Utah Football: Offensive Coordinator Big Board 2.1
Dec 2, 2024, 5:58 PM | Updated: Dec 4, 2024, 2:20 pm
Utah Football head coach Kyle Whittingham. PHOTO by Joel Davidson
SALT LAKE CITY—With the offseason just days away for Utah Football, interest is growing in the program’s future, most notably what will happen with the offensive coordinator position.
Utah missed out on their top candidate, Ben Arbuckle, who agreed to become Oklahoma’s new offensive coordinator. Despite that, there are still really promising options for the Utes in the market.
Since the news broke about Arbuckle and Oklahoma, one name has emerged above the rest as a new target.
Utah Football will be adjusting to the times with this hire
Under Whittingham, player development was a significant factor in Utah’s successes. Utah was lauded for its ability to turn a three-star recruit into a four-star collegiate player consistently. That process took time, though, and given the changes to the sport, time is less affordable.
RELATED: ‘Put The Program First’ Will Be At The Core Of Kyle Whittingham’s Own Future
“Our formula was to recruit, develop, and manage but with the turnover and the way the portal is, that system is very hard to make work,” Whittingham shared. “That plays into schemes too. You can’t have a scheme that is so complicated and in-depth that it takes a guy two or three years to learn because you don’t have that time anymore.”
New look at potential offensive coordinator candidates for Utah Football:
Mack Leftwich, Texas State Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Age: 29
Experience:
- Lehman (Texas) High School – 2017 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Incarnate Word – 2019-2021 – Graduate Assistant
- Incarnate Word – 2022 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Texas State – 2023-Present – Offensive Coordinator
The Latest: Utah, Texas Tech, and Houston are all very involved with Leftwich. There are even lower-level head coaching opportunities as well. There have been a lot of conversations between Leftwich and each school. Texas Tech has garnered a lot of buzz as of Wednesday morning, but sources indicated to KSL Sports nothing is imminent on that front. This seems to be coming down to Texas Tech and Utah, and Leftwich may even be en route on a private jet to SLC?
Why He Fits: Leftwich has been calling plays for the last two years at Texas State, and the results have been outstanding. He’s another promising young man with a career path from which others have also emerged. He also brings good run-game balance to make it seem like a scheme that could work beyond just Texas State. However, his system is built around the quarterback position. Given Utah’s interest in quarterback prospect Jamarian ‘Byrd’ Ficklin, that is also intriguing.
Why He Doesn’t: Obviously, he lacks experience. Although that is less of an issue than it used to be, it is still a little worrisome. Is he ready for a jump to the power conference level?
Kirby Moore, Missouri Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Age: 33
Experience:
- College of Idaho – 2014 – Receivers
- Washington – 2015-2016 – Graduate Assistant
- Fresno State – 2017-2022 – Receivers, Passing Game Coordinator/Receivers (2020-2021), Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks (2022)
- Missouri – 2023-2024 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
The Latest: A name that emerged Wednesday is Kirby Moore, the younger brother of Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Some personal relationships provide a link between Utah and Moore. These are have only been initial conversations between Utah and Moore, but this will be one ot monitor.
Why He Fits: Moore has valuable experience as a receivers and quarterbacks coach. He’s served as a play-caller the past three seasons, two at Missouri and one more at Fresno State. He’s also bee the passing game coordinator for two more seasons. His offenses have produced good numbers and have helped develop players at quarterback and receiver. He’s coached in the SEC and out west, which gives him plenty of familiarity with the regions Utah would be working in.
Why He Doesn’t: Could Utah really pull an offensive coordinator who isn’t necessarily on the hot seat from an SEC program? It seems like a long time; Moore’s salary is pretty significant at Missouri as well. Moore is also interested in lower-level head coaching jobs, such as App State.
Jason Beck, New Mexico Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Age: 44
Experience:
- BYU – 2007 – Graduate Assistant
- LSU – 2008 – Graduate Assistant
- Weber State – 2009-2011 – Quarterbacks
- BYU – 2013-2015 – Quarterbacks
- Virginia – 2016-2021 – Quarterbacks
- Syracuse – 2022-2023 – Quarterbacks, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- New Mexico – 2024 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
The Latest: Along with Marion, New Mexico offensive coordinator Jason Beck is another name that has generated buzz. Communication is believed to have increased over the last two days between Beck and Utah.
Why He Fits: Beck has good experience at the power conference level. His time at Virginia and Syracuse included some really solid offenses. In his lone season at New Mexico, he’s helped create a resurgent offensive attack with a dynamic dual-threat quarterback.
Why He Doesn’t: His lack of playcalling experience is a concern. The offense he called at Syracuse was merely average.
Brennan Marion, UNLV Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Age: 37
Experience:
- Arizona State – 2015 – Offensive Quality Control
- Oklahoma Baptist – 2016 – Running Backs
- Howard – 2017-18 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Pittsburgh – 2021 – Wide Receivers
- Texas – 2022 – Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers
- UNLV – 2023-Present – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
The Lates: After some significant buzz on Monday, things have cooled significantly on Marion.
Why He Fits: Marion is perhaps the hottest name in the market, the results speak for themselves. His “Go-Go Offensive” has led to massive improvements for the Rebels offense. He has been with the Rebels for two seasons now. They averaged 34 points per game in 2023 and 38 points per game this season. The Rebels gained over 3,000 yards rushing and 2,100 yards through the air this season. Marion has been linked to numerous job openings, including head coaching opportunities at the lower level. He’s also been an effective recruiter in Texas, which will be a big point of emphasis for the program moving forward.
Why He Doesn’t: Again, Marion is one of the hottest names on the market and head coaching opportunities. It will be tough competition. Utah probably has ground to make up on other programs.
Joe Craddock, Tulane Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Age: 39
Experience:
- Clemson – 2012 – Player Development
- Clemson – 2013-2014 – Graduate Assistant
- SMU – 2015-2017 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Arkansas – 2018-2019 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Troy – 2022-2023 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Tulane – 2024 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
The Latest: Craddock has been linked to a handful of jobs, including the Oklahoma job which Arbuckle filled. Craddock is garnering big interest from the Power Conference level, which now includes Michigan as well. There has not been much buzz here but that could change over the next couple of days.
Why He Fits: Tulane has had one of the top offenses this season. Prior to his time with the Green Wave, Troy also had a productive offensive run. He also has valuable time at Arkansas and SMU. Those two stops would provide him valuable recruiting ties for Utah in the Big 12 footprint.
Why He Doesn’t: Craddock is a tough one to poke many holes in, aside from his one foray into P5 full-time coaching at Arkansas, which wasn’t a highly successful experience. He is also a hot commodity in the mix with other power programs.
Charlie Weis Jr, Ole Miss Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Age: 31
Experience:
- Florida – 2011 – Offensive Quality Control
- Kansas – 2012-2014 – Team Manager
- Alabama – 2015-2016 – Offensive Assistant
- Florida Atlanta – 2016-2017 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Atlanta Falcons – 2017 – Offensive Assistant
- South Florida – 2018-2019 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Ole Miss – 2022-2024 – Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
The Latest: Utah and Charlie Weis Jr. have had conversations, but Weis Jr. seems focused on lower-level head coaching jobs. However, some head coaching opportunities have already been filled, which might lead to reigniting talks.
Why He Fits: He’s played a significant role in the game planning and offensive performance at Ole Miss the last three seasons. He has playcalling experience under his belt from his time at South Florida, which featured a fairly balanced attack. He’s worked primarily as a quarterbacks coach. He’s coached at the Power Conference level and the NFL.
Why He Doesn’t: Weis hasn’t called plays at Ole Miss and didn’t at Florida Atlantic. There isn’t much of a track record with playcalling or recruiting.
A.J. Milwee, Texas Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Age: 38
Experience:
- North Alabama – 2009-2010 – Graduate Assistant
- East Mississippi – 2011 – Quarterbacks
- Akron – 2012-2018 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Alabama – 2019-2020 – Offensive Analyst
- Texas – 2021-2024 – Quarterbacks/Co-Offensive Coordinator
Why He Fits: His age and experience in the state of Texas. He has playcalling experience from his time at Akron. Even though he hasn’t been playcalling at Texas, he’s played a vital role in the development of the quarterbacks. His time at Texas and Alabama has to be incredibly valuable in understanding football at the most competitive level. An opportunity to be the play-caller could be enticing for Milwee, who, given his recruiting profile, would also be a boost.
Why He Doesn’t: How interested is Milwee in taking on offensive coordinator duties? How much of his recruiting success was him or the Texas brand?
Jordan Davis, North Texas Offensive Coordinator/Receivers
Age: 32
Experience:
- Texas Tech – 2016-2017 – Graduate Assistant
- Incarnate Word – 2018-2021 – Associate Head Coach/Receivers
- Washington State – 2022 – Offensive Analyst
- North Texas – 2023-2024 – Offensive Coordinator/Receivers
Why He Fits: A young, promising up-and-comer, Davis is light on experience but big on potential. In two consecutive seasons, North Texas has had one of the top offenses in the country. Davis has called a fairly balanced attack, which is something that Utah is always big on. His ties to the state of Texas are strong, which would add to Utah’s recruiting pitch.
Why He Doesn’t: Again, very light on experience and only G5 experience at that. His hire would probably mean additional changes to the staff, given his background with receivers and not quarterbacks.
Jimmie Dougherty, Washington Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Age: 46
Experience:
- Illinois Wesleyan – 2002-2003 – Defensive Backs
- San Diego – 2004-2008 – WR, TE, QB, Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Washington – 2009-2012 – Passing Game Coordinator/Receivers
- San Jose State – 2013-2015 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Associate Head Coach
- Michigan – 2016 – Offensive Analyst
- UCLA – 2017-2020 – Receivers
- Arizona – 2021-2023 – Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- Washington – 2024 – Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Why He Fits: A good mix of youth and experience for Dougherty, he has spent a ton of time at the Power Conference level on the West Coast. He has four seasons of playcalling experience and has been the passing coordinator for 13 seasons. He’s worked with nearly every offensive group, but mostly quarterbacks. During his time with UCLA and Arizona, he proved to be a dynamic recruiter. He played a significant role in Arizona’s recruiting influx of top-tier talent, including Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan.
Why He Doesn’t: He has not served as a play-caller since 2015, which may not lead to the immediate results that Utah might be looking for. He has not been mentioned much in coaching searches and may not be looking for a bigger role.
Ryan Gunderson, Oregon State Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Age: 40
Experience:
- Oregon State – 2008-2009 – Graduate Assistant
- Oregon State – 2010-2014 – Assistant Director of Player Personnel, Director of Player Personnel (’14)
- Nebraska – 2015-2016 – Director of Player Personnel
- San Jose State – 2018-2020 – Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks
- UCLA – 2021-2023 – Quarterbacks
- Oregon State – 2024 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Why He Fits: Gunderson brings good experience from the coaching and recruiting side of things and has ties to the West Coast and Midwest. He’s a young coach that has shown promise in his first season coordinating an offense.
Why He Doesn’t: Only one season of playcalling and the results have been fairly mediocre. Oregon State’s offense ranks in the 50’s nationally in total offense and in the 90’s in scoring offense. Utah would be taking a chance on potential more than proven production.
