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Brian Johnson named Utah's QB coach

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He owns the most wins in school history and now he'll coach his successor. Brian Johnson has been named Utah's new quarterbacks coach according to KTVX. 

This is a surprise move, since Johnson has not coached before at the collegiate level. Of course, he did spend a good amount of time with the coaches during the 2006 season and by all accounts, that time helped groom him into the elite quarterback we saw in the 2007 and 2008 seasons. 

Obviously there will be more on this when we hear official word from the Utah athletic department. For now, though, what are your thoughts? Risky move?  Great move? Discuss.

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I'm not crazy about this.

I’ve said this elsewhere, but I don’t want his first coaching job to be in such an important position.

I compare it to Scalley’s progression as a coach. He took a year off to try a pro career, then spent two years as an unpaid graduate assistant before being named the safeties coach.

I trust Whittingham. There’s a reason he gets paid a million bones to make the decisions, and I offer my opinion in the comments section of blogs for free. But I’m not crazy about this move.

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by BoylenOver on Jan 3, 2010 5:48 PM MST reply actions  

I get your concern.

I am a bit uneasy about it. I do trust Whittingham and if he believes Johnson is ready for this, I guess so am I.

by JazzyUte on Jan 3, 2010 5:52 PM MST up reply actions  

agreed with concern

The next level up is offensive coordinator from QB coach — or at least it typically is. I understand he is smart and did run the offense in crucial times in 2008, but besides QB coach the only other spot would be grad assistant which I think would have been more appropriate. The fans will love this though, also with Schram going to be a HC soon and Roderick a young guy there is no need to worry about BJ being the OC for at least 5 to 8 years.

by Jeremy Mauss on Jan 3, 2010 6:23 PM MST up reply actions  

Thing about Brian is this . . .

He knew more about the game then he was physically capable of implementing himself. He played over his abilities. That’s the kind of guy you want coaching.

As for his experience, etc., well . . . the bad thing is yes, it’s his first coaching gig, might have used more experience, been exposed to more philosophies.

Good thing is he’s ensconced in that culture already, has the respect of the players already, won’t ad too many wrinkles to the system, and has a huge leg up in the credibility department.

Think about Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson and Michigan’s Rodriguez. Two new coaches, bringing in entirely new offenses and philosophies, one instantly successful using existing personnel, one not. The difference was the coach getting players to accept him and buy inot him as a coach and a person they would follow.

I think Brian has that, and so my preditiction is . . .

He does wonders for us and we clean up next year while under his tutelage young Wynn becomes extremely proficient.

I love Brian and what he did for Utah Football, so I’m a thousand percent behind this.

One last note: This sends a message to Utah players and recruits that we are family, we care about our own, we promote within our ranks, we’re a meritocracy, not the former nobility/feudal system extant at most colleges.

by MeanBobMean on Jan 4, 2010 8:02 AM MST up reply actions  

And we go 13-0 and play in the NC game, right?

:P

Seriously, though, he’ll also help when it comes to recruiting. Remember, he’s from Texas. So, expect him to join Scalley and Miller recruiting there.

by JazzyUte on Jan 4, 2010 1:02 PM MST up reply actions  

I like it

He probably knows the offense better than anyone, having played in it. He’s a natural leader, and a respected figure in Utah sports. I think he’s ready.

by Michael Rueckert on Jan 3, 2010 6:28 PM MST reply actions  

i say give him a chance. he might turn out to be a diamond in the rough

if he does a great job then promote him to oc. i like it when college teams keep it in the family.

i'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. i was building a house, i don't deserve this, deserves have nothing to do with it. bang. "unforgiven"

by wolfmanshowlforever on Jan 3, 2010 7:03 PM MST up reply actions  

I just think it could be too big for him

With the success Morgan Scalley has had starting out as a GA and now I think the recruiting coordinator Whitt was willing to give a former player a shot at a spot above a GA.

by Jeremy Mauss on Jan 3, 2010 7:21 PM MST up reply actions  

you may be right but coach whitt has made most of the right decisions.

i expect a big year from utah and i bet coach whitt does too. i think he wants a proven big time college football qb who won most of the big games and the biggest game in utah’s college football history. i just think jordan wynn could learn alot from brian johnson. i saw j.w. college interview after the poinsettia win and he really is a young talented kid. he is 19 now?

i'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. i was building a house, i don't deserve this, deserves have nothing to do with it. bang. "unforgiven"

by wolfmanshowlforever on Jan 3, 2010 7:35 PM MST up reply actions  

Agreed

And it isn’t as if Whittingham is the kind of coach to let a bad decision fester and damage his team—he makes changes if he was wrong.

by MeanBobMean on Jan 4, 2010 8:03 AM MST up reply actions  

Good move

I can’t really complain about keeping a leader and proven winner like Brian Johnson associated with the Utes football team.

by utahmanami on Jan 4, 2010 1:21 AM MST reply actions  

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