FB Recruiting Spring Preview, Part II: Offensive staff changes

[JRowland]

Recently I wrote at length about the quarterback competition staring Kentucky's coaches in the face. That's the number one story line to watch in the spring and beyond, going into the 2016 campaign. Read that here if you haven't.

Here the series continues with the second-biggest dynamic to watch, which will have a huge say in determining the Cats' on-field success against a brutal schedule: The offensive staff changes.

How Gran and Hinshaw teach their new system to the offensive players they're inheriting, how all the new coaches relate to their position players -- these are factors that will be decisive for UK's success.

STORY: Offensive staff changes key this offseason

 

[BigBoyBlueMMA]

THIS IS AWESOME...
AND THIS MEANS EVERYTHING "How Gran relates to those players, perhaps breaking down some old attitudes to create a new dynamic, will determine the morale at the position; and morale over the course of a season is often just as important as talent and health. There's a scarcity of reps, carries and catches to go around, and the relationship between coaches and players determines a dynamic that's crucial to the success of the operation."

 

[Soupbean]

It does and so does this . . . "Execution will ultimately determine his popularity and, finally, his job security"

The play calling always gets the attention and chatter but this is where you really see what kind of coach you have and whether they really make a difference or not. Dawson frustrated me with his out of sorts play calling that didn't seem to fit his QB talents but I was more disappointed in the lack of execution we showed. No real polish, no rhythm, a lack of fundamentals especially in route running etc.

I hope to see Grans hand on HOW we do things as much as WHAT we are calling more than anything. Anybody can show up and call a few plays and get most right, a good coach will have an affect beyond that and show what all the time they put in everyday with the guys is producing and how it is making everybody better at what they do. I have hope Gran's discipline will pay off in this regard.

 

[Glenn Fohr]

Recently I wrote at length about the quarterback competition staring Kentucky's coaches in the face. That's the number one story line to watch in the spring and beyond, going into the 2016 campaign. Read that here if you haven't.

Here the series continues with the second-biggest dynamic to watch, which will have a huge say in determining the Cats' on-field success against a brutal schedule: The offensive staff changes.

How Gran and Hinshaw teach their new system to the offensive players they're inheriting, how all the new coaches relate to their position players -- these are factors that will be decisive for UK's success.

STORY: Offensive staff changes key this offseason

JR, who do you think wins the starting job? My opinion is that Johnson wasn't recruited to come clear across the country to hold a clipboard.

 

[JRowland]

JR, who do you think wins the starting job? My opinion is that Johnson wasn't recruited to come clear across the country to hold a clipboard.

I think Barker has the edge. If you read the last couple of paragraphs in the Spring Preview (Part I) linked in the above story, you'll see why. Not much of a substitute for a two year head start preparing for/competing in the SEC.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

I'm in the camp that believes transfers typically do not go places unless they've been lead to believe there is a great shot at getting some run...

also, I'm not sure the staff would have made finding a QB a priority like they did this off season unless they felt they really needed one...if depth and the number of arms available for throwing in practice was the concern then Hoak, Hughes, and a walk on would have sufficed in addition to Barker...

I don't think you bring in an older battle tested guy and use up a scholarship for throwing drills...

With that said...I think it is Barker's to lose right now by default...he is the guy Stoops planned the future around...He is one of the original "Stoops Troops"...and he does have the chemistry with the team...

However, I think if being in the program and preparing for SEC was so important then Patrick would still be around...he was a program guy and battle tested vet...I know it was his decision to go and that no body twisted his arm...but if experience really meant anything i think CMS or somebody would have tried to convince him to stay...

It's pretty much a totally new offensive staff, playbook, and philosophy...and unlike the first few years I think CMS has really turned the offense over to the offensive minds...I don't think Gran and Hinshaw came here to have CMS interfere...so really everyone is starting off new with these guys who don't have any ties or loyalties...

 

[3kidsandme]

I'm in the camp that believes transfers typically do not go places unless they've been lead to believe there is a great shot at getting some run...

also, I'm not sure the staff would have made finding a QB a priority like they did this off season unless they felt they really needed one...if depth and the number of arms available for throwing in practice was the concern then Hoak, Hughes, and a walk on would have sufficed in addition to Barker...

I don't think you bring in an older battle tested guy and use up a scholarship for throwing drills...

With that said...I think it is Barker's to lose right now by default...he is the guy Stoops planned the future around...He is one of the original "Stoops Troops"...and he does have the chemistry with the team...

However, I think if being in the program and preparing for SEC was so important then Patrick would still be around...he was a program guy and battle tested vet...I know it was his decision to go and that no body twisted his arm...but if experience really meant anything i think CMS or somebody would have tried to convince him to stay...

It's pretty much a totally new offensive staff, playbook, and philosophy...and unlike the first few years I think CMS has really turned the offense over to the offensive minds...I don't think Gran and Hinshaw came here to have CMS interfere...so really everyone is starting off new with these guys who don't have any ties or loyalties...

You can't have a qb competition with one sophomore a true freshman and a walk on. Having Hughes play qb would waste valuable reps he needs learning to be a wr. Hughes didn't even play qb as a senior in highschool. I do believe Hinshaw liked Johnson's talent and he has a chance to start. I do not believe going with 2 scholarship qbs was an option the new staff was willing to take. Barker needs competition and Johnson will provide the offense a bit of a different dynamic if they chose to go away from Barker.

 

[Oldtrainer_rivals]

I'm in the camp that believes transfers typically do not go places unless they've been lead to believe there is a great shot at getting some run...

also, I'm not sure the staff would have made finding a QB a priority like they did this off season unless they felt they really needed one...if depth and the number of arms available for throwing in practice was the concern then Hoak, Hughes, and a walk on would have sufficed in addition to Barker...

I don't think you bring in an older battle tested guy and use up a scholarship for throwing drills...

With that said...I think it is Barker's to lose right now by default...he is the guy Stoops planned the future around...He is one of the original "Stoops Troops"...and he does have the chemistry with the team...

However, I think if being in the program and preparing for SEC was so important then Patrick would still be around...he was a program guy and battle tested vet...I know it was his decision to go and that no body twisted his arm...but if experience really meant anything i think CMS or somebody would have tried to convince him to stay...

It's pretty much a totally new offensive staff, playbook, and philosophy...and unlike the first few years I think CMS has really turned the offense over to the offensive minds...I don't think Gran and Hinshaw came here to have CMS interfere...so really everyone is starting off new with these guys who don't have any ties or loyalties...

^^^Good post, well put^^^.
Think there was more internal problems than we average fans realized last season. I just hope that is resolved with new coaches hire. I am a long time fan and believe Mark Stoops and his staff have brought in the best recruits in my time of fandom! Now I need to see a up grade in across the board coaching! Personally like Mark and want him to succeed!

 

[trumpetcat]

Maybe we'll soon be saying this team has so many weapons - Leach.
Shovel pass to McCringleberry and TD. (Get the reference.) - continued (when we get a wierd name player)

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I'm in the camp that believes transfers typically do not go places unless they've been lead to believe there is a great shot at getting some run...

also, I'm not sure the staff would have made finding a QB a priority like they did this off season unless they felt they really needed one...if depth and the number of arms available for throwing in practice was the concern then Hoak, Hughes, and a walk on would have sufficed in addition to Barker...

I don't think you bring in an older battle tested guy and use up a scholarship for throwing drills...

With that said...I think it is Barker's to lose right now by default...he is the guy Stoops planned the future around...He is one of the original "Stoops Troops"...and he does have the chemistry with the team...

However, I think if being in the program and preparing for SEC was so important then Patrick would still be around...he was a program guy and battle tested vet...I know it was his decision to go and that no body twisted his arm...but if experience really meant anything i think CMS or somebody would have tried to convince him to stay...

It's pretty much a totally new offensive staff, playbook, and philosophy...and unlike the first few years I think CMS has really turned the offense over to the offensive minds...I don't think Gran and Hinshaw came here to have CMS interfere...so really everyone is starting off new with these guys who don't have any ties or loyalties...

I agree with you. Guys don't transfer after graduation to be depth. Now I am not saying Barker won't win the job because he very well could. But UGA went through this last year, Lambert wasn't brought in to be backup, he could have done that at Virginia and he was awful, very likely one of the main things that got RIcht fired. This week we are bringing in a grad transfer from Rhode Island because we don't have any OTs, only 1 with any experience, I expect him to start.

 

[JRowland]

I agree with you. Guys don't transfer after graduation to be depth. Now I am not saying Barker won't win the job because he very well could. But UGA went through this last year, Lambert wasn't brought in to be backup, he could have done that at Virginia and he was awful, very likely one of the main things that got RIcht fired. This week we are bringing in a grad transfer from Rhode Island because we don't have any OTs, only 1 with any experience, I expect him to start.

It was his only Power Five offer and Kentucky has one of the lightest depth charts at QB you will ever see in the SEC. Playing the odds it was a decision most players in his shoes would have made.

 

[RackOps]

Justin: Where do you see that Gran's official title is "Head Coach of the Offense". Everything I have seen posted by the school says his title is "Associate Head Coach: Offense"

Maybe I'm just nitpicking, but from my vantage point one of those titles conveys a lot more autonomy than the other.

 

[RLSmith]

Things i look forward to seeing:

1. New punt returner
2. Passes to MIDDLE of field
3. Less dropped passes
4. Improved LT play
5. Less draws up the middle
6. Better clock management
7. More intensity
8. More maturity from some of our star players
9. Close out games
10. Team chemistry

 

[BlueRaider22]

Justin: Where do you see that Gran's official title is "Head Coach of the Offense". Everything I have seen posted by the school says his title is "Associate Head Coach: Offense"

Maybe I'm just nitpicking, but from my vantage point one of those titles conveys a lot more autonomy than the other.

The title is little consequence. The level of trust Stoops has for his OC does. Stoops trusted Brown.....and let him have a ton of control. The trust between Dawson and Stoops deteriorated as the yr progressed and led to the dismissal. Gran is a good friend of Stoops.....they've coached together.....he runs an offense that is the epitome of Stoops has idealized.....I think he'll have plenty of autonomy.

 

[greginky1957]

I'm in the camp that believes transfers typically do not go places unless they've been lead to believe there is a great shot at getting some run...

also, I'm not sure the staff would have made finding a QB a priority like they did this off season unless they felt they really needed one...if depth and the number of arms available for throwing in practice was the concern then Hoak, Hughes, and a walk on would have sufficed in addition to Barker...

I don't think you bring in an older battle tested guy and use up a scholarship for throwing drills...

With that said...I think it is Barker's to lose right now by default...he is the guy Stoops planned the future around...He is one of the original "Stoops Troops"...and he does have the chemistry with the team...

However, I think if being in the program and preparing for SEC was so important then Patrick would still be around...he was a program guy and battle tested vet...I know it was his decision to go and that no body twisted his arm...but if experience really meant anything i think CMS or somebody would have tried to convince him to stay...

It's pretty much a totally new offensive staff, playbook, and philosophy...and unlike the first few years I think CMS has really turned the offense over to the offensive minds...I don't think Gran and Hinshaw came here to have CMS interfere...so really everyone is starting off new with these guys who don't have any ties or loyalties...

My thinking is that Stoops did not have much choice in the matter of turning the offense over. I am sure that is why Gran was given the head coach of the offense moniker. And I am sure that he must have made that a part of his contract by choice and that MB was fine with it. I sure know that I am fine with it knowing that a person who is offense minded will be calling the shots on offense and he will not be meddled with as Stoops was rumored to have done with the previous OC's.