For Sarkisian, more to Marion than the GoGo offense

On3 imageby:Joe Cook02/04/22

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When Steve Sarkisian hired Brennan Marion away from Pitt to be Texas’ wide receivers coach, the idea of marrying some of Marion’s GoGo offense with Sarkisian’s system excited Longhorn fans.

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GoGo isn’t the sole reason why Sarkisian hired Marion. The former All-Conference USA receiver not only brings a different schematic viewpoint, but also the ability to develop wideouts. The evidence proving that ability to Sarkisian wasn’t what was said in the interview, but on the practice tape.

“One of the best developers of talent I’ve been around, and his interview process was really great,” Sarkisian said Wednesday. “For me to watch how he develops the players, the drill work that he does with them to get them prepared to play and play at a really high level, not to mention he’s a really innovative offensive mind.”

Sarkisian mentioned adding Marion’s schematic influence was not the primary reason for bringing him on staff. But with running backs like Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and Keilan Robinson, Sarkisian admitted they would ‘dabble’ into some aspects of GoGo’s unique two-back looks.

“He did some really good things when he was at William & Mary,” Sarkisian said. “I think he’ll add to that dimension with us as well.”

Where Marion made himself stand out as the choice was when Sarkisian reviewed how he developed players like the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner, Jordan Addison.

Sarkisian saw similarities between the pass concepts in his offense and those of former Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. He saw how Marion taught receivers in that offense and came away impressed.

“If you watch the receivers at Pitt a year ago in a scheme that is similar to ours, you see the detail in the way they play,” Sarkisian said. “You see the competitiveness. You see the ball skills, and that was probably the biggest thing that jumped out. Now we’re going through our own cut ups, and now the dialogue is coming up that this is what they did, this is how they did it.”

In 2021, the Pitt offense put up 4723 yards and 44 touchdowns through the air. Led by Addison and a Heisman finalist quarterback in Kenny Pickett, Pitt won its first ACC championship since 2010.

Though Addison was the main threat, other Panther receivers turned in good seasons. Jared Wayne and Taysir Mack both topped 450 receiving yards during the 2021 campaign. Wayne even added six touchdown receptions.

Compare that to Texas, who had just one receiver, Xavier Worthy, top 450 yards and six touchdown receptions.

The primary reason Marion was hired was to help Texas’ struggling receiver corps outside of Worthy improve their games in ways they hadn’t under previous wide receiver coaches.

Additions like Isaiah Neyor via the transfer portal indicate he already has a reputation for developing players that will have an impact in recruiting.

Making Neyor, Marcus Washington, and other receivers into legitimate threats will be Marion’s next task. Then, meshing some GoGo with Sarkisian’s system will follow suit.

From what Sarkisian saw during the interview process, he has faith Marion can replicate the things on tape that helped him get the Texas job on the practice field and on Saturdays.

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