Predict the Utah Offensive Shakeup

[Coach McGuirk]

I actually like this hire for Utah.

I like it too, except for the Co part. who is in charge? Does BJ run the meetings or DE? Who is calling the plays? Where does the buck stop? Who do the kids listen to? You Utes know how this is set up?

[OrangeUte]

I actually like this hire for Utah. I think Hawkins or Crowton would have been better but at this point what does Utah have to lose? BJ is not going anywhere, you can afford to yank him around for awhiile and tell him that it is in his best interest.

Erickson comes in with more experience than Utahs entire offensive staff. He has not been as successful lately but has shown that he can coach at a high level. The problems his teams have faced in the past is that they lacked discipline he has always had off the field run ins, as well as the most penalized teams in the country. I think that stems from him having to run an entire program. Now he can just focus on the offense and even that can be split up with BJ. I have never thought of him as a bright offensive mind but looking at the numbers he has had some prolific offenses.

This is a nice pickup for Utah and I think it will be an improvement.

The other thing is that while yanking Brian Johnson around, Utes have a very young coach who probably hasn't developed the ego of many (hopefully). I get the feeling that Johnson will look at this as an opportunity to learn and grow and that the co in the title is not a threat to his job security. Plus, this is a perfect way for Erickson to stay in the game without all the stress and hassle of being the head coach. In most professions, guys winding down their careers, love nothing more than to tell war stories, teach, and this will give Erickson that perfect opportunity to do that, while also benefiting the Utes.

[OrangeUte]

I like it too, except for the Co part. who is in charge? Does BJ run the meetings or DE? Who is calling the plays? Where does the buck stop? Who do the kids listen to? You Utes know how this is set up?

The other question is where does our passing game coordinator fit into this? It seems like a large collaboration, hopefully the lines are clearly drawn.

[Cutty]

I like it too, except for the Co part. who is in charge? Does BJ run the meetings or DE? Who is calling the plays? Where does the buck stop? Who do the kids listen to? You Utes know how this is set up?

I'm guessing Erickson will be calling the plays. The co-offensive coordinator title is a nice way to avoid officially demoting Brian.

[cougjunkie]

Once again nice sources Kevin Graham!

[kccougar]

Welcome Dennis Erickson back to Provo in September!

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[OrangeUte]

I'm guessing Erickson will be calling the plays. The co-offensive coordinator title is a nice way to avoid officially demoting Brian.

Perhaps Dennis Erickson will be in the booth calling plays and Johnson will be on the field managing players etc. The downside to that is the Johnson needs to learn how to call a game from up in the booth, getting that vantage point, rather than being the coach/cheerleader on the sideline. Still, this is a good big caliber hire, and if the Utes can keep him around for a few years as a mentor, all the better for BJ.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I like it too, except for the Co part. who is in charge? Does BJ run the meetings or DE? Who is calling the plays? Where does the buck stop? Who do the kids listen to? You Utes know how this is set up?

I also don't like the co-offensive coordinator part. It tells me that Whittingham still isn't being willing to step away from the offense and focus on what he knows. One of the things that Whittingham clearly never learned from Lavell Edwards was how to hire good people and trust them to do their jobs.

Of the names that surfaced, Erickson was my second choice. If I was ranking the names associated with the job it would be: 1) Hawkins; 2) Erickson; 3) Gonzales (although I don't think he was ever a candidate except in the mind of Kevin Graham); 4) Anae; and, 5) Crowton.

[SeattleUte]

I also don't like the co-offensive coordinator part. It tells me that Whittingham still isn't being willing to step away from the offense and focus on what he knows. One of the things that Whittingham clearly never learned from Lavell Edwards was how to hire good people and trust them to do their jobs.

Of the names that surfaced, Erickson was my second choice. If I was ranking the names associated with the job it would be: 1) Hawkins; 2) Erickson; 3) Gonzales (although I don't think he was ever a candidate except in the mind of Kevin Graham); 4) Anae; and, 5) Crowton.

They can decide whatever they want between them outside of the public eye. Why kill BJ in the crib? Whit owes him everything, and we don't know yet whether he's cut out to be a great coach. Whit knows that best. Also, to want to elevate himself over BJ would go against everything Dennis Erickson in today's statement expressed he's about.

[Donuthole]

Welcome Dennis Erickson back to Provo in September!

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Those striped polos (at 5:13) are freaking sweet. I would rock one of those today.

Edit: Boom!

[MartyFunkhouser]

Whittingham says that Dennis Erickson has final decision making authority. Also, Erickson will recruit QBs and will not be responsible for a geographic area.

I like both of these decisions.

[Flystripper]

Congratulations Utes. That is a nice hire.

[tooblue]

I have to wonder aloud if Whittingham didn't just hire his replacement?

[MartyFunkhouser]

I have to wonder aloud if Whittingham didn't just hire his replacement?

I'm pretty sure you are the only one wondering that. Dennis Erickson is 65 years old and hasn't been impressive in his past few head coaching gigs. I'm not going to say that Whittingham won't potentially be gone in the next 3-4 years, but Erickson won't be the replacement.

[Coach McGuirk]

Whittingham says that Dennis Erickson has final decision making authority. Also, Erickson will recruit QBs and will not be responsible for a geographic area.

I like both of these decisions.

I like it too. So co- means shit really. Dennis Erickson is your OC and BJ is your OC in waiting.