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This fall, roughly one out of every four FBS head coaches will be calling plays in addition to their head coaching duties.
A recent list compiled by CoachingSearch.com revealed that as many as 34 head coaches will be calling plays on one side of the ball. In fact, seven head coaches have named themselves as a coordinator instead of assigning one of their assistant coaches to the role.
According to CoachingSearch.com, five of the SEC’s 14 head coaches will be doing some play-calling. All 14 will make some executive decisions during any given game, but these five will call the shots more often than not.
Let’s take a closer look at each:
Gus Malzahn, Auburn: While Malzahn has a trusted offensive coordinator in Rhett Lashlee, it’s no secret that he likes to dabble in the play-calling. Malzahn made his name first as a high-school coach with an innovative offense, and then as an offensive coordinator at Arkansas, Tulsa and Auburn. Given his track record as a play-caller, it’s no surprise that he wants to remain active in the decision-making process.
Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss: Another high school football play-caller turned SEC head coach, Freeze is known for the fast-paced, no-huddle offense he deploys on Saturdays. Matt Luke and Dan Werner hold the title of co-offensive coordinator, but Freeze is making the calls for the Rebels offense. Freeze will have a new challenge as a play-caller in 2015. He’ll be making adjustments to a new quarterback for the first time in his four years in Oxford after implementing an offense to suit the skills of former QB Bo Wallace.
Dan Mullen, Mississippi State: Not to be outdone by its hated rival, Mississippi State has its own offensive guru as a head coach. Mullen runs the show at Mississippi State, and that includes calling the Bulldogs’ offensive plays. The former offensive coordinator became a hot commodity after Tim Tebow won a Heisman Trophy under his direction at Florida in 2008. Mullen led Mississippi State to a historic season in 2014 by utilizing the league’s best quarterback, Dak Prescott, with the same offensive principles.
Steve Spurrier, South Carolina: The Head Ball Coach’s love for offense is no secret. While things aren’t quite the same as they were when the Fun ‘n Gun was all the rage in Gainesville, the former quarterback can still call plays with the best of them. After delegating some of that responsibility in the past, Spurrier is expected to be more involved than ever in 2015, as the 70-year-old plans to call all of the offensive plays. He employs two coaches as co-offensive coordinators: offensive line coach Shawn Elliott and wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr.
Derek Mason, Vanderbilt: Unlike the four listed before him, Mason is the lone defensive play-caller. He earned his head coaching job at Vanderbilt based on the success he had as a defensive coordinator at Stanford. Mason decided to fire defensive coordinator David Kotulski after one season on the job, and then named himself the replacement. He’s the only head coach in the SEC that also holds a coordinator title. Mason also is the only coach that has made the move to call plays in what could be considered an effort to preserve his job.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
