Jamey Chadwell discusses spread-option offense

Jamey Chadwell discusses spread-option offense.

Jamey Chadwell has experienced success as head coach at Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers finished the 2020 season 11-1 and Sun Belt champions.

Chadwell’s offense is a spread-option that presents challenges for the opposition.

He implemented the spread-option offense in 2009 during his first season as head coach at Division II North Greenville.

Chadwell’s offense centers around the backfield with a variety of different looks that showcases 20 and 21-personnel.

A running back typically lines up next to the quarterback, while one tailback is behind the signal-caller in a pistol formation.

The offensive line has pulling guards with inside and outside zone blocking.

The quarterback will read the defensive end within an RPO to determine whether a handoff should be made, to attack the perimeter in the run game or to find a one-on-one matchup in the passing game.

“The jobs that I have taken over have been rebuilds. I had to go in there and really try to completely change the mindset and a culture.” — Jamey Chadwell

Chadwell played high school football in East Tennessee at Anderson County High School. He went on to play quarterback at East Tennessee State (1995-99) and launched his coaching career with the Buccaneers from 2000-03.

Sep 7, 2019; Lawrence, KS, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers head coach Jamey Chadwell reacts after a play against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Chadwell joined the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days” to discuss implementing his spread-option offense into programs at North Greenville, Delta State, Charleston Southern and Coastal Carolina.

“The reason why we like to run the offense that we do, you don’t have to have the best linemen in the country to win games,” Chadwell said. “You don’t have to have the best receivers in the country to win games. Every job that I have had has been a rebuild. We’ve had to develop and recruit talent that fits your system.

“Part of the reason that we like to do the offense, is it gives you a chance to win games. We were probably the eighth most talented team out of ten in our league — and won the league this year. Part of that is because you get kids to buy into your scheme and your system, and they fit that. We can do a variety of different things. Recruiting is not hard for it, you just have to find the right guys that want to fit into what you do.”

Coastal Carolina head coach Jamey Chadwell, right, talks with side judge Rick Ockey, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Chadwell discussed the importance of spring practices in creating an identity for a team that will take the field in the fall.

“Spring is important no matter what you do,” Chadwell said. “More so why spring is important with your system is just your identity. What you want to be about. To me that’s what spring ball is about. This is who we are, this is what we value on the football field and that’s why you want to do those things.”

The entire show with Chadwell can be listened to here or below.

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