Continuity is King for Perennial Powerhouses
Nov 25, 2024 3:30 pm
Coach -
Talk to any head coach who has led a perennial powerhouse, and they will tell you that continuity is king.
A strong offensive system thrives on consistency, and having a succession plan for your offensive coordinator ensures that success doesn’t hinge on one person. A well-structured plan safeguards your program’s identity and maintains momentum, even amidst unexpected transitions.
It’s that time of year - the coaching carousel begins to spin, and the moves made to provide stability can make a difference.
Coaches move on—whether for career advancement or unforeseen circumstances. Without a plan, the ripple effect of losing an offensive coordinator can disrupt your team’s rhythm and player development. A solid succession strategy ensures someone is ready to step up, armed with a deep understanding of the offensive philosophy, terminology, and play-calling nuances.
Building this pipeline starts with identifying and grooming internal talent. Position coaches, analysts, or assistants who already know the system can provide a seamless transition. Cross-training staff members on offensive concepts also prepares the team to absorb the loss of a coordinator without starting from scratch.
Additionally, a clear succession plan instills confidence among players and staff. It shows a commitment to stability and reinforces the message that no one individual is bigger than the program.
As the FCS playoffs begin, the two favorites to make it to the National Championship are Montana State and South Dakota State. Both programs are a case study in the power of continuity.
2024 Bracket Predictions via NCAA.com
Onward and Upward
Fresh off winning back-to-back FCS National Championships as the offensive coordinator at his alma mater South Dakota State, the 2023 FCS Coordinator of the Year and AFCA 35 Under 35 participant Zach Lujan moved on to become Northwestern's new offensive coordinator.
Lujan spent the last seven seasons at South Dakota as quarterback coach, and added offensive coordinator responsibilities the last two seasons, helping the Jackrabbits to 29 consecutive victories (3rd longest winning streak in FCS history) and back-to-back FCS national titles in 2022 and 2023. South Dakota State completed a perfect 15-0 season in 2023, ranking sixth in FCS in both scoring offense (37.3) and total offense (449.9).
At Montana State, Taylor Housewright took a step down in position. Still, a step up in level to go Georgia Southern after a successful three-year stint running Montana State's offense, which continued churning out yards and points and setting records during the 2023 season.
In Housewright's third campaign as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the Cats finished second in the FCS in scoring offense and rushing offense. Housewright's tenure produced two of MSU's four all-time best scoring teams, two of the program's four best total offense seasons, and two of the best four rushing yards per game seasons.
South Dakota State Offense 2024
SDSU exemplifies the power of succession planning by hiring Ryan Olson and Danny Freund as co-offensive coordinators. Olson, a key contributor to SDSU’s back-to-back national championships, brings a physical offensive philosophy, while Freund adds innovative concepts gained from his success at North Dakota. Together, they provide continuity while integrating fresh perspectives into the Jackrabbits’ offensive identity.
The move has kept continuity in the Jack Rabbits offense:
37.33 vs. 36.58
449.9 vs. 441.9
A Look at the Jack Rabbits Offense
Let’s take a look at the philosophy, run game and pass game to get a glimpse into the SDSU offense:
The philosophy of the offense begins with what’s most important, and as Coach Lujan points out in this video, “You get what you emphasize.” See what the Jack Rabbits emphasize in this video:
The Jack Rabbits major in two main things in the run game: Gap schemes and Wide Zone.
Here’s a little on their Duo play in this next video.
Here’s a favorite pass concept of the Jack Rabbits.
Montana State Offense 2024
At MSU, Tyler Walker was elevated to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in the 2023-24 off-season. He completed his second season coaching Montana State's tight ends and fullbacks in 2023, producing one of the most dynamic and accomplished position groups in the FCS.
The move has kept continuity in the Bobcats offense:
Points per game (‘23 vs. ‘24): 39.92 vs 41.27
Total Yards (‘23 vs. ‘24): 473.4 vs. 502.5
A Look at the Bobcats Offense
A big part of any transition is ensuring the Quarterback is set up for success. This is built into the philosophy of the Bobcats’ offense. Coach Housewright shares that part of the philosophy here:
When it comes to Quarterbacks, they are a focus of the offense to the point of having multiple quarterbacks on the field. It utilizes the skill sets of a quarterback to stress a defense in a unique way. Here’s a video on the two QB RPOs.
Having a dominant run game opens the opportunity for play action. Here’s one of their favorites off of gap scheme.
Seamless Transition
With SDSU’s and MSU’s seamless transitions in leadership on offense, the Jackrabbits are poised to defend their FCS title with confidence, while Tyler Walker and the Bobcats are coming for the tite.
Such success stories highlight why a robust succession plan is vital; it ensures that teams not only maintain their competitive edge but also adapt and evolve in the face of change.
By emphasizing continuity while embracing fresh ideas, programs can achieve sustained excellence, proving that a well-executed succession plan is a cornerstone of championship-caliber football.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
P.S. Black Friday Starts NOW!
Throughout the week you will see clinic presentations and bundles on sale on CoachTube.
This document will take you to the bundles and savings organized by category (we kick it off with Pass O/D resources including all position fundamentals):
Black Friday Savings (will be updated through Cyber Monday so keep checking in)
You can see individual clinic presentation savings here. This will be updated through Cyber Monday.
Save on Montana State entire Offense Series
Save on South Dakota State entire Offense Series
