So let's say Beamer steps down at the end of this year and Bud gets the job. I'm not commenting on whether this should happen, but it's certainly a possibility as he's a top candidate for us. If that happens I have to imagine Loeffler's gone and we go for what Bud has always wanted; an uptempo, spread offense allowing us to make the transition from ball-control defensive powerhouse to offensive juggernaut with a high-risk/high-reward defense, ala TCU's transition a couple of years ago. If that's the case, who's the offensive coordinator for this team? I don't follow the assistant coaching carousel too closely, but I'd have to imagine there are some G5 coordinators or head coaches running that kind of system looking for a step up or some P5 coordinators looking for a change after this year. Any ideas of who we might nab to make this type of transition?
Spread Offensive Coordinators
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Coordinator job is gonna be tricky. Given that Bud is totally a defensive guy, you have to make a solid hire on offense. Most of those guys are already taken and will either 1. Get grabbed for a HC vacancy like Herman was, 2. Stick with their current situation, hoping to get an HC look later like Morris did for a few years, or 3. Go fill in vacancies at big time programs, mostly left by guys in category 1. Now we might be able to pay Bud less than we'd have to pay an outsider head coach, leaving us more money to get an offensive coordinator, MAYBE giving us a shot at competing with bigger and better programs. But more likely is we'd have to either take a coordinator that's been forced out elsewhere, like we did with Loeffler, or give a position coach a promotion, be it someone inside the program (Zohn is the only viable candidate there), or someone outside (maybe we could get Vince Vaughn back). These are things to think about for those who want to promote Bud. It would be awesome, but could come at the expense of a very high risk offensive hire. Partly why I believe we end up going for an offensive head coach (Senor Fuente), and doing our damndest to keep Bud as DC.
The other option is a situation like where ECU's offensive coordinator went to Oklahoma. Someone who's had established success at a mid-tier program looking to move up to a P5 conference. Someone being forced out isn't always an issue of competency as well, with how many head coaching changes are made every year, most new coaches want to bring in their own staff, meaning you'd have qualified people who have had success looking for work. I'd also assume that Whit would be willing to pull out all the stops to bring in an OC and that while it's easy to be pessimistic this year, our roster does show a lot of promise to an outside coach with a highly touted QB, proven playmakers at receiver/running back and an offensive line that has flashed promise.
Interesting point though that one of the less obvious risks of hiring bud would be added pressure to get a top-notch offensive coordinator.
I'd have lumped Riley into category 3. But you make a good point about the guys who fall victim to house cleaning with new hires. That may actually be our best bet if we give Bud the reins. I felt it was worth pointing out because I feel like a lot of people don't consider the consequences of hiring one coach vs another. But Whit's incredibly competent, so if we go that route, I trust him to get us the guy we need.
Whichever one of TCU's co-coordinators wants it.
I just envisioned us hiring one of the backup quarterbacks to coach
"hey you must kind of understand the offense....come show us what its like"
Someone from toledo?
"Hi, I'm Lane Kiffen, I heard there might be an OC opening? I'm here with my gascan and matches, ready to turn this into a smoldering dumpster fire. Do you need to see my CV or can I just start unpacking my gear?"
I dunno, I'm sure Lane has learned a TON working under Saban these past few years. I wouldn't even feel that bad if we considered him.
He's been working under more than one, Saban (to hear the internet tell it)
So your the only one. Lane Kiffin belongs no where near any program with a shred of self respect and morals.
via GIPHY
I don't see Lane as a guy who even bothers to unpack any more. What's the point?
#BringLanetoLane
#onlyasthejanitor
Have you seen TCU's defense recently?
It gave up a 40 burger to a team (K state), that got shutout by the Sooners. Gave up 50+ to Texas Tech.
TCU's defense ranks 72nd nationally in S&P+.
TCU has also lost about 6 starters since August. I think that's a bit unfair. Last year's defense was much better (13th in S&P+). I think that would be what we'd shoot for.
Thanks for the knowledge. However, I would think that is more of a testament to a lack of depth, which I would think a Big XII d coordinator would have to know is an important element to defending these fast paced teams. Depth means as much as stats.
"Disregard our stats, because we had injuries in Football" is not a reason to give a defense a pass.
I didn't give one to Bud last year and I won't give one to TCU either.
How many teams could actually field a respectable defense after losing more than half of their starters? Even an Alabama or LSU would have a really hard time. There is going to be drop off when you're inserting that many new guys. They were probably looking at an average to above average defense this year replacing so many seniors. Then they had to replace the new starters? Plus, TCU is trying to recruit against Texas, Oklahoma, A&M, and so many other big powers in the area. Of course they don't have as much depth. With such a drastic change, it really isn't that shocking.
The point of transforming into what TCU is now is that they have a winning formula that Bud Foster seems to appreciate. That should not be disregarded because they aren't an elite defense this year after such a big upheaval.
Really, because I thought Texas was the most talent rich area in the nation. Isn't that the same as saying Miami doesn't have depth because they recruit against Bama, Auburn, FState, and the Gators for the state of Florida?
Maybe they aren't recruiting up to their standards. I really don't know because I haven't looked into who they've gone after and who they were competing against. Most likely they were competing against other schools in Texas along with Oklahoma, LSU, and Arkansas all trying to get the best players. The past 4 years their recruiting rankings were between 29 and 43 each year. It still doesn't negate that their system works which was the point of the original post.
The main point is that TCU and Tech are both programs that won't be pulling a ton of big time recruits, but the system can produce wins anyway. And that could work in Blacksburg - especially since we may actually recruit better than they do.
They lost something like 7 starters to graduation from last year, then lost an additional 6 or 7 starters this year to injury. No team in the country could withstand all that then still look good going up against the bonkers offenses in the Big12.
Give me anyone who has studied under Art Briles offensively
The Art Briles who has no offensive playbook? *per RG3*
At this point it looks like RG3 may have just never read it.
#teammanball
I think Bob Stitt, HC at Montana, would qualify. He's more of an underground legend. He coached Colorado School of Mines for like 15 years. Guys like Kevin Sumlin, Sonny Dykes, Hal Mumme and Dana Holgorsen all swear by him. His first game at the Division I level, he upset 4-time champ North Dakota State to open his season. If someone wanted to give him a shot at the FBS level, he could probably do some special things offensively.
#StittHappens
Stitt it in, Stitt it in, Stitt it in
I'd suggest going opposite George Costanza... smashmouth, power football and a D to match. Everyone wants the spread and I'd suggest, in addition to other factors, this was a factor in Franks downfall. He wanted to keep up with the Jones', run the crap de jour and we totally lost our identity as a power running team.
Frankly...and he's not spread but pep might be available this year. I have a feeling the colts clean house at the end of the year
No, give me pro set smashmouth down your throat foosbaaallll, not 3yds and a cloud of dust, but your cedric humes up the middle for ten, and a linebacker having trouble getting up from the hit