Coach ,

Yes we are well aware it is Red River week with #13 Texas and #12 Oklahoma.  That’s certainly a big fam in the Big XII, and #3 Ohio State hosts a 5-0 Maryland team .#14 UNC hosts Syrcause who is off to a 4-1 start in the ACC and there’s no love loss between #11 Alabama and  Texas A&M in the SEC. Those are all bigger games than this one, but we chose to focus on the PAC 12 and a game that is big for each of these new coaching staffs.

Breakdown:

Colorado and Arizona State will play in Week 6 for the last time as members of the Pac-12 before both programs depart for the Big 12 in 2024. Although the anticipation of a new conference means long-term optimism for both programs, the Buffaloes and Sun Devils still have work to do in 2023. Both are still looking for their first Pac-12 win of the season after falling to 0 -2 in conference play. However, one team is finally guaranteed to be in that win column as mid-season approaches.

There's still an undeniable buzz for coach Deion Sanders and Colorado after a hot 3-0 start, but the spotlight has faded somewhat after back-to-back losses. They will look to stop the bleeding against an Arizona State team that has lost four straight, including Pac-12 losses to USC and Cal, after starting the Kenny Dillingham era with a win over Southern Utah in week one .

Saturday will mark the 14th overall meeting in a series that has taken place annually since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011. 

Let’s take a look at what we can learn from a member of each staff.

Colorado:

Colorado has a new culture, and Coach Prime certainly grabbed the spotlight for his program with a big win over TCU to start the season and roll to a 3-0 record before two straight losses.  He hired a good one in offensive coordinator Sean Lewis. 

In an impressive offensive performance in week one vs TCU, the Buffs broke records behind Sean Lewis’s offense.  He called an exceptional game!  If you have heard Coach Lewis before, he builds everything on culture, and while it is Coach Prime’s culture that he is driving now, you can be sure his finger prints are on the offensive unit.

Video: Relentless Focus

Arizona State: 

Current Arizona State Tight Ends Coach Jason Mohns led Saguaro to its seventh state championship in 2021 in Arizona including wins over two top 25 nationally ranked teams in the playoffs.

The way they were able  get it done is through the execution of simple and sound concepts which are taught to their team in detail.

One area where every team can have the opportunity to attack a defense with the passing game is with the quick game.

This is something that has been lost in the RPO-laden offensive world.  Of course, defenses have learned how to control the RPO game, and straight quick game calls can provide an advantage.

It’s a great way to get the ball to athletes in space with a high percentage throw. It also minimizes the need for an offensive line to hold up against pressure because the ball is out quickly.

The progressions are simple and effective, usually off of a single defender with simple rules.

Like any good offensive concept, you can dress up the quick game with a number of sets, widths, and personnel groups making it simple for you but complex for the defense.

Like the RPO, the quick game creates some great “open down” 1st & 10 and 2nd & 4-6 calls to move the ball down the field.

Coach Mohns explains the benefits of the Quick Passing Game in this video (click on image for video):

Video: Benefits of Quick Game

For Mohns, the quick game starts with the stick concept illustrated below with slants on the backside:

A variation that attacks the defense in a different way, creating a high-low on the backside is the “Stab” concept:

A sure-fire way to get the ball into the hands of a shifty slot is to allow him to see the space and defeat defenders and that can be accomplished with an option or choice route which Mohns calls “Decide.”

The stick route takes on different personalities with how it is paired with the backside combo.  The defense has to decide where they are going to create their numbers and slant, stab, and decide on the backside to allow the offense to leverage a defense in different ways.

Yes, the RPO does provide quick ways to get the ball out with its quick game components, but as Coach Mohns explains in the video, the benefits provided by straight quick game calls create an advantage for the offense.

Thank you to Coach Mohns for putting his “Must Have Quick Game: Stick, Snag, and Spacing”

presentation together which further explains these concepts with game film, as well as detailing the Snag and Spacing Concepts.

Two Coaches on the Rise

I expect much more from these two coaches.  I think Sean Lewis will lead a Power 5 Program in the future and Jason Mohns has just begun what looks like a promising career in the FBS.

Enjoy all the games this weekend, and good luck in yor preparations for next week.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

More Clinics from these staffs:

OL 5 Man Protection Drills and Technique - Saga Tuitele, OL

Inside Zone OL Fundamentals and Technique - Saga Tuitele, OL

Must Have a Quick Game - Jason Mohns, TE

Flash FAST Culture - Sean Lewis, OC/QB

Outside Linebacker Play - Sal Sunseri, DT

P.S. In case you missed, please get this gift from us to celebrater National Coaches Day:

20 Coaches Share Insight on Leadership, Culture & Program Development