Figure It Out

My Thirty-Two-Year Journey While Revolutionizing Pro Football’s Special Teams

By: Mike Westhoff

Narrated by: Mike Westhoff

Length: 13 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

“We called Mike Westhoff the mad scientist. He changed the game.” (Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner)

Simply put, Mike Westhoff is the greatest special teams coach in National Football League history. Sharp-witted, creative, and intensely focused, Westhoff spent 32 years working alongside and learning from some of the legends of the sport—including Don Shula, Dan Marino, Bear Bryant, and Woody Hayes—while revolutionizing the most misunderstood phase of the game.

Over the course of 657 games, primarily with the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins, Westhoff was a relentless innovator—constantly figuring out new ways to help the individual skills of hundreds of players surface and develop.

Interviews with dozens of his contemporaries and former players such as Sean Payton, Taysom Hill, and Zach Thomas provide a rare glimpse of NFL life beyond the field—inside the offices, meeting rooms, and locker rooms with one of the game’s most unforgettable personalities. But his story isn’t just about football. Westhoff also shares intimate details of his multiple battles with cancer and the life lessons learned through the fights.

In Figure It Out, Westhoff presents his one-of-a-kind experiences and unfiltered views in his trademark style—a refreshing blend of honest (sometimes brutally so), funny, and poignant. His deep insights into the workings of special teams—illustrated by 27 detailed original diagrams—and timely commentary on the current state of pro football reveal a critical side of the sport that very few truly understand.

©2022 Mike Westhoff (P)2022 Mike Westhoff

Great Insight!!

Coach Westhoff's NFL biography is a treasure for any sports fan, and a MUST for any Jets or Miami fan!! As you would expect from a no-nonsense, tough coach, this book is filled with straight up honest opinions, and no sugar coating to please the masses. Great insight to the mind of one of the men who've molded the NFL as it evolves, and Great to hear his thoughts on players he's coached and coaches and GMs he's worked with.

5 stars

I grew up next door to Mike’s parents so I loved reading about him growing up in Pittsburgh (before my time). I can definitely see where he gets his work ethic. His father never quit, he used to give me speed bag in the garage before I would take their garage up. His mom would always humbly brag about Mike’s accomplishments. I would always get excited to see Mike’s jeep in his parent’s driveway. He would take time out of his day to chat with me and gave me a game ball one time. This booking is an inspirational story of persistence, dedication, creativity, and love

Great Listen

I know Mike and have enjoyed the years getting to work with him. Listening to this book is just like sitting at the table and him telling stories of his previous experiences. Priceless!!! He is one of the all time great coach.

great listen and story!

listened in 2 days! I couldn't turn it off! not just for football lovers! very inspiring story of Coach's life and fighting cancer.

Must read for football fans & coaches!!

Growing up I was a Jets fan, which made me interested in reading. And it was great to hear some of the stories from the insider perspective and relive my childhood.

But even more so, as a current college football coach, this is a great history on the evolution of special teams from one of the revolutionaries of the game. If you watch football on Saturday or Sunday, you are still seeing iterations of Coach Westhoff’s scheme and brilliance.

Thanks coach!

enjoyable

loved it very surprised at Westoffs narration chops. Enjoyed the overall story and think every football fan would enjoy it too.