Will Stein explains how a left-handed quarterback changes an offensive coordinator's job

Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein is one of the well-esteemed young coaches in college football fresh off of an impressive 2023 season where he helped lead one of the most high-powered offenses in the country.

Prior to his time in Eugene, Stein was with UTSA where he helped left-handed quarterback Frank Harris become the Conference USA Most Valuable Player in 2022. And this upcoming season he inherits another southpaw under center, with Dillon Gabriel joining the Ducks this offseason through the transfer portal.

Stein recently joined Andy Staples On3, and was asked about his recent special connection with left-handed passers.

“I guess I just know how to move the pocket to the left maybe better than most,” Stein said. “Other than that, there’s not a lot of difference to be honest. As long as they’re accurate and they get the ball out on time we can work with them.”

Harris had a career season with the Roadrunners when Stein was the program’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Throwing for a school-record 4,063 yards and 32 touchdown passes, only for Bo Nix to surpass those stats at Oregon last year with 4,508 yards and 45 touchdown passes in Stein’s first season calling plays for the Ducks.

Oregon fans are hoping that Stein’s trend of elite quarterback play with continue this season with Gabriel, who enters the season as one of the most experienced players in college football. With Stein revealing that Gabriel’s left-handedness won’t change much about the operation of the his offense.

“You know at times, but it still goes back to what we do well on offense and what he does well. But everything’s kind of left hash dependent for me in terms of my play call sheet and now that’s set probably because I’m a right handed guy and right handed quarterback,” Stein said referring to his playing days at Louisville. “But it’s nothing that is too out of ordinary for me.”

Gabriel joins Oregon with 49 starts under his belt along with 14,865 yards and 125 touchdowns. With throwing mechanics and habits that Stein is more than comfortable with ahead of the 2024 season.

“Obviously being used to it with Frank has helped and has since now with Dillon. But I enjoy guys that are competitive, that love the game, that are football junkies and I’ve been very fortunate to be around a lot of really good quarterbacks,” Stein concluded.

Fans will get their first look at Gabriel in Stein’s offense on August 31 when the Ducks host Idaho at 7:30 p.m. ET in a game airing on Big Ten Network.