Offensive Coordinator Hot Board: Candidates to Replace KC

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gopherbadgerman said:
Hiring Simon might be the right move, but hiring him directly after a one game sample size without considering all options would be foolish, IMO. Maybe he is the best choice, but I would proceed with the process before a hire is made. Does not have to be done in the next few days...
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PJ was in this same situation with Rossi (3-4 games vs 1) but it seemed to work out. I think you go Simon at OC and try to find a Top Tier recruiter in the South to handle the position duties.
 

The new OC isn't getting the job to come in and run his offense. He will get the job if he is able to run the offense that has been established here. As Nick Saban said in the HBO special, the players already know the system, the assistant coaches all know the system. The new OC has to learn the system that is in place. Maybe throw in a few wrinkles, but he isn't being brought in to change the offense. Whether it is Simon, Patterson or someone from outside the organization shouldn't matter. The offensive system is in place and so are the players.
 

gopherbadgerman said:
Hiring Simon might be the right move, but hiring him directly after a one game sample size without considering all options would be foolish, IMO. Maybe he is the best choice, but I would proceed with the process before a hire is made. Does not have to be done in the next few days...
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Agree here. Still make him go through the process. We have some time to make sure the right decision is made.
 

GFBfan said:
The new OC isn't getting the job to come in and run his offense. He will get the job if he is able to run the offense that has been established here. As Nick Saban said in the HBO special, the players already know the system, the assistant coaches all know the system. The new OC has to learn the system that is in place. Maybe throw in a few wrinkles, but he isn't being brought in to change the offense. Whether it is Simon, Patterson or someone from outside the organization shouldn't matter. The offensive system is in place and so are the players.
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If a coach isn't a total stick in the mud, and boy are there a lot of sticks who coach, then the OC we hire should be running their version of our offense when they implement it. So plenty of wrinkles or new schemes that fit their vision, but the core offense should be the same.

Fleck appears to be smart enough to not hire a stick who can only run their own system.
 



It’s a delicate hire. Do you need a QB coach? Yes. Should he call the play? Idk. How does the hire affect recruiting? How many oc’s aren’t tied to the QB position? Will be an interesting hire.
 


gopherbadgerman said:
Hiring Simon might be the right move, but hiring him directly after a one game sample size without considering all options would be foolish, IMO.
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Not really a way to get more than one sample size, like Rossi had.

Fleck said he would, and I trust he will, have the phone interviews with everyone interested.
 

GFBfan said:
The new OC isn't getting the job to come in and run his offense. He will get the job if he is able to run the offense that has been established here. As Nick Saban said in the HBO special, the players already know the system, the assistant coaches all know the system. The new OC has to learn the system that is in place. Maybe throw in a few wrinkles, but he isn't being brought in to change the offense. Whether it is Simon, Patterson or someone from outside the organization shouldn't matter. The offensive system is in place and so are the players.
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Sounds correct on paper.

But we know that doesn't always happen, in reality. Again, see Tim Brewster
 



Spaulding!No! said:
any chance the OC left MN cuz he knows the coach is leaving MN?
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No. PJ Fleck's contract has a huge buyout for next season. I would guess middle of next year, they give him even more money.
There is no amount of money that isn't justified for this guy. If the U is smart, they will make him in the top 4-5 of Big Ten coaches going forward. Don't lose him.
 

MplsGopher said:
Sounds correct on paper.

But we know that doesn't always happen, in reality. Again, see Tim Brewster
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Brewster was a fool. PJ is not. He isn't changing the offense for a new OC. The new OC is going to have to learn this offense and maybe add some of his own wrinkles in time.
 

GFBfan said:
Brewster was a fool. PJ is not. He isn't changing the offense for a new OC. The new OC is going to have to learn this offense and maybe add some of his own wrinkles in time.
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Why can't Simon do that?? He already knows the system as well as anyone, and knows the players.

At best, we're talking about adding someone who is a major recruiter. That I can understand.
 

While Simon appears to have done a marvelous job in the Auburn game, we have no idea who did what in preparation for that game. He could have been anywhere between the architect of the plan to the babysitter following orders. The easy answer is "Hey, that went well, let's start promoting people." The reality is that Simon may be exactly where he should be in the pyramid. Robbing Peter to pay Paul only moves a problem or shortage around. Not saying he doesn't deserve it, but history full of 'everybody move up one spot' failures.
 



Gopho Sapiens said:
While Simon appears to have done a marvelous job in the Auburn game, we have no idea who did what in preparation for that game. He could have been anywhere between the architect of the plan to the babysitter following orders. The easy answer is "Hey, that went well, let's start promoting people." The reality is that Simon may be exactly where he should be in the pyramid. Robbing Peter to pay Paul only moves a problem or shortage around. Not saying he doesn't deserve it, but history full of 'everybody move up one spot' failures.
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I do agree with this sentiment. I think the idea that you automatically just shift everyone up a spot when you need a replacement is a terrible way to promote. It actually is the undoing of a lot of businesses.

That said, Matt Simon wasn't just another coach. He is one of our main recruiters and he has coached a position that produced two 1st team All Big 10 WRs. He is the kind of guy other programs will look to poach.

So, I don't think the push to hire Simon is merely because he is the next man up, I think it's because he has been exceptional at his job. Not promoting and retaining exceptional performers is also the undoing of a lot of businesses.
 


I wouldn’t be opposed to having Co-offensive coordinators (Simon being one of them), but all parities would obviously have to agree to this. Would someone like Yost accept an arrangement like that? Probably not.
 


Bob_Loblaw said:
I do agree with this sentiment. I think the idea that you automatically just shift everyone up a spot when you need a replacement is a terrible way to promote. It actually is the undoing of a lot of businesses.

That said, Matt Simon wasn't just another coach. He is one of our main recruiters and he has coached a position that produced two 1st team All Big 10 WRs. He is the kind of guy other programs will look to poach.

So, I don't think the push to hire Simon is merely because he is the next man up, I think it's because he has been exceptional at his job. Not promoting and retaining exceptional performers is also the undoing of a lot of businesses.
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He also has been given responsibilities play calling wise from KC in scrimmages and such too. It's obvious Simon wants to move up in the coaching world. At some point he will be ready? How do we know it's not now? How do we know it is? It's up the boss there, but it's pretty apparent KC was working on developing him.
 

PitinoFan said:
I wouldn’t be opposed to having Co-offensive coordinators (Simon being one of them), but all parities would obviously have to agree to this. Would someone like Yost accept an arrangement like that? Probably not.
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I would be, I think that would be dysfunctional.
 

MplsGopher said:
Why can't Simon do that?? He already knows the system as well as anyone, and knows the players.

At best, we're talking about adding someone who is a major recruiter. That I can understand.
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Poster didn't say it couldn't be Simon, actually listed him at the end as one of whoever will need to adjust to the current system.
 


I think if PJ doesn't promote Simon, someone else in the P5 or maybe the NFL might take him.
 
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GopherNuts said:
Joe Moorhead just lost his job.....
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Real interesting. I dont know what his track record of developing QBs is.

If the smoke around David Yost (current OC at Texas Tech) is real, he’d be a homerun hire over any of our current candidates. Worth losing Simon IMO. He can go get some experience as OC at a G5 and then come on home in a few years when Yost moves on.
 


It would be interesting to gauge how much interest the really would be ... with any accuracy.

Coaching good players always makes you look better than bad players .... MN has an offense that could really help a coach build a resume...

I would think there would be more interest than usual.
 

Some overthinking going on here. Either PJF thinks Simon has “it” or he doesn’t. He’s certainly old enough and experienced enough to take on new responsibilities. It’s football. If PJF doesn’t think he has “it” and he goes for an outside hire naturally Simon will look to move up someplace else. This is the order of things. How will everything work out in the end either way - unknowable of course. Have to believe PJF knows best here come what may.
 

Mitu said:
If the smoke around David Yost (current OC at Texas Tech) is real, he’d be a homerun hire over any of our current candidates. Worth losing Simon IMO.
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Don't see how you can say this.

Minnesota had a great offense this year, and a great offensive performance in the Outback.

What did Texas Tech's offense do? What have Tech's recruiting classes been like? Recruiting is supposedly one of the reasons we'd hire Yost, correct?
 

MplsGopher said:
I think if PJ doesn't promote Simon, someone else in the P5 or maybe the NFL will take him.
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An article in the paper today says just that. Sounds like a jump to NFL could be in his future. PJ has a tough decision to make and I don’t envy him. I wish we, as outsiders, knew more about how much Simon was involved with the Auburn game plan. Simon is a good recruiter. I’d like to keep him but I’m just not sure if he is ready to be an OC because he called plays for one game. If I could nab a proven top notch OC, who fits the culture here and can recruit, I probably have to go that route. If that is Yost, I make the move today, but I also try to do something to sweeten the pot for Simon to entice him to stay. I’d like to have my cake and eat it too.
If Simon is who we go with, I’m fine with that by the way. I just want the end result, however the chairs end up being arranged, to be an overall improvement for recruiting and play.
 

I respect the opinions of people saying go the proven route, who fits the culture and can recruit. I get that. Could be, probably is, the right call to make. Like kicking the FG is the right call most of the time instead of going for it on 4th down.

Just feel in my gut that promoting Simon is the right call here. Worked with Rossi. Yes, that's not apples to apples, I know.
 

MplsGopher said:
Don't see how you can say this.

Minnesota had a great offense this year, and a great offensive performance in the Outback.

What did Texas Tech's offense do? What have Tech's recruiting classes been like? Recruiting is supposedly one of the reasons we'd hire Yost, correct?
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Fair questions. Here’s what I would say:
  • He’s been there for one year and had to deal with terrible WRs and an injured QB corps. Despite that, they finished 11th nationally in total offense. See this article for more.
  • His track record speaks for itself. He led record breaking offenses at a Utah State. He’s mentored Jordan Love, Chase Daniel, and Blaine Gabbert. See this article for more on his past and coaching DNA.
  • He has led recruiting for the top recruits that TT has committed. He’s also from Ohio and would help us make inroads in a talent rich market.
Simon did a marvelous job as playcaller. However, that was one game. Yes, he added his own wrinkles, but Ciarocca built the gameplan. It would suck to lose him, but that doesn’t mean he’s the best candidate for OC. Either way, I trust Fleck to make the right call.
 

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