🏈 Interesting article on the Malzahn system

[porkchop]

I know this is AU-related gang, but I thought some of you might find it interesting. It never hurts to study up on your enemy either.

Malzahn's Spread Offense

 

[TerryP]

Hey, this offense is only $13.97. :lance:

 

[TerryP]

Here's a write up from the end of December by Pete Holiday.

It's an interesting perspective on the hire and just what it means.

Malzahn Hire is More of the Same

by PeteHoliday on Dec 29, 2008 7:48 AM PST

We're less than 24 hours from Auburn's "big" hire, and the shine has already worn off for me -- I don't really buy the hype.


Don't get me wrong. This might be the best hire they could've possibly made given the current circumstances, but that doesn't say much. After all, who's the best dart thrower at St. Michael's School for the Blind?


There are a number of problems with Malzahn that seem to get glossed over, but they're pretty big ones.


First and foremost: when our seniors were playing high school ball, Malzahn was coaching high school ball. He has only three years of collegiate coaching experience, and two of those years were at Tulsa.


Yes, he was part of a 10-win season at Arkansas in 2006, but keep in mind that he had Darren McFadden in the backfield -- a much bigger weapon than any running back currently playing in the SEC.


His two-year stint at Tulsa has been impressive statistically . . . until you take into account the competition. The Golden Hurricane put up a gaudy number of points against almost all of their opponents. The exceptions in 2008 being the defensive powerhouses of Arkansas, East Carolina, and Houston.



2007 was more of the same, really.


Simply put: Malzahn's offenses have run wild when they have vastly superior talent, but folded when faced with even the slightest resistance.The question I have: where on earth is Auburn going to get vastly superior talent? Out of the backyards of Richt, Meyer, and Saban? I don't think so.


Further, I'm still not convinced that his offensive style will really survive more than a season or two in the SEC. The same was said about Meyer, and while Florida has enjoyed a great deal of success, it would be a bit misleading to suggest that the Gators are running the same offense today as Meyer ran at Utah. Similar? Yes, but not the same at all. That's the big difference between a guy with a lot of experience and Malzahn: adaptability. Malzahn has never coached anywhere long enough to need to change anything.


By the time his team suits up for its second season (if it even takes that long), his offense will be a known quantity in the SEC, and the better defensive coaches will have an antidote. That is, unless the barn can amass a pool of talent big enough to neutralize the defensive game plans. See, e.g., Florida: they're not out-scheming teams, they're out-talenting them.


Of course, that's all assuming that Malzahn even gets to his second season.


Will Auburn actually let him run his offense the way he wants to run it? We know that didn't happen for Tony Franklin at Auburn, but the fans are still buying into the "Frankly was the problem" shtick: "Tony Franklin [Malzahn] ain't. This guy is the real deal . . ."


I have some bad news for Mr. Coulter: Franklin was the real deal, too. In fact, Auburn has made firing "real deal" offensive coordinators its calling-card.


Again, I don't know that there was a better hire on the board for Auburn, but this alone is not reason for "optimism". After all: when was the last time you saw a team with a mediocre head coach and some hot-shot assistants tear up a major conference?

From the RollBamaRoll blog roll.

 

[THROWITDEEP]

Here is a little tidbit from an Arkansas perspective.

Back when all the "Springdale 5" crap was going on in Fayetteville with Mitch Mustain, Damain Williams etc. Frank Broyles met with some of the parents. I can't remember the entire story, but Broyles told the Williams family that Malzahn's system would NOT work in the SEC. He went on to tell them that his "expert" friends had told him that.

Later on, somebody in the media asked Broyles who his "expert" friends were and he said "I am the expert".

:rofl:

I'm not laughing at Broyles's ability because we all know he could coach, but the way he handled that situation with the families was hilarious.

Anyway, this was a well written article and this guy really did his homework. Can his system work in the SEC? I think it can because Gus is really smart and he will adjust if he needs too.

Quick Gus story...

I was working as a GA at Arkansas Tech back in 1997 or 1998 I can't remember, but I got a phone call one day from Gus Malzahn. He was really getting cranked up in high school ball in Arkansas at that time. I spent a good 30-45 minutes with him on the phone that day. Apparently, Gus was calling to offer me a job as an assistant on his staff, but I did not have the proper certificate at the time. I think back on that sometimes and kick myself.

 

[TerryP]

Anyway, this was a well written article and this guy really did his homework. Can his system work in the SEC? I think it can because Gus is really smart and he will adjust if he needs too.

It's not a question, at least in my mind, if his system can work in the SEC.

The question is does Auburn have the talent to fit what Malzahn wants to do?

Franklin's system would have worked if he had the players. What's changed in the last year?

IF they give him 3-4 years we might see them have a productive offense. If history is any indication, offensive coordinators don't remain long if the record book isn't favorable.

Hell, their offensive line situation is woefully thin this year and it's only going to get worse next year with depth and experience lacking.

 

[psychojoe]

I have my doubts that he has a quarterback on hand who can be effective in this type of system. I didn't see any Pat White clones in their spring game.

 

[THROWITDEEP]

Terry, you and Joe make a great point and I meant to say something about that. I don't think they have a QB right now either. Kodi Burns is not the right fit. You are right about coordinators not staying very long in one spot. If Petrino leaves anytime soon (I don't think he will) then I expect Malzahn to be the new coach at Arkansas.

 

[TerryP]

Terry, you and Joe make a great point and I meant to say something about that. I don't think they have a QB right now either. Kodi Burns is not the right fit. You are right about coordinators not staying very long in one spot. If Petrino leaves anytime soon (I don't think he will) then I expect Malzahn to be the new coach at Arkansas.

You know a place he'd be VERY successful?

Put him in the Mountain West, say after Whittingham moves on from Utah, and let him earn his stripes there.

Heck, thinking about it how good of a fit would he taking up the program Paul Johnson left behind...I know, a little late now, but I think you get my point.

 

[bamafan4ever]

Terry, you and Joe make a great point and I meant to say something about that. I don't think they have a QB right now either. Kodi Burns is not the right fit. You are right about coordinators not staying very long in one spot. If Petrino leaves anytime soon (I don't think he will) then I expect Malzahn to be the new coach at Arkansas.

Wow. You really think so (on both fronts)? I am not trying to be a smart alack here but you NEVER know what ol' Bobby has up his sleeve. You know, the Hoover High job may come open or something and every man has his price! Look, I know Petrino is a fine ball coach but where people accused Saban of jumping around a lot, Petrino defines mercenary. He's a moving target.

Malzahn? Really? I would be willing to bet that if Petrino resigns tomorrow or within the next three years, he will never coach Arkansas football. That would be more of a lightning rod in Fayetteville than Bill Curry ever was in Tuscaloosa. I also don't feel he has the resume to lead a program like Arkansas. If that is who you guys would have high on your list, my impression of Arkansas football just took a major hit.

You better pay that mercenary his price to keep him around as long as possible. He'll have Arkansas playing some good football, at the latest, by next year.

 

[rammerjammer]

BF4E...I don't think Petrino will go anywhere. He had a good gig going at Louisville, but you and I both know that he was in the heart of Basketball country. I think Petrino scratched the NFL itch and felt the same way Saban did......it sucked. Folks in Arkansas take their football seriously and short of a USC, Notre Dame type opening.....I think he sits tight. Only other way he leaves is if he screws up with the NCAA.

 

[TerryP]

BF4E...I don't think Petrino will go anywhere. He had a good gig going at Louisville, but you and I both know that he was in the heart of Basketball country. I think Petrino scratched the NFL itch and felt the same way Saban did......it sucked. Folks in Arkansas take their football seriously and short of a USC, Notre Dame type opening.....I think he sits tight. Only other way he leaves is if he screws up with the NCAA.

I can't make up my mind on Petrino.

If we were to put together a pro's vs con's list for every pro I've found a con that was worth considering.

People point to what he left at Louisville, just as you did. But, I go immediately back to the comments the Ath. Dir. made a little after he left about the overall state of the program. There are all kinds of stories about the mess left in Louisville.

True? The only thing that you can solidly confirm is there was a lot of attrition after he left. Some moved on, some were moved on.

Then, there is the won/loss record at Louisville balanced against the "who did they play" argument.

One thing is for sure.

If he's successful at Arkansas he's in a position to be one of the top paid coaches in FBS. He's in a conference that can propel him and his team in the NC title picture (something that only an undefeated season would at Louisville). He'll have to become a coach to be reckoned with on the recruiting trail...

 

[bamafan4ever]

I can't make up my mind on Petrino.

If we were to put together a pro's vs con's list for every pro I've found a con that was worth considering.

People point to what he left at Louisville, just as you did. But, I go immediately back to the comments the Ath. Dir. made a little after he left about the overall state of the program. There are all kinds of stories about the mess left in Louisville.

True? The only thing that you can solidly confirm is there was a lot of attrition after he left. Some moved on, some were moved on.

Then, there is the won/loss record at Louisville balanced against the "who did they play" argument.

One thing is for sure.

If he's successful at Arkansas he's in a position to be one of the top paid coaches in FBS. He's in a conference that can propel him and his team in the NC title picture (something that only an undefeated season would at Louisville). He'll have to become a coach to be reckoned with on the recruiting trail...

What about the Mahlzan part of the argument. IF something were to happen to Petrino, does ol" Gus get the nod like our Arkansas member predicted? That would blow my mind. The only thing that comes close in my mind is Gerry Faust to Notre Dame or Ron Franklin to Auburn. LMAO!

I just noticed. My avatar looks like crap.

 

[TerryP]

What about the Mahlzan part of the argument. IF something were to happen to Petrino, does ol" Gus get the nod like our Arkansas member predicted? That would blow my mind. The only thing that comes close in my mind is Gerry Faust to Notre Dame or Ron Franklin to Auburn. LMAO!

I just noticed. My avatar looks like crap.

If Ron Franklin left the broadcasting booth and took a job as a head coach, ANYWHERE - yah that would blow my mind!!! :lol:

TID undoubtedly has his reasons to think Malzahn might get the nod. I don't know why.

But, let's consider this.

He'd have a year at Arkansas as OC, two at Tulsa, and if Petrino doesn't leave and last a few years (as does Malzahn at Auburn) ol' Gus would have 6-7 years as an OC.

Just as a comparison, Richt had seven years as OC at FSU (one at East Carolina as well) before getting a HC job.

 

[THROWITDEEP]

One reason is because the job was close to being his before Petrino took it. I was told Gus was the next in line.

Don't think for one second that he would not have returned here because of the Nutt stuff. That entire crew...President, AD and coach are all GONE. Gus wanted the job.

Malzahn was the peoples choice at the time, but the smart ones knew he did not have much experience to be a head coach in the SEC. Although, like I said, that did not keep AD Jeff Long from taking a very hard look at him after the Tuberville, Bowden and Grobe deal fell through.

Arkansas was running out of options at that point.

The Petrino deal was a tricky one that not many outside of a few fans still know anything about. The Petrino camp actually contacted Arkansas first and told them he wanted the job. Arthur Blank had given Petrino his blessing to leave one week before he actually did in fact take the job at Arkansas.

At first the deal fell though because it appeared that Petrino was too late...Grobe accepted the job or so we thought. Grobe then changed his mind and stayed at Wake Forrest.

But...during that time that our AD and Grobe were flirting with each other Petrino was told the job was not open anymore because Grobe was taking it. He goes back to Blank because Blank wanted an answer and told him that he wasn't going to Arkansas.

We of course know this changed a few days later because Petrino did take the job.

At that time Blank told Petrino that if he took the Arkansas job that "HELL" would be unleashed upon him in the media.

Why?

Because the Michael Vick stuff was coming out the same day. The PR department told Blank they could not afford losing their football coach and the Vick debacle to happen ALL in one day.

Although, that is exactly what happened.