Mark Stoops says he doesn't dictate what Rich Scangarello does with the UK offense. (Vicky Graff Photo)
After Kentucky’s 16-6 loss to Georgia when the Wildcats scored only once on four drives that got inside the Georgia 30-yard line, offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello said he never goes “rogue” on his play calls and understood having a “complementary” game to go with the UK defense.
So how much influence does head coach Mark Stoops have over the offensive play calling? Does Stoops dictate what kind of plays should be called or what chances the offense should or should not take?
At his press conference Monday, Stoops said he had “very little” communication/input with Scangarello on game management.
“People think I’m a defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator and special teams coach. But I’m the head coach, responsible for the structure of it all. And ultimately it’s on my shoulders to make sure it’s right,” Stoops said.
“But little to none, other than as we meet in the office and discuss previous games, things that are going good, things that are going bad, there’s only so long, with any area, if things aren’t right, then that’s where I’ll draw a line in the sand and say that’s enough of that. Like, do something else. But once the plan comes together, and during a game, very little.”
Of course, Stoops then did note there might be an occasional exception.
“The only time is just from a defensive perspective or 10 years of experience, if I feel like not letting a team off the hook. You know what I mean? That’s the only time I’ll step in. Like, again, (former Iowa coach) Hayden Fry — scratch where it itches. Learned that a long time ago, many, many years ago,” Stoops said.
“So if we’re doing some of that, and I mean I’m talking one, two times a game, we’re grinding, keep on pushing until they stop. That might be very few. So, no, it’s not my overall input in play calling. That’s his job.”
“I just want to make sure, if things aren’t in place, then we review it and talk about it and watch it on film and come to a good conclusion together to make sure we’re putting our players in a position to be successful.”
Translate that how you want but I just have a feeling Scangarello senses what Stoops wants — or does not want — from his play calls.
“I felt like we had a good — again, I’ve told the team this many times. You guys have heard me say it. It’s not coaching, not cliché, but if our preparation is right, if our plan is right — that’s not to say — we make mistakes with calls and things, it happens to everyone,” Stoops said. “But you’ve got to make sure you’re putting your players in a position to be successful.”
“And there are certainly times, in all sides, offense, defense, special teams, when we’ve fallen short, but there’s also times when we have done a good job. And I felt like as an overall plan we had a good plan this past week, not perfect. I could get criticized for that, but that’s okay.
“I watched the film and I see it. There were some plays there. We left some plays out there. They were there. It might be pressure. It might be a tip, maybe a high pass. The third down to JuTahn (McClain), fractions off. The Y delay to (Jordan) Dingle through the middle was a big play. There were some plays there. The play-action off the fake toss, poker. We missed the throw.”
“There were some plays there. We left some points on the board, and that’s not pointing fingers at any position or anything, it’s just me making sure the overall structure is right.”
2 Responses
Little too early to be “washing your hands “ . Gotta keep em clean and dry – don’t want those Ben Franklins not to light your Cubans.
I have felt early on that Stoops had washed his hands since taking this job from any offensive play calling involving game time decisions, other than making calls on going for it on 4th down at critical times, or sending in the punt team, or FG unit. I think he just does not want the responsibility and delegates that to his OCs to sink or swim. Shannon Dawson’s offense could complete the forward pass and score quickly, but Stoops wanted more running and balance in the offense back then. He still has that mind set today and has his OC’s comply with that philosophy, and should. Neal Brown had balance, Under Coach Gran, no passing attack much. Coen’s attack was pretty lethal and complete. But as far as Stoops interjecting himself, or changing or directing a play call with his head set on during the heat of battle, I don’t think he does or even has a clue. He gives the OC a lot of rope. That is pretty obvious.