STrib: Gophers work to master new coordinator's offense -- via remote

[BleedGopher]

per Megan:

Before every game Matt Simon worked under Kirk Ciarrocca through six seasons, Simon would tell the former Gophers offensive coordinator to "have fun" when he headed up to the press box. The receivers coach never understood why this exasperated Ciarrocca so much.

He finally realized three months ago, when Ciarrocca left Minnesota for Penn State, and Simon became interim OC on short notice for the last week of the season. Another coach on the staff said those same words to Simon as he left to call plays for the first time.

"I literally felt in that moment exactly how Kirk probably felt," Simon said. "I just wanted to say, 'Shut up.' ... I ended up texting Kirk right after the game and apologizing for telling him to have fun."

Simon knows all too well the unique demands on an offensive coordinator, which is why he appreciates new offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr.'s current tough situation. Sanford had only four spring football practices with his new team before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered it all.

Saturday was supposed to be the Gophers spring game, a chance for Sanford to show his stuff in front of a TCF Bank Stadium crowd amped after an 11-2 season and making up for 2019's spring game that closed to the public because of weather.

Instead, the Gophers are all in their own homes, studying film, video chatting and working out as much as their surroundings allow.

Gophers work to master new coordinator's offense -- via remote

The Gophers return nine starters from 11-2 season.

www.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[#2Gopher]

Question: During the off season I thought it was only the Strength and conditioning coach who could communicate with the players as to progress etc. Did I misunderstand that rule, or can the coaches communicate with them face to face, send e-mails etc. to them?

 

[Flecknation]

Question: During the off season I thought it was only the Strength and conditioning coach who could communicate with the players as to progress etc. Did I misunderstand that rule, or can the coaches communicate with them face to face, send e-mails etc. to them?

17.10.6 Out-of-Season Athletically Related Activities. [FBS/FCS] Student-athletes and members of the coaching staff shall not engage in countable athletically related activities outside the playing season, except as set forth in this bylaw (see Bylaw 17.1.7.2):

Required conditioning, weight-training activities, review of game film and walk-throughs (see Bylaw 17.02.20) shall remain permissible during the academic year outside the eight weeks designated as student-athlete discretionary time. A student-athlete's participation in such activities shall be limited to a maximum of eight hours per week, of which not more than two hours per week may be spent on the viewing of game film and participating in walk-throughs.

During the remaining eight weeks of the summer conditioning period, student-athletes may be involved in voluntary weight training and conditioning activities pursuant to Bylaw 17.1.7.2.2 and prospective student-athletes may be involved in voluntary weight training and conditioning activities pursuant to Bylaw 13.11.3.7. Such activities are limited to eight hours per week. In addition, student-athletes may participate in required summer athletic activities pursuant to Bylaw 17.1.7.2.2.5.2.


NCAA's definition is no coaches can engage in activities don't say anything about communication