Willis in an option offense

[ponyte]

If we hire Johnson, would Willis take the option offense of Johnson to another level (assumes that little fumble issue is resolved)?

Would Martin and Butler benefit from an option offense that can utilize their talents at the same time?

Could Johnson take our current undersized and young defense to another level as he has done at Navy?


And I am not predicting or wishing, just asking.

[Pony Soup]

I just want a coach who will give Willis a shot under center from inside the 3 yd line. You know, try something other than a shotgun formation...

[PonyPatrol]

TAKEN NAVY'S DEFENSE TO ANOTHER LEVEL??

If PJ does become SMU's next coach, then his defensive coordinator is going to become a much more important hire in terms of W/L's.

Why are we ignoring the fact that PJ's team this year is surrendering 40 points/game against a relative cupcake schedule. What's the problem with SMU right NOW? While we have an offense very capable of putting up points, our defense is a absolute joke.

Throw in the learning curve and personel replacements it will take to institute the triple option and our point production will most likely slip for a couple years as well.

I don't deny PJ is a good coach, but not in terms of our current situation.

Give me Fran and a squad of JUCO's. I'm sick of waiting.

[smupony]

From our friends at Wikipedia but very important to our discussion:

Much of Johnson's success has been predicated on his triple option flexbone offense, a run oriented attack that has led NCAA Division I-A/FBS football in rushing yards three of the last four years. Some have criticized the triple option as an antiquated, unbalanced system unfit for major college football, which may explain some BCS teams' reluctance to offer him a position despite his accomplishments at both Georgia Southern and Navy. Johnson has rebutted this argument in numerous press conferences and interviews, asserting that several top teams, including 2005-2006 national champion Texas and 2006-2007 national champion Florida, use various forms of the option. He has repeatedly stated that the superior athletes in power conferences could help the triple option flourish.

However Johnson has also stated that if he had a good throwing quarterback he would use the pass more often.

I believe, in a way, SMU already runs an option similar to what Texas and Florida does (in theory, not success). The "Zone Read" is a form of that offense. You know, the plays we run where DeMyron in improperly used and runs east-west (stretch play) looking for a hole that never materializes.

Johnson was the offensive coordinator at Hawaii when they ran more of a "Zone Read Spread" (if that exists). That is pretty much what we have been recruiting for. I think Johnson would change this team dramatically for the better. He won't run a true triple option, he will run to our strengths. This is why he has been successful everywhere he has been.

He will get rid of the pistol spread it out a little and teach Willis how to properly read the defensive end and linebacker. I think a lot of our poor "Zone Read" plays comes from Willis and the line not being taught the right reads. Hell, if Vince Young can read a defense anyone can.

105-39 as a head coach, 43-29 at Navy.

Sign him up.

[Dutch]

If we hire Johnson, would Willis take the option offense of Johnson to another level (assumes that little fumble issue is resolved)?

Would Martin and Butler benefit from an option offense that can utilize their talents at the same time?

Could Johnson take our current undersized and young defense to another level as he has done at Navy?


And I am not predicting or wishing, just asking.

NO! Justin refuses to get under center. sort of a key aspect of the option.

[J.T.supporta]

SMU DOESNT RUN AN OPTION OFFENSE...we run the Spread...or what others would call that RUSTY Spread...

WE DONT NEED AN OPTION TYPE COACH COMING HERE...

bring in someone who knows the Spread

[Pony Soup]

I think teams run the offenses that their coaches choose, not sure though..

[J.T.supporta]

If you really think PJ is coming here and JW will be the QB...then yall are in for a long season of fumbles and Turnovers and Boos

Option + JW = Loose balls (in more than 1 fashion)

[PonyPatrol]

Guys like Zach Rhodes and Cole Beasley would sure be licking their chops though...

Load the backfield with Mapps, Butler and Martin with Vinny Chase and Philip Burley laying blocks on the corner...nahh, still doesn't sound that great....

[Pony^]

The Triple Option aka "The Spread"


"They run it all the time, and we throw it a lot, but in my mind
that's sort of where the differences end...It's about distribution of the
ball. They make sure everybody touches the ball, and the quarterback makes
good decisions about who gets the ball. Philosophically, I think we're
incredibly similar." (Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach) SOS
Much has been made of Johnson’s coaching style specifically his use of the triple option. It has been described as gimmicky and not conducive to big-time college football. Apparently, those critiques were M.I.A for the 2006 season that saw Urban Meyer win a National Championship using a version of the spread option at Florida. Johnson has repeatedly stated that his offense is best used when tailoring it to the strengths of the team. At Navy, he has to use it to emphasize the run to mask a weak passing game. Johnson has said that his offense would actually work the best with an emphasis on the passing game which is hard to imagine considering Navy averages an incredible 350 yards rushing per game (#1 in the country by close to 50 yards per game). Still, it’s not like Johnson’s offense only works against shady defenses. Last season—when every team knew that Navy would run the ball 80% of the time—Johnson’s running game rolled up 322 yards on the ground against Boston College in the Meineke Bowl. BC had the 12th best rushing defense in the country having allowed only 90 yards rushing per game. This season, Navy put up 328 rushing yards against Wake Forest which has the 18th rush defense in the country. Give Johnson the worst talent in the country and he’ll give you an offense that averages 350 yards per game. Give him the best talent in the country and……(fill in the blank). With Michigan’s talent, Johnson would put up 500 yards per game with a balanced offense. The rest of the Big Ten would be helpless to stop Michigan's superior talent combined with Johnson's superior coaching.


"In fact, this could possibly be the best passing offense ever...Because when
you run the option, it limits what (defenses) can do coverage-wise, and you can
get all kinds of one-on-one matchups (against the defense downfield)." (Paul
Johnson) SOS
"What's great about this offense is that you can emphasize whatever best fits
your people... If you've got a great quarterback, of course you're going to
throw; that's what you do to win. If your personnel is better rushing the ball;
that's what you do, because that's what you do to win." (Paul Johnson) News Observer

http://motownsportsrevival.blogspot.com ... hnson.html

[Pony^]

Many seem to think Johnson would run the same triple-option attack he uses in Annapolis, but I know he would adapt his offense to the personnel at whatever school he worked at. That's what good coaches do. And, make no doubt about it: Johnson is a good coach.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/vi ... p?t=302258

[J.T.supporta]

Many seem to think Johnson would run the same triple-option attack he uses in Annapolis, but I know he would adapt his offense to the personnel at whatever school he worked at. That's what good coaches do. And, make no doubt about it: Johnson is a good coach.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/vi ... p?t=302258

what good coaches do that? normally if a coach has success with a certain scheme/system...they normally stick with it...can you name a few coaches who have gone to a new school and changed their schemme and not the schools?

[smupony]

Many seem to think Johnson would run the same triple-option attack he uses in Annapolis, but I know he would adapt his offense to the personnel at whatever school he worked at. That's what good coaches do. And, make no doubt about it: Johnson is a good coach.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/vi ... p?t=302258

what good coaches do that? normally if a coach has success with a certain scheme/system...they normally stick with it...can you name a few coaches who have gone to a new school and changed their schemme and not the schools?

JT...You have no idea what you are talking about...Look back and read about Johnson before you post...He has run"spread" style offenses in the past (and been successful)...Number one in all catagories of offense with Hawaii almost every year he was there...His current offense is the only one that will work with the players he has right now...At Hawaii they threw it all over the place...

[J.T.supporta]

Many seem to think Johnson would run the same triple-option attack he uses in Annapolis, but I know he would adapt his offense to the personnel at whatever school he worked at. That's what good coaches do. And, make no doubt about it: Johnson is a good coach.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/vi ... p?t=302258

what good coaches do that? normally if a coach has success with a certain scheme/system...they normally stick with it...can you name a few coaches who have gone to a new school and changed their schemme and not the schools?

JT...You have no idea what you are talking about...Look back and read about Johnson before you post...He has run"spread" style offenses in the past (and been successful)...Number one in all catagories of offense with Hawaii almost every year he was there...His current offense is the only one that will work with the players he has right now...At Hawaii they threw it all over the place...

my apoligies...i didnt not really know anything about PJs prior coaching experience until looking it up now...you are right...and with what ive read...hed be a great hire...but just not a WOW in my opinion

[BrianTinBigD]

Here is what you might wind up with:

Standard Flexbone


Flexbone with TE


Other Adaptations






Multiple sets are easily adjusted out of the Flexbone and passing is easy as well especially if you have the personnel. Think Martin as the back behind Willis. Butler and Mapps at the Wings. Chase as your TE and Givens and Sanders as the WR. You can move the TE out and add another receiver but do we have more than 2 good receivers?

Just my quick thoughts on this.