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Offensive coordinator question

At Ohio State, I wouldn't want a spread team. Offensive talent that wants to play on Sunday is going to be a harder sell recruiting-wise. I think you're overestimating the appeal of a young, hip coach who can "talk to these kids". A lot of high school players are very savvy, and want to play for a guy with a proven track record on Saturdays and on draft day and not necessarily a guy whose Ipod has all the same songs as theirs.

For a program like ASU, that needs to establish or re-establish an identity in a conference with suspect defenses, a spread wouldn't be bad; I think a well-implemented pro style offense would work just as well, however, and might give you a leg up with better recruits.

You always, always want a guy who is better at player development, even if it means taking a guy who doesn't recruit quite as well. Players make huge jumps over four or five years in their conditioning, skill set, game knowledge, maturity, psychology and so on. Always take a guy who can make more out of less. Once he starts putting guys in the League, the better recruits will start coming in.

Finally, another problem with a younger coach is if he builds a hot name quickly, he's gone and you're back to square one. Offensive Coordinator is a position that requires some stability, since so many guys have different systems and terminologies. Look at how Illinois fell this year once Locksley left for New Mexico. As happy as I will be for Coach Hazell if/when he becomes our OC, I'll know that it's probably a two or three year job at best, presuming that he's a good one.

Take the old guy and be happy. :wink:
 
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