There has been much talk lately about the position of offensive coordinator. However, there is an additional consideration, beyond who should be offensive coordinator, which is the functioning of the position itself. If the Head Coach is the Chief Executive Officer of the team, then the Offensive and Defensive Coordinators are the Chief Operating Officers of the team.
Positions at the top of an organization, such as COO, require clear lines of responsibility and authority. The sharing of responsibilities, i.e., coaching the offensive line and game planning/calling plays, is a blurring of responsibility that may interfere with the priority that must be given to game preparation and, especially, in-game adjustment. If coaches are juggling too many functions at once, especially during the game, they may be unable to perform vital functions in an instantaneous environment such as during the game at a high level. This is especially true of an offensive coordinator, in this day and age of complex offensives that must be flexible and adaptable to in-game situations.
Even though there are NCAA restrictions on the number of coaches a program is permitted, should we consider returning to the days of the dedicated coordinators, with position coaches under them. The coordinator does not coach a position, he is completely dedicated to operating the offense. The position coaches coach position. This is important, not only for pre-game planning, but especially important for in-game adjustments. The coordinator must be completely free to follow the game as it is developing and completely dedicate himself to the task at hand, running the offense. If he is trying to handle two or three responsibilities at the same time, simultaneously coaching a position, it is very likely that no one task get's the attention it needs.
Organizations need clear and distinct lines of authority and responsibility. Without them, less than optimal performance often ensues. One person should have the responsibility and authority to run the offense, acting as offensive coordinator, under the direct guidance and supervision of the CEO, the head coach. The position of offensive coordinator, the COO of the offense, is vital to the team and should have no competing distractions. Thoughts?
