Question about Offensive Coordinators

[JTech194]

As a youth football head coach running the offense I found myself having to devise an offensive system with no prior knowledge or experience doing so outside of being an avid football fan and former DB in highschool. So i had to hit the books and research a complete SYSTEM not just plays. I had to design plays, how to install such plays to where 7 year olds could understand, what we would call the plays and lots of other things that made up a complete system. Obviously in the NFL this task becomes wayy more complicated. My question is... for a guy like Lazor or any other position coach that now becomes the coordinator, when do they start the process of designing a SYSTEM? is it after they get the job? Do they then meet with the coaching staff, evaluate the players and then start the process of drawing up plays, putting together a playbook and designing a system to compliment the players on the roster... OR do they begin to work on a playbook\system wayyy before they get a job as a coordinator. While Lazor Was a QB coach and offensive assistant, was he at home creating his own system and playbook waiting for the opportunity to become an OC? What do you guys think??

 

[Pat-London]

Great question JTech

Similar to yourself, I was offered an OC position without prior 'formal' coaching experience, most of mine had come way of playing QB and just being involved as much as I could with our HC/OC in game planning, system development etc. So I had going into the discussion around me and the OC spot, I had a vision already in mind and sketched it out over very quick timelines as I was not expecting the offer.

As for Lazor, what I would have expected, as he comes across as a very smart, switched on guy and in a video clip I saw of his QB at UVA, he was talking about how Lazor had coached him up on the minutia of how to do a QB sneak… this shows the level of detail and focus this guy has. Take care of the little things and everything else will fall into place.

So, I would fully expect a guy like Lazor, [and probably most coaches at that level] who has had a good progression plan thus far, to have had all of his offensive philosophy, system etc. already developed and ready to present. Would just love to be a fly on the wall in that interview, or any NFL interview for a coordinator or HC position, must be a fascinating process/discussions.

The main question for me would be… what level of give and take took place between he and Coach Philbin. What sort of compromise took place if any. We all knew from reports earlier in the season that Sherman wanted to run the ball more but per him, Philbin had a varying view to that.

What I am intrigued about with Lazor is what stuff from Philly he brings. For me the biggest points will be the run game and hopefully the screen [including WR screens] game… two areas from a play calling stand point I thought we were either poor, bland, or non-existent in, in as far as creativity and production.

Lazor has had such an education what with the high end coaches he's been exposed too, but… will he be defined by what his own personal vision is, or will he be a copy cat of previous systems. He's a young guy and with the prep and detail that seems to come through, I suspect he'll have his own spin on things.

Excited about the hire on paper, but like a QB, he'll have to have the tools to succeed and that includes coaching staff.