See link above. Wide Zone 101. RB reads. OL assignments/techniques. Counter calls for the OC when the defense starts to cheat. We produced this one with a bit of hesitation since 3 years ago we gushed on and on about Yurcich's Wide Zone Rush attack at Oklahoma State...and other than a couple plays here and there, it was never really a staple at Penn State. No clue why it didn't work in Happy Valley other than the 2023 MSU game post-Yurcich.
Anyway, Kotelnicki's use of Wide Zone is more advanced, more nuanced, so hopefully his dominance at Buffalo (2nd in FBS in Yds/Rush using Wide Zone in 2020) and Kansas (11th in FBS in Yds/Rush on Wide Zone plays in 2023) carries over to his new gig. If not, we just wasted everyone's time again. Our bad.
I know it's a highlight reel, but I'm semi excited about this guy.
Me too. The only thing that bothers me is it's kinda how I felt when Yurcich was hired, lol!
@rip I thought Yurcich was a pretty good hire, but we didn't...don't remember anyway, seeing all the Blogy reports. Ko'nicki's schemes seem a bit more, simple? Easier to learn, execute. Time will tell.
Have the reasons for the less-than-desirable 2023 offensive production been identified and addressed?
I feel that the offense will have to be much better this year because the tough and determined defensive attitude that Manny brought to Penn State is now at Duke. Manny built a "Toughness Culture" at Penn State, but that culture departed with him, and that was evident during the Peach Bowl.
Half the team wasn't playing in the Peach Bowl.Have the reasons for the less-than-desirable 2023 offensive production been identified and addressed?
I feel that the offense will have to be much better this year because the tough and determined defensive attitude that Manny brought to Penn State is now at Duke. Manny built a "Toughness Culture" at Penn State, but that culture departed with him, and that was evident during the Peach Bowl.
I think we all need to realize the bowls are dead, playoffs are all that matter now.
@roaminglion: I agree with you with regard to the bowl games to a degree. I think non-playoff bowl games will still be important to the players in the "lesser conferences" and some of the lower-tier teams in the Big 18, SEC, ACC, Big-12+4 and PAC-2+3 conferences.
My post was focused on the fact that the performance throughout the entire 2023 season was sub-par and that is the reason why Yurcich was sent packing. Was Yurcich the problem or were there other reasons? If there were other reasons, have those reasons been addressed? These are questions the coaching staff has probably already considered. The performance of the team during the season will provide answers.
With regard to the poor performance during the Peach Bowl, I can't help but believe that the departure of Manny resulted in a loss of confidence within the team. That loss of confidence may have led to several players deciding to not participate.
I do not think that James Franklin can build a culture of domination, determination and resilience. I feel the performance during the Peach Bowl was an indicator of the inability of James to inspire the players.
I'm keeping an open mind on our new DC, but I still think that we are really gonna miss Manny.
