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

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Played QB at Boise State 2000-2004 (back when Dan Hawkins was coach and they were still in the WAC).

OC/QB coach at Boise in 2014, then Notre Dame 2015-2016, then Head Coach at Western Kentucky 2017-2018, they went 9-16 (6-10) in those two seasons and he was fired.

Utah State lost its head coach to Texas Tech (and he took the much talked about David Yost with him there), and Utah State hired Sanford as its OC/QB.
 







Only question I have now is, what kind of recruiter is Sanford and can he help develop any new territories?

Wiki says he was born in Virginia, but that doesn't necessarily mean he grew up there. Would be a bit of an odd recruit over to Boise.
 




MplsGopher said:
So looks like PJ has found a way to have his cake and eat it too.

We keep Simon in his current capacity as a game planner, play caller, recruiter, and WR coach.

And add a QB coach and co-OC. This sounds great!
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I was going to be super-underwhelmed until I saw the Co-OC news. No way a Yost would have settled for a Co-OC role. This also gives Simon some air cover to be groomed for the full role.
 

MplsGopher said:
So looks like PJ has found a way to have his cake and eat it too.

We keep Simon in his current capacity as a game planner, play caller, recruiter, and WR coach.

And add a QB coach and co-OC. This sounds great!
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Plus, Sanford has head coaching experience, so he can jump right in when Fleck leaves to coach the Cowboys.
 




Texas and California, nice! This is looking promising!

Always like to have the QB coach played the position at a (somewhat) high level too.
 


Not seeing a lot of love on the original Pete Thamel Twitter post.
 

MplsGopher said:
Texas and California, nice! This is looking promising!

Always like to have the QB coach played the position at a (somewhat) high level too.
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I have really mixed feelings about QB head coaches.

Sometimes those guys turn out like Frost where I think the guy was so good that he just doesn't understand why his guys don't do the thing ... like just do it man ...

Something like the worst Math teacher's being people who are good at math, they don't get how to teach anyone to do it if they're good at it ;
 

A_Slab_of_Bacon said:
I have really mixed feelings about QB head coaches.

Sometimes those guys turn out like Frost where I think the guy was so good that he just doesn't understand why his guys don't do the thing ... like just do it man ...

Something like the worst Math teacher's being people who are good at math, they don't get how to teach anyone to do it if they're good at it ;
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Sure, completely valid. Sometimes the best technique teachers are people who just have a knack for understanding why a student isn't "getting it" and what to do better.

But on the other hand, I like the potential for "situational" or "yes that happened to me before, this is what you need to do" type knowledge.
 


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.
 

I have 100% faith in PJ, but it doesn't look Mike Sanfords offenses have scored a ton of points... I hope I'm worrying about nothing
 

Reddit says he’s a good recruiter but they did not like what he did as oc last year at Utah state with a nfl qb. My reaction is I’m happy Simon was promoted too. He’s the x and o guy.
 



MplsGopher said:
Only question I have now is, what kind of recruiter is Sanford and can he help develop any new territories?

Wiki says he was born in Virginia, but that doesn't necessarily mean he grew up there. Would be a bit of an odd recruit over to Boise.
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To answer my own question: he was born in Virginia because his dad was coaching at Virginia Military Institute at the time.

Looks like after that, the dad was coaching at Long Beach St, Purdue, USC (So Cal), Notre Dame, San Diego Chargers.

So going to take a guess that Sanford Jr. mostly grew up and went to high school in California. Which then makes sense for going to Boise. Also makes sense how he got the Notre Dame connection.
 


Will be interesting to see how they divide up the duties between Sanford and Simon. In a Co role usually one is kind of the lead coordinator. Keeping Simon in a top spot for the offense should ensure good continuity even if Sanford brings in some new ideas and wrinkles. Glad we are keeping Simon around as well and will be interesting to see what Sanford brings to the table.
 

BeerFueledFF said:
That's my general assessment as well. Likely both develop a game plan and Simon implements/calls it.
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PJ was in a predicament because he needed a QB coach. Lot of QB coaches are OC.

So looks like he did the best he could to fill that vacancy, while keeping Matt Simon with the best promotion he could muster.

Hope there aren't any personality/culture conflicts there!

Winning tends to smooth things over.......
 

MNVCGUY said:
Will be interesting to see how they divide up the duties between Sanford and Simon. In a Co role usually one is kind of the lead coordinator. Keeping Simon in a top spot for the offense should ensure good continuity even if Sanford brings in some new ideas and wrinkles. Glad we are keeping Simon around as well and will be interesting to see what Sanford brings to the table.
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Both have QB coaching / experience so who knows what there.
 

This guy is being brought in for recruiting. End of story.

They are still going to run PJs offense.
 

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