Andy Ludwig Brings Back Plenty Of Offensive Coordinator Experience
Jan 13, 2019, 3:15 PM
Utah OC Andy Ludwig, right, talks with quarterback Brian Johnson as the Utah football team prepares for the Sugar Bowl at Tulane University on Dec. 9, 2008. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah has brought back Andy Ludwig to be the offensive coordinator for the second time in his career.
The Ogden, Utah native brings a lot of experience as a play-caller before and after his first stint with the Utes from 2005-08.
Before he was the OC for the Utes, Ludwig spent eight seasons with three teams. He was the offensive coordinator for Cal Poly in 1997 before going to Fresno State from 1998-2001 and Oregon from 2002-04.
After the Utes completed their undefeated 13-0 season with an upset win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, Ludwig left Salt Lake City to be an offensive coordinator with the California Golden Bears for two seasons. He had stops with San Diego State, Wisconsin and Vanderbilt from 2011-18.
Along the way, Ludwig has coached some great players and called plays for some great offenses in college football. Here is the impact he has had on the teams he has coordinated for.
Utah, 2005-08
He was Kyle Whittingham’s first offensive coordinator when Whittingham entered his first season at the helm for Utah after Urban Meyer left for Florida. Ludwig took over the offense from Mike Sanford Sr. when he was named the head coach at UNLV.
2005
Utah had a new quarterback in Brian Johnson after Alex Smith went on to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Johnson’s first season as the starter, finished with 2,892 yards and 18 touchdowns. Quinton Ganther was the leading rusher with 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Running back Quinton Ganther #13 of the Utah Utes runs past Jeremy Modkins #28 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs on September 15, 2005 at Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Utah ranked No. 10 in the country in total yards of offense with 5,676, 12th in yards per game and passing yards per game, No. 32 in rushing yards per game and No. 36 in points per game.
The Utes finished the 2005 season with a 7-5 record, including a 38-10 win over Georgia Tech in the Emerald Bowl.
2006
Utah’s offensive numbers dipped a little bit. Brett Ratliff was the quarterback and ended with 2,556 yards and 22 touchdowns. Darryl Poston was the leading rusher with 548 yards and 5 touchdowns.
University of Utah’s quarterback Brett Ratliff in action against Universtiy of Tulsa during the Armed Forces Bowl played at Amon Carter Stadium in Ft Worth Texas on December 23, 2006. Utah won the game 25-13. (Photo by L. Scott Wambsganss/Getty Images)
They finished 37th in the country in total yards, No. 41 in yards per game, 34th in passing yards per game, No. 54 in rushing yards per game and 33rd in points per game.
Utah had an 8-5 record with a 25-13 win over Tulsa in the Armed Forces Bowl.
2007
Brian Johnson was back under center for most of the season and threw for 1,621 yards, 10 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Ludwig put an emphasis on the running game with Darrell Mack racking up 1,128 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Utes’ numbers were not flashy when their season ended, they finished ranked 71st in the country in total yards, No. 79 in yards per game, 81st in passing yards per game, No. 44 in rushing yards per game and 69th in points per game.
Utah had a 9-4 record with a 35-22 win over Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl.
2008
This would be Ludwig’s last season as the offensive coordinator for the Utes but he went out with a bang. Utah finished with a 13-0 record after a 31-17 win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham and quarterback Brian Johnson #3 of the Utah Utes celebrates after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 31-17 during the 75th Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Johnson had 2,636 yards passing and 24 touchdowns, while running back Matt Asiata ran for 678 yards and 11 touchdowns. Mack added 533 yards on the ground with 3 touchdowns. Wide receiver Freddie Brown had 775 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
Statistically, Utah was 32nd in the country in total yards, No. 35 in yards and passing yards per game. They were 51st in rushing yards per game and 15th in points per game with 36.9.
California, 2009-10
After the historic season with Utah, Ludwig joined a Power-5 program and was named offensive coordinator for Cal under head coach Jeff Tedford.
2009
Ludwig had Kevin Riley as the starting quarterback for the Golden Bears, throwing for 2,850 yards and 18 touchdowns. Running back Shane Vereen had 952 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while Jahvid Best racked up 867 yards on the ground and 12 scores. Best was drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Kevin Riley #13 of the California Golden Bears passes against the USC Trojans at Memorial Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
As an offense, Cal finished the season ranked 57th in total yards with 5,098, No. 49 in yards per game, 53rd in passing yards per game, No. 42 in rushing yards per game and 57th in points per game.
The Golden Bears had an 8-5 record at the end of the season and Ludwig would face his former team, Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl. The Utes won the game 37-27.
2010
Riley was back for most of the season as the quarterback and threw for 1,409 yards and 13 touchdowns. Vereen led the team with 1,167 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, he was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Shane Vereen #34 of the California Golden Bears is chased by Armond Armstead #94, Shareece Wright #24 and Nick Perry #8 of the USC Trojans during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 16, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Golden Bears ranked 96th in the country in total yards with 4,008, No. 90 in yards per game, 94th in passing yards per game, No. 52 in rushing yards per game and 90th in points per game.
Cal finished with a 5-7 record and Ludwig would leave the team to go to San Diego State.
San Diego State, 2011-12
After his stint with Cal, Ludwig was hired to be the offensive coordinator of San Diego State when Rocky Long was hired that same year.
2011
Ryan Lindley was the starting quarterback and he had some impressive stats, throwing for 2,740 yards and 20 touchdowns. Running back Ronnie Hillman was outstanding with 1,656 yards and 19 touchdowns. Hillman was selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft while Lindley went in the sixth round.
Running back Ronnie Hillman #13 of the San Diego State Aztecs carries the ball on a five yard touchdown run in the second quarter against the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Statically, the Aztecs finished the season ranked 32nd in the country in total yards with 5,556 and yards per game. They were No. 49 in passing yards per game, 30th in rushing yards per game and No. 46 in points per game.
San Diego State had an 8-5 season with a 32-30 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl.
2012
Ludwig had to find a new quarterback after Lindley went to the NFL. He used two quarterbacks in Ryan Katz and Adam Dingwell, who combined for 3,062 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Aztecs had another stud running back with Adam Muema as he racked up 1,458 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Adam Muema #4 of the San Diego State Aztecs runs with the ball in the first half of the game against the BYU Cougars in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 20, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent C. Horner/Getty Images)
Tight end Gavin Escobar led the team with 543 yards and 6 touchdowns while wide receiver Brice Butler added 347 yards and 4 scores. Escobar was selected in the second round and Butler was taken in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
The Aztecs improved their record with at 9-4 but lost to BYU 23-6 in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Wisconsin, 2013-14
Ludwig returned to a Power-5 program, when he was reunited with former Utah defensive coordinator Gary Andersen, who left Utah State to be the Wisconsin head coach. Andersen brought Ludwig to Madison, Wisconsin to be the Badgers offensive coordinator.
2013
This offense was full of talent with Joel Stave as the quarterback, throwing for 2,414 yards and 20 touchdowns. The Badgers had two running backs, who each rushed for over 1,000 yards. Melvin Gordon led the team with 1,466 yards and 12 touchdowns, James White had 1,337 yards and 13 touchdowns. White was taken in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
James White #20 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the football during the first half of play against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camp Randall Stadium on November 30, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
Jared Abbrederis was the leading receiver with 73 catches for 1,051 yards and 7 touchdowns, he was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Wisconsin was 19th in the country in total yards with 6,251 and yards per game. They were only No. 96 in passing yards per game, but were 8th in rushing yards per game and No. 28 in points per game.
The Badgers finished the season with a 9-4 record but lost to No. 9 South Carolina 34-24 in the Capital One Bowl.
2014
Wisconsin dipped in the passing game but made up for it in the running attack. Stave finished with 1,229 yards, 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Melvin Gordon was phenomenal with 2,336 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and was taken 15th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Melvin Gordon #25 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the football during the first half of play against the BYU Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium on November 09, 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
The Badgers racked up 6,564 of total offense, which was 12th best in the country and their 469 yards per game average was good for No. 22. Their passing game averaged 148.7 yards per game which was just No. 118 in the nation. But they racked up a 4th best 320 rushing yards per game and No. 30 in points per game at 34.4.
They finished the season with an 11-3 record with a 59-0 loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship and a 34-31 overtime win over Auburn in the Outback Bowl.
Vanderbilt, 2015-18
When Andersen left Wisconsin to be the head coach of Oregon State, Ludwig decided to go to SEC country and be the offensive coordinator at Vanderbilt under head coach Derek Mason
2015
Johnny McCary was the quarterback for most of the season but Kyle Shurmur had some reps as well. The two combined for 2,036 yards, 11 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Running back Ralph Webb had 1,152 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.
Ralph Webb #7 of the Vanderbilt Commodores scores a touchdown against the Ole Miss Rebels during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
Vanderbilt had just 3,918 yards of total offense and was 120th in the country (out of 128 teams). They averaged 327 yards per game which was good for just 117th, No. 112 in passing yards per game, 88th in rushing yards and 124th in points per game.
The Commodores finished with a 4-8 record.
2016
The entire team was much improved in 2016, especially the offense. Shurmur was the starting quarterback and threw for 2,251 yards, 9 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Webb and another 1,000 yard season with 1,172 yards and 12 touchdowns.
They averaged just 23 points per game which was No. 113 in the country, but they improved to No. 96 in total offense with 4,624 yards, 110th in yards per game, No. 100 in passing yards per game and 77th in rushing yards per game.
Vanderbilt finished with a 6-7 record after losing to North Carolina State 41-17 in the Independence Bowl.
2017
Not a ton of offensive improvement for the Commodores in 2017 with Webb’s rushing numbers declining. He rushed for just 831 yards and 10 touchdowns. Shurmer improved significantly in the passing game with 2,823 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Quarterback Kyle Shurmur #14 of the Vanderbilt Commodores drops back to pass against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
Vanderbilt had 4,209 total yards of offense, which was good for 109th in the country and their 351 yards per game average was No. 102. They 53rd in passing yards per game, No. 121 in rushing yards per game and 95th in points per game.
The Commodores finished the season with a 5-7 record.
2018
Shurmur’s numbers increased this past season with 3,130 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. Running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn piled up 1,244 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Vanderbilt had a significant jump statistically in total yards of offense with 5,346, which is good for 54th in the country and No. 59 in yards per game. They were 55th in passing yards per game, No. 66 in rushing yards per game and 70th in points per game.
Vanderbilt had a 6-7 record after losing to Baylor 45-38 in the Texas Bowl.
