Tag: Offensive Coordinator

FAU fires potential Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator candidate

FAU fires potential Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator candidate

Florida Atlantic fired coach Tom Herman on Monday.

Herman, who led the Owls to a 6-16 mark since he took over in 2023, was let go after losing in gut-wrenching fashion to Temple on Nov. 16. The loss dropped FAU to 2-8 on the season and 0-6 in AAC play.

The news, however, is notable for those invested in Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator situation. After firing offensive coordinator Phil Longo on Saturday, the Badgers are in the market for a new play-caller.

That’s where Herman can step in. The former Texas Longhorns coach served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ohio State from 2012-14, the same years Fickell was the co-defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes.

It’s safe to say Herman’s recent resume with Florida Atlantic sells himself short. At Ohio State, he earned the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach. He made the jump from Ohio State’s OC to the Texas top job in just three years. While his tenure since that point has trended negatively, he remains one of the well-thought-of offensive minds in the sport.

If hired by UW, Herman’s relationship with Fickell could prove the catalyst. As of Nov. 18, Wisconsin is reeling and in desperate need of rejuvenation. Herman could bring that type of spark if awarded the opportunity.

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell cryptic about Badgers play-calling plan after Phil Longo firing

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell cryptic about Badgers play-calling plan after Phil Longo firing

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell offered an update on Wisconsin’s play-calling situation on Monday. Or, he purposely avoided giving one.

Fewer than 24 hours after Wisconsin fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo, Fickell fielded several questions from the media in his weekly press conference on Monday.

When asked about his play-calling plans going forward, Fickell offered somewhat of a cryptic response.

“Why does it matter?” Fickell said. “The offense will be run, and those guys will do a lot of things collaboratively. I don’t think it’s really important as to who is calling it. I guess it gives you the ability to point a finger at somebody. It’s not one of those things I think is that important. Sometimes I think it’s overrated in some ways, but it’ll be a collaborative group and those guys will have to work a lot together.”

Taken literally, Fickell’s answer would be troubling. The more reasonable explanation is that he wanted to avoid questions on the topic — something that wasn’t going to be able to do after firing Longo just one day earlier.

If Wisconsin’s current three-game losing streak, culminating in the crushing 16-13 loss to No. 1 Oregon on Saturday, impacted Fickell’s long-term vision for the program enough to make a significant coaching move, there was likely a plan in place when the move was made.

If Fickell’s explained blueprint is the way Wisconsin goes, wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton, running backs coach Devon Spalding and tight ends coach Nate Letton are in position to work together to kick-start the offense. In reality, one of them will likely emerge as the play-caller.

Fickell also added that Guiton will inherit quarterback coaching responsibilities alongside his role with the wide receivers.

UW will continue to gear up for its Nov. 23 road game against Nebraska.

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy on the potential of a Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco backfield

Kansas City #Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy on the potential of a Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco backfield | @EdEastonJr

The return of Isiah Pacheco to practice for the Kansas City Chiefs opens the door for various new formations alongside current starter Kareem Hunt. Offensive Coordinator Matt Navy discussed with reporters Thursday the possibility of playing both talented running backs together soon.

“Well, just those guys both want the football, which is a great thing. And again, they’re really good when they have the football. So again, positive for the Chiefs and the fact that they run hard, they’re physical and violent.” said Nagy. Pop (Isiah Pacheco) brings that. Pacheco brings that Energizer Bunny mentality of excitement and fire, and you put that together with Kareem. It’s a great one-two punch, per se.”

Hunt has been the primary running back since signing with the team and has shown impressive versatility and durability with his workload. The return of Pacheco should alleviate some of Hunt’s usage as the Chiefs focus on the rapidly approaching postseason.

“So I think more than anything, it’s just refreshing to see him (Pacheco) out there, the energy, the positivity, such a happy kid,” said Nagy. “He runs hard, but he’s a good player, too, so there’s that element to it. I think it makes it unique for the defense throughout.”

Pacheco was already ruled out for this Sunday, but there is optimism that he could be available soon before the postseason.

Former Wisconsin Badgers assistant becomes Chicago Bears interim offensive coordinator

Former Wisconsin Badgers assistant becomes Chicago Bears interim offensive coordinator

Former Wisconsin running backs coach Thomas Brown was named interim offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears on Tuesday.

The move arrived shortly after the Bears brass fired former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The team’s recent three-game losing streak, coupled with lofty expectations surrounding star quarterback Caleb Williams, spurred the release.

With the Chicago Bears at 4-5 on the season, Brown will now manage the offense for the time being.

Brown’s connection to Wisconsin goes back to 2014. Under former Badger head coach Gary Anderson, Brown captained a running back room featuring 2014 Heisman Trophy runner-up Melvin Gordon and future NFL running back Corey Clement.

Backed by over 3,600 rushing yards and 38 rushing touchdowns from Gordon and Clement, Wisconsin rolled to an 11-3 record, Big Ten Championship Game appearance and victory over #19 Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

Following his tenure at UW, Brown spent time as the running backs coach at Georgia (2015), Miami-FL (2016-18) and South Carolina (2019) before making the jump to the NFL level.

There, he served Los Angeles Rams’ running backs coach in 2020 and assistant head coach from 2021-22 before being hired as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in ’23.

Brown assumed duties as the Bears’ passing game coordinator in 2024. The former Wisconsin assistant will now take a stab at calling the plays for Williams and company for the foreseeable future.

The Bears are next on the field on Sunday against the Packers.

Two former Saints offensive coordinator candidates have already been fired

Two former Saints offensive coordinator candidates have already been fired by the teams that hired them. Klint Kubiak must prove he shouldn’t join them.

Two former New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator candidates have already been fired by the teams that hired them this offseason, with the Chicago Bears jettisoning Shane Waldron not long after the Las Vegas Raiders moved on from Luke Getsy.

Klint Kubiak, who the Saints ultimately went with, must prove he shouldn’t join them. Getsy interviewed with New Orleans twice before accepting the Raiders job. Kubiak may have been hired by Dennis Allen but that doesn’t mean Darren Rizzi won’t let him go if the team doesn’t get results. Fortunately, that feels unlikely after the team revived itself with a win in Rizzi’s head coaching debut last weekend.

A big reason naming Rizzi the interim head coach made sense was because it meant little disruption for Kubiak on offense and Joe Woods coordinating the defense. That Rizzi didn’t quickly dismiss Kubiak and go with his own play-caller after being named the interim speaks volumes.

Still, Waldron and Getsy being axed doesn’t necessarily mean the Saints got it right with Kubiak. He’s been too slow to adapt when the defense has countered his game plans, and he didn’t do a good job preparing rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler to start during a string of losses when Derek Carr was injured. Widespread injuries to the offensive line and skills positions played a part, sure, but Kubiak’s unit hasn’t reached the same heights they met back in Weeks 1 and 2.

Hopefully he gets back on track once Erik McCoy returns to the lineup. The Saints welcomed their starting center back at practice last week and waived his backup Conner McGovern on Monday, which probably signals his return. McCoy was vital to Kubiak’s vision for the offense — the Pro Bowler was tasked with setting protections pre-snap, not the quarterback, which took a big load off Derek Carr’s shoulders to start the season. There’s not much reason to think Kubiak’s job is in jeopardy right now, but if the Saints fall back into a slump after beating Atlanta every option should be on the table. They need to know who’s part of the solution, long-term, and who’s part of the problem.

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Raiders announce 3 new coaches including offensive coordinator

Scott Turner moves from passing game coordinator to interim offensive coordinator and two former head coaches get new titles as well.

There are some new faces in new positions on the Raiders coaching staff today. The team announced Tuesday the replacements on the staff who will be taking over for the three coaches they fired late Sunday.

The new addition to the staff is Norv Turner who joins the team as a Senior Advisor.

Norv’s son Scott Turner moves from passing game coordinator to interim offensive coordinator. Taking the job previously held by Luke Getsy who held the position for just nine games.

Stepping into the role of interim offensive line coach is Joe Philbin who previously had the title of senior offensive assistant. The job was previously held by James Cregg.

The only fired coach who didn’t have his title given to someone else was QB coach Rich Scangarello.

Norv Turner and Joe Philbin are both former NFL head coaches. Norv in particular coached the Raiders in 2004-05. He was brought out of retirement, having last been with an NFL team in 2019 as the OC with the Carolina Panthers.

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy comments on Buccaneers defensive lineman’s impact in the run game

Kansas City #Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy comments on Tampa Bay #Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea’s impact in the run game | @EdEastonJr

On Monday night, the Kansas City Chiefs face a familiar foe in the Tampa Buccaneers. The Chiefs are looking to extend their undefeated winning streak, and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has thoughts on an impactful player from Tampa Bay’s defense.

During Friday’s press conference, Nagy addressed potential offensive issues in the run game against former All-Pro defensive tackle Vita Vea.

“Well, he’s (Vita Vea) a heck of a football player, man. (He) just can play the a-gap and b-gap at the same time, (he’s) physically strong.” said Nagy. “(In the) pass game when he’s there and he gets his hands on you, it’s going to be tough to get away. You just have a lot of – he puts stress on you as an offensive line – we have a lot of faith in our guys, but he’s a hell of a player.”

Vea was a key member of Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV-winning team, which defeated the Chiefs during the 2020 season. Kansas City has relied heavily on the run game this season, with Kareem Hunt serving as the primary ball carrier.

Steelers OC: QB battle was decided by who had the best deep ball

Steelers’ OC Arthur Smith stated that while Justin Fields had a solid deep-ball, Russell Wilson’s amazing deep-ball forced the teams hand.

While the decision to start Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson over Justin Fields in last week’s contest was polarizing, to say the least, Head Coach Mike Tomlin appeared to make the right call. No specific rhyme or reason was given for the decision, other than Tomlin’s desire to ‘win championships.’ 

It confused former players, analysts, and fans, especially since Fields had led the Steelers to an impressive 4-2 record through six games. However, Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith shed some light on why the decision to start Wilson over Fields was simpler than people made it out to be. 


It seems Wilson’s talent in throwing his immaculate deep ball, as displayed throughout Week 7’s contest, was a huge reason he got his opportunity to showcase his signal calling in 2024. This ‘greed’ on the offensive side of the ball is much appreciated, as although Fields’ athleticism is impressive, the passing game overall has become an area of concern in recent years for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Arthur Smith on Roman Wilson’s debut: ‘It’ll happen sooner or later’

There appears to be no sense of urgency from OC Arthur Smith to get the talented WR Roman Wilson onto the field to make his debut.

Although Pittsburgh is teetering on the brink of losing three straight games, specifically due to offensive struggles and a lack of dynamic wide receivers, there appears to be no sense of urgency to get rookie WR Roman Wilson onto the field.

Steelers’ offensive coordinator Arthur Smith offered an explanation during media availability on Thursday, citing several recovery aspects, such as missing training camp and being out of game shape. Smith concluded that we could expect Wilson to suit up his debut “sooner or later.” He acknowledged that Wilson is working very hard to get on the field, but noted that the wide receiver missed a lot of football conditioning.

https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly/status/1844408331139449025

Fans who eagerly awaiting the playmaking ability of the shifty and explosive Wilson will need wait just a little longer.  When Smith and Mike Tomlin eventually realize how much the offense needs a player of Wilson’s caliber, hopefully it isn’t too late.

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Broncos Twitter reacts to Jets stripping Nathaniel Hackett of playcalling duties

What does Nathaniel Hackett even do with the Jets now?

The New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh this week but opted to keep offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett on staff despite their offense struggling through the first five games of the season.

New York’s decision surprised NFL fans and pundits. Their next move was less surprising: interim coach Jeff Ulbrich announced Thursday that Hackett has been stripped of playcalling duties and Todd Downing is taking over.

Saleh planned to make that same change, but he was fired. Ulbrich apparently liked Saleh’s plan and he’s now implementing it.

No longer tasked with calling plays, Hackett’s role with the Jets is unclear, but they aren’t firing him. Here’s a sampling of how Denver Broncos fans and pundits reacted to the news on Twitter/X.

Hackett served as Denver’s head coach in 2022. He was fired with two games remaining that season after starting 4-11. Last offseason, new Broncos coach Sean Payton said Denver’s 2022 season “might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.”

It seems that Payton’s comments have been justified.

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