Post by hemlock on Oct 8, 2008 19:55:23 GMT -6
Recently we have been talking a lot about Tony Franklin, Tommy Tuberville, and Auburn's difficulties with the Spread. Well, another program is struggling as they make a transition - SMU. The difference is that SMU is doing it the right way under the calm and cool leadership of June Jones. It would behoove Tuberville to see how Jones is executing this transition - he would learn a lot.
SMU has won one game this year, and that was against at IAA team. I have had the opportunity, thanks to CBSTV, to watch them four times this year. SMU is starting a freshman QB, Bo Levi Mitchell, and the results have been predictable. While they show flashes of potential, for the most part they have been pretty bad, albeit in recent weeks they are showing more signs of putting it together. Jones chose Mitchell over an established starter, Justin Willis, because he knew that in the long haul that this kid had the skills to run the offense. Despite Mitchell's erratic performance, Jones has been unflappable in his support for the kid. As a result, SMU's offens is starting to show signs of consistency. Although Mitchell is still inconsistent, he is lightyears ahead of where he was when the opened the season against Rice.
Jones is an experienced coach. When he arrived in Dallas he knew what he was getting. SMU is not a very good team, plain and simple. Jones, however, recognized that his program would not get any better in either the short or long terms if he chose to take the easy way out. He understands that his programs success is tied to his system, consequently he continues to teach his system. He knows that his offense is one that is QB driven and that for the team to eventually succeed the QB must be catalyst for any true offensive success. What I find so impressive about Jones is that he continues to work his system, regardless of the result. Two weeks ago, Mitchel threw a pick against Tulane while running the Switch route into the boundary. The ball was picked by the saftey off of Cover 4 robber type coverage. Neither Mitchell nor the receiver made the right read. Obviously, according to the most basic of R&S principles, once the Z read robber he should have taken him vertical up the hash; however, he sat down instead and Mitchell threw him the ball, foolishly. What is interesting is that Jones on the next series came back with the very same play; he knew, by that time, that Tulane was playing Quarters versus 2X2 sets so he used this as a teaching moment to make a point to his young quarterback and receiver. Rather that abandon the play, they ran it again and although they failed to connect because the ball was overthrown, Jones was evidently pleased that Mitchell and his receiver made the correct read. This is how you teach and practice your offense, even when you are in the midst of a bad season.
What I find interesting is that Tommy Tuberville, who is by all accounts an accomplished and capable coach, does not seem to understand this simple concept. Jones teaches his system, knows that it will work, and continues on; Tuberville, panics, underminds his coordinator's authority, and makes laughingstock of himself and his program.
Now, obviously, I'm being polemical, but there is some truth in all of this. Thoughts?
SMU has won one game this year, and that was against at IAA team. I have had the opportunity, thanks to CBSTV, to watch them four times this year. SMU is starting a freshman QB, Bo Levi Mitchell, and the results have been predictable. While they show flashes of potential, for the most part they have been pretty bad, albeit in recent weeks they are showing more signs of putting it together. Jones chose Mitchell over an established starter, Justin Willis, because he knew that in the long haul that this kid had the skills to run the offense. Despite Mitchell's erratic performance, Jones has been unflappable in his support for the kid. As a result, SMU's offens is starting to show signs of consistency. Although Mitchell is still inconsistent, he is lightyears ahead of where he was when the opened the season against Rice.
Jones is an experienced coach. When he arrived in Dallas he knew what he was getting. SMU is not a very good team, plain and simple. Jones, however, recognized that his program would not get any better in either the short or long terms if he chose to take the easy way out. He understands that his programs success is tied to his system, consequently he continues to teach his system. He knows that his offense is one that is QB driven and that for the team to eventually succeed the QB must be catalyst for any true offensive success. What I find so impressive about Jones is that he continues to work his system, regardless of the result. Two weeks ago, Mitchel threw a pick against Tulane while running the Switch route into the boundary. The ball was picked by the saftey off of Cover 4 robber type coverage. Neither Mitchell nor the receiver made the right read. Obviously, according to the most basic of R&S principles, once the Z read robber he should have taken him vertical up the hash; however, he sat down instead and Mitchell threw him the ball, foolishly. What is interesting is that Jones on the next series came back with the very same play; he knew, by that time, that Tulane was playing Quarters versus 2X2 sets so he used this as a teaching moment to make a point to his young quarterback and receiver. Rather that abandon the play, they ran it again and although they failed to connect because the ball was overthrown, Jones was evidently pleased that Mitchell and his receiver made the correct read. This is how you teach and practice your offense, even when you are in the midst of a bad season.
What I find interesting is that Tommy Tuberville, who is by all accounts an accomplished and capable coach, does not seem to understand this simple concept. Jones teaches his system, knows that it will work, and continues on; Tuberville, panics, underminds his coordinator's authority, and makes laughingstock of himself and his program.
Now, obviously, I'm being polemical, but there is some truth in all of this. Thoughts?
