Even in a limited capacity, college football always delivers us great coachspeak soundbites.
Despite having 15 fewer games in Week 11, we still got our college football coachspeak fix.
Even in a week where four of the SEC’s seven games were postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks, there were plenty of interesting storylines abound from the weekend that was. The Pac-12 completed its second week of action, while the Big Ten is getting into the heart of its nine-game regular-season schedule. We have got some translating to do, so bring on the coachspeak!
Here is the peak of college football coachspeak from Week 11
James Franklin on why the Penn State Nittany Lions have gotten off to a rancid 0-4 start.
“I guess it’s hard for me to say that because for the last four years we’ve been pretty successful,” said James Franklin. “This year, obviously we’re not making enough plays and we’re not playing winning football when it comes to turnovers. And it’s been challenging to overcome. But we’ve played a winning brand of football here for four years.”
Coachspeak Translator: James Franklin seems to be beside himself over how badly things have gone thus far for his Penn State Nittany Lions. Even with linebacker Micah Parsons not opting back in and running back Journey Brown having to medically retire, two players cannot be the reason for Penn State’s continued struggles. There is a chance the Indiana loss broke them.
Brian Kelly on the great play of late out of his Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book.
“Boston College always plays hard against Notre Dame,” said Brian Kelly. “We knew we were going to be challenged. Again, I think what stands out to me is just Ian Book tonight. He was outstanding, and probably, to a large degree, the difference in this game tonight.”
“Offensively, we were very efficient. Unfortunately, a couple of turnovers takes away from probably a stellar performance.
“Back to back weeks, we’re over 45 points, and that tells you that your quarterback play is elevated—great balance in terms of running and throwing it. We looked a little tired on defense. This bye week is coming at a good time for us to get some guys back and healthy. But I’m really pleased with the victory as we go into the bye week.”
Coachspeak Translator: Ian Book is the biggest reason the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are serious contenders to win the College Football Playoff this year. His head coach Brian Kelly knows this. Book may not be anything more than a backup at the NFL level, but he is playing like a Heisman Trophy finalist in his senior season in South Bend. He seems to have the clutch gene within him.
Jim Harbaugh on why everything is seemingly falling apart with the Michigan football team.
“Every part is not close to where it should be,“ said Jim Harbaugh. “It starts with me and starts with our coaches…There’s nothing right now to say that an acceptable job is being done, players or coaches.”
Coachspeak Translator: If it has not sunk in already, it is surely well on its way. Jim Harbaugh knows he and the Michigan Wolverines football team are breaking up at the end of the season. The expectations were too high for him to ever meet, as the most overrated coach in college football will pack his bags and go lead a dysfunctional NFL team for his next coaching gig.
Dan Mullen on Florida quarterback Kyle Trask being the new front-runner for the Heisman.
“The more success teams have sometimes, the more individual awards come,” said Dan Mullen. “If we keep being successful as a team, we keep making plays, he’s going to have the opportunity to get individual awards.”
Coachspeak Translator: It is clear that Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen is trying to trivialize his quarterback Kyle Trask‘s Heisman Trophy campaign. While it would be great and all if he were to be the fourth Gator signal-caller to bring the most prestigious award in college football back to Gainesville, Mullen is right in having his team focusing on the most important thing: Winning.
Mario Cristobal on his Oregon team quickly establishing an identity for itself in 2020.
“The identity of our team is going to be physicality,” said Mario Cristobal. “Being a that’s very physical, that finishes plays. That plays hard snap-to-whistle. We were pretty balanced tonight, 312 yards passing, 269 rushing. RPOs go plus or minus one way or the other depending on what they show what they give us. We had a couple of drops that would’ve increased that number.”
“Certainly the turnovers hurt us. Our whole team feels like we stopped ourselves like we’ve had some really good drives going and a lack of execution, turnover here and there has certainly hurt our efficiency. Our identity is going to continue to improve and be more and more clear but we’re going to be a physical football team.”
Coachspeak Translator: Mario Cristobal recognizes his Oregon Ducks are the only team in the Pac-12 with serious College Football Playoff aspirations. By emphasizing an identity of being a physical team, it is a mantra the Ducks can get behind en route to West Coast perfection and possibly get in as the No. 4 seed in the playoff field. It is a simple, but an effective philosophy to embrace.
So what is the theme from this week’s college football coachspeak translation session? Clarity will serve any team and any Power 5 head coach. Focusing in on what is important will go a long way towards fielding a competitive team. Dwelling on what happened in the past is not a means to ensure success will sure to follow in the future. Stay ready in the now and be ready for tomorrow.
The life lessons we learn from translating college football coachspeak should never be forgotten.
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