We know once again we will be naming a new Coordinator for 2021 on defense. Which allows Tom Allen to again make an impact on his staff by adding someone to the program (even if he promotes from within, a new coach will be added to the team.) Some thoughts/reviews and questions.
Offense:
Sheridan - I like him, his confidence and think he's a smart guy. From DeBoer to him points dropped from ave 31 to 29, hardly a dramatic slip. I do NOT think he had an A+ year, but nor would I give him lower than a B- either. Like Womack, I think his jump from year one to year two will be significant and that also like Womack, Allen sees the talent/skill set and is letting him develop into a good one.
Hart - love him as a recruiter (2 good looking prospects coming in this year). I never know which controls RB success: OC scheme, OL coaching/play, RB coaching RB's on reads/cutting, etc. S. Scott is a masterful pass blocker, which is a huge reason I think he plays the most. He also has great nose for end zone in red zone. James has talent, but haven't been able to see it great (outside of PU game year ago) due to injuries and/or lack of significant playing time. Like look of Baldwin a lot. Bullish on 2 FR coming in too. Hart is a keeper.
Heard - also seems to be a very good recruiter and we seem to have a very talented room returning and new FR coming in. Fryefogle had a breakout year, Whop is dynamic. But I still feel in the bowl game we saw a hard time getting open at times too. Overall, Heard too is a keeper.
TE coach - like his pedigree (Carmel/IMG HC). Hendershot "kind of" took a step back. The FR (Bremer?) looks to be a star in the making and got a great first year freebie under his belt. the Bloomington TE coming in seems good too and another 6'5 target. Keeper.
Hiller - As many see, he's a "unsure" vote to me. I'm not sure I'd ccall him an amazing recruiter nor have I seen amazing OL play. Pass protection is normally pretty good actually, clearly we haven't been blowing open holes for running game. I will trust Tom Allen to review everyone accordingly. IF he made a change here, I'd see it as an opportunity to pull in a top tier OL coach while IU program very much on the rise.
Defense:
Peoples DL - like what DL did this year, especially against the run and seemingly taking up space to allow LB's to make plays. Think we can agree straight up DL pass rush still not wreaking havoc on it's own yet, but not sure if that's scheme or still don't have the "thoroughbreds" yet. Hoping our new Valpo recruit coming in (at 6'6) and 2022 recruiting class may lead to some more big time DE rushers. Keeper.
Shelby Cornerbacks - like him! This year our top 3 CB's were sensational. We didn't see much of those behind them, but I'm hopeful the players we have and the FR coming in are developing a good pipeline underneath to replace the big 3 potentially after next season that we may lose to graduation/NFL. Keeper.
Jones Safety: Like Shelby, thought Safeties were tremendous this year too. Think it is a correlation with him as well. I wanted him to have Husky too as he seems like he can use a bigger role.
Coach T Special Teams: Our punting and kicking games were strong (but partially due to tremendous talents we have there.) But from a kick return or punt return perspective, I would NOT say we have lit the world on fire yet at all! Per Jones above: I wish they'd take Husky away from Coach T and let him be a 100% Special Teams Coordinator and make them truly special. Keep but tweak.
New DC: I'm open to Peoples or Shelby internal promotion. Both know the system and their position group truly excelled this year. Internal promotions are good for morale (usually as it shows one can rise) and yes, a black coordinator is something IU hasn't had prior. It should and surely will always be on merit and talent, but they've both been around awhile and helped lead nation in INT and blitz success this year.
New Hire: If either of the above (Shelby/Jones) were named DC, I would make them JUST DC! Then I'd make the one who didn't get the job the "Def Backfield" coach - a mini promotion and one I think a coach can do for coaching both Corner/Safety. I'd then make the new hire (hopefully a really good one) the LB coach and include Husky here. I could see a great recruiter for this LB coach position, someone who could hopefully bring in the stud LB's from the south like we've been getting, just more of it!
A little something for discussion in the early 2021 down time.
Offense:
Sheridan - I like him, his confidence and think he's a smart guy. From DeBoer to him points dropped from ave 31 to 29, hardly a dramatic slip. I do NOT think he had an A+ year, but nor would I give him lower than a B- either. Like Womack, I think his jump from year one to year two will be significant and that also like Womack, Allen sees the talent/skill set and is letting him develop into a good one.
Hart - love him as a recruiter (2 good looking prospects coming in this year). I never know which controls RB success: OC scheme, OL coaching/play, RB coaching RB's on reads/cutting, etc. S. Scott is a masterful pass blocker, which is a huge reason I think he plays the most. He also has great nose for end zone in red zone. James has talent, but haven't been able to see it great (outside of PU game year ago) due to injuries and/or lack of significant playing time. Like look of Baldwin a lot. Bullish on 2 FR coming in too. Hart is a keeper.
Heard - also seems to be a very good recruiter and we seem to have a very talented room returning and new FR coming in. Fryefogle had a breakout year, Whop is dynamic. But I still feel in the bowl game we saw a hard time getting open at times too. Overall, Heard too is a keeper.
TE coach - like his pedigree (Carmel/IMG HC). Hendershot "kind of" took a step back. The FR (Bremer?) looks to be a star in the making and got a great first year freebie under his belt. the Bloomington TE coming in seems good too and another 6'5 target. Keeper.
Hiller - As many see, he's a "unsure" vote to me. I'm not sure I'd ccall him an amazing recruiter nor have I seen amazing OL play. Pass protection is normally pretty good actually, clearly we haven't been blowing open holes for running game. I will trust Tom Allen to review everyone accordingly. IF he made a change here, I'd see it as an opportunity to pull in a top tier OL coach while IU program very much on the rise.
Defense:
Peoples DL - like what DL did this year, especially against the run and seemingly taking up space to allow LB's to make plays. Think we can agree straight up DL pass rush still not wreaking havoc on it's own yet, but not sure if that's scheme or still don't have the "thoroughbreds" yet. Hoping our new Valpo recruit coming in (at 6'6) and 2022 recruiting class may lead to some more big time DE rushers. Keeper.
Shelby Cornerbacks - like him! This year our top 3 CB's were sensational. We didn't see much of those behind them, but I'm hopeful the players we have and the FR coming in are developing a good pipeline underneath to replace the big 3 potentially after next season that we may lose to graduation/NFL. Keeper.
Jones Safety: Like Shelby, thought Safeties were tremendous this year too. Think it is a correlation with him as well. I wanted him to have Husky too as he seems like he can use a bigger role.
Coach T Special Teams: Our punting and kicking games were strong (but partially due to tremendous talents we have there.) But from a kick return or punt return perspective, I would NOT say we have lit the world on fire yet at all! Per Jones above: I wish they'd take Husky away from Coach T and let him be a 100% Special Teams Coordinator and make them truly special. Keep but tweak.
New DC: I'm open to Peoples or Shelby internal promotion. Both know the system and their position group truly excelled this year. Internal promotions are good for morale (usually as it shows one can rise) and yes, a black coordinator is something IU hasn't had prior. It should and surely will always be on merit and talent, but they've both been around awhile and helped lead nation in INT and blitz success this year.
New Hire: If either of the above (Shelby/Jones) were named DC, I would make them JUST DC! Then I'd make the one who didn't get the job the "Def Backfield" coach - a mini promotion and one I think a coach can do for coaching both Corner/Safety. I'd then make the new hire (hopefully a really good one) the LB coach and include Husky here. I could see a great recruiter for this LB coach position, someone who could hopefully bring in the stud LB's from the south like we've been getting, just more of it!
A little something for discussion in the early 2021 down time.