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

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A lot will depend on well he works with Simon, other coaches and the team. Im presuming Fleck determined he is a "good fit".
 



Pompous Elitist said:
I have to remind myself there’s a chance the offense could be even better under Sanford. He’s been around and has been influenced by a lot of different coaches, probably doesn’t want to face plant and rub a lot of people the wrong way right out of the gate ergo will (probably) not want to throw out the playbook and start over.
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Wild idea: the offense belongs to Matt Simon, as it did for the Outback Bowl, and Sanford has essentially been hired as the "OC in waiting", and to take care of the QB room, while we wait for the inevitable reality that Matt Simon is going to be hired away, either as HC somewhere or as OC at a helmet school. Or even *gulp* becomes the HC here at Minnesota when Fleck is hired away.

Sanford will take over the offense at that point, having spent some time (hopefully a couple years at least) learning how this offense runs.
 

Winasota Gopher said:
I’m not arguing he’s not above Simon. But to say he’s a offensive coordinator in the traditional sense is a bit disingenuous.

First glance, once I saw there was a co-offensive coordinator, I assumed there were two. The fact that there isn’t makes me even more questioning of the title
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I'll make it easy for you: Sanford and Simon design the game plan together with PJ's input. Sanford calls the plays.

Titles=more money. The boss gets to decide what people do. Same as every workplace in the world.

Much angst over so little.
 


highwayman said:
I'll make it easy for you: Sanford and Simon design the game plan together with PJ's input. Sanford calls the plays.

Titles=more money. The boss gets to decide what people do. Same as every workplace in the world.
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This is right.

Just one thing however, it hasn't been announced officially how the play-calling will work. That is the thing people are waiting to learn.

Maybe they just don't have it firm yet, and they'll try things out in Spring Ball.
 

MplsGopher said:
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.
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This is what I think the answer is. The new OC runs PJ’s system not his own. Simon is named co-OC as an OC in training and to keep the bargain re running PJ’s system. The new OC helps move PJ’s system beyond the rigidity of Kirk C’s. Little more aggressive with motion, more up tempo, more use of TEs and RBs in passing game—but still the basic RPO. This seems like the next logical step for an offense that wants to make things increasingly difficult for defenses (as long as we don’t start to confuse our own personnel with needless complexity). Plus, I think the new OC will bring more personnel energy to offensive side recruiting. PJ will call the shots and set the table; Sanford will dive into the chase. Sanford might get us into a new region, given his prior recruiting locales.
 

MplsGopher said:
This is right.

Just one thing however, it hasn't been announced officially how the play-calling will work. That is the thing people are waiting to learn.

Maybe they just don't have it firm yet, and they'll try things out in Spring Ball.
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PJ said on radio this morning that Sanford will call the plays.
 

Gophergrandpa said:
This is what I think the answer is. The new OC runs PJ’s system not his own. Simon is named co-OC as an OC in training and to keep the bargain re running PJ’s system. The new OC helps move PJ’s system beyond the rigidity of Kirk C’s. Little more aggressive with motion, more up tempo, more use of TEs and RBs in passing game—but still the basic RPO. This seems like the next logical step for an offense that wants to make things increasingly difficult for defenses (as long as we don’t start to confuse our own personnel with needless complexity). Plus, I think the new OC will bring more personnel energy to offensive side recruiting. PJ will call the shots and set the table; Sanford will dive into the chase. Sanford might get us into a new region, given his prior recruiting locales.
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I would love to see more pre-snap motion and disguises. As TM2 matures as a passer, he should be given more control rather than looking for everything from the sidelines.
 



Whatever happen to just trust Fleck and the system? I'm sure he knows what he's doing.

I don't doubt also that Fleck analyzes himself throughout the year as to what he could have done differently after every game and then again at the end of the year. He doesn't make decisions lightly in my opinion.
 

#2Gopher said:
Whatever happen to just trust Fleck and the system? I'm sure he knows what he's doing.

I don't doubt also that Fleck analyzes himself throughout the year as to what he could have done differently after every game and then again at the end of the year. He doesn't make decisions lightly in my opinion.
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I trust him...still nervous...
 

Mitu said:
I would love to see more pre-snap motion and disguises. As TM2 matures as a passer, he should be given more control rather than looking for everything from the sidelines.
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What the hell? The sideline look is part of the play call. Every Gopher QB will do that on every play as long as Fleck is coach. It’s routine.
 

MplsGopher said:
This is right.

Just one thing however, it hasn't been announced officially how the play-calling will work. That is the thing people are waiting to learn.

Maybe they just don't have it firm yet, and they'll try things out in Spring Ball.
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Today—

PJ: “Mike Sanford Jr. has a wealth of knowledge. 37 years old. Matt Simon did a great job calling game. Offensive staff had more input. Matt called good game. He's being elevated to co-coordinator. that will help his development. help him evolve into play-caller. Mike Sanford - with those two working together. It will be more of a group effort going forward. Mike will call the plays. He will help us take it to the next level. brings energy, positive spirit, knowledge.”
 



highwayman said:
What the hell? The sideline look is part of the play call. Every Gopher QB will do that on every play as long as Fleck is coach. It’s routine.
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This is a pretty short-sighted point of view. The reason PJ does it is to minimize complexity for his QBs. That’s why they get set, check sideline, make initial calls, check again, etc.

Keep in mind that playing with a 3rd year QB surrounded by returning, talented starters is fairly new for PJ. Giving TM2 more control allows you to be more creative offensively. You start narrowly (basic motions to check man vs. zone, etc.) and go from there.
 

Mitu said:
This is a pretty short-sighted point of view. The reason PJ does it is to minimize complexity for his QBs. That’s why they get set, check sideline, make initial calls, check again, etc.

Keep in mind that playing with a 3rd year QB surrounded by returning, talented starters is fairly new for PJ. Giving TM2 more control allows you to be more creative offensively. You start narrowly (basic motions to check man vs. zone, etc.) and go from there.
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It's also done as a method to drain the clock and keep the defense off the field. Both Kill and Mason did the same except with slow huddles, etc.
 

highwayman said:
I'll make it easy for you: Sanford and Simon design the game plan together with PJ's input. Sanford calls the plays.

Titles=more money. The boss gets to decide what people do. Same as every workplace in the world.

Much angst over so little.
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Lol. No angst here.
 



Sanford was at Notre Dame at that time, only a 70 mi drive up to W Mich. Must be friends from somewhere in their past.
 





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