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Elko's Strategy of Developing, not buying, coaches...

3,308 Views | 38 Replies | Last: 16 sec ago by Killzone3abc
Knoxville_Ag_08
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Promoting Wiggins internally after our terrible offensive showings against tu and Miami seems to be a poor decision. OC feels like the one role we needed a clear upgrade for.

In our final 2 games, the offense scored 20 points, struggled on third down, and stalled repeatedly in the red zone - I think I counted 7 redzone trips and 1 inside the 30.. 20 pts...

This wasn't a thin OC market:
  • Jeff Nixon Syracuse OC
  • Buster Faulkner Georgia Tech now Florida OC
  • Jason Beck Michigan OC
  • Andy Kotelnicki Penn State OC
I love the idea of an internal coaching pipeline, but in high-leverage roles, there's a difference between developing talent and betting the program's ceiling on internal growth. OC feels like the spot where certainty might have mattered more than continuity.
Knoxville_Ag_08
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Maybe we are making the same mistake as baseball and keeping substandard coaches in hopes of keeping the recruiting together... Improved players in baseball went from 1 run from a Natty to not making the tourney...
ElephantRider
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Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then
Justice Beaver
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The tRev way
rootube
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ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then



Would you make a massive change right before arguably the biggest game in A&M history? I think your dilemma is solved by using common sense.
MaxPower
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ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then
ElephantRider
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rootube said:

ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then



Would you make a massive change right before arguably the biggest game in A&M history? I think your dilemma is solved by using common sense.

It theoretically shouldn't have been a massive change, though. Wiggins was already involved in the system and from everything we've heard is more or less planning to run what Klein had already installed. That's why I said the bolded part above.

The flip side of that, is why let a guy play such a big role in the biggest game in A&M history when he is more concerned with what's going on in Manhattan, KS?
Come Out Roll
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Knoxville_Ag_08 said:

Promoting Wiggins internally after our terrible offensive showings against tu and Miami seems to be a poor decision. OC feels like the one role we needed a clear upgrade for.

In our final 2 games, the offense scored 20 points, struggled on third down, and stalled repeatedly in the red zone - I think I counted 7 redzone trips and 1 inside the 30.. 20 pts...

This wasn't a thin OC market:
  • Jeff Nixon Syracuse OC
  • Buster Faulkner Georgia Tech now Florida OC
  • Jason Beck Michigan OC
  • Andy Kotelnicki Penn State OC
I love the idea of an internal coaching pipeline, but in high-leverage roles, there's a difference between developing talent and betting the program's ceiling on internal growth. OC feels like the spot where certainty might have mattered more than continuity.

Uhm, so you're saying that the OC's you've listed are coaches that we should have considered?
2 came from staffs that were a dumpster fire (Mich/Pedo St), 1 came from an atrocious program (Syr), and 1 came from a decent program - and his system suits King more so than it does Reed.
Thnx, but no thnx
aggieland09
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ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then

bingo, my thoughts as well.
Logos Stick
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ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then



The assignment that concerns me the most - out of the 4 in-house promotions/assignments - is Wiggins. To my knowledge, his name never surfaced as a potential OC at any lower level schools in the past.
Logos Stick
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rootube said:

ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then



Would you make a massive change right before arguably the biggest game in A&M history? I think your dilemma is solved by using common sense.


If Wiggins was ready to take over, that would not have been a massive change. So now he gets to learn on the job this year since he was obviously not ready to take over for a coach that had one and a half feet out the door. Klein's mind was elsewhere.
Aston04
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ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then

Agreed. Was Wiggins even in the press box with Klien? I don't think he was... I realize he can be on a headset, but the whole thing feels weird.
e=mc2
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Personally, I love that we use motion and the TEs. We can certainly build off of that. We need to stretch the field more and bolster the run game and utilize Reed's speed. Hopefully Wiggins can manage those aspects.
NyAggie
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ElephantRider said:

rootube said:

ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then



Would you make a massive change right before arguably the biggest game in A&M history? I think your dilemma is solved by using common sense.

It theoretically shouldn't have been a massive change, though. Wiggins was already involved in the system and from everything we've heard is more or less planning to run what Klein had already installed. That's why I said the bolded part above.

The flip side of that, is why let a guy play such a big role in the biggest game in A&M history when he is more concerned with what's going on in Manhattan, KS?


So you'd rather have a guy make his first in game play calls ever in the biggest game in A&M history?

We did t lose because of Klein: we lost because Reed played poorly and turned the ball over and Miami out physicaled us on the line of scrimmage
Knoxville_Ag_08
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As Logos said... Wiggins wasn't even on the radar as a small-school OC option as far as we know. Meanwhile, there were several proven coordinators available, most notably as I mentioned above:
  • Jeff Nixon (Syracuse OC) - admittedly better in 2024, but a HUGE upgrade for Syracuse historically (most attainable hire).
  • Buster Faulkner (Georgia Tech / now Florida OC) 466.3 total yards per game, top 12 nationally
  • Jason Beck (Utah / now Michigan OC) 4th in points per game (41.2) and 4th in total offense (482.9)
  • Andy Kotelnicki (Penn State / now Kansas OC) Got Penn St to the Semi's before the dumpster fire began
Bluecat_Aggie94
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I think you assume too much in your post.

Who says this is a specific strategy of Elko? Perhaps he simply just made the best decision he could make for the specific situation?

I think the most obvious answer for the fact that our offense did great all year and then fell off for the last two games is that we had an OC that was no longer focused on us
beerad12man
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How do you guys know who would and wouldn't have offered him had he been shopping himself?

I'd wager that Wiggins likely had some lower level offers and maybe even would have had interested from many P4 schools had they legitimately thought they could obtain him. But no one on this board truly knows.,
Alpha Texan
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ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then

I think there's a considerable difference between 8 days to be ready to call plays versus 8 months
Schrute Farms
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Justice Beaver said:

The tRev way


I hate it when the AD only produces a track natty, tennis natty, volleyball natty, CFP appearance, and improves basketball.
JDCAG (NOT Colin)
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Tell Klein to take a hike, give Wiggins the reigns, lose 3-10 and this board would be melting down about how stupid it was to hand it over before the game. You would all be shouting that Klein would have scored at least 14 for the win.
Maroon Flash
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If Wiggins is patient with the run game and demands that we become able to get that tough one or two yards even when everybody knows we need to run, we may be an improved team next year.

Throwing a bomb on 3rd and 2 against the sips really hurt us.
one safe place
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ElephantRider said:

rootube said:

ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then



Would you make a massive change right before arguably the biggest game in A&M history? I think your dilemma is solved by using common sense.

It theoretically shouldn't have been a massive change, though. Wiggins was already involved in the system and from everything we've heard is more or less planning to run what Klein had already installed. That's why I said the bolded part above.

The flip side of that, is why let a guy play such a big role in the biggest game in A&M history when he is more concerned with what's going on in Manhattan, KS?

And likely had been concerned with what's going on in Manhattan, KS for a while.
The Collective
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Wiggins has worked for multiple offensive coaches - wonder who he'd say had the greatest impact on him. I imagine there is no way his scheme is the exact same as Klein.
Black8810
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I think Wiggins is gonna be good. Need to give him some time.
PanzerAggie06
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rootube said:

ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then



Would you make a massive change right before arguably the biggest game in A&M history? I think your dilemma is solved by using common sense.


Yeah, because the "common sense" that kept Klein at the helm of the offense after he took the KSU job really paid off, huh?
cevans_40
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ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then

Because you respect Klein enough to let him finish what he started.
Knoxville_Ag_08
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I don't care how much I respect somebody - if any of my team tells me they accepted an offer with a competitor and wants to stick around to finish a project they are working on, I am telling them no and I think that's the same for every other organized corporation in America.

The Collin Klein Rule for college coaching should be that no coordinator will be allowed to stick around after getting another job. 3 points is unacceptable - Elko's personnel management is to blame. Wiggins doesn't look good in any of this.
Heineken-Ashi
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  • Jeff Nixon Syracuse OC - HORRIBLE offense
  • Buster Faulkner Georgia Tech now Florida OC - Pedestrian offense with no creativity in the passing game
  • Jason Beck Michigan OC - HORRIBLE offense
  • Andy Kotelnicki Penn State OC - HORRIBLE offense
If those are the best names you could find, I would have promoted Reveille over taking one of them. And she's half blind.
greg.w.h
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ElephantRider said:

rootube said:

ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then



Would you make a massive change right before arguably the biggest game in A&M history? I think your dilemma is solved by using common sense.

It theoretically shouldn't have been a massive change, though. Wiggins was already involved in the system and from everything we've heard is more or less planning to run what Klein had already installed. That's why I said the bolded part above.

The flip side of that, is why let a guy play such a big role in the biggest game in A&M history when he is more concerned with what's going on in Manhattan, KS?
Why undercut the head coach just because fans say so???
lil_frog8
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ElephantRider said:

rootube said:

ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then



Would you make a massive change right before arguably the biggest game in A&M history? I think your dilemma is solved by using common sense.

It theoretically shouldn't have been a massive change, though. Wiggins was already involved in the system and from everything we've heard is more or less planning to run what Klein had already installed. That's why I said the bolded part above.

The flip side of that, is why let a guy play such a big role in the biggest game in A&M history when he is more concerned with what's going on in Manhattan, KS?

If the offense isn't going to likely change much, if any; Wiggins calling plays for the playoff game should be arguably the peak of execution we could have had out of players due to installation and repetition all season and if he sucked because his game feel was trash Elko would have had the ability to pivot during the offseason to a proven OC. Now we are stuck for the season. Unlike the defensive side of the ball there isn't the safety net of the head coach being a former coordinator on that side of the ball. If Wiggins doesnt work out we can't hire a playcaller mid season. I would love for Elko to add someone to the offensive staff as a position coach or analyst that has previous playcalling experience just in case.
Fighting Texas Aggie class of '04
Tex117
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At this point, you have to hope that Elko knows what he is doing.
Iraq2xVeteran
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I think Elko simply just made the best decision for this situation by promoting Holmon Wiggins to offensive coordinator. He was the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers' coach. We had scored 31+ points in our previous 6 of our first 7 SEC games and in 7 of our first 8 games against Power 4 teams, including in our first 4 road games against Notre Dame, Arkansas, LSU, and Missouri, and the only exception was a 16-10 home win over Auburn.

Then, our high-scoring offense fell off against Texas and Miami. It was disappointing how we scored just 17 points against a Texas defense that allowed 31+ points in regulation in each of their previous 4 games against Mississippi State (38 away), Vanderbilt (31 home), Georgia (35 away), and Arkansas (37 home) and was still missing star linebacker Anthony Hill. It was even more frustrating how we scored just 3 points in a home playoff game against Miami's stout defense on a windy day. In summary, we scored just 20 points in our last 2 games combined, including 10 points in the last 6 quarters of those two games.

Elko said they interviewed multiple people for the job before landing on Wiggins.

"Really felt like the right person for the job was Holmon Wiggins," Elko said. "We've elevated him to the offensive coordinator position, and he's the only person we offered the job to. ... We felt that was the best thing for Texas A&M football moving forward."

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/47316603/texas-promotes-holmon-wiggins-offensive-coordinator
superunknown
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Both new QB coach and new WR coach have been OC before, presumably calling plays as well
infinity ag
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ElephantRider said:

Here's what I don't understand. If you know Wiggins is the guy, then why let Klein hang around for the playoff game? Unless Wiggins plan is to completely change the offense (which I doubt, since it's his first OC gig), then just let him take over and get rid of Klein. He obviously had different priorities by then


Good point. I have no idea.
When someone says he is leaving, just show him the door. Don't let him hang around the program and possibly inject toxicity into it.
ILuvAgLand
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This has been a concern of mine during the the Elko era. I'm not sure if he just doesn't have a good coaching network/rolodex or is hamstrung by the budget due to jimbos buyout etc. or maybe he truly believes in these guys and knows diamond in the rough.but like was said earlier, it didn't work for the baseball team, hope it does for the football team.
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