Coach ,

Officially it is Cyber Monday! However, today is unofficially known as “Black Monday” in the coaching world.  It’s a day when many changes are made in the coaching world.

Though the moves were made during this season in what may be a new trend in getting new staff in place for early signing day, today is a day to watch the news for some expected and some unexpected changes. 

Here are six names that have made big moves or signed extensions:

#1) Lincoln Riley to USC is a done deal

He brings a high-powered offense that has produced 2 Heisman Trophy winners. It’s based on a strong running game with an Air Raid-based passing game.

The philosophy which helped propel the Sooners to four consecutive Big 12 titles and three College Football Playoff appearances in Coach Riley’s first four seasons is headed west. Here’s the philosophy behind the offense which he brings to the Trojans (click on image for video):

From his clinic “Oklahoma Offense Weekly Practice Plan”

With any Air Raid passing game, drop eight has become a popular answer. Coach Riley likes to give his QB two options with a pass and a QB run as an answer to these types of defenses. He talks about it here:

This is from his clinic “Oklahoma Offense - Y Cross, Trail and QB Run Game.”

Coach Riley sees this as a personal challenge. In an interview, he said, "The pieces are in place for us to build the program back to where it should be and the fans expect it to be."

It will be fun to watch him implement his systems at USC.

#2) Billy Napier to Florida is also a done deal.

Billy Napier has been at Louisiana the past four seasons and led the Ragin' Cajuns to 10 or more wins in each of the past three seasons. Before his arrival, Louisiana had never won 10 games in a season in program history.

He admits 75% of what he does is the Alabama blueprint. He’s built his culture by dividing it into eight phases and having a plan of attack for each phase. He explains those phases here:

From his clinic “The Ragin Cajun Formula for Offensive Success”

The move brings Coach Napier back into the SEC and familiar foes with the Nick Saban coaching tree throughout the conference.

#3) Joe Moorhead is hot. Akron is courting him to be the next head coach.

Coach Moorehead was at Akron as an assistant from 2004-2008 and may be the next head coach.

In his second year as UO’s offensive coordinator with the No. 10 Ducks, winning the Pac-12 last season and competing for a third straight conference championship this week.

Oregon has the No. 18 rushing offense (214 yards per game), is averaging 33.2 points per game (33rd nationally) and is third nationally in third-down offense (52.9%) this season.

He’s become known for his RPO attack. He acknowledged that it had it’s start at Akron. He defines RPO here:

From his clinic “Oregon RPO’s and Red Zone Offense”

If he takes the job, you can count on the RPO offense attacking the MAC defenses in 2022.

#4) It appears that Sonny Dykes is headed to TCU though there have been Oklahoma mumblings.

Coach Dykes has deep Texas roots so TCU makes a lot of sense for him.  

For coach Dykes, having a high-performing offense is what is driving success on the field.  

Like most coaches, Coach Dykes has plays which he hangs his hat on and his favorite is one he calls “Oregon.” 

Coach illustrates how a single play - what he believes is the best in football, the “Cross,” can provide the versatility to adapt to personnel. He notes that it is difficult to cover if you understand the details.

Here is the play and coaching points:

From his clinic “How to Put Together an Offense.”

TCU seems like a done deal, but in a year of unexpected, you never know what is going to happen.

#5) Dave Aranda staying at Baylor

It appears that Coach Aranda will be staying in Waco, but the LSU job is still open.  

Coach Aranda has moved the Baylor team to where they are by installing a strong culture.  

While the Bear’s offensive and defensive systems are executing and improving like Coach Aranda and his staff want them to be, the most important part of the program is the Human System, and Coach Aranda explains it in his clinic “Lessons of a 1st Year Head Coach.” It puts building the person and building the relationship first. He explains it in this video:

#6) Dave Clawson to get paid

Dave Clawson has done a tremendous job at Wake Forest and his name deserves to be mentioned in any open head coaching job. The extension he signed was well deserved and Wake was smart to lock him down.

They have built a solid program and have a strong culture. On the offensive side, they have put together one of the most unique attacks in college football. It is all based on RPO.

Head Coach Dave Clawson explains their RPO philosophy here:

The Demon Deacons head into the ACC Championship ranked #18 in the country.  Expect the Deacons to keep making noise in the Top 25 next season under Coach Clawson’s leadership.

This is just the start of things. Expect that coaching carousel to get going in the coming weeks as moves continue to be made and new coaching staffs are built. 

In the meantime, check out these clinics for the keys that have brought these coaches to the top.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. If you crave football knowledge more you can find over 250 Football Coaches Courses and Clinics here all on sale today for Cyber Monday.