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Discussing weaknesses of the Head Coaches in the SEC...
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:12 am
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:12 am
Being an Auburn fan, there is a very glaring weakness with Gus Malzahn.
Great coaches adjust. They adjust to the players they come in with. They adjust to the players they recruit (including back-up plans). They adjust to defenses. They adjust to different coaches they have hired. They adjust to changing times within the college football world. They adjust a lot. The great coaches adjust, perfect it, get better and move on to find the same success they had before.
A good example of this is Nick Saban. We, the SECRant, used to make fun of his fat, slow linebackers. As great as Alabama's defense was, it had a weakness...on the edges. Spread teams could expose the slow sideline-to-sideline speed of players. What does Nick Saban do? He adjusts. He starts recruiting the smaller, more quick-twitch linebackers that can run. Another good example is just the offensive scheme Alabama first used in 2007 compared to now in 2016. It was more of a ball control, chew up the clock, pound you into oblivion type offense. What do they do now? Jet sweep, read-option, trickeration, up-tempo, etc. It's a wide open offense. Nick Saban knew he had to change his approach on offense to keep up with the Auburn's, the Ole Miss', the Clemson's, the Ohio State's, the Oregon's, and so forth. He did it.
Now, with Gus Malzahn, I see a huge weakness. Huge. Let's note that his rushing offense, pretty much no matter which personnel he uses, is always a threat to take over a game. We've seen his offense rush for over 400 and 500 yards at times against quality opponents. We've seen him do so with Cam Newton, Nick Marshall and Sean White at quarterback. We've seen him do so with Kam Pettway, Tre Mason, Mike Dyer, Cam Artis-Payne and so forth at running back.
Where he gets himself into trouble is at the quarterback position. Gus Malzahn and Rhett Lashlee struggle mightily to put on good product on the field when it comes to quarterback development and production. Part of it is recruitment, part of it is development and part of it is scheme related, IMO. Take Clemson, for example... Chad Morris and Gus Malzahn have a lot of the same principles in regards to offensive scheme. Chad Morris even learned a lot of what he does from Gus Malzahn. BUT, Chad Morris went a step ahead and advanced his passing scheme. His route trees are far more advanced and it shows. He's also proven to be a damned fine quarterback developer. Even with him not there, Clemson's offense still thrives because of the wheels he set into motion. Deshaun Watson and Tajh Boyd have been two of the most prolific passers in ACC history.
There have to be changes made this off-season from Gus Malzahn. He has to leave his comfort zone and reach out to people that are not within his circle. It's no secret he is incredibly anal (don't get excited, Texas A&M fans) about who he trusts and has on staff. Rhett Lashlee isn't the answer, though. There needs to be someone, like Kendall Briles, brought in to further advance the passing scheme. Rhett Lashlee may know the offense inside and out, but he doesn't bring anything extra to the table.
If this can't be fixed, Gus Malzahn will be looking for a new job and Auburn will be looking for a new head coach after 2017.
Discuss weaknesses for your coach and what you would do to fix them.
Great coaches adjust. They adjust to the players they come in with. They adjust to the players they recruit (including back-up plans). They adjust to defenses. They adjust to different coaches they have hired. They adjust to changing times within the college football world. They adjust a lot. The great coaches adjust, perfect it, get better and move on to find the same success they had before.
A good example of this is Nick Saban. We, the SECRant, used to make fun of his fat, slow linebackers. As great as Alabama's defense was, it had a weakness...on the edges. Spread teams could expose the slow sideline-to-sideline speed of players. What does Nick Saban do? He adjusts. He starts recruiting the smaller, more quick-twitch linebackers that can run. Another good example is just the offensive scheme Alabama first used in 2007 compared to now in 2016. It was more of a ball control, chew up the clock, pound you into oblivion type offense. What do they do now? Jet sweep, read-option, trickeration, up-tempo, etc. It's a wide open offense. Nick Saban knew he had to change his approach on offense to keep up with the Auburn's, the Ole Miss', the Clemson's, the Ohio State's, the Oregon's, and so forth. He did it.
Now, with Gus Malzahn, I see a huge weakness. Huge. Let's note that his rushing offense, pretty much no matter which personnel he uses, is always a threat to take over a game. We've seen his offense rush for over 400 and 500 yards at times against quality opponents. We've seen him do so with Cam Newton, Nick Marshall and Sean White at quarterback. We've seen him do so with Kam Pettway, Tre Mason, Mike Dyer, Cam Artis-Payne and so forth at running back.
Where he gets himself into trouble is at the quarterback position. Gus Malzahn and Rhett Lashlee struggle mightily to put on good product on the field when it comes to quarterback development and production. Part of it is recruitment, part of it is development and part of it is scheme related, IMO. Take Clemson, for example... Chad Morris and Gus Malzahn have a lot of the same principles in regards to offensive scheme. Chad Morris even learned a lot of what he does from Gus Malzahn. BUT, Chad Morris went a step ahead and advanced his passing scheme. His route trees are far more advanced and it shows. He's also proven to be a damned fine quarterback developer. Even with him not there, Clemson's offense still thrives because of the wheels he set into motion. Deshaun Watson and Tajh Boyd have been two of the most prolific passers in ACC history.
There have to be changes made this off-season from Gus Malzahn. He has to leave his comfort zone and reach out to people that are not within his circle. It's no secret he is incredibly anal (don't get excited, Texas A&M fans) about who he trusts and has on staff. Rhett Lashlee isn't the answer, though. There needs to be someone, like Kendall Briles, brought in to further advance the passing scheme. Rhett Lashlee may know the offense inside and out, but he doesn't bring anything extra to the table.
If this can't be fixed, Gus Malzahn will be looking for a new job and Auburn will be looking for a new head coach after 2017.
Discuss weaknesses for your coach and what you would do to fix them.
16
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:17 am to TTsTowel
Muschamp's weakness right now is not having enough talent, team speed, not enough depth, etc.
It's too early to tell much else. He overachieved this season IMHO. He inherited a thin team at best ... with a bad approach to the game. He's turned that around somewhat but he needs better players and more time to get the culture of the program back on track.
It's too early to tell much else. He overachieved this season IMHO. He inherited a thin team at best ... with a bad approach to the game. He's turned that around somewhat but he needs better players and more time to get the culture of the program back on track.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:19 am to scrooster
quote:
Muschamp's weakness right now is not having enough talent, team speed, not enough depth, etc.
Couldn't agree more with this.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:20 am to TTsTowel
Firing coaches like Gus Malzahn is why the SEC is in a current mess in the first place. If Auburn fires Malzahn, they better be damn sure they're getting a clear upgrade over him and not some unproven coach from the MAC.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:21 am to scrooster
quote:Will Muschamp, right now, has the piece he was missing at Florida...a quarterback.
scrooster
You almost have to have one to compete in the SEC and he has a stud freshman.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:22 am to TTsTowel
Bertrand Bielema has weak knees.
They get like that when he smells food.
They get like that when he smells food.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:25 am to Bench McElroy
quote:It is, I agree.
Firing coaches like Gus Malzahn is why the SEC is in a current mess in the first place.
Tennessee fired Phil Fulmer, now a mess.
Georgia fired Mark Richt, now a potential mess.
LSU fired Les Miles, hired a potential mess.
As it stands, Auburn is winning in complete opposite fashion. Auburn was supposed to have a prolific offense like in 2010, 2013 and 2014. Instead, it has reverted back to 2011 and, to an extent, 2009. Auburn is winning on defense and special teams, which is hard to believe given the mess we have seen on defense since Gene Chizik's first season in 2009.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:30 am to TTsTowel
Right now, Kirby Smart isn't used to coaching without superior talent so he gets stubborn and conservative when he can't afford to be.
Fortunately, he is young and can get better. He is also a potentially elite recruiter, so the talent level should improve to overcome some of that.
Fortunately, he is young and can get better. He is also a potentially elite recruiter, so the talent level should improve to overcome some of that.
This post was edited on 11/28/16 at 9:31 am
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:36 am to TTsTowel
Recruiting the QB position seems to be the biggest weakness, LSU has NO QB, AU has a proven blueprint to success with Gus, an athletic QB who can be an effective passer and destroy you with the run. Makes the run/pass option impossible to defend combined with AU's explosive running game. Instead they trot out Sean fricking White. Much easier to defend.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:39 am to Crowknowsbest
Kirby's biggest weakness is that he has to defer to Jim fricking Chaney for offensive game-planning and play-calling and doesn't have the experience to challenge anything Chaney puts together. This will be the biggest issue with UGA even once we get more talent at OLine and WR.
This post was edited on 11/28/16 at 9:40 am
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:44 am to TTsTowel
Hugh Freeze's weakness is running up the middle on 3rd and long and throwing a 20 yard pass on 3rd and 1. He also doesn't (or didn't, now that Wommack is gone) have the balls to fire anyone. Not to mention recruiting misses (see: LB)
Lyle: is just Lyle. He's in way over his head. I tried defending him earlier in the season but he will never MTGA so he needs to go
Lyle: is just Lyle. He's in way over his head. I tried defending him earlier in the season but he will never MTGA so he needs to go
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:45 am to TTsTowel
You make some good points, but you note about Malzahn's rushing offense...
"Let's note that his rushing offense, pretty much no matter which personnel he uses, is always a threat to take over a game. We've seen his offense rush for over 400 and 500 yards at times against quality opponents."
Not really. Not "always". For an example, not this past Saturday. Not always against a very good defense. It's why Saban adapted, which you did note in your post. Even the best running offense is occasionally going to get shut down by a great defense.
"Let's note that his rushing offense, pretty much no matter which personnel he uses, is always a threat to take over a game. We've seen his offense rush for over 400 and 500 yards at times against quality opponents."
Not really. Not "always". For an example, not this past Saturday. Not always against a very good defense. It's why Saban adapted, which you did note in your post. Even the best running offense is occasionally going to get shut down by a great defense.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:47 am to TTsTowel
quote:I would take the 2009 offense, with Chris Todd at QB, Ben Tate at RB and a bunch of 3* WRs, in a heartbeat.
Instead, it has reverted back to 2011 and, to an extent, 2009.
Combine that offense with our 2016 defense and ST and we're in the playoffs. Even when it underperformed against the better defenses we faced.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:47 am to TTsTowel
Buffets and defending spread offenses.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 9:54 am to Huddie Leadbetter
quote:I should expand further. Auburn has trouble being a huge threat against the likes of Alabama, LSU and Georgia...mainly because they usually have better athletes on defense. It seems like the offense needs a dual threat to find a ton of success against them.
Not really. Not "always". For an example, not this past Saturday. Not always against a very good defense. It's why Saban adapted, which you did note in your post. Even the best running offense is occasionally going to get shut down by a great defense.
I'll give Auburn's offense a pass against Alabama this year, though. I know Kam Pettway played, but he isn't healthy. Neither are Stanton Truitt or Kerryon Johnson. Also add in the fact that Jeremy Johnson was quarterback for most of the game and, well, yeah...
Posted on 11/28/16 at 10:07 am to Huddie Leadbetter
quote:
You make some good points, but you note about Malzahn's rushing offense...
"Let's note that his rushing offense, pretty much no matter which personnel he uses, is always a threat to take over a game. We've seen his offense rush for over 400 and 500 yards at times against quality opponents."
Not really. Not "always". For an example, not this past Saturday. Not always against a very good defense. It's why Saban adapted, which you did note in your post. Even the best running offense is occasionally going to get shut down by a great defense.
In his defense he said "always a threat" not that it will always take over a game. For the fun of it thought I look back at Malzahn rushing stats vs Saban. In parenthesis is the starting QB
2009 - 37 rushes 151 yds TD (Chris Todd)
2010 - 41 rushes 108 yds TD (Cam Newton)
2011 - 35 rushes 78 yds (Clint Moseley)
2013 - 52 rushes 296 yds 2 TD (Nick Marshall)
2014 - 47 rushes 174 yds TD (Nick Marshall)
2015 - 37 rushes 91 yds (Jeremy Johnson)
2016 - 26 rushes 66 yds (Jeremy Johnson)
When we have a QB with any type of threat to throw the ball AU has done fine on the ground against Saban. When we don't we get owned. Both LSU & AU are in the same boat. They have QB/passing game issues. If either gets that sorted then Bama will actually have a challenger. Until then Saban will continue to wipe the floor with everybody
Posted on 11/28/16 at 10:54 am to TTsTowel
Where to start...
Posted on 11/28/16 at 11:04 am to TTsTowel
For all his many great qualities, Nick has great difficulty in getting any improvement out of placekickers. It seems like they get worse after they get on campus instead of better.
I'd hire Auburn's position coach. They coach great techniques and they seem to have a knack for the mental side of that as well.
I'd hire Auburn's position coach. They coach great techniques and they seem to have a knack for the mental side of that as well.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 11:16 am to TTsTowel
quote:
Discussing weaknesses of the Head Coaches in the SEC...
After four years, Bret Bielema still doesn't understand the importance of speed in the SEC, and he's convinced that a Big Ten strength and conditioning philosophy will work in the SEC West because he beat a distracted Arkansas team in the Capital One Bowl 10 years ago.
We don't recruit fast players, and our strength and conditioning program legitimately makes players slower.
We currently have the worst strength and conditioning program in the conference.
Posted on 11/28/16 at 11:19 am to llfshoals
quote:
For all his many great qualities, Nick has great difficulty in getting any improvement out of placekickers. It seems like they get worse after they get on campus instead of better.
I've never understood this.
Saban's rosters at Alabama have been littered with blue chip recruits, and he maximizes their potential at quite literally every position but kicker.
He hasn't had a reliable kicker since Leigh Tiffin (granted, he was a head case early in his career), who was inherited from Shula.
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