Offensive Coordinator Search Note
Posted on: January 7, 2015
Just wanted to pass along a quick note about the offensive coordinator search.
– It sounds like someone could be hired pretty quickly. I was told by a source that Oklahoma would like to make the hire within a week, or two at the latest.
– In yesterday’s presser, Bob Stoops essentially said (in response to a question) he had all the resources he needed to make a sound hire. Obviously he isn’t going to say, “no I’m being short changed by the administration.” My source confirmed, however, that Oklahoma is “willing to spend a lot of money” on the new assistants. So it does indeed appear that finances won’t be an impediment. And if that is the case, I’m sure it will relieve many Sooner fans who have felt that, at times, Oklahoma doesn’t seem to be willing to pay top dollar.
– I was also told that while Jake Spavital may be a candidate, he is much further down the list and might even be more of a ‘last resort kind of guy.’ Again, I have expressed that I’d personally be against this hire.
– Also, we’ve been asked about this Norm Chow rumor that’s been going around. At this time I have not heard his name mentioned as a candidate. So if there is any truth to the rumor, I’m not aware of it.
255 Comments
Whew on Chow, not heard from him since he left USC. Spavital would be a nice Co-OC learning on the job from someone with experience. I doubt he’d want to step backwards.
Chow did a stint as Hawaii’s coach if recollection serves, and before that UCLA OC i think, and i am too lazy to google it
Thanks Ace
Chow was OC at BYU under LaVell Edwards back in the Paleolithic Era, er, 1980s. The guy has to be near or in retirement.
So….he has experience. …is what your saying.
He has all the experience in the world, with quite the resume for developing quarterbacks, including Jim McMahon, Steve Young, Philip Rivers, as well as Heisman Trophy winners Ty Detmer, Carson Palmer, and Matt Leinart. My guess is that he knows everything there is to know about the passing game.
But he’s also 68 years old and just finished three years as head coach at Hawaii, where he was just 8-29. Not exactly June Jones. Would he bring energy, enthusiasm, and recruits to the program? These are open questions. Before someone mentions that Bill Snyder is what, 75?, let me just say for the record that Bill Snyder is one of a kind.
Please, no more on-the-job-training. Established coaches with an established system only.
All coaches should be learning on the job, once they quit learning the game passes them by
I think the point is that the complaining has been loud and long about Heupel and Oklahoma not being the type of program where “you learn on the job”. And, yet, here we are with folks pumping guys with less OC experience than the guy we just fired. I’m corn-fused.
no doubt, but he wouldnt be the Offensive Coordinator, hed be the QB coach with a Co-OC title. He does have a nice history with QBs, as did Josh pre OC
Chow 15 or so years ago yes. Now, no please.
Back when he schooled BV in the NCG?
That was only 10 years ago
yeah 2004
What are your thoughts on a guy like Bill Legg from Marshall K?
Shot in the dark, but is there any chance that Helton or Meachem just happen to be BFFs with Kyler Murray? /s
On a more serious note, I would love to bring in a QB recruit with this class and I have to believe that whoever we hire at OC has a QB he’s been talking to since most schools take a QB almost every year.
Didn’t Stoops say during the presser that they were still working on bringing in a QB for this class?
Sort of. And he had this look on his face like, “I know something you don’t know. Hehehehe.”
Any truth to the assertion that Meachem didn’t call plays this year?
It has been reported that Cumbie called the plays and was the QB coach.
Im feeling more comfortable with Helton.. Although he won’t be breaking the bank…
K, what are your thoughts on Candle, OC at Toledo? Do you think he is on the short list?
Not a fan of Helton or Chow…we need a strong play caller and recruiter
QB is one position where it is less about recruiting and more about evaluation and development. Heupel had 4 4* star QBs on the roster last year… Think about that for a sec. Four….that didn’t do Jack . I venture to say odds of all being abysmal is slim.
2 weren’t able to play. They’ll get their chance. I know it’s last year already, but at least Bell could stand in the pocket and get the ball near the receivers. Should have went to him after Knight went down.
Agreed. That’s on JH too.
Why do we need to get guys off the radar? There are plenty of big time seasoned OCs who would love the opportunity to come to OU, a lot of these names outside of Meachem are short arming ourselves big time
My thoughts exactly. We don’t need a up and comer, we need someone already here.
Up and comer, if they have been successful as THE play caller is okay in my book.
Ya thats what I meant. Someone who has successfully called plays. Not some good QB coach that could be the next great OC.
Auburns OC could bring a running game that matches well with the talent on campus
Still need to be able to be teams passing. Auburn’s passing dimension has been sub par since Newton graduated. But that could be due to talent.
Yeah I dont think its scheme, Malzahn was known as a passing OC back when Arkansas hired him.
Sounds good.
I don’t think it matters how big the name is NECESSARILY. I mean Bob Stoops wasn’t the biggest name in College Football before he came to OU.
It sort of goes back to the star ratings thing, some of the best players were 2-3 stars and nobody really wanted them. Sam Bradford wasn’t a huge recruit for instance.
I think getting someone from a smaller university or with less renown is fine as long as they can coach. This will be coach evaluation and I think with the last round of hires, Bob Stoops showed he could still do that.
How many offensive coaches do we think they will hire? We have a opening at WR Coach, QB Coach, and OC! It seems like at least 2 guys but could be as many as 3.
Only allowed a certain number by the NCAA, im sure they only have room for 2
People forget that Oklahoma, while it hasn’t been as successful as other programs right now, is still at the top of college football. We don’t need to short change ourselves on this one.
Uhhhh, ok!
Frost, McGee, Riley, Littrell for OC would be a good start.
Bring on Scott Frost. He embodies all the dynamics in an OC we need. Make an offer he can’t refuse. There’s Only One OKLAHOMA !
C’mon Scott baby! Just think about TK9 running that potent Oregon O!
No, wait…
C’mon Riley baby!
I hear ya, but perhaps TK9 would be 2015’s version of TCU’s Boykin. Who could have seen that coming. We just don’t know what a new coach and scheme will do for OUr QB’s.
Perhaps all the Braxton Miller to OR rumors would change to Braxton Miller to OU. He would be a great QB to bridge the old with the new.
The more I think about it, the more I like Lashlee from Auburn. Gonna be tough to get him away from Auburn though…
The only good OC/DC I know is that Australian rock band.
Boren wouldn’t let the drummer in because of character issues
I’m wondering if there’s a name out there that nobody is thinking about or possibly someone nobody thinks would be interested.
If OU spends a lot of money then it needs to be someone from a power 5 conference and not some no name guy.
Scott Frost or Lashlee would fit the bill there
Why would Frost leave the Ducks?
Thats the right question. I don’t think this is even a consideration, except on boards like these.
Never said he would, but it would be the best hire
If reality is not a factor, I bet we could do better than Frost.
Why does it have to be a big name hire?
So, when are we firing Kish?
I think WE already did, not sure about the university’s position though.
Ha. He’s in limbo. Just call him and say we have some other coaches to bring in, we’ll try and get back another day.
Excellent response
Like Melvin from Office Space?
I’d love to have Helton at OU
Soooo I’m guessing Jimmy Johnson won’t fly?:-)
Our passing game could use some extenze
Andrew Gilman @AndrewGilmanOK 9m9 minutes ago
I’m sure they were just enjoying burgers, but Sonny Cumbie was lunching in Norman today with the Oklahoma offensive coaches.
That would be ridiculous. Burgers. They must have been playing an ice breaker game too.
They better be the six-dollar burgers at least. That’ll boy Boren show em we’re big spenders!
lol nice
Kobe burgers!
Hai!
Good find. I like this Sonny Cumbie.
Perine > Air Raid
Perine + Air Raid = Try and Stop Us. Add: Two dimensions, force defenses to cover three dimensions, along with however much complexity is in the run game.
Never again do I wanna see Perine running outta the shotgun/pistol formation.
Perine uses the bones of pretty-boy, air raid QBs to pick food out of his teeth.
I say….Pics or it didn’t happen.
Lordy, we are only spending $9,500,000 plus on this current coaching staff, third or so highest in FBS. Who in their right mind could complain about OU not spending enough?
$9.5 million on football coaches is outrageous.
I am with you.
Going rate for BIG TIME CFB. Saban gets what 6 mill himself?
Absolutely NO one.
Reminds of the Oregon case, or the TCU case, among many others. Schools that don’t spend that much money and have gotten better results this year. There is more to it than money when it comes to winning: value is not just a monetary concern, whatsoever. So, the money as motivation is pretty low on the totem pole, for me, as far as having a causal relationship with winning a lot.
Easton, you make a great point. I agree you can get more with less sometimes. I believe the reason for that is these are young coaches who are just starting out. They are happy for the opportunity and they aren’t concerned about the money yet. You’re going to get their best product.
Just like a writer: the early work is the best. It has to be the best because they have to make it count in order to get published.
Here’s where I have a slightly different perspective from yours, in regards to the price tag. Because they are proven commodity, coaches are looking to paid. Universities have to pay them to get them to join their squad. It’s necessary, where as before it wasn’t.
Yeah, that is so true, totally agreed.
Can I set up a conference call with you and my wife?
Jesus taught me about me money. Now I’m practicing to make the ‘doer’ squad.
you’re my hero
This might be the nicest disagreement in internet history! well played gentlemen.
We have or had the third highest paid head coach (I’m not sure if someone else recently passed him) but that accounts for about half of that 9.5. I think a better list to look at would be the amount spent on assistants. Ou would probably still be somewhere around the top 10.
Per USA Today OU has the fourth highest paid public university staff behind LSU, Alabama, Clemson and Auburn. These numbers should be very accurate as open record laws for the respective states require the schools to publish this information. No one know for sure what the private schools pay as they are not required to disclose what they pay. For certain Notre Dame, USC, Stanford could pay more as well as Miami and others.
http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/salaries/football/assistant
I’d coach this team for 10 bucks an hour, a cot in the office, and access to the player nutrition resources (aka snacks). I’ll give all the fans their money’s worth fuh sho.
haha
Go with nine down lineman, a quarterback and Samaje.
I think you just talked your way to OC. Welcome aboard, Coach Easton.
Makes my stomach sick. I gotta stick to the viewing side of things, and the forums.
What exactly is the quarterback for?
Yeah, my bad, its just a direct snap, fullback on the edge for toss plays.
Throwing interceptions….
8 down lineman, Perine, Flowers with Shepard at QB so we could run triple-option out of the I-Formation allllllllllll day long.
Not really. Now $9.5 million on Professors that teach 1 class a week and protected by tenure regardless of their actions- THAT is outrageous. Because they not only do little work other then trying to be published, but because it’s the opposite of anything like a meritocracy. Where students would be well taught in an individual fashion and wouldn’t be given higher grades every decade for less work. Grade creep is because of tenured Professors trying to make their students give them a good evaluation.
Thanks Dustin, its the hot stuff right now.
Does Pickleman’s have the video, and if so, do you think they’ll release it? 🙂
Stop it. LOL!!!
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Nightmarish.
http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11111/111116692/3135069-8412017809-gumby.jpg
Says: TD!!!
http://unpredictablethoughts.com/files/2010/01/2064831080_0f0afea032_o-1024×768.jpg
Cumbie with Perine
YES.
I’m Gumby, damn it!
Touchdown.
K/Brainiacs – Any thoughts on Jason Candle from Toledo? The more I read about him & their offense, the more intrigued I become. He’s young, but has been OC for 3 years now, also coached QBs & WRs; maybe most importantly, he is their top recruiter. Thoughts?
Our talent at running back is top three in the country, our talent at QB (lets see Justice) could be elite with the right coach and system, our wide outs could be an elite group, our offensive line could be an elite group. As an offensive coordinator, the arsenal is quick, agile, heavy, and volatile. This is one of the best coordinator jobs to walk into, one of the very best.
With Bedenbaugh and Gundy bringing in the talent, will be talented all around as long as the new QB coach can match their recruiting
Exactly.
Who’s better at RB than OU going into next season? Honest question, can’t imagine there’s a team with more talent (proven and unproven).
As for a great OC, I agree. We’ve seen all of the Heisman winners who were proven to be products of their offenses. Manziel, Tebow, Mariota, Winston, RG III, Leinart, etc.
Just need the right guy and the right system.
LSU is in the top three mix, and I’d say AtM and Alabama are in that top three running back groups, mix. Edit: USC too.
Fournette and Henry are vastly overrated, much like all those Bama backs that were supposed to be so good. Just because OU couldn’t tackle Henry doesn’t make him great. He’s pretty good, but definitely not great. USC has some decent backs, but not even in the mix here. If you would’ve said FSU and Oregon I’d agree that they’re in the mix, but none of those teams are as loaded as OU.
You won’t find an argument from me on this. Florida State and Oregon are in the top three mix with OU.
One word, Georgia
And the truth comes out. Yeah. I didn’t look at depth charts when I got into this topic. But, yeah, I ‘forgot’ about Georgia’s backs.
In my opinion the talent at WR outside Shep was probably the biggest issue on the offensive side of the ball this year. So unless we bring in some studs in this class I think it will continue to be an issue.
Jeffrey Mead, Dallis Todd, Quick, Mark Andrews, Smallwood, Austin Bennett. I think these guys can play, like really play. Potential yet though.
I thought so too, but was not impressed this year. Quick was so-so. Smallwood was disappointing. Mead, Todd, & Andrews were in the witness protection program. The move to put Shep outside instead of slot was telling in my opinion that none of the others were ready to play. Here’s hoping Westbrook is a bonafide star!
Joe c and Bob need to go after cumbie and meachem and make both say yes. A 100k raise for both would probably be enough to sway them. Ou will always have a better selection than tcu and will give them a platform for an even bigger job.
What is bigger? Only if they have aspirations of NFL
Only the league can offer anything bigger than winning at Oklahoma as a OC/DC or Head Coach. Crimson bleedin’.
Amen!
Or head coaching jobs or even non co-OC jobs
Think he is referring to a HC gig
OU could offer both double their current salary and only increase budget by 145k.
Sounds like a plan to me.
Very true. But I would suspect that Pattterson would counter with equal money for Cumbie or Meacham depending on which one he thought was more important.
I vote for Riley … not that I get a vote. The only downside is I’m not sure we want a guy named Lincoln at OU.
Rather have a Lincoln Riley, than a “Stillwater Riley” or an “Austin Riley”.
Or Pat Riley…. Oh wait…. 🙂
OU is willing to spend some big money? Good.
Triple Frost’s current salary.
If we hired Frost, he would only stay a couple of years at most. He’s gonna be a head coach soon.
Maybe he would want to be one here in a few years.
I’m fine with that.
Maybe he helps us win another national title, then Bob retires, Frost takes over as HC.
Relax, gentlemen, the second part is a joke maybe.
TOS mentions such personalities as Jason candle, Sonny Cumbie, Doug Meachum, Ty Helton, Mark mangino but not Norm Chow….supposedly, Cumbie was in Norman today….
Other site aka “not SS”
Other than up until a hour or two ago, literally no one other than TFB was offering anything of substance. Anyone can throw a list together or potential candidates that “make sense.”
TFB was the only one bringing you actual information & names that were actually believed to be under consideration.
Just sayin’
Which is why we keep coming back…
I was wondering if you had any comment on your name being thrown into the pool to fill the coaching vacancies?
I’m not qualified and am too old…Besides I wouldn’t want to put up with some in the administration office…………
Just to keep everyone’s expectations realistic. Frosty has a game to win on Monday, so he won’t be able to start until Tuesday.
haha.
And he won’t have to travel as far if he makes Norman his new home.
Would you guys still be opposed to Spavital if Cumbie came in as the QB coach/Co-OC. I know it doesn’t exactly fit our current personnel.
2 QB coaches… I don’t think that’s likely…
I don’t know. We’ve got a lot of QBs that need coaching.
Yes. Why would two inexperienced play-callers be any better than one?
http://collegespun.com/big-12/oklahoma-big-12/report-tcu-oc-sonny-cumbie-meeting-with-oklahoma-staff
http://collegespun.com/big-12/oklahoma-big-12/report-tcu-oc-sonny-cumbie-meeting-with-oklahoma-staff hey is there any truth to this??????
The Cumbie OC story is developing. Definitely plausible I’d say.
Just “part” of the puzzle pieces needed though
Yeah. One part.
Someone reported he was throwing back some samiches w/some offensive coaches in Norman
If it was Schlotzsky’s then they mean business.
Phew. That place.
Damnit, you mentioned Schlotzsky’s? Do you realize it’s dinner time and the closest one to my house is probably 30 miles away… argh!
Made myself hungry, too.
Their pizza is the bomb!
I like their pizza, but you can’t beat an original with the whole wheat/sour dough bun.
Geez I miss these. Haven’t found any in PA.. But, we finally got ourselves some Sonics.
It was at The Garage.. Whatever that is…
You mean the Service Station?
That place has a funny name, but it has some serious sandwiches.
Could be QB coach, he is familiar with Baker.
With Meacham as the play-calling OC/WR coach
Based on this: http://newsok.com/gallery/articleid/5382340/1/pictures/
I’d have to favor Meacham as Co OC/WR (play caller) w/either of these as Co OC/QB: Cumbie, Helton, Riley, Spavital
Here’s an idea.
OC/QB’S-Stephen Dale
WR-Castor Boy Troy
They seem to know everything, so maybe give them a shot to prove it
They couldn’t handle the fans criticisms. 🙂
I see what you did there… A lot irony in that sentence if folks really pay attention to those jokers posts.
You sir got game!
And you sir, are observant.
CBT has been banned from the sidelines, yes?
Targeting too many.
Oh shoot
Yes
You’re welcome 🙂
I’d like to think I helped…. I mean, dude was already too close to the edge. I just gave him a little push. To quote Doc Holiday in Tombstone…, ” he was no daisy, he was just high strung”!
Stephen Dale, hes’ just here to party with the rest of us.
Oh. My. God. This is it. You’ve done it. You have compiled the “Dream Team” of coaches… There’s not a chance that the pockets are that deep.
I’d do starburst incentives for OC/QB and skittles incentives for WR. No base. We’d be real cheap
Oh Boomer…. Way to play “in a great way”!
That’s awesome brother! Haha
Question: Do you think you would be more awed as a recruit or as a potential coaching candidate by touring the Switzer Center and looking at the tradition we have? Keeping in mind that the coaching candidates are older and more mature.
Coach.
For sure coaches.
For the kids, “some of those trophies are, like, forever ago.”
It’s not even close.
Yeah, I’m just imagining the whole atmosphere when they escort these guys through there… goosebumps.
which one will have the shoebox full of cash?
These are your new ‘shoes’.
Okay, I believe that OU will be replacing wright, Kish, and possibly MS soon. I’d heard a while back about heuple/norvel. But at same time I heard about kish/wright (not sure about MS). So I’d like to hear a discussion on who the prospects of hiring a DC might be. Brainiacs–get going! Give us a list. If it’s just kish and wright, no use speculating–no way of knowing who a position coach might be. but DC is very interesting.
BTW, my first choice has been meachem/cumbie from the beginning, but I also like Frost/Riley. Not excited about any of the others. One thing meachem/cumbie does is hurt them, too, while helping us AT THE SAME TIME.
They’re not gonna fire Mike, they’ll “allow” him to find work elsewhere and drag Kish w/him- BJW will transition to other duties.
I understand that. Now, who are some DC candidates?
sorry, misread your post-
No problem. But I do wonder.
So, this is for DC speculation..? I’d take Dave Aranda or Clancy Pendergast…
I love both. In a heart beat
My question about Pendergast is this? Why wasn’t he retained by USC after a year where they led the league in pass D and 2nd in the league in run D? Also, Miles reportedly “passed” on him b/c (so it was stated) that he didn’t have enough familiarity with SEC and recruiting in the South. Could there be something there that is turning coaches off to him and make them not want to work with him?
Kiffin was fired the year Clancy was the DC
“Brainiacs–get going! Give us a list”
I’m sure your parents taught you better manners
Ha! Of course. Just in jest but sometimes jest doesn’t get portrayed on written page, but it wasn’t MEANT to be rude, but funny
I figured as much 🙂
Guess all the coaches on offence will be done by next weekend with the report of GA commit Van Jefferson visiting norman.
what law did they break?
apple auto fill, sorry
haha just messing with you.
http://247sports.com/Player/Van-Jefferson-33068
Didn’t UGA just hire Schotty Jr though?
They did, how about that ol’ Georgia money?
They went and got an NFL guy, with the last name Schottenhiemer.
Kurt S son of former Chief HC Marty I think. Could be son of Kurt though.
I can’t think we have a shot here but we should have a wr coach by the time he visits.
He may know more than we do
I like that cumbie was at OU today about the OC job. The guy absolutely transformed Trevone Boykin; I would be all for this hire.
Second that.
As a QB coach, yes.. He hasn’t called plays… Would make me nervous as an OC…
That being said, the support system that Cumbie had in Meachem was just real solid gold by Patterson. I want to see something original though.
I would actually like him starting at OU. Makes me think fresh and innovative, but again at this point, at think we all have different perspectives on what we want out of the next OC.
I would have to disagree with you on that one . We all just want one thing from our OC and that is WINS! LOL!
Oh of course haha, I would love to see an OC that brings the team back to the point of guaranteeing national prominence! All OU fans will agree on that for sure, man.
Imagine what he can do with a guy who isn’t a wide receiver I know people are low on knight, indifferent-low on Thomas and intrigued by mayfield. I’d like to see what kind of jump they could make.
I think cumbie is a must get and then go strong after meachem or frost. None of these coaches should be out of our league.
Absolutely! The addition of cumbie would give the whole QB competition a HUGE boost.
Zack, does Cumbie not call plays? Position and developmental guy primarily his background?
That’s what I’ve read. So I don’t think he will be brought in to call plays
Oh ok thanks. I honestly don’t know that much about him.
However, I’ve seen his results. It’s remarkable what he did with a Boykin.
He’s popular in texas. Humphrey knows who he is and he coached mayfield for one year at tech
Nice!
Still not sure about all of this Airraid disciple stuff.
TFB – what do you know about Tyson Helton? Western Kentucky OC right? Is he near the top of the list?
http://newsok.com/gallery/articleid/5382340/1/pictures/
Thanx!
I like what I’ve been reading about him.
Any word if OU has spoken with Frost?
Don’t think we’re allowed to until after the Championship game.
Dean said that a friend told him that there is mutual interest- for what that’s worth.
I sure hope you’re right. That’s who I’d like to have.
DO NOT TUG AT MY HEARTSTRINGS!!!
NCAA rules or Oregon has to give permission?
Believe it’s NCAA rules. Don’t want to lie though.
How do schools hire HCs & Assistants before bowl games, if there’s a rule about contact.
Dear baby Jesus…..I hope so!
Empty the vault for both Frost and Cumbie and call it a day.
Good plan!
I think we have to get cumbie. Then take whichever guy whether it’s frost or meachem. Whichever one is going to help the recruiting and development. Meachem has the best resume and I think he’s the safest bet but he is 50 and whereas frost is 40. Seems like the speculation is stoops wants youth and energy from his assistants.
I’m somewhat surprised gundy isn’t moving up but it would be nice if things get rolling again and the OC’s start getting HC jobs, to make gundy an assistant to the oc or co-oc.
I hope it’s Scott Frost.
Any chance Kyle Shanahan is a possibility?
Interesting thought. My guess is his comment about taking a lateral move is another NFL team. I don’t know if he’s ever coached college, recruiting may be an issue.
I think being a successful OC at the NFL level would only help recruiting at the college level. It’s highly unlikely that he would accept if offered, but if the money is right?.. Who knows… Most of what I’ve read about him and other NFL teams, seems to hinge on whether his dad would be willing to be part of the deal. Maybe he wants to make his own path, get out of his dad’s shadow… All conjecture on my part.
He was a GA for 1 year at UCLA. His dad was a GA at OU for 2 years and was with the team for the 1975 NC. Interesting tidbit…
Interesting note. In 2007 Frost was co-defensive coordinator at Northern Iowa. How many coaches in college have been a defensive and offensive coordinator at college level?
I have reservations about spread offenses. Over time, the defenses of teams on spread teams grow “soft” per football pundits because they practice against that all the time. Urban Meyer’s offense (if you could call it spread) may be an exception as well as TCU though it’s only year 1 there. You could make an argument that some of this occurred in our latest up tempo iterations , contributing to our current predicament.
By design spread offenses are hard to stop unless there is superior individual talent on the other side and/or incredible scheme/ discipline. Maybe Oregon bucks the trend but when these teams play against tougher competition they can struggle. On the other hand it’s a way to virtually guarantee wins against inferior competition and rebuild quickly. I can’t say I was ever a fan. Another small point is that it contributes to further stigma about our league not playing real football.
That said, if that’s where we are headed, I like Petrino’s offenses the best so I hope McGee gets a look.
To have a successful spread offense you need a good complimentary run game. So I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive as the conventional wisdom may dictate. The effectiveness of the “spread” is that you make the defense cover the WHOLE field on any given play, e.g., spread the defenders out. You can still have a very strong run game and the better teams will. Oregon definitely does.
The spread offense, of which there are many derivations is hard to stop since you need guys that can run at all positions to cover all that space.
Is it just me, or is everyone calling for Mike’s head forgetting that a good offense is the best defense. Yes, there were a lot of questionable formations this past year. but if we get a OC who can control time of position and keep the Defense from playing behind. this defense could be monstrous. I am not sure what that stats are, but I would bet my paycheck that the 2014 Defense was on the field longer than just about any defense in the country. that my friends is a recipe for disaster.
Yes. When your brothers on the other side of the ball are playing ball like they’re the best, then the defense comes out ready to squeeze the opponent tighter. Great point.
I think we have a great list of qualified candidates to fill the OC position, but let’s remember one thing. We still need to find a QB who can go through progressions and check off of his intended receiver. I like TK and I think he has a lot of tools to work with, but he has to learn to read defenses and check off of receivers. Baker has shown the ability to do this and if we get the right guy that can teach Trevor to do the same we could be in good shape for 2015!!
We really need QB development. I think this area of deficiency has been greatly underrated and is key to our future success.