A Whisper of Hope?

[DRU2012]

In case you haven't heard, there are rapidly spreading reports out of Jacksonville and elsewhere (albeit third hand, at best) that Ok.St.'s OC (don't even have his name yet--and I should know it...sorry) has been contacted regarding coming to UF.
We live in hope.

Meanwhile, along with some other postings recently recommended, I re-direct your attention to James Walker's piece, "Was Dan Mullen Key to Gator's Success?" at B/R (Bleacher Report/Florida Gators). It'll get ya thinking, if you ain't already.

 

[Leakfan12]

Him and the Nevada OC should be contacted by Foley and whoever else in the same type spread the Gators run. Know who E-94?

 

[GainesvillebornNraised]

i hope something happens soon about OC and a new d-line coach

it would prolly help in recruiting

 

[Escambia94]

I hate getting worked up over rumors. Dana Holgorsen is the OK St OC. Explosive passing offense. This guy coached Crabtree and Keenum at Texas Tech. I'd like to have him, but I don't see us getting him--he's a competitor to Urban Meyer for the title of "most brilliant offensive mind".

Chris Klenakis, formerly OC of Nevada's Pistol Offense would be a nice addition, but it would be only less competition for that title of "most brilliant offensive mind".

Neither of them run the spread option, but if Urban Meyer is calling the spread option dead, outdated, or in need of help, either guy is a good choice. Alabama kicked our teeth in with the pistol offense, which is essentially a shortened shotgun with less side-to-side running. That is a good compromise between the typical spread and the I-formation pro-style.

These rumors are news to me.

By the way, I think the articles that take credit away from Meyer and give it to Mullen are overlooking something. When other coaches come to G'ville to study the spread option, whom did they talk to? Meyer or Mullen? Appalachian State won three national titles in FCS by talking to Meyer, not Mullen. McDaniel worked under Belichek at New England, and Belichik used to visit Meyer, not Mullen. McDaniel got some ideas from Belichik and is slowly working in Tebow. Don't underestimate Urban Meyer. Sure, he lost his way a bit. It looks like he realizes this and is seeking help. If it's true, then this is a breakthrough. This means Meyer is being humble by seeking help and is modifying his offense. Now that Coach Mac is gone he can take on a new 9th coach.

 

[Escambia94]

Him and the Nevada OC should be contacted by Foley and whoever else in the same type spread the Gators run. Know who E-94?

I had a list of OCs on another thread. Other than coaches that learned from or borrowed from Meyer, only Michigan runs an offense like ours in FBS. Oregon and Auburn run similar enough offenses. That does not mean other OCs won't work. My previous post covers it.

 

[DRU2012]

I hate getting worked up over rumors. Dana Holgorsen is the OK St OC. Explosive passing offense. This guy coached Crabtree and Keenum at Texas Tech. I'd like to have him, but I don't see us getting him--he's a competitor to Urban Meyer for the title of "most brilliant offensive mind".

Chris Klenakis, formerly OC of Nevada's Pistol Offense would be a nice addition, but it would be only less competition for that title of "most brilliant offensive mind".

Neither of them run the spread option, but if Urban Meyer is calling the spread option dead, outdated, or in need of help, either guy is a good choice. Alabama kicked our teeth in with the pistol offense, which is essentially a shortened shotgun with less side-to-side running. That is a good compromise between the typical spread and the I-formation pro-style.

These rumors are news to me.

By the way, I think the articles that take credit away from Meyer and give it to Mullen are overlooking something. When other coaches come to G'ville to study the spread option, whom did they talk to? Meyer or Mullen? Appalachian State won three national titles in FCS by talking to Meyer, not Mullen. McDaniel worked under Belichek at New England, and Belichik used to visit Meyer, not Mullen. McDaniel got some ideas from Belichik and is slowly working in Tebow. Don't underestimate Urban Meyer. Sure, he lost his way a bit. It looks like he realizes this and is seeking help. If it's true, then this is a breakthrough. This means Meyer is being humble by seeking help and is modifying his offense. Now that Coach Mac is gone he can take on a new 9th coach.

I admit it: I am straining at control over my longing for ANY sign that "the trigger will be pulled"...in this case I succumbed to the first rumor that I picked up from two different can't-even-call-'em-sources (just folks who say they've "heard" something). I apologize. I'm at the grasping-at-straws, "where there's smoke there's fire" stage of desperate hope.
Your analysis is (as usual) valid and incisive, and I cannot say whether Urban's potential fall from the top of that "most brilliant offensive mind"-list would be an inhibiting or enabling factor in his decision--as you say, he would already be taking a huge and humbling step in bringing ANYONE in to "help" in modifying his offense.
Personally, at this point I would take heart at ANY sign that Urban Meyer sees what a complete mess has been made of "his" offense , and is ready, able and willing to make drastic changes to get it back on track.
Oh, and I didn't mean to imply that I necessarily AGREE with the premise that Mullen was somehow "the true key" to the success of Meyer's offense, only that this article raises a number of questions and issues that deserve consideration and debate. (To me, what's interesting is the timing and the questions that raises. For eg., the offense begins its slide with his leaving, so what ELSE has changed? And so on...)

 

[Escambia94]

I searched around and there are reports that the Dazzler is interested in a head coaching job, and that a couole OCs that are too young to be HCs are looking for a top-tier coach to help groom them for a future HC job. So, all the rumors "have teeth".

I still consider Meyer to be a brilliant offensive mind and an excellent recruiter. His forte is not in the execution, at least not without undue stress for micromanagement. He has shown that he likes to evolve his offense. Note that Mullen's offense has not evolved--he still runs 70% dives, 5% inside tosses, and 20% QB draws with 5% passing. Meyer attempted to incorporate more spread into the spread option, but failed due to inadequate personnel--players and coach. One coach. Bringing in a spread coach with discipline would work wonders with this talent. I just hope any new guy is also a good recruiter. There I go. I've bought into the rumor.

 

[DRU2012]

How can we help it, bra'?

 

[Escambia94]

This guy thinks like me: An Offseason of Change Likely for Florida Gators | GatorsFirst

Maybe their really is traction on all these rumors.

 

[DRU2012]

Yeah--but now I'm REALLY confused...
Still and all, though they do hedge their bets somewhat, it seems that people whose BUSINESS it is to know think that change is acomin'.

 

[InkedAdrenaline]

if it pans out, thatd b awesome