Buck Bravo

Just about every site that covers Gopher football has discussed the news that USC and Minnesota will be facing each other in 2010 and 2011. Whether it be The Star Tribune, The Daily Gopher, The Gopher Hole, Conquest Chronicles, or The Trojan Empire there is plenty of insight and commentary out there. Although completely irrelevant, press photos illustrate that USC and Minnesota have very similar colors. So how will you be able to distinguish USC fans from Gopher fans? Well, it turns out that while USC’s official colors are cardinal and gold and Minnesota’s official colors are maroon and gold, neither team actually wears those exact colors. Though a meaningless endeavor, I researched the standard internet “Hex” color codes for both schools. The following picture should clarify the differences between cardinal, maroon, gold, USC cardinal, Minnesota maroon, USC gold, and Minnesota gold:

If you can memorize the different hues in the above picture, you’ll be able to tell USC fans from Minnesota fans a year and a half from now. By the way, Buck Bravo maroon and Buck Bravo gold aren’t even close to any of these.

I have to send in my laptop to have the screen maintenanced, so I may not make another post for a few days.

Though not officially confirmed the Gophers have reportedly hired Jedd Fisch, an assistant coach with the Denver Broncos, as a new offensive coordinator. All of the information that I’ve been able to find about Fisch, at least so far, indicates that he could have a promising future as an offensive coordinator. Here’s what I’ve been able to dig up:

1. Mike Shanahan apparently gave a strong recommendation for Jedd Fisch to be the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions:

Former Broncos HC Mike Shanahan has spoken of Fisch in an impressive way, saying his former receivers coach is ready to be an offensive coordinator.

2. With an endorsement from Shanahan, he apparently was interviewed by Detroit for the position of offensive coordinator. If Shanahan considers him ready to be an offensive coordinator in the NFL, he’s likely ready for the Big Ten.

2. Based upon this linked article, Jedd Fisch will insist upon hard-nosed, fundamentally sound football. He is also reported to have developed Denver’s young wide receivers:

Fisch…helped Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall make significant strides early in their careers.

3. Fisch is only 32 years old, but he may have already been considered to be the offensive coordinator at UCLA over a year ago.

4. According to a Broncos’ blogger, Fisch has a thorough understanding of the NFL passing game:

He used to be quarterback assistant at Baltimore so therefore he knows the passing game well. He also knows the different types of QB’s. He and the Ravens played 3 QB’s last year including former Pro Bowler Steve McNair.

Having experience working with young NFL wide receivers and NFL quarterbacks including Steve McNair could be just what the Gophers needed to continue the development of their young wide receivers and quarterbacks.

That’s all for now.

Tom Olson, a 6′3 265 pound sophomore offensive lineman from Minnesota’s Mahtomedi High School, has committed to the University of Minnesota. Tom’s older brother Ed has already committed to play for the Gophers starting in 2009. Tom Olson isn’t scheduled to graduate high school until 2011, but already has the size of many 2009 Division 1 offensive line prospects. In the following video from Olson’s sophomore season almost every defender that he faces ends up a pancake. Tom Olson, welcome to the Gopher Nation.

Here’s another video of Olson, this one from his freshman season in 2007:

With Todd Heupel and Major Applewhite apparently not in the running, there are a few names out there as to who may be the new offensive coordinator for the Gophers:

1. Mike Hohensee - Hohensee is a former Gopher quarterback and has been a head coach in the Arena League for eight seasons. Marcus Fuller has more information at this link.

2. Jeff Horton - Horton is currently an assistant coach with the St. Louis Rams and has also coached at Wisconsin. The Daily Gopher has an article in prose at this link.

3. Mike Markuson - Golden Gopher Football blog has an interesting name in the comments section of an assistant coach at Mississippi who is from Minnesota. Read about Markuson here.

So, who do you think will be the next offensive coordinator? If you select option four, please elaborate in the comments section:

Let the media craze begin. Apparently Barry Sanders’ namesake is a running back for Oklahoma 2A Heritage Hall High School. Of the 22 available positions on the football field, he plays running back? Who’d have guessed? There are several links to articles on the internet, but the following videos speak for themselves. No need to hurry up and view them…he’s on the varsity squad but doesn’t graduate high school until 2012. That’s right, these videos are of a 5′10 170 pound high school freshman. There will undoubtedly be more to come between now and 2012:

Former Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove has been named the Gophers’ co-defensive coordinator along with Ronnie Lee, who was promoted from his current position as the Gophers defensive backs coach. Both Cosgrove and Lee are proven recruiters, and Cosgrove has extensive experience as a defensive coordinator at both Nebraska and Wisconsin. Ronnie Lee has been on the Gopher staff since Tim Brewster’s hiring in 2007, and likely earned a well-deserved promotion. Cosgrove has a wealth of experience to analyze. Let’s take a look at Cosgrove’s track record at Nebraska:

Cosgrove’s defenses were solid in 2005 and 2006, and below Nebraska standards for 2004 and 2007. Nebraska fans have been dissatisfied with the Cornhusker football program for years, and some speculate that Cosgrove may have been targeted as a scapegoat. The question that remains to be answered is whether the Gophers can expect the solid Cosgrove defenses of 2005-2006, or the questionable Cosgrove defenses of 2004 and 2007. Cosgrove left Nebraska after a 2007 season in which his defense gave up 37.9 points per game. One statistic that indicates Cosgrove may have been unfairly judged is that the 2008 Cornhuskers, under a new defensive coordinator, still gave up 29.2 points per game. It’s quite possible that Nebraska’s defense had dwindling talent during the Cosgrove years in a strong Big 12.

Gopher fan reactions can be viewed in the comment section of Kent Youngblood’s blog at the Star Tribune, and Cornhusker fan reactions can be viewed at the Journal Star football blog. Ronnie Lee coached a strong defensive backfield in 2008 that featured aggressive play and fundamentally sound tackling. I expect that the defensive backfield will be even stronger in 2009 with all four starters returning, Kim Royston and four star junior college transfer Taikwon Paige added to the mix, and Ronnie Lee’s continued guidance as co-defensive coordinator. Time will tell if Kevin Cosgrove can help to build a stronger defense as co-defensive coordinator with Ronnie Lee.

Based upon Everett Withers’ success at North Carolina, it is fair to assume that much of Ted Roof’s success in bringing the Gopher defense back to mediocrity was due to an influx of JUCO talent. Expect the 2009 Gopher defense to be bigger, stronger, faster, and older than the 2008 team. There is no reason that Lee and Cosgrove shouldn’t be able to field an improved defense in 2009.

Yesterday saw the departure of both offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar and defensive coordinator Ted Roof from the Gopher football program. The Golden Gopher Football blog and The Daily Gopher have posted insights regarding the circumstances and future options for replacements. Let’s look forward to what could be possible with new coordinators.

New Offensive Coordinator

Moving forward, Minnesota will have some very dangerous weapons on offense. Adam Weber, Marquies Gray, Moses Alipate and David Pittman are all very capable at passing the football. Gray and Pittman have wide receiver speed, and Weber and Alipate are by no means slow. Imagine a spread offense formation with Weber and Gray side-by-side in the shotgun and Pittman in motion…any one of the three could either pass or receive the ball. Defensive backs and linebackers watch the eyes of the quarterback. Even the most talented college defenses would be frustrated without one quarterback to focus upon.

One positive development from the Insight Bowl were the new power running formations for the Gopher offense. Returning to a 1920’s running game is unlikely, but having the option of a power running game would be beneficial for goal line and short yardage situations. Imagine a dynamic, innovative spread offense with multiple quarterbacks on the field that can also switch things up and ram the ball up the middle. Such an offense would be a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. Minnesota needs an offensive coordinator that will utilize talent appropriately, teach precision execution, and call plays that will continually surprise the opposing defense.

New Defensive Coordinator

Overall, Ted Roof was successful as the Gophers’ defensive coordinator. Auburn fans’ reaction to Roof can be viewed by clicking here, or follow this link for a more in-depth Auburn analysis. While Roof is a talented defensive coordinator, I wouldn’t expect him to stay at Auburn any longer than it takes him to receive another head coaching offer. After losing his head coaching job at Duke he accepted an assistant coaching job at Louisville, shortly thereafter jumped to be defensive coordinator at Minnesota, and now has jumped for a hefty pay increase at Auburn. Honestly, I don’t know of too many people who could turn down an opportunity to nearly double their salary. Based upon his track record, Roof is likely trying to return to the head coaching ranks.

Defense is not terribly difficult to coach. Defensive schemes are rather simple to teach and to learn. The challenge for a defensive coordinator is to respond to offensive formations and strategies with appropriate defensive formations and coverages. Defensive coordinators must be able to intuitively predict the opposing offensive coordinator’s intentions. Additionally, good defensive coordinators will be able to teach and inspire players to be aggressive and to play good fundamental football. Basically, the Gophers need another Ted Roof, but one that isn’t looking to make career moves towards a head coaching spot for a least two years.

Gophers’ offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar has reportedly resigned. For details, follow this link to Kent Youngblood’s blog at the Star Tribune. Based upon past vacancies, I would expect a new hire to be announced within the span of a few days.  If I had to make a wild guess, I’d predict that a replacement has already been chosen and will join the Gopher staff from a high profile BCS program or an NFL team.

Four star junior college cornerback Taikwon Paige from Milledgeville Georgia Military College has committed to Minnesota. Paige is a gifted defensive back who also had offers from Oklahoma State, Rutgers, and East Carolina. Having prototypical height and size with a 4.40 forty yard dash time, Paige should be an impact player for the Gophers. Oh, and he’s also a track star who has run as fast as 10.84 in the 100 meter dash. GopherHole.com recently conducted an interview with Paige. Check out a video of Paige in action by clicking here and you’ll see how he earned all four of those stars. Taikwon Paige, welcome to the Gopher Nation.

The 2009 Insight Bowl was a great football game…for the first quarter. The game initially appeared to be a Wild West gunslinger showdown with two touchdowns scored in the first two minutes of the game. By the second quarter, Kansas began to pull away as their seasoned veterans overpowered a young Gopher team. Rather than a play-by-play analysis, let’s look at what was to dislike and like about the game:

Dislikes

1. Officiating - While fair officiating probably wouldn’t have made a difference in the outcome of the game, it definitely would have resulted in a closer matchup. In particular, the pass interference call against Steve Davis on third down in the second quarter was a morale-buster. On the replay, he did not hold or impede the receiver from catching the pass. To add insult to injury, the pass was also uncatchable. That bad call resulted in a Kansas touchdown and the beginning of the end for the Gophers. Kansas was not called for a single penalty in the first half despite chop-blocking or grabbing fist-fulls of Gopher jerseys on nearly every offensive play. Also, Minnesota was called for an illegal formation when Kansas had previously gotten away with the exact same violation.

2. Lack of a hurry-up offense - With 10:56 left in the game and down by fourteen points, the Gophers had the ball and were within striking distance of tying the game with two possessions. Minnesota ran almost five minutes off of the clock without scoring. They haven’t run a hurry-up offense all year, and extended huddles with the clock running during this drive was frustrating to watch. Hopefully Minnesota will develop a hurry-up offense for next year as players gain experience and maturity.

3. Todd Reesing’s accuracy - Kansas fans must have been ecstatic, but it was excruciatingly frustrating to watch him throw every pass right on the numbers.

Likes

1. Gophers’ offensive adjustments - Minnesota added some new formations to their offense that should compliment the core spread offense in years to come. Having a power running option for goal line and short yardage situations balances out some of the inherent shortcomings of the spread offense.

2. David Pittman - Pittman was injured for the majority of the 2008 season, but was finally let loose against Kansas. His first quarter bomb to Eric Decker was long overdue. Hopefully 2009 will have a healthy David Pittman more involved in the offense.

3. Da’Jon McKnight - He was only in the game for the final drive but he has the size, speed, and agility to justify predicting a bright future for the freshman wide receiver.

4. The Gophers’ offensive line - While not dominant, the Gophers’ offensive line exhibited improvements in footwork, balance, and positioning versus the Kansas defense. Adam Weber actually had time to pass the football.

All in all, the 2009 Insight Bowl was a disappointment for Minnesota. Nobody expected Minnesota to win, but a victory would have been a great capstone for the 2008 season. Gopher fans can take consolation in knowing that while the game ended in a loss, the 2008 season wasn’t even supposed to end with a bowl game.