Started under June Jones, very successful under Jeff Brohm (we hardly knew you) at WKU, has been with/under Tee at USC lately. Apparently he’s going to be our OC, and I’m not sure what to think about that. As Muschamp showed at Florida, a defensively-oriented coach is going to struggle without the right OC
USC - the Pac 12 champs - offense this year 20th in ppg 22nd in points per play 12th in ypg 35th in rushing offense 29th in ypc 18th in passing ypg 14th in yards per pass att.
My concerns are: 1. He had a talent advantage at USC that he won’t necessarily have here 2. How much of his fantastic success at WKU was just Brohm (and how much did he learn from it)? But I don’t know much about the guy. His numbers are good, for sure
OC? Dang. I was hoping QB coach and maybe passing game coordinator. If actually the case then not as on board. Seems like he’s had a nice run but not sure about that uSC offensive play calling - which I thought he was doing.
Looks like we’re pulling Friend from Colorado State as our OL coach (and maybe run-game coordinator?). But I’d assume Helton would call the plays over Friend, who wasn’t doing it at CSU (Bobo was). Honestly not sure when Helton has called plays before. Supposedly Tee was at SC, and wouldn’t be surprised if Brohm did at WKU. But I dunno. Supposedly Friend is a really good OL coach. Probably should’ve just started a thread for assistant hires in general, since they seem to be flooding in right now.
Looks like he’s never been a full-time playcaller, which is a bit of a concern, although it certainly could work out.
He apparently can develop QBs - In 2016, he was named the FootballScoop Quarterbacks Coach of the Year. USC was ninth nationally in completion percentage (65.7) and 25th in both passing efficiency (149.6) and pass offense (276.4). Quarterback Sam Darnold won the Archie Griffin Award, was a Manning Award finalist, was the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year and was the Rose Bowl MVP while completing 67.2% of his passes and throwing 31 TDs.