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Brian Johnson, New Ute OC?/Ute 2012 Recruiting Thread

7StraightIsGreat

7StraightIsGreat

Well-Known Member
Wow. Local media is starting to let it leak that Brian Johnson will most likely be named the new OC for the Utes. Scott Garrard from 1320 KFAN tweeted out tonight that it should be officially announced by tomorrow. While I never felt like Roderick was the guy, if this news is true, I'd have to admit I'm stunned. Johnson has such little coaching experience that I never thought that he'd be elevated over A-Rod for the OC spot. Pretty gutsy (as well as possibly stupid or extremely genius) move by Kyle. The one thing I will say in BJ's favor: In 2008 when he was allowed to call the plays in no-huddle situations, Brian Johnson ran that offense with amazing precision.

As far as signing day, I think Utah did amazing. Getting QB's Chase Hansen and Travis Wilson to honor their early verbals was huge IMO and I absolutley LOVE what Utah did with the O and D lines. Obviously recruiting rankings probably don't mean that much in the long run but I do believe this is Utah's highest rated class ever. They held their own with other Pac 12 schools, got 5 out of the 10 top rated prospects within the state of Utah, and in some cases won some head to head battles against some pretty big time programs.

Again, the Brian Johnson news is extremely interesting to say the least but all in all, another great day for the Utes.
 
So it sounds like this is more of a title and pay raise for Johnson, and not the typical OC role. I guess ARod is being promoted to "passing coordinator," meaning they are really sharing the duties of OC.

Maybe Johnson had another offer or was going to leave or something. The Utes can't afford to let him go. He's been a great recruiter, especially in Texas. And didn't ARod recruit Travis Wilson (and a bunch of other high profile recruits)? Can't afford to let him go either.

While this is a surprise to me too, it's not a compete shock. I expected the Utes to keep it in house. I just expected ARod to be OC, rather than just the PC (whatever that is).

I'm not sure what to make of it. The Utes can't possibly be any worse than they were last year on offense, so this is definitely an improvement. How much of an improvement remains to be seen.

Oh, and on the recruiting class, wow! Utah had by far their best class ever. And the rivals ranking would be even higher if they had Chase Hansen listed as a QB. Not that I put too much stock in those rankings, but it kills that argument wes mantooth was making a while back about Utah's recruiting getting even worse since the Chow hiring.

It's definitely a good time to be a Ute fan.
 
If Brian Johnson is calling the plays (I have yet to hear otherwise), than I don't think you can say this sounds simply like Utah throwing a title and pay raise at BJ. Again, I hope it's not too soon.
 
I'm beginning to think ARod does not want the title of OC. 1st they replace him with chow. Then when they lose Chow they hire BJ instead of him. Maybe the guy just does not want to be the guy. He may be more comfortable as a background peice that has less pressure than the main guy.

I can't think of any other way he would accept 1st a demotion and then a slap in the face as a younger guy gets promoted back to the place instead of him. I personally would be gone. Seems like a lot to take and still stick around.
 
gregbroncs said:
I'm beginning to think ARod does not want the title of OC. 1st they replace him with chow. Then when they lose Chow they hire BJ instead of him. Maybe the guy just does not want to be the guy. He may be more comfortable as a background peice that has less pressure than the main guy.

I can't think of any other way he would accept 1st a demotion and then a slap in the face as a younger guy gets promoted back to the place instead of him. I personally would be gone. Seems like a lot to take and still stick around.
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LOL. Arod doesn't want to be the OC? Wow! News to me!

Wishful thinking.

He wants to be the guy, no doubt.

Unfortunately, Whit doesn't want him to be that guy. Maybe he's not convinced of Arod? His play calling sucked in the small sample size we had a few years ago.

Arod is jumping ship soon. And honestly, I wouldn't blame him. Not. One. Bit.

I think this says a lot more about Utah than anything else. Utah clearly didn't want to extend outside their "family." Just look at some their other hires. Their new CB coach has never ever ever coached in his life. He's a lawyer. But a former Ute player. LOL.

I think these hires are huge risks. We'll see how they pay off. But to me, I think you should be diverse. I think you should poach a few people from Oregon, get someone from USC, get someone out of the Big 12, hire someone from the JCs. They can all by into your system. But their diversity, different backgrounds, different coaching styles, different experiences, etc. can only add to the "collective." I don't see how a former CB who has been a lawyer for years who has never coached is somehow a better pickup than maybe someone who has invested all their time and energy into studying that position and working with young men for years in successful JC/Div I programs.

In short, I feel like the Utes could have done better. BJ might turn out to be great. But you will never convince me that he was the "best" choice when you consider the talent out there. Utes could have poached an assistant from another Pac-12 school, given a chance to a JC coach, gotten someone from another conference, etc.

There are a lot of coaches. And a hell of a lot of talent out there. Just ask Urban Meyer and Brady Hoke. They were no names who were successful in their respective programs.
 
I'm fine with the move. Those worried about lack of a experience consider that Chow had more experience than just about anybody and I don't know that it necessarily helped. Age is just a number. It's hard to say how sucessful Johnson will be considering this is his first OC job, but consider that when Utah made their undefeated run it felt like most of the big moments we had was when Johnson calling the plays himself. Whitt had nothing but praise for the guy and it shouldn't be surprising how much he trusts him to give him this position. I wasn't huge on the Chow hiring and I like the thought of having a fresh new mind at the coaching position.
 
I was shocked to be honest but I guess I could see it from the point of view of bringing a new blood to the OC position somebody with possible new fresh ideas as well as not having any habits or things to unlearn, coach Whitt and ARod (if willing) would be able to mold him into what they see the future being.
Also I guess I could see it maybe helping recruiting he could go in and relate to the players easily and use himself as an example.

Also I actually liked the "Sherrif" Shareef Shaw hiring I always wondered why he wasn't coaching sooner but I guess he had (lawyer) obligations and enjoyed being the radio sideline reporter and again think he would help with recruiting a bit.
 
It's great news for Ute fans but especially Chase Hansen. He would not have made it in Chow's offense but he is taylormade for the spread.
 
The Thriller said:
LOL. Arod doesn't want to be the OC? Wow! News to me!

Wishful thinking.

He wants to be the guy, no doubt.

Unfortunately, Whit doesn't want him to be that guy. Maybe he's not convinced of Arod? His play calling sucked in the small sample size we had a few years ago.

Arod is jumping ship soon. And honestly, I wouldn't blame him. Not. One. Bit.

I think this says a lot more about Utah than anything else. Utah clearly didn't want to extend outside their "family." Just look at some their other hires. Their new CB coach has never ever ever coached in his life. He's a lawyer. But a former Ute player. LOL.

I think these hires are huge risks. We'll see how they pay off. But to me, I think you should be diverse. I think you should poach a few people from Oregon, get someone from USC, get someone out of the Big 12, hire someone from the JCs. They can all by into your system. But their diversity, different backgrounds, different coaching styles, different experiences, etc. can only add to the "collective." I don't see how a former CB who has been a lawyer for years who has never coached is somehow a better pickup than maybe someone who has invested all their time and energy into studying that position and working with young men for years in successful JC/Div I programs.

In short, I feel like the Utes could have done better. BJ might turn out to be great. But you will never convince me that he was the "best" choice when you consider the talent out there. Utes could have poached an assistant from another Pac-12 school, given a chance to a JC coach, gotten someone from another conference, etc.

There are a lot of coaches. And a hell of a lot of talent out there. Just ask Urban Meyer and Brady Hoke. They were no names who were successful in their respective programs.
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You may be right. But wasn't he the coach who left once, hated it, and came back the same year? I have no inside information it just seems like he is taking a lot of kicks in the teeth to still be around at all.
 
The Thriller said:
Arod is jumping ship soon. And honestly, I wouldn't blame him. Not. One. Bit.

Their new CB coach has never ever ever coached in his life. He's a lawyer. But a former Ute player.
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A couple of points.

1) He has coached just not in college. He is a lawyer and a former NFL agent. He is a former Ute who played the DB position. He's also been the sideline report for the Utes radio Broadcasts the last 12 years so he's been extremely close to the program and all the players know him. The main job of coaches that are not coordinators is recruiting. I'm not worried about this hire at all.

2) Aaron Rodrick is lucky to have Whit as a coach. He left Utah a few years ago to coach at Washington, a week later decided he didn't want to be there and Whit gave him a job.

3) Tom Cella from UteZone reported it first. :) ( not directed at The Thriller but the OP )
 
jazzman12 said:
Roddick just interviewed for the OC spot at Nevada so I think it's pretty clear he was passed up yet again for Utah's OC job.
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He turned that down and I believe it was reported that he turned down the Weber State OC job as well.
 
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