm
getting ready for baseball,
45
:
00:02:08
trying to try out for baseball."
46
:
00:02:10
And he's like, "Hey, you
wanna go to college for free?"
47
:
00:02:12
I'm like, "Yeah that's what,
you know, yeah, of course."
48
:
00:02:15
And he's like, "Well, I, I guarantee
you if you buy into this , what you did
49
:
00:02:18
this fall as a freshman, I guarantee
you can go to school for free."
50
:
00:02:22
And, um, I was like, "Sign me up," . And
I was like, "Hey, I couldn't hit the
51
:
00:02:26
curveball anyway, so it's all good."
52
:
00:02:27
And so, so I, I think I
picked the right thing anyhow.
53
:
00:02:30
But yeah, um, he was the first
one to just like, "Hey you can
54
:
00:02:33
be really good at, good at this."
55
:
00:02:34
And, um, I bought into it
and it worked out for me.
56
:
00:02:39
Mike: So obviously you get pushed
into football 'cause that's where
57
:
00:02:42
your talent is kinda, and your body
is kinda telling you you need to go.
58
:
00:02:46
Um, at what point did you s- that kinda…
59
:
00:02:50
Everyone likes playing football.
60
:
00:02:52
Not everyone loves it.
61
:
00:02:54
But to play at the college level and
then to coach it, w- at what point
62
:
00:02:58
did you realize, "I love this game"?
63
:
00:03:02
Brandon Carr: Um, I would, I would
say it was, it was the spring of
64
:
00:03:06
my sophomore year in high school.
65
:
00:03:08
After having a good, a great off-season
in lifting, um, and seeing my body change
66
:
00:03:14
and getting stronger and being able to
go out in the field and do some things
67
:
00:03:18
and move some people and, um, I was
just like, "Yeah this is it, you know.
68
:
00:03:22
This is, this is where
I'm supposed to be at."
69
:
00:03:24
And , it's just one of those things that,
, when something comes na- natural to you or
70
:
00:03:28
effortlessly, you kinda like, "Hey," like,
"Oh yeah, like, I love this," and then
71
:
00:03:33
seeing the benefits of being in the weight
room and things like that it only excited
72
:
00:03:37
me more to, to lift harder, get stronger
and just really be great at everything.
73
:
00:03:44
Aaron: So before you got to Old Dominion,
you went through Fork Union, and boy does
74
:
00:03:47
Fork Union, they've got a reputation.
75
:
00:03:49
I know my best friend, uh, I graduated
high school in the early '90s,
76
:
00:03:54
and my best friend went to FUMA.
77
:
00:03:55
He ran track and cross-country.
78
:
00:03:57
Uh, he also ran track with a guy
named Eddie George, who ended up
79
:
00:04:00
being a pretty good football player.
80
:
00:04:02
What at Fork Union did you learn or
were you around that kinda still s-
81
:
00:04:08
shows up in the way that you coach kids?
82
:
00:04:11
Brandon Carr: Um, I think it's just,
um, a relentless determination.
83
:
00:04:15
, A relentless determination
to, to wanna be great.
84
:
00:04:18
, The thing about at Fork Union when
I was there was, you know, you had a
85
:
00:04:21
collective group of guys who were very
talented , who were the guys back at home.
86
:
00:04:27
So when you got in that arena,
, you're like, "Hey," "I gotta go.
87
:
00:04:30
I gotta…
88
:
00:04:31
I wanna be the best."
89
:
00:04:32
Like, I don't wanna just be the guy here
on the team or, and I wanna feed off
90
:
00:04:36
these guys, and I wanna prepare myself
to be the best one here in this group.
91
:
00:04:39
And that's for me, um, as a coach,
that's, that's what kinda drives
92
:
00:04:42
me, , to, hey, if you're gonna do
something, you wanna be the best at it.
93
:
00:04:46
And , that's kinda, , what Coach
Schumann at Fork Union kinda dr-
94
:
00:04:49
pushed in us and, and drove into us.
95
:
00:04:51
So that's what I preach to my kids here.
96
:
00:04:52
Like, "Hey," like, "don't just come
here and be a guy or be a number.
97
:
00:04:56
Um, if you're gonna be
here, be the best guy."
98
:
00:04:57
? If y- you can't be the best, if
you're not the best guy now in your
99
:
00:05:01
position, work to be that best guy.
100
:
00:05:03
So, that, that arena, that room,
that, that place, Fork Union it
101
:
00:05:08
really forces you to stand up and,
and stand on 10 toes and, and battle
102
:
00:05:13
just to be where you wanna be.
103
:
00:05:14
'Cause there's nobody else.
104
:
00:05:15
It's just you.
105
:
00:05:16
There, there's no email, there's no cell
phone in your room, there's no phones.
106
:
00:05:20
You got a 13-inch box TV that you
may get to watch, but you're just
107
:
00:05:24
there in your own thoughts and,
"Hey, how great do I wanna be?"
108
:
00:05:27
And that's, that's what I kinda
just use every day for myself
109
:
00:05:29
in the coaching perspective
110
:
00:05:32
Mike: All right, so
moving on to Old Dominion.
111
:
00:05:33
We, obviously we're
big fans of the O-line.
112
:
00:05:37
It's the heart of the
offense in my opinion.
113
:
00:05:40
If the offensive line isn't working,
nothing's really working for the O.
114
:
00:05:45
, We've had a couple of your fellow
teammates on, but I wanna hear your
115
:
00:05:49
perspective on how those early years of
ODU football has kinda impacted your life
116
:
00:05:56
Brandon Carr: Oh man, I, y- to,
to go and be a part of something
117
:
00:05:59
built from the ground up it really
just shows you what hard work and
118
:
00:06:04
determination can do for a person.
119
:
00:06:06
Just the undenially, undeniable bi-
ability, thought of like, "Hey,"
120
:
00:06:11
like, "we're not gonna lose."
121
:
00:06:13
"We're here together for a purpose."
122
:
00:06:15
, And everybody just wants
to win and be great.
123
:
00:06:18
So just overall, just being in that,
in that mindset, in that, in that
124
:
00:06:21
arena with everybody and in that team
with everybody, that just really drove
125
:
00:06:25
me, um, and drove the group early on.
126
:
00:06:28
Um, I think everybody had a little
chip on their shoulder early on and,
127
:
00:06:32
um, I think I still carry that chip
to this day, so that's a thing that
128
:
00:06:35
was just exciting to be a part of and
really just pushed me to be who I was.
129
:
00:06:40
Does that answer the question,
130
:
00:06:41
Mike: absolutely.
131
:
00:06:42
So to kinda tag onto that, when you're
looking back at those early days of Bobby
132
:
00:06:47
and the ODU football program that you
got to be a part of, is there a certain
133
:
00:06:51
moment that kinda sticks out to you of
like, "This is why we were different.
134
:
00:06:56
This is why we were good from day one"?
135
:
00:07:00
Brandon Carr: Oh, I mean, you,
pick a s- pick a summer workout.
136
:
00:07:03
, I think those days there
is what just separate us,
137
:
00:07:07
separated us as a early program.
138
:
00:07:10
Hats off to Coach Martin and
Coach Mack our strength and
139
:
00:07:13
conditioning coaches at the time.
140
:
00:07:14
But man, they, they have a bigger
mark stamp on that early success, um,
141
:
00:07:21
than what anybody really realizes.
142
:
00:07:23
And , they worked us hard,
they trained us hard.
143
:
00:07:25
They never allowed us to
feel sorry for ourselves.
144
:
00:07:27
No one cared if, hey, this
was a new program or you all
145
:
00:07:31
were young coming together.
146
:
00:07:32
Uh, no, the expectation was you
here you're gonna win, you're gonna
147
:
00:07:36
be good, you're gonna be great.
148
:
00:07:37
And it's gonna be uncomfortable
and how are you gonna respond?
149
:
00:07:41
So I think y- you know, you
just pick a summer workout or
150
:
00:07:45
o- off season winter workout.
151
:
00:07:47
I, this is, of course, this is biased on
my end, , I don't think nobody was working
152
:
00:07:51
harder than us in, in, in those times
early on at in those off season workouts.
153
:
00:07:56
And it just…
154
:
00:07:59
By the time we got to Saturdays, the game
felt like it was the easy part, because
155
:
00:08:03
of what we had been through training wise
156
:
00:08:06
Aaron: Speaking of Saturdays and how
awesome they were, you were part of
157
:
00:08:10
a 2011 ODU offense that led both the
CAA in scoring and in total offense.
158
:
00:08:18
Did you guys realize at the
time how explosive you were?
159
:
00:08:23
Brandon Carr: So I wanna, I wanna go back
real quick to, for the, the turning point.
160
:
00:08:27
Like, the moment that I knew I think
Delaware, our first year in the
161
:
00:08:31
CAA we lost that game at Delaware.
162
:
00:08:35
Close game.
163
:
00:08:36
But seeing the way guys played, And, , at
the time CAA was it, CAA's the real deal.
164
:
00:08:43
You know what I mean?
165
:
00:08:43
So to come in and and play the
way we played and see how guys,
166
:
00:08:48
how much they war, like, man, we
shouldn't have lost that game.
167
:
00:08:50
That right there, I was like, man, this
is like, this group is gonna be good, man.
168
:
00:08:54
Because all it takes is that
belief factor that you can win.
169
:
00:08:56
And , once you got the belief factor
any much as, anything is pretty
170
:
00:08:59
much doable So yeah, I'm sorry,
Aaron, , what was that question again?
171
:
00:09:04
Aaron: Did you guys realize, like,
how truly explosive that offense was?
172
:
00:09:10
What you were doing.
173
:
00:09:11
, It was really special.
174
:
00:09:12
I don't…
175
:
00:09:12
As fans, , we got spoiled real early.
176
:
00:09:17
, The expectation was we're gonna win.
177
:
00:09:18
Nobody was, we never thought there
was a chance that we were gonna
178
:
00:09:22
lose, and there was always fireworks.
179
:
00:09:24
Really the question is, is just we
just need to have the ball one more
180
:
00:09:26
time than, you know, the defense.
181
:
00:09:29
But at the time, could y'all
appreciate, especially as a group,
182
:
00:09:34
as a offensive line group, how truly
dominant and explosive that you were?
183
:
00:09:40
Brandon Carr: Oh yeah.
184
:
00:09:41
I mean, I'm that receiving corps, that
group, um, was a very special group.
185
:
00:09:47
You know what I mean?
186
:
00:09:48
And, , when you go in to watch
film, , you're supposed to be
187
:
00:09:50
watching film to get better.
188
:
00:09:51
But every, every once in a while
you got a peek of, of what's going
189
:
00:09:54
on around you and, um, I mean,
those guys were just making some
190
:
00:09:57
phenomenal catches, making people miss.
191
:
00:10:00
And the guys back there
delivering the ball.
192
:
00:10:01
, Y- you kind of saw like, "Yo, man this
thing is great," , great to watch.
193
:
00:10:06
And, you know, for me having to step
in a role to play center I had to spend
194
:
00:10:10
some time with Coach Scott, um, just to
get a bit, be- a better understanding
195
:
00:10:15
of the offense collectively and
being in that center and focal point.
196
:
00:10:19
So to watch film and see things and
see thi- the moving pieces all come
197
:
00:10:23
together, I was like, "Yeah, man
this is pretty good with the guys
198
:
00:10:27
and the talent that we have outside."
199
:
00:10:30
Mike: All right, so you got to play
at Western Branch, FUMA, and ODU.
200
:
00:10:36
In high school, what kind of
offenses were you, you guys running?
201
:
00:10:40
Some of them.
202
:
00:10:40
Was it preparing you for-
203
:
00:10:42
Brandon Carr: So no, not, not at all.
204
:
00:10:44
We, we ran the wing T
at, at Western Branch.
205
:
00:10:48
Ran the wing T, so you know,
that base rule for offensive
206
:
00:10:52
lineman is gap down backer.
207
:
00:10:54
So I would say that was the best thing
that Fork Union did to- did for me
208
:
00:10:59
is that coming out of Western Branch,
going to Fork Union, the offense was
209
:
00:11:03
a little bit more tailored to what
you were seeing at the next level.
210
:
00:11:07
So it, it, it was a great segue to
get me ready to be at Old Dominion.
211
:
00:11:12
I think the, the beauty in
the wing T for a lineman is
212
:
00:11:16
you still need to be athletic.
213
:
00:11:17
Like, you need to be able
to pull, you need to be able
214
:
00:11:19
to run and things like that.
215
:
00:11:21
So getting into offense at
ODU, it was very much similar.
216
:
00:11:26
Like, you gotta be, you
gotta be able to move.
217
:
00:11:28
You gotta be able to get out and run,
s- a lot of screens, things like that.
218
:
00:11:33
So they…
219
:
00:11:33
It didn't really prepare me, but it did
still prepare me at the same time, so.
220
:
00:11:39
Mike: It got you ready to climb
up to that second level, right?
221
:
00:11:42
Brandon Carr: That second
level, yes, for sure.
222
:
00:11:46
Yeah.
223
:
00:11:47
It's funny 'cause o- one camp, and this
is like when we were installing like Q
224
:
00:11:50
power and um, and some counter stuff,
and we were just pulling on pulling and
225
:
00:11:56
pulling on practice, and the guys were
just like, "Damn," like, "man, you, you
226
:
00:11:59
look like you've really done this before."
227
:
00:12:00
And I'm like, "Yeah, man, that's
all I did in high school was wing T.
228
:
00:12:03
Like, that's all we did was pull."
229
:
00:12:05
I'm like you know what I mean?
230
:
00:12:07
So-
231
:
00:12:09
Aaron: So did you always
know it was gonna be ODU?
232
:
00:12:11
That's the first part of the question,
and then the second part of the
233
:
00:12:14
question is, what was Bobby's pitch
to get you to actually come to ODU?
234
:
00:12:20
Brandon Carr: So I did know
it was always gonna be ODU.
235
:
00:12:24
I think one of the things that
really got me there, um, I had
236
:
00:12:27
already had a relationship with,
uh, Coach West, Coach Chip West.
237
:
00:12:32
From his time at JMU, he had recruited
me when I was at Western Branch, and
238
:
00:12:36
then I had formed a relationship with
Zohn Burden who was there at the time.
239
:
00:12:41
So r- really Zohn would come up…
240
:
00:12:43
Coach Burden would come up to Fort
Union from time to time, um, and
241
:
00:12:47
just really getting to know him
and build a relationship with him.
242
:
00:12:50
Those are, two people who were,
like a pivotal p- reason of why I
243
:
00:12:54
was like, "Hey, I wanna go to ODU."
244
:
00:12:56
Um, just having dealing with
them, knowing them to be good
245
:
00:12:58
men good developer of athletes.
246
:
00:13:01
So that's what really kinda s- said, "Hey,
I think ODU will be a good place for me."
247
:
00:13:06
I know they would hold me accountable
to being the best that I, I could be.
248
:
00:13:11
But yeah, as far as the pitch from
Coach Wilder, um, you know, I think
249
:
00:13:15
for me, being a local guy, um, being
from the 757 you wanna be a part of
250
:
00:13:20
something that's right here being built.
251
:
00:13:22
And, , we were just fortunate
enough to, like you guys said, , be
252
:
00:13:25
fairly, very good early on.
253
:
00:13:27
Um, so it was great to be a
part of something that was right
254
:
00:13:29
here in your backyard, , where
your people and your communities
255
:
00:13:32
could get out here and see you.
256
:
00:13:34
So that's really what he kinda sold, was
just that local com- uh, local piece of
257
:
00:13:38
like, "Hey, let's build something at home.
258
:
00:13:40
Let's make something, worth
having here in Norfolk."
259
:
00:13:44
And, um, the thing on my visit
that's what really sold me, was
260
:
00:13:47
my visit, and it wasn't like…
261
:
00:13:48
Yeah, I don't have, like, a crazy
elaborate, like, wow story like,
262
:
00:13:51
"Oh, this is what pulled me to ODU."
263
:
00:13:53
Um, but it was just a,
it was a, it was a bond.
264
:
00:13:56
Um, at that time they had
lost a, uh, a current player.
265
:
00:14:01
And just to see how the coaching staff,
the players, how they all came together,
266
:
00:14:05
and how they handled it, and how they
took it it was just a brotherhood
267
:
00:14:08
and a bond that was like, "Hey, like,
these are guys who just got here, man,
268
:
00:14:12
and they're ju- they're treated as if
they're a family this close already."
269
:
00:14:17
You know, that's a huge piece for me.
270
:
00:14:19
, That was something that definitely
pulled me into wanting to be at ODU
271
:
00:14:22
Mike: So in preparation for today,
I was doing some Googling on your
272
:
00:14:26
name, and I found this Q&A that the
program did with you when you were
273
:
00:14:31
maybe a, a freshman or sophomore.
274
:
00:14:33
Brandon Carr: Yeah.
275
:
00:14:34
And
276
:
00:14:34
Mike: And they asked you what you
wanted to do in your career, and
277
:
00:14:37
you said you wanted to be in the FBI
278
:
00:14:39
Brandon Carr: Yeah.
279
:
00:14:41
Mike: So w- we know that you got
into coaching, but when did that kind
280
:
00:14:46
of transition in your mind happen
when you're like, "All right, maybe
281
:
00:14:50
I don't wanna do law enforcement.
282
:
00:14:52
Maybe I wanna focus on football
and continue this as a coach"?
283
:
00:14:58
Brandon Carr: So, you know, coming
out of college, I just had a
284
:
00:15:00
lot of nicks, a lot of injuries.
285
:
00:15:02
, Just, my body didn't get through
the way I would have liked to for me
286
:
00:15:06
to have a career, finish my career
the way off that I would like to.
287
:
00:15:10
So that following year I was just like,
"Man, I, I, I'm done with football."
288
:
00:15:15
Just it was a good run, i've always wanted
to be ATF, DEA, FBI, something like that.
289
:
00:15:20
So that year off, just
back into the real world.
290
:
00:15:26
You know what I mean?
291
:
00:15:26
Just trying to figure life out.
292
:
00:15:28
I was just out and about and
the person who I was with at the
293
:
00:15:32
time, they're like you need to get
out the house and do something.
294
:
00:15:34
Like, y- you're driving me crazy."
295
:
00:15:35
Um, so I was like, "Hey, like,
all right, I'm gonna just go,
296
:
00:15:38
like, help coach football."
297
:
00:15:40
And, um, I reached out to several
schools in Chesapeake 'cause I wanted
298
:
00:15:43
to be back in Chesapeake to help with
that well, the Southeastern district.
299
:
00:15:48
And, um, the principal from
Nansemond River reached out to me
300
:
00:15:51
and called me in, interviewed me.
301
:
00:15:52
They had a new coach come on staff.
302
:
00:15:54
I started coaching.
303
:
00:15:55
And on my first day coaching the
car ride home, it was just like a
304
:
00:16:00
different feeling that was just…
305
:
00:16:03
It was so, satisfying to to
work with y- young men be out
306
:
00:16:07
there coaching and developing.
307
:
00:16:09
And it's, it's like a drug.
308
:
00:16:10
Like, you get a…
309
:
00:16:11
you get addicted to it and you're
like, "Hey, like, I just wanna go
310
:
00:16:14
back, do more of it, do more of it."
311
:
00:16:16
Coach this kid, you know what I mean?
312
:
00:16:17
Just help them develop, not only as a
football player, but as a young man.
313
:
00:16:21
So started coaching at Nansemond River
for a, coached there for a year, then
314
:
00:16:25
I got to Indian River in my second
year, and we had a state run, uh,
315
:
00:16:29
state semifinals run, and it just…
316
:
00:16:31
Like I s- From there, it just, it just…
317
:
00:16:33
It was hooked.
318
:
00:16:34
Like, I couldn't get off of it.
319
:
00:16:35
, I was like, "Hey, man, maybe I
should try to pursue what I'm…"
320
:
00:16:38
You know, like, this is, this is it.
321
:
00:16:40
This is…
322
:
00:16:41
When they say coaching's
a calling it, it truly is.
323
:
00:16:44
Like, it's, it's not something you find.
324
:
00:16:46
It finds you.
325
:
00:16:47
And that's what I feel,
like, just in it every day.
326
:
00:16:50
Um, I'm going into my 14th year of
coaching, my 5th year as a head coach.
327
:
00:16:55
And is every day pretty?
328
:
00:16:56
No.
329
:
00:16:56
But is every day satisfying?
330
:
00:16:58
Yes.
331
:
00:16:58
Somewhere along the way you have
impacted somebody, and I think that
332
:
00:17:02
was the biggest thing for me was just,
like, seeing that impact and seeing
333
:
00:17:06
how you're changing somebody's life.
334
:
00:17:08
And that's whether it's football,
helping them get off to college or
335
:
00:17:11
just seeing them develop as young men
336
:
00:17:14
Aaron: Before we dive really deep into
the coaching aspect, because that, I think
337
:
00:17:19
that's what the bulk of this interview
from this point out's gonna be, I just
338
:
00:17:23
wanna take a step back for a second.
339
:
00:17:25
When we have the awesome opportunity
to have guys on from those early teams,
340
:
00:17:29
always try to at least look back at, , one
particular game and peel back the curtain
341
:
00:17:35
for the fans who are watching those games.
342
:
00:17:37
So we talked about that
you got recruited by JMU.
343
:
00:17:43
JMU's obviously a, a team that our
fans love to, to cheer against.
344
:
00:17:47
So that JMU game at JMU, I think we
were down 21 to zero, and maybe just
345
:
00:17:55
had a little over 100 yards in the
first half in that particular game.
346
:
00:17:58
At that point, when you guys went in the
locker room, this is a two-part question.
347
:
00:18:02
When you went in the locker
room, were you guys calm?
348
:
00:18:05
Were you angry?
349
:
00:18:06
Or were y'all just like,
second half, Taylor's gonna do
350
:
00:18:08
the things that Taylor does.
351
:
00:18:09
No, no big deal."
352
:
00:18:10
That's the first part of that question.
353
:
00:18:12
The second part is y'all came out and
scored 28 points in that second half.
354
:
00:18:17
You win that game.
355
:
00:18:19
From the offensive lineman's
perspective, when you catch fire
356
:
00:18:22
like that, what does it feel like?
357
:
00:18:25
What does it feel like to have
everything going your way?
358
:
00:18:29
Brandon Carr: From coming into
ODU and Coach Scott, Coach Brian
359
:
00:18:33
Scott, offense coordinator being our
offensive line coach, um, in game,
360
:
00:18:39
in the locker room, he's never,
he's never been like a big yeller.
361
:
00:18:43
So I think him coming in and his demeanor,
like, "Hey," , having those little
362
:
00:18:48
conversations, "Hey, what are we missing?
363
:
00:18:50
What are we not seeing?
364
:
00:18:50
Hey, we gotta be better at this,
we gotta be better at that."
365
:
00:18:53
And just instilling that confidence
like, "Hey, we can score."
366
:
00:18:56
Um, and a lot of times, , just that
staff in general, the offensive staff
367
:
00:19:00
in general, they just instill that, like
that calmness of like, "Hey, when we
368
:
00:19:04
execute, this thing's gonna take off."
369
:
00:19:07
So from that point, I, , I don't think
anyone in the locker room was like
370
:
00:19:10
panicking, like, "Man, what's going…"
371
:
00:19:12
No, it's just like, "Hey, settle down.
372
:
00:19:13
All right.
373
:
00:19:15
Let's get it together, and
then the offense is gonna
374
:
00:19:18
do what they're gonna do."
375
:
00:19:19
I think if I'm not mistaken, that's,
Antonio Vaughn, Larry Pinkard, Nick
376
:
00:19:22
Mayers, th- those guys in that receiving
corps, um, along with, with, um,
377
:
00:19:27
Heinicke, you know, Taylor, there was
no need to panic, you know what I mean?
378
:
00:19:30
They have done it time and time before,
so, you know, just knowing you got some
379
:
00:19:33
guys out there, um, that you can count on,
um, I, I knew the team was very relaxed.
380
:
00:19:40
Mike: All right.
381
:
00:19:40
Uh, talk- when, when we talked to
Robbie last week, , he was kind of more
382
:
00:19:44
like a players' coach, trying to meet
these players their, at their level.
383
:
00:19:48
So I wanna hear about your coaching
philosophy and how you attack the
384
:
00:19:52
job of both teaching and coaching.
385
:
00:19:56
Brandon Carr: F- for me, the big thing is,
is I would say I'm, I'm right with Robbie.
386
:
00:20:00
, Being on their level.
387
:
00:20:02
, It's all about relationships for me.
388
:
00:20:03
Um, it's all about relationships.
389
:
00:20:06
I care.
390
:
00:20:08
You know what I mean?
391
:
00:20:08
Like I, I wanna know, , what
happened in first period today.
392
:
00:20:11
, What happened last night?
393
:
00:20:12
Like, hey let's ta- let's talk about
that so we can get the best you when
394
:
00:20:15
we step in between those white lines.
395
:
00:20:16
And that's what really just drives me to
have that relationships with the kids.
396
:
00:20:20
I…
397
:
00:20:20
, relationships in my opinion
are just, they're huge.
398
:
00:20:23
You have that relationship, you
can get a kid to believe in you.
399
:
00:20:25
You can get a, a kid to
run through a wall for you.
400
:
00:20:28
So they're just very huge.
401
:
00:20:29
, Definitely wanna be that players' coach.
402
:
00:20:31
I'm gonna have conversations with them.
403
:
00:20:32
I'm gonna hear them out.
404
:
00:20:33
Because this thing is all about…
405
:
00:20:34
it's about their growth
and their development.
406
:
00:20:36
And it's not just for me to be
here, uh, running a dictatorship I
407
:
00:20:41
wanna be here to be able to be able
to help them grow as young men.
408
:
00:20:45
Um, and that only happens through
allowing them to fail, coaching
409
:
00:20:49
them up from that failure, um, and
celebrating su- their successes.
410
:
00:20:52
And even in their successes, still being
able to, to coach them and help them
411
:
00:20:56
become better at, out of those situations.
412
:
00:20:59
So for me, that's, that's where I'm at.
413
:
00:21:01
I'm very hands-on.
414
:
00:21:02
Being at their level, being a players'
coach and just developing them a- as
415
:
00:21:05
a whole, not just a football player
416
:
00:21:08
Aaron: So when you do that, there seems
like there's a mix of kind of old school
417
:
00:21:12
accountability, but a more modern take
on meeting student athletes where they,
418
:
00:21:19
they are and being able to, to relate.
419
:
00:21:21
How do you balance the two?
420
:
00:21:23
Because it seems like folks
are stronger when they ha- when
421
:
00:21:26
they have a little bit of both.
422
:
00:21:29
Brandon Carr: Oh yeah, I definitely agree.
423
:
00:21:30
You, you need both.
424
:
00:21:31
Um, and I think every coach
that I've had growing up showed
425
:
00:21:35
me the right way to do that.
426
:
00:21:37
But , in this profession, this is why
we go out and we go to these clinics
427
:
00:21:40
and we listen to hea- other head coaches
talk so that you can learn the piece
428
:
00:21:44
that you need to evolve as a coach.
429
:
00:21:46
You don't necessarily have to change
yourself from what you know and
430
:
00:21:49
what you were brought up on that
made you successful and made you
431
:
00:21:52
into the coach that you are today.
432
:
00:21:53
Uh, but you need to evolve and you
need to evolve with the time of
433
:
00:21:56
the kids and be where they're at.
434
:
00:21:57
, Listen to guys like Tony Elliott,
things like at UVA, hearing him
435
:
00:22:01
speak Fran Brown most recently.
436
:
00:22:03
, Just hearing those guys talk and how they
handle their things with, uh, coaches.
437
:
00:22:08
But more so like just saw, just
seeing how Coach Burden, Coach, uh,
438
:
00:22:11
Tip West, uh, Coach Malloy, all those
coaches at ODU, how they had their old
439
:
00:22:17
school, , way of things, but at the same
time they were evolving and they were
440
:
00:22:22
player coaches, you know what I mean?
441
:
00:22:23
They were…
442
:
00:22:24
Our door was always al- open, willing
to talk and growing and developing us
443
:
00:22:29
through our failures and our successes.
444
:
00:22:31
, For me, I think having those guys
in college to see how they kind
445
:
00:22:34
of maneuvered and did it, um, is
where I pull from a lot as well.
446
:
00:22:38
Mike: All right, so like you
said, a few years ago you got the
447
:
00:22:41
special opportunity to be named
the head coach at Indian River.
448
:
00:22:44
Leading up to that moment, what do you
think, in your coaching development,
449
:
00:22:49
your development of you as a coach,
what do you think was the biggest
450
:
00:22:52
part of that that led to you getting
that opportunity to be a head coach?
451
:
00:22:58
Brandon Carr: I think for me it was
developing, A, a name for myself a brand.
452
:
00:23:06
And I think by, you know, being so
passionate about the offensive line
453
:
00:23:10
holding us to a high standard I think
people kinda got an idea of who I
454
:
00:23:15
was without knowing me, but just
seeing the way that my group played.
455
:
00:23:20
Very sound, disciplined.
456
:
00:23:22
And , when you develop a group
like that then people's like,
457
:
00:23:25
"Man, well, who's the coach?"
458
:
00:23:26
And then that kinda helps you.
459
:
00:23:29
People get to know you without
really even knowing you.
460
:
00:23:31
And then, , just being able to,
uh, work the sidelines and build
461
:
00:23:34
those relationships with the kids.
462
:
00:23:36
I think that was one of the things
that definitely helped me to get
463
:
00:23:39
the position here at Indian River.
464
:
00:23:41
I think also too, for, , young
coaches coming out, it's not showing
465
:
00:23:46
up and thinking that you always
need to have a voice or speak.
466
:
00:23:52
Sometimes it's about
sitting back and learning.
467
:
00:23:54
And, um, I think that was the thing for
me , being here under Glenwood Ferebee
468
:
00:23:58
Cadillac Harris, longtime legendary
coach around here at, um … He was
469
:
00:24:02
still around here at Indian River.
470
:
00:24:04
Um, and then going under a coach
like Marty Aspy at Grassfield.
471
:
00:24:08
Those are just guys who have a lot
of skin in the game and you get to--
472
:
00:24:12
If you sit back and just listen,
you don't have to take everything,
473
:
00:24:14
but you can grab a couple things.
474
:
00:24:16
You can say, "Hey, I
wouldn't do it like that.
475
:
00:24:18
Maybe I would try it this
way," or, "Hey, I like that.
476
:
00:24:21
I need to apply that."
477
:
00:24:22
But just sitting back and
observing and learning and just
478
:
00:24:25
stealing something from everybody.
479
:
00:24:26
And it, for me, it's not
always the coaches I work with.
480
:
00:24:29
It may be a, a coach that I'm
just, I'm watching their team
481
:
00:24:32
play or, or I'm listening to him
talk, um, somewhere at a clinic.
482
:
00:24:36
So it's just always about grabbing things.
483
:
00:24:38
And I think that's the thing
that helped me the most to get
484
:
00:24:41
in the position of a head coach,
especially here at Indian River
485
:
00:24:46
Aaron: And Brandon,
you're making me feel old.
486
:
00:24:48
You mentioned the name Glenwood Ferebee.
487
:
00:24:50
I think Glenwood was a freshman
quarterback at Green Run my
488
:
00:24:53
senior year of high school.
489
:
00:24:55
And then- Yeah … Plaxico
Burress was the receiver.
490
:
00:24:58
He might've been a year older than
Glenwood, maybe a sophomore, but
491
:
00:25:02
man, I gotta start covering up
my gray and my bald spot . Yeah.
492
:
00:25:07
Um, you know, it doesn't matter
how good of a coach you are if you
493
:
00:25:12
can't get your players to buy in.
494
:
00:25:14
So how do you get players to buy in day
to day as a coach or as a football coach?
495
:
00:25:23
Brandon Carr: Consistency.
496
:
00:25:25
Consistency.
497
:
00:25:25
Staying consistent in who you are, what
you expect, what you demand from them
498
:
00:25:30
and then being, being in it with them.
499
:
00:25:33
, Starting off early when I first got out,
I u- you know, I used to love to jump
500
:
00:25:37
in the weight room with the kids and
get out there and run around with them.
501
:
00:25:40
Um, obviously, times have changed, so
it's not too much of that going on, but,
502
:
00:25:44
, just being in there with them to let them
know like, "Hey, I'm in it with you."
503
:
00:25:47
You know what I mean?
504
:
00:25:48
And being consistent of what you expect
from them from day to day because
505
:
00:25:51
if they know who you are it makes
it easier for them to buy into you.
506
:
00:25:55
If they don't know what they're
getting from you from day
507
:
00:25:57
to day how can they buy in?
508
:
00:25:59
They don't know what the standard is,
they don't know what the expectation is.
509
:
00:26:02
So for me, , that's just the thing for
me, is just being consistent day to day
510
:
00:26:07
of who I am and being in it with them.
511
:
00:26:09
If it's gonna be a…
512
:
00:26:09
If it's hot out, , we just left team
camp first day, , it's hot out, hey, I'm,
513
:
00:26:13
I'm gonna be in a full sweatsuit with
you, you're in pad- you're in helmet,
514
:
00:26:16
shoulder pads, I'll be in a sweatsuit.
515
:
00:26:18
I'm in the heat with you.
516
:
00:26:19
So what so what are we talking about,
so when you do things like that, little,
517
:
00:26:21
just little things like that, that
they buy into it and they buy into you
518
:
00:26:27
Mike: Well, that seems like a huge part
of success as a coach these days, 'cause
519
:
00:26:32
we're talking about an era where there's
not as many kids playing football.
520
:
00:26:37
Um, they have more distractions than ever.
521
:
00:26:40
I mean, everyone's walking around
with the biggest piece of distraction
522
:
00:26:43
in their pocket, in their cellphone.
523
:
00:26:46
Um, you get those constant dopamine
hits from the, the cellphone, and
524
:
00:26:50
you're trying to get them to just kinda
put that away for a minute and just
525
:
00:26:53
focus on the game and getting better.
526
:
00:26:56
So it seems really important
that you make sure that they
527
:
00:27:00
kinda see the vision and buy in.
528
:
00:27:03
Brandon Carr: I think that's one of the
things that is, is a bit challenging.
529
:
00:27:07
But like I said, when you can get
the kids to buy into you and to the
530
:
00:27:10
program and to the things that you're
doing to prepare them for those
531
:
00:27:13
opportunities I, I think you'll be fine.
532
:
00:27:16
But that, that is a bit of a
challenge that I think, you know,
533
:
00:27:19
we face here as k- as coaches.
534
:
00:27:22
Mike: Now, I don't know if this is just
from my perspective, but from playing
535
:
00:27:27
football at two different programs, I
thought from what I saw was it's easy
536
:
00:27:32
to keep the players motivated on game
week 'cause everyone wants to be on
537
:
00:27:36
the team when you have an actual game.
538
:
00:27:40
It's those off-season workouts, the
off-season lifts, those two-a-days,
539
:
00:27:45
that's the hardest time to keep them
kind of focused on the bigger picture.
540
:
00:27:50
Uh, is that still true to
this day, or am I off there?
541
:
00:27:55
Brandon Carr: That, that may
be true in some other places.
542
:
00:27:57
Um, I think we've done a good job in our
culture to where the kids are falling in
543
:
00:28:01
love with the work, falling in love with
the process, and they're understanding
544
:
00:28:04
how important those days are.
545
:
00:28:06
Um, you don't win in the fall without
these days , I won't speak to,
546
:
00:28:10
to, to anyone else's program or…
547
:
00:28:11
but I think our kids here at Indian River
have a good understanding of how important
548
:
00:28:16
it is and what they can get out of it
549
:
00:28:19
Aaron: Part of being a coach is being
a great teacher, and it seems like from
550
:
00:28:25
the, the early offensive line, there are
a bunch of guys who are great teachers.
551
:
00:28:30
Ryan Jensen's one of those guys
we've talked about who's got
552
:
00:28:33
his academy, very good teacher.
553
:
00:28:35
Robbie Duncan, who was on the show
before, very good teacher, especially,
554
:
00:28:39
from an offensive line perspective.
555
:
00:28:41
You recognize in the area as an
awesome teacher, particularly with
556
:
00:28:46
regards to the, the offensive line.
557
:
00:28:49
So when , a young guy walks in,
as a young lineman walks in,
558
:
00:28:52
what's the first thing that you're
looking at with him in evaluating,
559
:
00:28:57
uh, what kind of a player he is?
560
:
00:29:01
Brandon Carr: Just his work ethic.
561
:
00:29:02
I'm just gonna-- We're gonna get in
the weight room, we're gonna go run.
562
:
00:29:05
We just gonna-- I, I just wanna see
where your mental is at because that's
563
:
00:29:10
a huge part of being an offensive line.
564
:
00:29:12
You see just how mentally strong you are.
565
:
00:29:15
So that's, that's the first
evaluation piece for me when it's,
566
:
00:29:18
when it comes to working with young
linemen because we gotta develop
567
:
00:29:22
the mindset first and you gotta,
gotta be the toughest guy out there.
568
:
00:29:26
You gotta believe you're the toughest
guy, even if you're, if you're
569
:
00:29:28
not the toughest guy, but for me,
that's, that's the big thing that
570
:
00:29:31
I, I first see and I wanna work on.
571
:
00:29:34
Even if it's here out i-in Indian River
or if I'm training some kid, I just
572
:
00:29:38
wanna build that mental first because
once we get past that mental threshold
573
:
00:29:43
then we can really go to work and
focus on the, on all the other things.
574
:
00:29:47
'Cause there's, there's gonna be a
lot of uncomfortable things that you
575
:
00:29:49
gotta do to be a good lineman and
they're, they're a little outside of
576
:
00:29:53
what you normally do from day to day.
577
:
00:29:55
So if you're not mentally
there and focused it's gonna
578
:
00:29:58
be hard to de- to develop you
579
:
00:30:01
Mike: Continuing on that teaching
aspect, you and your friend, uh,
580
:
00:30:05
Eli Harold, uh, who most people
might remember from his playing
581
:
00:30:08
days at UVA, uh, run a big man camp.
582
:
00:30:12
Talk to us about the camp and the
opportunities that's brought you
583
:
00:30:19
, Brandon Carr: I started training offensive
linemen pr- like right in COVID, like
584
:
00:30:22
right at the end of COVID , just kind
of keeping all the linemen going.
585
:
00:30:26
Started off with a few guys.
586
:
00:30:28
And then, , with talking to, uh, Zohn
Burden and Ron Wickham, they just kind of
587
:
00:30:32
like, "Hey," , , "really dive into it."
588
:
00:30:34
Like, "Hey," like, "get in
there and really do it."
589
:
00:30:36
And then me and Eli just
kept crossing paths.
590
:
00:30:39
And the vision was like, hey,
like we just wanna build and
591
:
00:30:42
develop big men in the 757.
592
:
00:30:44
Because, I mean, what
is this area known for?
593
:
00:30:46
The skill guys.
594
:
00:30:47
You know what I mean?
595
:
00:30:48
So me being a, a big man from the area,
I was like, "Hey, we gotta change the
596
:
00:30:53
narrative," because we do, we do have
big men here that can play up front.
597
:
00:30:57
So that's when the camp baby was birthed
and, , it's just, it's really taken
598
:
00:31:02
off and, , we had one this past summer.
599
:
00:31:04
, We got guys coming down from Northern
Virginia to c- to come down and camp
600
:
00:31:09
O-line, D-line and just get better.
601
:
00:31:11
So it's, it's a honor, it's
a privilege to work with Eli.
602
:
00:31:15
He's awesome to work with.
603
:
00:31:17
Um, we feed off of each other.
604
:
00:31:19
But yeah, it's just a real great
deal to just help develop the bigs
605
:
00:31:22
and give an avenue for the b- the
bigs to be developed in the area.
606
:
00:31:26
Do I know it all?
607
:
00:31:27
No.
608
:
00:31:28
But, , if I can help them get a
solid foundation and, um, get those
609
:
00:31:31
tools to become better, um, then I,
I definitely wanna give them that
610
:
00:31:38
Aaron: All right, you used the phrase,
"Doing simple great," in your lineman
611
:
00:31:42
training description, building upon this.
612
:
00:31:45
I know what that means to me,
but what does doing simple
613
:
00:31:48
great mean to Brandon Carr?
614
:
00:31:51
Brandon Carr: It's, it's just doing…
615
:
00:31:53
, it's what it says.
616
:
00:31:54
You know what I mean?
617
:
00:31:54
It's just, I think people
overthink lineman play.
618
:
00:31:57
, It's falling in love with the
fundamentals, like just the day-to-day.
619
:
00:32:01
Uh, what's the Bruce Lee, uh, saying?
620
:
00:32:03
, "I don't fear the man
who knows 1,000 kicks.
621
:
00:32:05
I, I fear the man that - that
practices one kick 1,000 times,"
622
:
00:32:09
'cause y- y- you've perfected it.
623
:
00:32:11
And that's, when it comes to training,
when it comes to coaching hey,
624
:
00:32:15
just get good at the great stuff.
625
:
00:32:16
I mean, get great at the stuff you know.
626
:
00:32:18
If you can get great at that, the
rest'll it'll become muscle memory.
627
:
00:32:22
Don't overcomplicate things, um,
because when, , you run into a
628
:
00:32:26
stressful situation, you should be
able to revert back to your training.
629
:
00:32:31
And if you've done the simple things
very great and mastered them, it, it,
630
:
00:32:38
it'll be there as a support every time.
631
:
00:32:40
So just that's what that means
to me is just doing the simple
632
:
00:32:43
things, you know, great.
633
:
00:32:44
It'll be a great foundation for you
634
:
00:32:47
Mike: All right, so we know line
play requires a mean streak, but
635
:
00:32:52
it does require good technique.
636
:
00:32:54
Yes.
637
:
00:32:54
So when you're teaching these high
schoolers, how do you keep that
638
:
00:32:58
balance of trying to get that mean
streak out of them while keeping them
639
:
00:33:02
under control with good technique?
640
:
00:33:05
Brandon Carr: Um, I th- I think
it's just, like, just fundamentals.
641
:
00:33:08
Fundamentals, moving fast, being athletes.
642
:
00:33:11
Whene- whenever I train a lineman,
I coach a lineman, y- you-
643
:
00:33:15
you're not this 400-pound big kid
that everybody thinks you are.
644
:
00:33:20
No, you are a premier athlete.
645
:
00:33:22
You know what I mean?
646
:
00:33:23
So you're gonna be fundamentally
sound, and you're gonna move
647
:
00:33:25
very fast and be athletic.
648
:
00:33:27
And with that equation,
you'll become a nasty player.
649
:
00:33:31
If you believe in what your training
is, you're sound in what you're
650
:
00:33:35
doing, you do it at a high speed,
you're gonna be a violent player.
651
:
00:33:39
You're gonna be a nasty player.
652
:
00:33:41
There's a lot of people out here, there's
a lot of linemen out here who, they had…
653
:
00:33:45
they play the game nasty but, that
doesn't always equate to a good
654
:
00:33:49
outcome because you're not playing
within your technique or the scheme.
655
:
00:33:53
So for me, it's just about drilling the
fundamentals, being the athlete you are,
656
:
00:33:58
and you're gonna do it at a high speed.
657
:
00:34:00
That's gonna make you
the nasty player you are.
658
:
00:34:03
You know what I mean?
659
:
00:34:04
And for me, that's Tobin
Cameron and Jeremy Hensley, two
660
:
00:34:10
linemen at ODU when I was there.
661
:
00:34:13
But those were two guys, like, I sat
back and I just watched and I studied.
662
:
00:34:17
And, like, Tobin, technician.
663
:
00:34:20
You know what I mean?
664
:
00:34:20
Just freaking technician.
665
:
00:34:23
Jeremy was a technical guy,
and then he just was a mauler.
666
:
00:34:27
So those are guys I sat back that
I was like, "Man they're as good
667
:
00:34:30
as they are because they have
finished-- they have mastered their
668
:
00:34:35
fundamentals and their technique.
669
:
00:34:37
Now they're doing it at a high rate, and
now they're getting to have fun with it."
670
:
00:34:42
So that's when I sit back and I say,
"Hey, like, that's what I gotta build.
671
:
00:34:47
I gotta build a solid foundation.
672
:
00:34:48
I gotta make sure you know
how to play this position.
673
:
00:34:52
You know how to play it so well
that you can do it in your sleep
674
:
00:34:56
and be confident with it, 'cause
now when you're confident with it,
675
:
00:34:58
you're gonna play that much faster."
676
:
00:35:00
So those are two guys that just
helped me get that mindset.
677
:
00:35:04
It's like, "Hey, this is how we're
gonna develop and build them."
678
:
00:35:08
Aaron: So you've had the opportunity
to play the game at a very
679
:
00:35:11
successful level, and now you're
coaching and having great success.
680
:
00:35:16
From a coach's perspective, what
would you say has changed the most
681
:
00:35:20
from, from an offensive perspective,
the game of football from when you
682
:
00:35:25
were playing and what offenses looked
like to what you're coaching now?
683
:
00:35:29
Has there been a big change, and
if so, what would you say it is?
684
:
00:35:33
Brandon Carr: Uh, no, I think, uh,
I think I came into college football
685
:
00:35:36
right when the game was shifting,
when the, you know, a lot of people
686
:
00:35:39
were going for wi- for widespread.
687
:
00:35:41
I think the only thing that's changed
now, I think the offensive linemen have
688
:
00:35:46
got a lot l- they're a lot leaner and
they're, , they're a lot more athletic.
689
:
00:35:50
We've had some good
linemen come through here.
690
:
00:35:53
And I'm like, man, , defensive lineman,
I'm just like, man, like if I was still
691
:
00:35:55
playing, like shoot, like these guys might
give me a little fit, , for a full game.
692
:
00:36:00
, Guys like Ben Smiley who
played at UVA Antwan Powell Jr.
693
:
00:36:03
played here at Indian River but finished
up at Virginia Tech, and I'm just seeing
694
:
00:36:07
how they evolved and, that, that shows
why the offensive linemen and their style
695
:
00:36:13
has evolved as well, just being more
athletic, uh, leaner guys being able to
696
:
00:36:17
move, keep up with those athletic guys.
697
:
00:36:19
So f- I think that's the probably
the biggest thing you've seen
698
:
00:36:23
change in my perspective.
699
:
00:36:25
But yeah, I think I came
in right when the, the…
700
:
00:36:28
it was kind of swinging more
so to that, , spread concept.
701
:
00:36:31
So I think it's just normal for me now.
702
:
00:36:36
Mike: All right, so we know
tape is an important part of
703
:
00:36:38
football especially for a coach.
704
:
00:36:41
But when you're watching tape with these
young men who might not kinda get the full
705
:
00:36:46
picture of what they're trying to do, and
you're trying to point out, "Hey, you're,
706
:
00:36:50
you're getting over your feet here.
707
:
00:36:52
You're getting off balance."
708
:
00:36:53
You try to help them
out with their technique
709
:
00:36:57
How much, I guess what I'm trying to say
is how hard is that to kind of get it to
710
:
00:37:01
their level where they kind of understand
that, what you're trying to teach?
711
:
00:37:08
Brandon Carr: Um, for me, I don't
think, you know, I don't think it's,
712
:
00:37:10
it hasn't been that hard for me.
713
:
00:37:12
Um, I think you keep it
as simple as possible.
714
:
00:37:16
Um, you don't try to use verbiage
that's outside of their vocabulary.
715
:
00:37:20
Some coaches like to show how
much football they know, , by
716
:
00:37:23
talking above their kids.
717
:
00:37:25
No, you give it to them on their level.
718
:
00:37:27
I think the other thing for
me is being an active coach.
719
:
00:37:30
This is what I'm saying, now I'm gonna
show you what you're doing, um, and
720
:
00:37:34
this is how we're gonna correct it.
721
:
00:37:36
So still being able to get out there
and move around with the kids, for me,
722
:
00:37:41
I think that's what's been beneficial
in getting them to understand, um,
723
:
00:37:46
what they need to see and, and,
and whatever they need to learn.
724
:
00:37:50
And also, , just spending
a lot of time on the board.
725
:
00:37:52
We do a lot of classroom time here.
726
:
00:37:54
We get on the board a lot.
727
:
00:37:55
We talk…
728
:
00:37:56
I talk to them as if I were
talking to a kid headed off to
729
:
00:38:00
college or a kid in college.
730
:
00:38:02
Like, they, you wanna play at that level,
you- we're gonna treat you that way.
731
:
00:38:05
We're gonna give you that information
so that when you do show up to
732
:
00:38:08
a college you're not lost in
what's being talked, talked about.
733
:
00:38:12
… We keep it simple but we keep it to a
point where they're still learning and
734
:
00:38:17
understanding what they need to learn to
the point if they got to the next level
735
:
00:38:22
Aaron: Are there things or is there
a thing that you learned during
736
:
00:38:27
your recruiting process going
from high school to college that
737
:
00:38:34
that you offer to your players
now, guidance that you give them,
738
:
00:38:37
something, things that you didn't
know that you wish that you did
739
:
00:38:41
to help them in their process?
740
:
00:38:44
Brandon Carr: Um, the one thing that
I give and this is to any kid and
741
:
00:38:47
it's, it's, you know, it's gonna sound
cliche, but man, lo- love who loves you.
742
:
00:38:51
That's the biggest thing
that I give to all the kids.
743
:
00:38:54
Don't get caught up in, what jersey
combination they got , how many jersey
744
:
00:39:00
sets they have what, w- what restaurants
they had, and when you went and visit
745
:
00:39:05
in the ca- in the, in the co- caf area.
746
:
00:39:07
Like, don't…
747
:
00:39:08
Pay attention to the football, pay
attention to the coaches, pay attention
748
:
00:39:12
to the people and how they spending
time with you and your family,
749
:
00:39:15
and how they interact with you.
750
:
00:39:17
That's gonna tell you a lot, , 'cause
those are the people you're
751
:
00:39:19
gonna spend all your time with.
752
:
00:39:20
You know what I mean?
753
:
00:39:21
Those are the people gonna
determine if you're on the field
754
:
00:39:23
or or if you're not on the field.
755
:
00:39:26
So you always wanna have
relationships with them.
756
:
00:39:28
So that's the biggest
thing that I give to kids.
757
:
00:39:30
Like, "Hey, don't like, don't
fall in love with the logo.
758
:
00:39:34
Get in there, learn it,
and love who loves you."
759
:
00:39:38
Because there's a lot of people
that make some bad decisions, or…
760
:
00:39:42
I don't know, s- or don't
wanna say bad decisions.
761
:
00:39:44
There's some people who make some,
some decisions based off what the logo
762
:
00:39:47
looks like, um, instead of getting in
there and really breaking it down and
763
:
00:39:51
evaluating and saying, "Hey, like, no.
764
:
00:39:53
Okay, this person is for me.
765
:
00:39:54
This place is for me."
766
:
00:39:56
So that's the biggest the information
that I give , a tip that I give.
767
:
00:39:59
And even, with all this NIL stuff, , I
get it, but, , relationships still matter.
768
:
00:40:04
You know what I mean?
769
:
00:40:05
So, that's the one thing
that I stress to all of them.
770
:
00:40:08
"Hey, I don't care if it's D2, D- D3, D1,
771
:
00:40:12
fall in love with who
falls in love with you."
772
:
00:40:15
Because if you got that relationship,
you're, you're probably more
773
:
00:40:18
inclined to have a successful career
774
:
00:40:21
Mike: And I think these last few
weeks of interviews have shown how
775
:
00:40:24
important relationships really are.
776
:
00:40:26
Charles Walls talked extensively
about how relationships have gotten to
777
:
00:40:30
where he is today just for an example.
778
:
00:40:33
But, uh, I guess I wanna
talk to you about what…
779
:
00:40:38
You've been doing this for a while now.
780
:
00:40:40
You said 13 years.
781
:
00:40:42
If you could give that young
Brandon Carr who's just starting
782
:
00:40:46
out in coaching one piece of advice
for coaching, what would it be?
783
:
00:40:53
Brandon Carr: That's a good question.
784
:
00:40:55
Just go for it.
785
:
00:40:56
Go for it.
786
:
00:40:57
Don't limit yourself.
787
:
00:40:59
Don't think that you can't.
788
:
00:41:02
Just go for it.
789
:
00:41:03
You know what I mean?
790
:
00:41:04
Um, and that's funny to say because it's
opposite of what, as a player, like,
791
:
00:41:10
as a player, you never doubt yourself.
792
:
00:41:12
You never look back.
793
:
00:41:12
Y- you're sure of who you are as a player.
794
:
00:41:16
, But then when you step into
a new arena, you're kinda
795
:
00:41:18
like, "Hey, am I good at this?
796
:
00:41:20
Am I…
797
:
00:41:20
Like, am I doing this the right way?"
798
:
00:41:22
And I think that…
799
:
00:41:23
And I think that's what I
would say to my younger self.
800
:
00:41:26
Like, "Hey, don't think this.
801
:
00:41:27
Just go.
802
:
00:41:28
Just go.
803
:
00:41:29
If you fail, stand back up."
804
:
00:41:32
If you fall, get back up.
805
:
00:41:33
It's, it's all good.
806
:
00:41:34
You know what I mean?
807
:
00:41:34
You'll make some mistakes along
the way, learn along the way.
808
:
00:41:37
Continue to develop yourself, but just go.
809
:
00:41:39
Just go.
810
:
00:41:40
And be confident in who
you are and what you do.
811
:
00:41:43
, 'Cause sometimes, , when you stepping
into a new arena, you're like, "Wow
812
:
00:41:47
like, I play, but I do, do I really
know how to give it the information?
813
:
00:41:50
Do I really know how to develop?
814
:
00:41:51
Do I, should I take that shot?"
815
:
00:41:53
No, just go.
816
:
00:41:54
Just go.
817
:
00:41:55
Trust in yourself, believe in who you are
818
:
00:41:58
Aaron: All right, Mike, so we're
starting to run out of time.
819
:
00:42:00
How many you got left in the queue?
820
:
00:42:02
'Cause I always like to make sure.
821
:
00:42:03
You always got a couple extra than I do.
822
:
00:42:05
Mike: Just a couple.
823
:
00:42:07
Aaron: Okay.
824
:
00:42:08
Why don't you ask her a couple,
and then we end on with some
825
:
00:42:10
fun questions once you're done.
826
:
00:42:13
Mike: Well, Brandon, we're- you're
preparing for the:
2026
827
:
00:42:18
Talk to us a little bit about this team
you have for Indian River coming up.
828
:
00:42:24
Brandon Carr: Um, I'm
excited about this team.
829
:
00:42:25
, Last year we made us a deep
playoff run with a young group.
830
:
00:42:28
Freshman quarterback.
831
:
00:42:29
We, we played quite a few sophomores
who were big contributors.
832
:
00:42:33
We didn't lose too many d- from seniors.
833
:
00:42:36
So I'm excited in the sense of, you
know, the kids have now been there.
834
:
00:42:40
They know what it takes.
835
:
00:42:40
They've seen.
836
:
00:42:41
They've been in that environment.
837
:
00:42:43
So I'm excited the way they've
approached to the off-season, , with
838
:
00:42:45
a chip on their shoulder like,
"Hey," , "let's go to work now."
839
:
00:42:48
So I, I, I'm, I'm loving the work that
they're putting in the weight room.
840
:
00:42:52
I love the way their bodies
are changing right now.
841
:
00:42:54
And it's showing up in the way they're
moving around, so definitely excited to
842
:
00:42:58
see them see us take the field this fall.
843
:
00:43:01
Mike: All right, and then this will be my
last question on this year's team, but,
844
:
00:43:05
uh, we can move on to the fun stuff after.
845
:
00:43:07
So if you were cir- if there's one game
circled on your calendar that fans should
846
:
00:43:12
keep an eye out for, what game is it?
847
:
00:43:17
Brandon Carr: Oh, you know, it's, we're
in Indian River, so every- everyone's
848
:
00:43:20
always gonna want that Oscar Smith game.
849
:
00:43:22
You know what I mean?
850
:
00:43:23
Um, that's the one that,
um- That's the first
851
:
00:43:24
Aaron: game too, isn't it?
852
:
00:43:25
That's your opener.
853
:
00:43:26
Brandon Carr: Oh, no, it's the third game.
854
:
00:43:27
We have, we start off with-
855
:
00:43:28
Aaron: Is it?
856
:
00:43:28
… Brandon Carr: Play at Great Bridge.
857
:
00:43:29
Yeah.
858
:
00:43:29
But no, that's, that's, that's the
game that, you know, everyone in
859
:
00:43:33
the community looks forward to.
860
:
00:43:35
So, we're always gonna
circle it on the calendar.
861
:
00:43:40
But we look, we look
forward to all of them.
862
:
00:43:43
Mike: Well, I'm looking forward to that
Great Bridge game just because of the
863
:
00:43:46
quarterback combination we got going on.
864
:
00:43:49
Aaron: Mike, I think we're gonna have
to make a trip out there for that one.
865
:
00:43:53
Brandon Carr: It's here at
Indian River, so come on by.
866
:
00:43:55
You let me know.
867
:
00:43:56
Come on by.
868
:
00:43:57
Mike: We'll be
869
:
00:43:58
there.
870
:
00:43:59
Aaron: Okay, we will be.,
871
:
00:44:01
So this is just gonna be rapid fire.
872
:
00:44:03
Don't think too much.
873
:
00:44:04
Just first thing that comes
to your head, Brandon.
874
:
00:44:07
All right.
875
:
00:44:08
What is the worst thing about
being an offensive lineman?
876
:
00:44:13
Brandon Carr: Practice field location.
877
:
00:44:16
They always throw us in the corner.
878
:
00:44:17
We're probably the furthest
away from everybody.
879
:
00:44:20
They'll have a team period down
at the other end, and we gotta
880
:
00:44:21
take the long haul, so the linemen
never get the prime real estate.
881
:
00:44:25
We all get shoved in the corner somewhere
882
:
00:44:30
Mike: ODU's no different.
883
:
00:44:30
I mean, he's still doing it to this day.
884
:
00:44:31
We gotta walk all the way
to the end 'cause that's the
885
:
00:44:33
one group we wanna watch.
886
:
00:44:35
Brandon Carr: Yeah.
887
:
00:44:37
Mike: All right.
888
:
00:44:37
So I, I like to highlight the O linemen.
889
:
00:44:41
Why are, why is the O line group the
smartest group on the, on every roster?
890
:
00:44:48
Brandon Carr: Are you, like, you
mean on, just on the football field?
891
:
00:44:51
Mike: Yeah, 'cause it, it seems like every
team I've played with, every team I've
892
:
00:44:55
talked to, it's c- pretty consistent.
893
:
00:44:57
The O linemen are usually the
most cerebral players on the team
894
:
00:45:02
Brandon Carr: You got to.
895
:
00:45:03
It's, you gotta c- you have to dissect
a lot of things at a, at a fast rate.
896
:
00:45:06
You know what I mean?
897
:
00:45:07
You break the huddle or you get set
at the line, defense gonna get set.
898
:
00:45:11
You gotta talk it out, figure it
out, set a mic, boom, get set,
899
:
00:45:14
we're rolling, ball's playing.
900
:
00:45:15
Especially at ODU early on high tempo.
901
:
00:45:18
Hey, you gotta see the front,
set the front, call the mic.
902
:
00:45:21
Hey, is the blitz coming?
903
:
00:45:23
You know what I mean?
904
:
00:45:23
It's just a lot of processing things.
905
:
00:45:24
So you spend a lot of time together, you
watch a lot of film, a lot of preparation.
906
:
00:45:28
So I think that's what makes them the, the
group on the field that's the smartest.
907
:
00:45:33
Aaron: Pre-game speech,
which one's more energetic?
908
:
00:45:35
Coach Bobby Wilder or Coach Brandon Carr?
909
:
00:45:40
Brandon Carr: Oh, it's Coach
Bobb- it's, it's Coach Wilder.
910
:
00:45:42
You know, I'm not a big rah-rah guy.
911
:
00:45:43
I'm a, "Hey, buckle it up, let's go play.
912
:
00:45:45
We know why we here tonight."
913
:
00:45:46
So you know he, he can have that category.
914
:
00:45:49
Um, you know, he g- he
get the boys fired up.
915
:
00:45:52
Um, I'm more like, "Hey, let's
buckle it up, you know, let's go.
916
:
00:45:55
Let's go win a game."
917
:
00:45:57
Mike: All right.
918
:
00:45:57
… Did you have any pre-game rituals as a
player, and do you have any as a coach?
919
:
00:46:03
Brandon Carr: No, not really.
920
:
00:46:05
Not really.
921
:
00:46:05
I just, I don't talk a
lot, you know what I mean?
922
:
00:46:08
I'm, I'm … I gotta get my DMX in.
923
:
00:46:12
Gotta get my DMX in the headphones, um,
and just kinda get in my own world and
924
:
00:46:16
get me ready to go, but that's about it.
925
:
00:46:18
Um, long as I can get the couple DMX
songs in me then we're ready to roll
926
:
00:46:24
Aaron: All right.
927
:
00:46:24
If you could steal one ODU player from
your era and put him on your Indian River
928
:
00:46:30
team this year, who would it be and why?
929
:
00:46:35
Brandon Carr: Oh man it's
gotta be Nick Mayers.
930
:
00:46:37
Gotta be Nick Mayers.
931
:
00:46:40
It's gotta be Nick.
932
:
00:46:41
Just what he does with
the ball in his hands.
933
:
00:46:44
He's just an athlete, he step
between those lines, he's gonna go.
934
:
00:46:48
And, um, yeah, so what we do offensively,
I know that's the guy we give the ball to.
935
:
00:46:53
Hey, it's gonna look good.
936
:
00:46:58
Mike: All right.
937
:
00:46:58
Just, uh, most rewarding
thing about coaching?
938
:
00:47:03
Brandon Carr: See- s-
seeing the kids succeed.
939
:
00:47:05
And success doesn't have to be
getting a full football scholarship.
940
:
00:47:09
The biggest thing I love, I love
when kids come back here and they may
941
:
00:47:14
bring their little ones or they may
come up here in their work clothes
942
:
00:47:18
or they may come back from college.
943
:
00:47:20
It's, those are the things
that just make me excited.
944
:
00:47:23
That hey, you came through this program,
you were coached by me, you're just
945
:
00:47:28
off being just an amazing person.
946
:
00:47:30
You, you're j- you're winning in life.
947
:
00:47:32
So th- th- that's the
happiest thing for me.
948
:
00:47:36
Aaron: And my last one's gonna be, I
asked you earlier what the worst thing
949
:
00:47:39
about being an offensive lineman was.
950
:
00:47:41
What's the best thing about
being an offensive lineman?
951
:
00:47:48
Brandon Carr: The brotherhood,
you know what I mean?
952
:
00:47:50
Like, I think, just the, the…
953
:
00:47:52
If you go to any college room, there's
no room like the offensive line room.
954
:
00:47:57
You go to the, you go to the O-line
alley, there's no, there's no set
955
:
00:48:01
of lockers like the O-line group.
956
:
00:48:03
You know what I mean?
957
:
00:48:04
And I, I think that's just a, a u-
a unity and a bond that no other
958
:
00:48:10
group in the locker room has than
those guys up there in that room
959
:
00:48:15
Mike: All right, Coach Carr, I wanna first
thank you so much for joining us tonight.
960
:
00:48:19
Uh, it's been a pleasure talking to you
about your career, what you're doing
961
:
00:48:23
at Indian River, and the impact you're
having on these young kids' lives.
962
:
00:48:28
Do you have a message for
Monarch Nation and anyone that's
963
:
00:48:31
considering sending their kids to
play football for Indian River?
964
:
00:48:36
Brandon Carr: As far as ODU, you
know, let's just keep building it.
965
:
00:48:39
It's a special place.
966
:
00:48:41
It ha- we, we haven't seen the
best days of, of ODU football yet.
967
:
00:48:45
And we've had some pretty decent
ones, but we, we haven't seen the
968
:
00:48:48
best and it's it's still to come.
969
:
00:48:50
And for anybody, you know-
970
:
00:48:53
To come to Indian River, you
want your child to be developed
971
:
00:48:57
not only as a football player,
but as a man, as a person.
972
:
00:49:00
, This is the place you wanna be.
973
:
00:49:02
We're gonna do things the right way.
974
:
00:49:04
We're gonna help them in, in, in
every facet of life to be successful.
975
:
00:49:08
So that's what I got
976
:
00:49:11
Mike: All right.
977
:
00:49:11
Thanks again, coach.
978
:
00:49:12
Go Monarchs
979
:
00:49:14
Aaron: Go Monarchs.
980
:
00:49:15
Brandon Carr: Go Monarch