Don Mahoney: most important staff hire

[Ohio Vol]

For the last 12 years, UT has struggled year in and year out with every aspect of the offensive line. My own comments about the long-deposed Jimmy Ray Stephens and Greg Adkins are still all over the boards, and I believe I voiced my opposition to James Cregg and Harry Hiestand before their charges ever took the field in a game.

Living in Ohio, I see plenty of the MAC and from the rest of the teams in the region (and a couple years out of coaching also allows more free time). So I've seen a good deal of Central Michigan and Cincinnati with Don Mahoney coaching the offensive lines of each. And I have really liked what I've seen.

Reasons:
- Downfield blocking. For years we've seen potential big plays get stopped five yards downfield because the line isn't getting to the second level. CMU and Cincy both were able to consistently spring big plays by getting the line past the first level.

- Movement. The line has generally moved well enough to provide running backs with average athleticism (but good vision) the chance to make plays.

- Tenacity. I'm a proponent of "if you block the wrong guy, at least block him out of the play". If you must be wrong, be wrong at top speed and in an ill mood. CMU and Cincy were both known for this.

This stands in sharp contrast to what we've seen basically every year since 1999 or 2000. Gone will be the days of a three-step drop by necessity, or of the ol' grab-and-twist, or of whacking a DL and then standing around confused about what to do.

 

[Escape Goat]

O line coach better be good. Pittman was great, and I think he should still be here. Especially with the o lineman all singing his praises to the in coming coach

 

[Unknown Muppet]

Yep. He better be good because that will be a big PR loss for Jones if he doesn't work out. Pittman was popular with the players and fans.

 

[JDogInDaHouse]

O line coach better be good. Pittman was great, and I think he should still be here. Especially with the o lineman all singing his praises to the in coming coach

EG I liked Pittman also, but he is not versed in the zone blocking scheme. Jones does not have time to teach the coach how to teach the kids. I think its as simple as that.

 

[Escape Goat]

EG I liked Pittman also, but he is not versed in the zone blocking scheme. Jones does not have time to teach the coach how to teach the kids. I think its as simple as that.

Probably is. You know there is a night shift thread?

 

[PrattvilleVol]

We sucked at run blocking PERIOD, with beast lineman, until Pittman got here.

 

[ACvol3]

We sucked at run blocking PERIOD, with beast lineman, until Pittman got here.

Or u could say until our linemen grew up.. We gotta remember how young our guys were til last year.. And before them we just had little talent on the line (sullins twins etc).. We have much better talent and depth now. We will be fine.

 

[GBOVOLS]

CBJ need to hire his guy cause he already understand his system. I like that CBJ kept as many of his guys as he did because he can hit the grown running.

 

[vol_fan89]

I think you hit on the major point. Down field blocking. There was none of that last year. While the blocks on the line were great, there was always a backer on the second level unblocked. This has got to change.

 

[namasteVOLfans]

Imma let you finish, but we just had one of the best Vol OL of all time.

 

[Webbvol32]

For the last 12 years, UT has struggled year in and year out with every aspect of the offensive line. My own comments about the long-deposed Jimmy Ray Stephens and Greg Adkins are still all over the boards, and I believe I voiced my opposition to James Cregg and Harry Hiestand before their charges ever took the field in a game.

Living in Ohio, I see plenty of the MAC and from the rest of the teams in the region (and a couple years out of coaching also allows more free time). So I've seen a good deal of Central Michigan and Cincinnati with Don Mahoney coaching the offensive lines of each. And I have really liked what I've seen.

Reasons:
- Downfield blocking. For years we've seen potential big plays get stopped five yards downfield because the line isn't getting to the second level. CMU and Cincy both were able to consistently spring big plays by getting the line past the first level.

- Movement. The line has generally moved well enough to provide running backs with average athleticism (but good vision) the chance to make plays.

- Tenacity. I'm a proponent of "if you block the wrong guy, at least block him out of the play". If you must be wrong, be wrong at top speed and in an ill mood. CMU and Cincy were both known for this.

This stands in sharp contrast to what we've seen basically every year since 1999 or 2000. Gone will be the days of a three-step drop by necessity, or of the ol' grab-and-twist, or of whacking a DL and then standing around confused about what to do.

I concur with all your points. Very eloquent post. I agree that Jones needs his own coach,and I didn`t see too good of a running game this year anyway. We consistently failed to convert 3rd and short. That may be partly because our backs suck,but there were plays that noone should`ve touched them till they were PAST the 1st down marker. Our O-line can DEFINITELY IMPROVE. GO VOLS!
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[Stevorino]

EG I liked Pittman also, but he is not versed in the zone blocking scheme. Jones does not have time to teach the coach how to teach the kids. I think its as simple as that.

This is really all that needs to be said - if Pittman isnt a zone guy and we're going zone, then you gotta replace him.

 

[Stevorino]

I think you hit on the major point. Down field blocking. There was none of that last year. While the blocks on the line were great, there was always a backer on the second level unblocked. This has got to change.

Im not a super x and o guru like some on here, but a well ran zone blocking line should get to the second level more often.

If you look at the names of the NFL teams running zone, you wonder why everyone isnt.

 

[Ashevillevol]

Hiestand was a big zone blocking guy was he not? Hope it turns out better for this guy because we all know how bad we sucked then.

 

[JeffHostetler]

Texans are zone blocking and not hating on Arian Foster because he's one of my favorite players but the texans could put a 3rd string back and he would run for 100 yards in a game. I like the zone blocking.

 

[Burger]

Texans are zone blocking and not hating on Arian Foster because he's one of my favorite players but the texans could put a 3rd string back and he would run for 100 yards in a game. I like the zone blocking.

Mahoneys guys can block extremely well also. We won't miss Pittman.

 

[Volzilla]

We were really good in pass protection but face it; on the run we were simply average. CBJ has made it clear we will run & pass with a upbeat tempo. If you look at Cinncy's stats they've been close to balanced. We got better about 1/3 in the year but most of those yards were gained by the backs and not due to downfield blocking.

 

[Coastypop]

O line coach better be good. Pittman was great, and I think he should still be here. Especially with the o lineman all singing his praises to the in coming coach

I like our O-line, and believe it is loaded with real talent that will play on Sunday.... that being said I am one of the few that doesn't mind seeing Pittman go.

I have never been known as a great judge or talent or character.......

...see my three ex-wives for reference to afore mentioned statement

 

[Burger]

We were really good in pass protection but face it; on the run we were simply average. CBJ has made it clear we will run & pass with a upbeat tempo. If you look at Cinncy's stats they've been close to balanced. We got better about 1/3 in the year but most of those yards were gained by the backs and not due to downfield blocking.

He's extremely balanced. I was watching their bowl game against vandy, mahoneys line went up and down, side to side at the same time.

 

[Biopsyman]

I like Man pancaking the Man in front of him..

 

[Webbvol32]

We can`t let players who`ll be gone in a year or 2 to dictate who we retain as coach. Pittman can go help Beilema suck at Arky. Mahoney is a coach that knows Butch`s offense and an excellent teacher in his own right. GO VOLS13!!!
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[VolMaster14]

I loved Mahoney in Police Academy!

 

[Smokeybluetick]

Yep. He better be good because that will be a big PR loss for Jones if he doesn't work out. Pittman was popular with the players and fans.

Need to stop pining for Dooley staff members,damn! Pittman looked good because that line was maturing,must have been a players coach for the lineman to beg Hart to keep him. The new line coach will look better than Pittman if JJ stays,because they will all be another year older! Go Vols!

 

[orange parmejohn]

will the new offense neccessitate that our Olinemen slim down? they are some pretty big boys.

 

[Burger]

will the new offense neccessitate that our Olinemen slim down? they are some pretty big boys.

Yes, we will have to be a little bit quicker on the line, and we need a lot more stamina to run a up-tempo no huddle. We have the strength, and we can shed 10-15 pounds a lineman to be fine in the other department.