Co-Coordinators


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Co-Coordinators

Like many of you, I read the message boards yesterday and I saw some criticism of Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
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naming Tony ElliottTony Elliott
Assistant Coach / Running Backs
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and Jeff ScottJeff Scott
Asst. Coach (WR) / Recruiting Coord.
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as co-offensive coordinators. Perhaps the most expressed criticism was the idea that co-coordinators don't work.

Last night I did the research and was shocked to see truth. Six of the top nine teams in the College Football Playoff poll have co-offensive coordinators. They are TCU (3), FSU (4), Ohio State (5), Arizona (7), Michigan State (8) and Kansas State (9). Of the top 20 in the polls, 10 of the schools have co-offensive coordinators.

Some of our own criticize Swinney for the move but who criticized Jimbo Fisher, Gary Patterson, Bob Stoops, Bill Snyder, Mark Dantonio, Rich Rodriguez, Gus Malzahn and Hugh Freeze?

I am sure each of those powers have different systems in terms of how their arrangements work and we don't yet know the details of what Swinney has planned at Clemson, but it's obvious that co-offensive coordinators work at several powers.

I also heard the criticism of Elliott and Scott and their inexperience. My guess is that many of these same people criticized the Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
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hire four years ago because he had only one year of college coaching experience.

I can't sit here and tell you that I know this work at Clemson. No one can. I thought Will Muschamp was prepared and would have been a big success at Florida. I was wrong. I was not sure Chip Kelly's offense would work in the NFL. Obviously he has proved doubters wrong also.

But here is what I know. I know Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott are two very bright people. They are very organized people. They are very prepared people.

I also know that these coaches have sat in hundreds of meetings for thousands of hours studying their trade. I personally believe they know more about football than anyone criticizing their promotion.

I also know that players are the most important part of the equation. Charlie Weiss never played the game, but was a Super Bowl winning offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. He was known as a genius of offense. He didn't look like a genius in his next three jobs at Notre Dame and Kansas as the head coach and Florida as the offensive coordinator. Could it be that Tom Brady made Weiss look good?

With Chad Morris at the wheel Clemson's offense set every offensive record on the books the first three years. Could Nuk Hopkins, Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington
Running Back (2008 - 2012)
#23 5-10, 195
Moncks Corner, SC

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, Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL

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and Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
Quarterback (2009 - 2013)
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

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been the main reason that happened? With Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 231
Dublin, OH

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this season Morris' offense didn't set any records. Is it just a coincidence that Morris' offense looked much more productive when Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA

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played?

Offensive coordinators have many jobs. They run the offensive staff meetings. They take in all of the input from the staff. They help develop the game plan. They make personnel decisions. They make in-game and in-season adjustments. They motivate. They manage.

I have no doubt that Elliott and Scott will be very successful in every one of those tasks. The only thing we don't know is how they will be in the art of play calling, which is a crucial aspect of the job. We won't know that until next season.

What we do know is the play calling will be much easier if the Tigers keep bringing in players like Mitch Hyatt, Jake Fruhmorgen, Noah Green, Deshaun Watson, Deon Cain, Ray Ray McCloud, Artavis ScottArtavis Scott
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 190
Oldsmar, FL

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and Mike WilliamsMike Williams
So. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 208
Vance, SC

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.

But what do I know? I am only an offensive genius on Playstation 3.

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