The obsession with the need of a qb coach here is mind boggling.
Why is that? It's not like we've had stellar QB play in the recent history. I'm not necessarily advocating for a QB coach to be hired - but a lot of the things we've lacked in the last few years could have been addressed by a good one. Plugging in freshman QBs without a dedicated coach is a tall order for the OC. Where Tommy ends up in his senior year will be very dependent on the coaching he receives his first few years. I'd see having one on a staff as an investment in our younger QBs future.
But the thing is, what does a qb coach do that an OC in that position doesnt? Technique? Fundementals? Footwork? X's and O's come from the OC anyway. And remember, there is extrememly limited time that coaches can spend with players. Physical attributes are normally developed by the qb on his own time, like Taylor attending summer sessions with Calhoun the past two years. This is really the norm for college quarterbacks and coaching staffs. I think it's been looked up, and maybe I'm wrong, but the number of FBS programs that have an exlusive qb coach assigned is like less than 20, and that most of the upper tier programs do not.
Now, the other thing about this that draws attention is the fact that we've also spent the last four years with an athlete playing qb. A non-natural qb playing qb. And a tremendous athlete and football player he was, he was always lacking on the mechanics side. But before that, Joe Ganz and Zac Taylor, that was some pretty fair qb play, if not good to great at times.
This is a very debatable topic, and yeah, i agree, Barney Cotton's-despite some accomplishments on the recruiting trail here and there-retainment on this staff is a little mind boggling to me, and if his departure or movement to an "administrative position" would open up for a qb coach, fine by me. That'd be great. But we have to be honest with ourselves in asking, that with the limited time coaches already have with the players, how much good would it do while we're trying to perfect offensive schemes and such. Now maybe a qb coach could really help with the x's and o's side of things, like a glorified assistant OC. That'd be fine too.
In ending, my opinion on this matter, and my confusion as to why it seems so obsessed with is becuase we seem to far more pressing issues holding us back than the lack of a position coach of which 75% of other programs also do not use.
