Coach ,

Many of the top offensive minds fly under the radar because their teams don’t play on prime-time networks.  That doesn’t mean that they know less than the teams that grab the spotlight. Sometimes, the consistency of that coach on the smaller stage gives him opportunity at a bigger level.

That’s certainly true with Ian Shoemaker, the new offensive coordinator of the University of Hawaii. Coach Shoemaker spent years toiling at the small college level. His coaching career has taken him to schools such as Central Washington University, the University of Saint Mary in Kansas, Minot State University in North Dakota, Kenyon College in Ohio and Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio.

 During his time overseeing EWU’s offense, the Eagles led the FCS in total offense with 524.8 yards per game in 2019. In 2021, Coach Shoemaker had the EWU offense at or near the top in several statistical categories.

I’ve had the opportunity to clinic with Ian Shoemaker in person while he was at Baldwin Wallace and virtually later, and he has a ton of knowledge to absorb.

He sets his quarterbacks up for success with his Operating System. He explains how his manual for Quarterbacks works here (click image for video):

Part of the OS is the Positive Response System to Pressure. Pressure is part of the quarterback’s life.  Coach Shoemaker gives them a list of six positive things they can do to avoid making a big mistake when he is faced with pressure. Coach explains those six components here (click image for video):

The first is his Rip-Up movement which allows the QB to step up through pressure and keep the play going for a positive gain.  Coach Shoemaker explains the specifics of the Rip-Up drill here (click image for video):

From the foundation of great quarterback fundamentals, Coach Shoemaker can get into his work of creating stress for the defense. He does it with multiple tempos, RPO’s and formations. He explains how he has put his offense together in this video (click image for video):

When it comes to stressors, the Eagles utilize a menu of alignments and motions. He breaks the template down into the following:

• Tight End alignment
• Alignment from Pistol
• Shifts
• Empty
• Formation into Boundary
• Stacks and Bunches
• Compressions
• Unbalanced

With all of those tools, Coach Shoemaker looks to layer those to affect the defense and create stress. He explains how he does that here (click image for video):

Now Coach Shoemaker’s journey takes him and his offensive knowledge to the FBS at Hawaii where he has the opportunity to show how hard work pays off.

In our world full of on-demand expectations, the need for a job title quickly, and over-the-top branding on social media, Coach Shoemaker is a great example of how hard work and consistently doing things right will pay off in the long run.

Best of luck Shoe!

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski