2026 Getting to know new Canal Winchester Running Back Coach Brandon Fort

 

Name: Brandon Fort

School: Canal Winchester

Position: Running Back Coach

College: University of Akron

What do you feel your biggest accomplishment was as the head coach at Centennial?

I feel the biggest accomplishment we made as staff was getting players to play at the next level and doing our first ever college showcase and changing the narrative at the time about the program to where we started to garner some respect and teams actually had to watch film on us.

How hard is it going from a head coach to an assistant coach?

Going from a head coach to an assistant coach is a humbling experience because you're so used to making the calls that now you have to humble yourself and support the vision and the mission of another coach, but after I took some time to myself to mentally prepare myself, I saw it as an opportunity to get better and also to learn from a veteran coach who has done it at a very high level for a long time, and the coolest part is that Coach Page is a great teacher and communicator, and so far I feel as though I’ve gotten better after meeting with him a couple of times.

Now that you are at Canal Winchester, what will your goal be as the running backs coach?

My goal as the running backs coach at Canal is to get to know my players and pour into them because they are more than just athletes. But also my goal is to try and help improve their game in a positive way to help them get better every day, and hopefully that leads to some hardware and them getting their school paid for.

What do you look for in a running back?

I look for a few things. The biggest thing is that they must be coachable and willing to learn and want to learn. The next thing is, do they take pass protection as seriously as they take running the ball? Having vision helps a lot, but last but most certainly not least, do they take protecting the football seriously?

Would you describe to the readers the responsibilities you would have as a running backs coach?

I’ll have quite a few other responsibilities. I know I will also be helping with special teams in some capacity, calling the offense on Saturdays for our young guys, and a few other tasks that I’ll be assigned by our coaches next week.

What were your first words that you said to the new team?

I haven't met the team yet, but my message will be let’s get to work when I eventually do get to meet them.

Speed back or power back? Which one do you prefer? Explain

Honestly, I prefer an every-down back or a balance between the two, but regardless, it doesn’t matter; just protect my football and be tough in the run game and in pass protection.

How much of an emphasis will you put on pass blocking for your backs?

I will put a huge emphasis on pass blocking because what you do without the football tells me what you think of your team and teammates.

How will you adapt your running back rotation based on a hot hand versus the specific strengths of each back?

Honestly a huge part of it will be determined by how they look in practice and how serious they take their preparation during the week. But if the number one guy is hot, why mess with that? Just let him eat until coach tells me otherwise or tells me to get a fresh guy in there. So nothing will be given; reps will be earned.

What is the most important job of your backs in the scheme that the offense will run?

The most important job the backs will have is ball security and pass protection. To be transparent with you, really everything they do is important; it’s not just one thing.

What specific footwork and vision drills do you use to improve a back's ability to maximize yards after contact?

Really any drill that works on footwork is great, but I’m big on really doing drills that will translate to the game and having them do movements that they will actually be doing in the game. But I always like to have them finishing with a forward lean, and if they are getting tackled, they should ALWAYS fall FORWARD.

What is your favorite home-cooked meal?

Spaghetti

Have you watched any of the UFL games?

I honestly haven’t been watching it; I typically catch the highlights simply due to me either going back through my stuff and making sure I am ready for my next head football opportunity or I’m reading my bible trying to become a better follower for Christ. And I’m currently starting a new book that Coach Page suggested, which is a really great book so far: “EGO IS THE ENEMY." Or lastly, I’m with my kids trying to become a better dad.

Who are your favorite and least favorite college football teams?

I will say my favorite team is the Ohio State Buckeyes and least favorite is ❌ichigan.

But I will say teams I’m watching closely this year are the Auburn Tigers, LSU, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Indiana.

From the coach—Special shoutout to Westerville Central head coach, Coach Franke; he is doing great things over in that program, and the guys over there have been putting a lot of work to get that program where they know it belongs.