BYU Offensive Coordinator Jeff Grimes talks offensive scheme, lack of play calling experience

Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

When the BYU Cougars' new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes addressed the media today, he made special emphasis to address two burning questions that almost everyone has had on their minds since his hire:

1. What will the offense look like?
2. What about your lack of play calling experience?

What will the offense look like?

Grimes explained that one of the first lessons he learned while coaching high school football in Texas was to take advantage of what the defense will give you. Since then, he has been around several great offensive minds, specifically, Matt Canada (LSU), Gus Malzhan (Auburn), and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter (Boise State and Arizona State). Being around them has given him a "broad knowledge base that will allow me to put together the best system for BYU right now."

The first and most important thing, according to Grimes, when building an offense is to have the right mind set.

"When you look at building an offense, I think, the first thing you want to do is build a culture; you want to build a mind set that is right," Grimes explained. "With the right guys who are willing to give all that they have, you have an opportunity to be successful whichever style that you choose."

Grimes said that by loving the players, while being demanding, would build trust. That combination of love and demand would create players willing to play because you have invested in him. Those players will also have self-worth, confidence, and a sense of purpose and belonging.

Grimes also noted some of the characteristics of an offensive unit that will be successful include:

• the way they execute,
• the way they take the field,
• the absence of silly, pre-snap penalties, and
• the presence of hard, physical play.

He pointed out that LSU was tied for fewest turnovers in the nation this year (8), but the LSU coaches hadn't done anything magical to bring that about. However, they did preach the importance of holding on to the ball every day in practice and held the players accountable. Grimes said when a football player is holding the football in his hands during a game, he is holding the entire program.

As for the way the offense would look on the field, Grimes said, "My goal is to put together the best combination of all the systems that I've been a part of."

That system, however, would not be so rigid that it couldn't build around BYU's current players and their skill sets. He pointed out that had to be done so BYU could win this coming season. He also explained that a college football offense had to be open enough to do something different in case someone gets hurt, or through graduation, a new player has different strengths and skills than the player he is replacing.

Grimes wants to force the defense to defend a variety of things. That can be accomplished through tempo, formations, personnel groups, and ball distribution. Ball distribution can be either running vs. passing, or by using several different players if the offensive attack is predominantly run or pass.

"I look at the football field as a battleground," Grimes said. "If you look at it as a battleground, then you want to force the enemy to defend a broad front, and make them defend the entire width and depth of the field."

Going back to the philosophy of taking what the defense will give you, Grimes explained one advantage of doing that is in the fourth quarter of a game, the team is in a position to impose its will and win the game.

What about your lack of play calling experience? 

Grimes didn't try to deny that he hasn't been a play caller before, but he did say that it was not a concern. One reason being, during his career there have been several occasions when someone up in the press box spoke to him through his head set and said, "Hey, Grimey, give me a call." Some of those occasions were critical situations in the game. Grimes believes that if he can make a call in those situations, then he can make any call.

Grimes noted people on the outside looking in tend to make a big deal out of in-game play calling. In his opinion, most of the play calling is made during the week--Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday--when practicing and putting the game plan together. That being said, he knows there will be times in games that he will have to make a "gut, instinct call."

Grimes also pointed out the play calling and game planning would be done solely by him.

"I want as many guys around me who have as much or more knowledge or different types of knowledge than I have as possible," Grimes said.

He then quoted former President of the United States Lyndon B. Johnson, "There are no problems we cannot solve together, and there are very few that we can solve on our own."

With that collection of knowledgeable coaches, they will work together to make the offense great, including great play calling.

Grimes also pointed out that everyone who is calling plays today was just a position coach at one point in time. That includes former BYU offensive lineman Andy Reid, who was also Grimes' offensive line coach at UTEP. Robert Anae, another former BYU offensive lineman and offensive coordinator, had to make the same transition as Grimes is making now from offensive line coach to offensive coordinator with no previous play calling experience.

The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com