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Coordinator success story
Posted November 27, 2007
Offensive and defensive coordinators around the country often take a lot of flak from fans when things aren't going well and even during mediocre seasons like this one at CU.
I remember Buffs fans calling for former offensive coordinator Shawn Watson's head in his last two years here. Before that, they took a big bite out of former defensive coordinator Vince Okruch, who left in 2003.
I've even heard a lot of criticism (some of it warranted) this year about offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich and defensive coordinator Ron Collins. Personally, I think you have to be patient with these guys and let them do their jobs.
Sometimes that turns into the nightmare that happened at Nebraska this season with Kevin Cosgrove's defense becoming a sieve. I really think fans can write a guy off too early sometimes.
Here is an interesting look at one such tale. Tuesday Musings
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Posted by SnowBuff on November 27, 2007 at 10 a.m.
Coordinators (especially young ones) can change and grow. Sometimes they just aren't effective unless they have the personnel that fits their thought processes and schemes. Sometimes they become stagnant and predictable. The first problem is much more forgivable then the first. I mean, what chance did North Texas have against OU, etc.?
The second problem is what kills careers. Coaches can receive a "pass" when they are still settling into their personnel and learning on the job, but when the second problem arises... fans smell blood in the water.
Hence my "rant" about the direct snaps and lack of screen passes, etc., that so many others shared about the offense this year.
Anyways, has anyone else noticed that since the KSU/KU games, Little Hawk has rarely if ever thrown the ball down the field? Every ball is within 25 yards.... Not a good sign. Either he is being coached to only manage the game, or he and the coordinators have lost confidence in him...
Posted by Saheeb on November 27, 2007 at 10:59 a.m.
SnowBuff: good post. I am curious about abandoning the deep ball as the season progressed. It appeared we had some good opportunities in the ASU and FSU games, but those were dropped. The coaches may want the WRs to have a bit more experience before inserting that back into the game plan, or for Cody to develop more arm strength or gain more experience. I don't think they've lost confidence in him. But, I think they did opt to have him focus more on "managing the game," as you say. I think that's going to change a bit next year and they'll see how it goes.
Posted by archalon on November 27, 2007 at 11:27 a.m.
c'mon with the excuse article for the coordinators. Look at the tape of several games this season: offense was WAY too predictable.
Play calling was the reason for the ISU loss. 6 straight three and outs ? Sure, many dropped balls, but joe-idiot sitting at home could call a defense vs. what they were running. Then they dust off a few pages of the play book and SUPRISE the buffs move the ball.
6-6 is fine for now - but they could and should have been 1-2 games better. 8-4 was realistic with coaches not afraid to adjust the game plan.
Cody isnt throwing downfield because he is running what Helfrich thinks will work. Game plan for last several weeks was ball control and they couldnt rely on protection in the pocket against MU, KU and KSU. Became a moot point once they were losing though
Posted by SnowBuff on November 28, 2007 at 5:46 p.m.
If cody gets some decent pass protection next year, CU could become quite the deep ball team. Both Smith and Celestine are decently fast guys. With those two and McKnight being freshman, CU could be in for a longterm period of productivity at the WR position. Now, Mr. Smith, I do not know why you learned the "dropsies" from Mr. WIlliams, but DO NOT LET IT DEFINE YOU LIKE IT HAS HIM
Posted by mulder1010 on November 29, 2007 at 2:05 a.m.
From living in AZ and watching what Keller, Walters and Carpenter have done at ASU I really like Helfrich. CU is just missing the experience at WR that ASU has had with Walters and Keller while he was there.