Utah Hires Brian Johnson to be Offensive Coordinator

[DU Ute]

I find it a bit surprising how little trust Ute fans are showing in Whitt. He hasn't left much room for questioning so far and I think I would trust him for now.

I trust him. When I said it was nuts it was more "Wow!" than "WTF!?!?" I'm excited, I think BJ is something special and could be our HC someday.

[Portland Ute]

I find it a bit surprising how little trust Ute fans are showing in Whitt. He hasn't left much room for questioning so far and I think I would trust him for now.

You make a decent point....but...

Brian Johnson is 24 years old. 24.

He has two years of coaching experience as a QB coach. 2.

Maybe Whit knows a helluva lot more about coordinating an offense than anybody thinks.

Personally, I'm worried that he might have come to believe he is a "king maker" of sorts with hiring Sitake who had little experience and having it work out. But Sitake had KW as a mentor. Who is BJ's mentor?

This decision is breathtaking.

[TripletDaddy]

I find it a bit surprising how little trust Ute fans are showing in Whitt. He hasn't left much room for questioning so far and I think I would trust him for now.

This is a highly unorthodox hiring that is basically unprecedented in college football. A 24 yr old offensive coordinator. Whit may have earned trust but there is nothing faithless about raising some eyebrows about this specific move. I think coming off the heels of the Krysko hiring, there is angst about Utahs ability to actually bring in outside talent. NoCho had ties here. But this is the best move for Utah? Really?

[CJF]

He did a good job getting Hays up to speed.

Really? Was that him or Chow? Or Chow simplifying the offense? I think BJ will be a good coach. Two years as an average to below average QB coach to OC seems like a disaster waiting to happen. And how does ARod take this? He swallowed his pride and stepped aside for Chow and this is his reward?

[Portland Ute]

I trust him. When I said it was nuts it was more "Wow!" than "WTF!?!?" I'm excited, I think BJ is something special and could be our HC someday.

He'll have to fight Scalley for the job.

And maybe Sitake. Although, I thikn Sitake is BYU's next HC.

I think Scalley makes for a more dynamic, Urban-type HC. He's a much better recruiter (at least based on the results we've seen) and he's got a much more engaging personality. BJ's no schlub, but Morgan is personality embodied.

[Jacob]

[Portland Ute]

This is a highly unorthodox hiring that is basically unprecedented in college football. A 24 yr old offensive coordinator. Whit may have earned trust but there is nothing faithless about raising some eyebrows about this specific move. I think coming off the heels of the Krysko hiring, there is angst about Utahs ability to actually bring in outside talent. NoCho had ties here. But this is the best move for Utah? Really?

With all due respect, I think there is very little connection between having to hire Krystko to a disastrous bball program and this hire.

I think that there are Ute fans that are beginning to wonder if KW is too insular and myopic in his coaching searches. This hire really supports that.

I wonder if money plays a part right now. I honestly don't know what to make of this move.

[Portland Ute]

:finger3:

[TripletDaddy]

With all due respect, I think there is very little connection between having to hire Krystko to a disastrous bball program and this hire.

I think that there are Ute fans that are beginning to wonder if KW is too insular and myopic in his coaching searches. This hire really supports that.

I wonder if money plays a part right now. I honestly don't know what to make of this move.

I agree that the initial chain of thought upon learning of this news probably won't link the two events. But taken as a series of events over the past year, it is a fair question to ask. If one of your first reactions is "is this the best we can do?" then that belies a greater expectation.

I think Utah could have done better than Krysko and they sure as heck could have hired someone more experienced than Brian Johnson. As you point out, maybe money is a big issue and since Utah won't be at full speed with PAC cash for a few years, perhaps these hires reflect that economic reality. But even that is tough to believe. What are they going to pay BJ? What were they paying Chow? There had to be someone else out there with more experience that would take the job for a respectable salary.

[Moliere]

[UtahDan]

I think it is a great hire. He will do well. People should trust Kyle on this. He didn't get.stupid over night.

[Surfah]

[jay santos]

I have no real reason to back this up, but it makes me think Kyle feels like

a. Sitake's ready to handle the D by himself
b. he's learned enough offense over the years to guide BJ himself
c. he will take less involved role in the D and more involved role in the O

[myboynoah]

I have no real reason to back this up, but it makes me think Kyle feels like

a. Sitake's ready to handle the D by himself
b. he's learned enough offense over the years to guide BJ himself
c. he will take less involved role in the D and more involved role in the O

"When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

[Shaka]

A-Rod can't be happy.