Let's meet our new co-OC, Mike Sanford Jr (Matt Simon annouced as other co-OC)

I would not be surprised if Fleck laid out the pre-reqs for the job as: 1) has to be the same system we ran this year, and 2) Simon will handle at least some of the play calling.
I'm assuming they'll pick one person (more than likely Sanford) to always call the play. The other person will provide input and they'll discuss things between series. I can't see them switching back and forth calling the plays. It would tough to get any rhythm going.
 


I'm assuming they'll pick one person (more than likely Sanford) to always call the play. The other person will provide input and they'll discuss things between series. I can't see them switching back and forth calling the plays. It would tough to get any rhythm going.
You could also have one guy doing the overall play calling, like Sanford. Calls out things like "short pass, long pass, inside run" etc. Then Simon and Callahan fill in the blank.
 

I'm assuming they'll pick one person (more than likely Sanford) to always call the play. The other person will provide input and they'll discuss things between series. I can't see them switching back and forth calling the plays. It would tough to get any rhythm going.

Like so many working together things it doesn't matter how you work together as much as if everyone meets expectations.

Someone sees a wrinkle but not the play caller, maybe he gets to throw down a "dude I know it, call x" and maybe they do it and there ya go.
 

I hope so. But I took a look at the 247 recruiting rankings for Utah State, and I kept scrolling...scrolling...scrolling...until I finally found them at #128. I know they only have 10 commits right now, but that and the player average doesn't exactly scream elite recruiter to me.

With the apparently significant external interest in this position that Fleck received, this is a choice that doesn't have me jumping up and singing the Rouser.
I don’t know a ton about Utah State, but I’m guessing it’s not the easiest school to get guys to go to. Minnesota is becoming a pretty hot name out there right now. I wouldn’t take a bad recruiting year at Utah State to be much indication for how he’ll do here.
 


I hope so. But I took a look at the 247 recruiting rankings for Utah State, and I kept scrolling...scrolling...scrolling...until I finally found them at #128. I know they only have 10 commits right now, but that and the player average doesn't exactly scream elite recruiter to me.

With the apparently significant external interest in this position that Fleck received, this is a choice that doesn't have me jumping up and singing the Rouser.

He was barely there a year. Tough to blame the oc for recruiting woes. There best class he past five years was like 90, once they fill up they will have an average Utah st class.
 






All I know about the guy is what I’ve read in over the last 20 minutes, which is a mixed bag. To be fair, he walked into a tough spot at Utah State, and was only there for one season. It would be equivalent to judging Ciarrocca solely on the 2017 season, or WMU’s 2013 season. He didn’t even get to implement his own offense.

I actually suggested the co-coordinator arrangement yesterday as a way to keep Simon in the fold. Yost probably wouldn’t have gone along with that.
 

Here is a video where he breaks down his Q power read offense.

Looks pretty similar to a layman like me.


Nice link. I liked his excitement about the blocking scheme. A key difference in the video from what KC did, is Sanford had the backside guard pull to block the play side DE. KC used the backside H-back (a TE in the Gophs case) to pull and kick out the play side DE which is somewhat unique.
 


It comes down to extensive experience, being a QB, was a QB coach, and recruiting firepower. TX and CA are nice recruiting territories. Hopefully, it doesn't turn into a Robb Smith hire.
Why would you equate it to a Smith hire?
 



Nice link. I liked his excitement about the blocking scheme. A key difference in the video from what KC did, is Sanford had the backside guard pull to block the play side DE. KC used the backside H-back (a TE in the Gophs case) to pull and kick out the play side DE which is somewhat unique.
Unfortunately we saw Paulson miss that block in several occasions early in the season.
 

He was an offensive assistant at Stanford when Andrew Luck was there. He also recruited Christian McCaffrey.
McCaffrey isn’t too shabby! I trust PJ feels Sanford will fit in his culture and recruit well. He isn’t hiring a guy to shake things up. Nice we can get Bigger name with lots of experience as the Gopher brand is on fire!!
 

Got another guy that’s been around some very good qbs - another view point for Morgan and rest of qbs. - always good to get some new wrinkles in the offense so teams can’t just prepare for this last years offense.
 


Looks like Sanford is Offensive Coordinator, not “Co.”

Simon is “Co.”

This leads me to believe Sanford is in charge.

2lHV7R7.png
 


Looks like Sanford is Offensive Coordinator, not “Co.”

Simon is “Co.”

This leads me to believe Sanford is in charge.

2lHV7R7.png
Which would make complete sense given the experience levels. I’m sure Matt has a lot to learn about being THE man responsible for all duties for which the OC is responsible.
 

His first liked tweet since being hired is Simon’s promotion announcement from the Gopher Football Account
 

My guess would be is that Sanford is here 2, maybe 3 years tops. Helps groom Simon some more on top of what KC has done. Once he leaves for another HC position, Simon is named the sole OC. Interested to see what happens to Patterson in the coming months/years here.
 


Here are some examples of the players he was lead recruiter on while at ND:





Elite?

Javon McKinley -

Ian Book - Opted not to declare for NFL Draft

Brock Wright -

Avery Davis -
 

My guess would be is that Sanford is here 2, maybe 3 years tops. Helps groom Simon some more on top of what KC has done. Once he leaves for another HC position, Simon is named the sole OC. Interested to see what happens to Patterson in the coming months/years here.
It'll be interesting to see which OC, between us and PSU's, is the first to land a head coaching position somewhere.
 


Sanford will thrive here with our talent coming in, then PJs buddy Franklin will swoop in after he fires Ciarocca for not utilizing those talented Penn St tight ends! Simon will then become the OC!
 


Curious how everything will work out salary wise. Probably was room in the budget beyond the $1M KC was making...
 

How does he utilize the tight end in the passing game?
 




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