A Coach's Unlikely Analytics Assistant: How One Program Found Efficiency on the Sideline

1. The Big Picture

Coach Keegan Wirtz needed help managing the demands of live in-game analytics. Like many coaches, he didn’t have extra staff to dedicate to tagging plays in real time—but he found the perfect solution in the most unexpected place: his living room. His wife, who barely knew the difference between a field goal and an extra point, became the key to unlocking faster adjustments and smarter play-calling with Modern Football Technology.

Wirtz is part of the staff at West De Pere High School, a powerhouse program in Wisconsin. In 2024, West De Pere finished as the WIAA Division 2 State Runner-Up, continuing a strong tradition of success. The program is led by Head Coach Chris Greisen, who was drafted in the 7th round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and spent 14 years as a professional quarterback with the Cardinals, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, as well as teams in the AFL and NFL Europe.

Their forward-thinking approach to sideline technology reflects the championship mindset Greisen brings to the program—and the creative problem-solving coaches like Wirtz use to gain an edge.

2. The Problem: A Coach Can't Do It All

Wirtz was already using a booth coach to track data, but:

• The coach also watched his position group, creating a major conflict.

• High-tempo offenses made it impossible to tag plays and coach effectively in real-time.

• Manual postgame tagging delayed insights and limited in-game adjustments.

• Traditional sideline replay offered visuals but lacked the structure and speed needed for quick decision-making.

3. The Solution: Bringing in a Non-Coach

While venting about the issue at home, Wirtz's wife suggested trying it herself—half-joking. But with a few reps on Hudl and a quick walkthrough of the Modern Football interface, she clicked through tags quickly and precisely. She didn't need deep football knowledge—just a clear task and a simple system.

"It turns out that not being a football person was actually a benefit. She focused purely on the task, tracked everything we needed, and didn't get distracted watching the game."

Using Modern Football Technology, she tagged:

• Defensive calls: front, blitz/stunt, and coverage

• Opponent formations, backfield, and motion

• Offensive play types: run direction, pass type, RPO

• Ball location, play direction, and more

All while wearing a headset and communicating key metrics to Wirtz between drives.

4. How This Transformed Their Coaching

With real-time data in his ear, Wirtz could:

• Make adjustments between series—not just at halftime.

• Track play-call efficiency immediately and build confidence in what was working.

• Reinforce "go-to" calls that players believed in, boosting team buy-in.

• Save time on Saturday mornings—no more deciphering scribbled notes or matching clips to calls.

"After every game, we were five minutes away from having everything tagged and ready. What used to take hours now takes minutes—and we're building season-long insights by Week 2 instead of waiting until playoffs."

5. The Lasting Advantage

What started as a one-off experiment became a permanent part of the staff. His wife was rehired before the season ended—and now the program runs a tighter, smarter, and more efficient operation without overloading its coaches.

"It doesn't have to be a coach. It doesn't even have to be someone who loves football. It just has to be someone willing to help and a system that makes it easy."

Coaches across the country are looking for ways to keep up with the demands of modern football. For Wirtz, the answer wasn't more staff—it was better tools and a fresh perspective.