Coach ,

Congratulations to Scotty Walden on being named the new head coach at UTEP. He’s the second youngest coach in the FBS, and being the youngest is nothing new to him.  In 2016 At 26 as the head coach of East Texas Baptist, he was the youngest head coach in college football. He was briefly the interim head coach at Southern Miss in 2020 making him the youngest FBS coach at that time, and he was the youngest FCS head coach at Austin Peay when they hired him in 2020. So though he is still one of the youngest, he has gotten some great experience and he couples that with unbridled enthusiasm.  

I have been fortunate to talk with Scotty since the beginning of the Coach and Coordinator Podcast. He joined us this summer prior to the season to take part in our season series and give insight on all the different phases of the season, and we have put all of those together in this episode. You can listen to that here. He talked about setting the tone, his “for the brand drills” and more.

We had the privilege of hosting Scotty Walden as a presenter at Lauren’s First and Goal. He discuss the evolution of his offensive principles, which have led them to four consecutive winning seasons and two conference championships. The energy and enthusiasm he has about the game is contagious!

The Five Core Offensive Principles

#1) Ball Security

The first and most important principle is ball security. It's crucial for players to understand that they must protect the football at all costs. Turning the ball over to the opposing team greatly increases their chances of winning, so ball security is paramount.

#2) Tempo

Playing at a fast pace is essential for a successful offense. The team trains to snap the ball every 12 seconds, ensuring that they can wear down the defense and maintain a high level of execution throughout the game. This requires a strong commitment to conditioning and practice, as well as a well-coordinated strength and conditioning program.

#3) Execution

The third principle is all about executing plays at an extremely high level. This means that the playbook must be comprehensive and adaptable, allowing for a wide range of plays to be called quickly and efficiently. The key is to make the game plan as simple as possible for the players while still being complex enough to challenge the opposing defense.

#4) Balance 

A balanced offense is one that can effectively run and pass the ball, regardless of the weather conditions or the specific opponent. This adaptability ensures that the offense can take advantage of any defensive weaknesses and keep the opposition guessing.

#5) Coaching with a Defensive Mindset

Finally, the team believes in coaching offense with a defensive mentality. This means that practices are intense and physical, with a focus on blocking, hard hits, and relentless effort. This approach instills a sense of toughness and determination in the players, preparing them for the challenges of game day.

Video: Offensive Principles

Developing the RPO Football Game

Coach Walden has also heavily invested in developing their RPO game. Here’s a sneak peek at how they work Quick Side & Decide Side in RPOs and execution in a critical situation:

Video: Quick Side/Decide Side

Video: Execution

There’s definitely some takeaways to help create a championship-winning offensive system. Mastering the five core principles of ball security, tempo, execution, balance, and coaching with a defensive mindset can make a difference in any type of offense. 

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

Coach Walden also presented on Mesh & Shallow Variations at the Virtual Summit. Both of his presentations are available together here and save.