Great Insight from NCAA D1 Coaches Pre-Season #10-6
Jun 24, 2022 2:56 pm
Coach ,
This group has the “almosts” as well as the ones that stumbled late year. Regardless, they certainly have made some noise in the off-season and look to continue that in 2022.
Let’s take a look at the next five and the insight their coaches offered in their clinic presentations.
#10.) Wake Forest
After a sizzling hot start at 8-0, Wake stumbled, losing in the ACC championship last year, but has plenty of talent returning. Nine of the offensive starters are back for Wake, including quarterback Sam Hartman, a 4,200-yard passer with 39 touchdowns in 2021. The Demon Deacons have one of the most unique offenses built around the RPO.
First-year DC Brad Lambert has been called upon to repair a defense that ranked 91st in the nation last season. Helping that effort will be veterans which he can rely upon.
The Wake Forest RPO offense is one of innovation in an era of parody. Their slow mesh and downfield reads make this an offense that must be defended differently.
Head Coach Dave Clawson presented on their offense at New York State HS Coaches Association Clinic. Explosive plays help the Deacons put points on the board quickly. One way they do that is with RPO with Routes Behind, which Coach Clawson points out that in some ways replace play action. He illustrates these plays in this video:
Coach John Hunter shares the progression he uses to train his running bcks to play in the Demon Deacons RPO offense. With a slow mesh and third level RPO's the backs execute roles which make them important beyond carrying the ball.
They are needed in pass protection and often become lead blockers on the run as the QB decides to keep and add a hat to the run game on the fly. Coach Hunter illustrates the teaching in drill video and then how that translates on game video. Here is the RB Lead Block in drills and on game film in this video:
On the Defensive Side, the Deacons need to get it done upfront. DL Coach Dave Cohen likes to run double 3 techniques and he teaches them using the 3 C’s: Closing, Condensing and Cutbacks.
The Stretch or Wide Zone play is something every defense must prepare for. The ‘Get Reached’ technique is helpful in allowing his guys to win in their situations. He explains the technique in this video (click on image for video):
On the back end, DB Coach Paul Williams’ guys will be tasked with providing shutdown coverage and great run support. The Creep Tackle is one of the first things he teaches. He explains how they teach technique without beating up the bodies of the DBs. (click on image for video):
#9.) Oklahoma
After doing a tremendous job as the DC for Oklahoma and then Clemson, Brent Venables takes over the Sooners program as a head coach. With a solid defense, PFF projects this team to win the Big 12.
On offense, Jeff Lebby comes over from Ole Miss to call plays and he gets transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Lebby and Gabriel reunite after being at UCF three years ago when they orchestrated a top 10 offense.
Tempo is a big part of Coach Lebby’s explosive offense. That starts with getting a first 1st Down. He wants to use tempo to ture out defense, steal yards and be the aggressor. He explains his philosophy here (click on image for video):
#8.) USC
PFF loved the move by USC to hire Lincoln Riley, and he brought plenty of transfer talent in with him. QB Caleb Williams will be an impact player on offense.
Southern Cal and DC Alex Grinch have a tall task shear as they look to bring the defense from the bottom of the national rankings.
Coach Riley certainly will build upon what he did with the sooners. That starts with having a plan for practice. Offensive success starts with being efficient and effective with the time you have. Coach Riley outlines how the week begins for them in this video (click on image for video):
You can bet that Caleb Williams will be throwing routes he was familiar with at Oklahoma. One of Coach Riley’s favorites is the Air Raid staple, Y-Cross. He breaks down the basics of the route including the progression that Williams uses here (click on image for video):
On the defensive side Coach Grinch brings his defense into Southern California looking to turn things around for the Trojans. He shares what it’s built upon and why the defense works here (click on image for video):
#7.) Utah
Utah was the PAC-12 Champ in 2021 and gave #2 Ohio State all they could handle in the Rose Bowl.
Cameron Rising returns at quarterback with 2,500 passing yards with 20 TDs against five interceptions. The running game is boosted by Tavion Thomas, who had over 1,100 yards and 21 touchdowns last season.
Offensive Line Coach Jim Harding and his unit have the task of paving the way for Thomas and keeping Rising upright and distributing the ball around the field. They will utilize a six-man protection quite often.
He illustrates Jet 4 Lou in this video (click on image for video):
#6.) Texas A&M
The gauntlet has been thrown down between Texas A&M and Alabama. They beat Alabama a year ago but still finished unranked. Their top-ranked recruiting class certainly can provide some difference makers.
Being able to maintain consistency throughout the season will be the ey to winning the SEC and a spot in the CFB Playoff.
This highly-touted recruiting class will need to learn to play ball the Aggie Way. Coach Jimbo Fisher will have to get the Aggies to have a championship mentality in practice. He explains his philosophy here (click on image for video):
Video:Championship Mentality in Practice
Coming away from the Red Zone trips with points, especially touchdowns is critical if a team wants to win in the SEC with all its high-powered offenses. That starts with a clear understanding of what actually affects the game. Coach Fisher explains here (click on image for video):
Video: Philosophy on What Actually Effects the Game
That was definitely another set of insightful coaching points from the coaches who look to move their team into one of the top four spots by the season’s end.
Hopefully there’s at least one takeaway that helps bring your team to the top as well.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
P.S. The clinics of coaches in the Top 25 are 25% off this week