When people think about the role of an offensive coordinator in football, they often focus solely on play-calling. But what if I told you that’s just the tip of the iceberg?
Imagine the role of an offensive coordinator as akin to a cafeteria chef in a busy school. You might get compliments on your dishes, but when something goes wrong, it’s all anyone talks about. A blown play on 4th-and-1 can feel like serving up a bad meal to hundreds.
The Complex World of an Offensive Coordinator
Matt Campbell, head coach of Iowa State, knows the scrutiny all too well. With over a decade of experience guiding offensive coordinators at Toledo and Iowa State, he understands the intense focus that comes with the job.
This season, Campbell is working with Taylor Mouser, a first-time offensive coordinator and play-caller. Mouser, who joined Iowa State from Toledo, is stepping into some pretty big shoes. Nate Scheelhaase, last season’s OC, is now with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.
Mouser’s Approach: The key for Mouser is continuity. Even though he’s a new face in the role, the system remains familiar. His aim is to ensure that players remain confident and can perform at their best without the added stress of adjusting to a completely new approach.
But the job isn’t all about calling the right plays. As Mouser explains, “There’s a lot more to it than just play-calling. It’s about building a strong offensive culture and mentality. That’s what drives success.”
What Goes Into Play-Calling?
Here’s a look behind the scenes of offensive coordination:
- Building Relationships: The offensive coordinator must connect with players, understand their strengths, and adapt the strategy accordingly.
- Developing Strategy: Crafting a game plan that leverages the team’s skills and counters the opponent’s strengths.
- Mental Preparation: Ensuring players are mentally ready and understand the strategy to execute under pressure.
The actual play-calling is just a fraction of this. When things go wrong, like a bubble screen getting stopped repeatedly or a draw play failing, the criticism can be overwhelming. Fans don’t always see the hours of preparation or the nuances of the strategy.
Campbell’s Wisdom: “Half the people will think you’re doing a great job, and half will think you’re not. It’s about focusing on the process, not just the results.”
The Real Challenge: Building Culture
Taylor Mouser is well aware of the pressures and challenges. He emphasises the importance of offensive culture. Here’s how he’s approaching the role:
- Culture Building: Creating an environment where players understand and buy into the offensive philosophy.
- Mental Toughness: Preparing players to handle the inevitable struggles and setbacks.
- Consistency: Maintaining a consistent approach even when faced with criticism or poor results.
Mouser’s background at Iowa State has prepared him for this role. He’s seen the highs and lows and understands what it takes to navigate through tough times.
The Struggle and Growth
Every offensive coordinator faces struggles. What sets successful ones apart is their ability to learn and grow from these challenges. For Mouser, the journey involves:
- Embracing Curiosity: A willingness to learn and adapt is crucial. Campbell highlights Mouser’s curiosity and growth mindset as key strengths.
- Handling Criticism: Understanding that criticism comes with the territory and focusing on continuous improvement.
- Building Resilience: Using difficult situations as learning opportunities to become better.
Conclusion: More Than Just Play-Calling
Being an offensive coordinator is much more than just calling plays. It involves building a team’s offensive identity, preparing players mentally, and continuously adapting to challenges.
Taylor Mouser is stepping into a critical role, and while the scrutiny will be intense, his approach and mindset are well-suited to handle the demands. The success of an offensive coordinator depends not just on the outcome of individual plays, but on the overall process and how well they adapt and grow.
