For the Fans

Illini have a new offensive coordinator

Posted by: Tom Young

Thursday, January 8, 2009 7:42 AM

Mike Schultz = Illinois' new offensive coordinator

This is some of the best news I have heard in a while.  Not only did Ron Zook find a replacement for Mike Locksley, he got a darn good one.  Mike Schultz joins the staff, and it looks like he runs an offense that could fit this team perfectly.  Schultz has been an offensive coordinator for the last eight seasons, and the work he has done at TCU has been remarkable.  The Horned Frogs have had very potent offense for the last few years, not just in controlling the ball but also with ridiculous point scoring.  Last year, TCU led the nation in time of possession (35:10 a game on offense), and they were 21^th in the nation in points per game (33.6). 

 

These numbers are nice, but here are my favorite numbers with Mike Schultz:  his run-to-pass ratio.  Below are two lists of how many running and passing plays were run by the Illini and TCU over the last three seasons. These numbers found on ESPN.com.  First of all, let’s look at Illinois.

 

 

TEAM           RUNS              PASSES          R/P RATIO            RECORD

2006 Illini       434                  332                  1.30:1              2-10 no bowl

2007 Illini       595                  323                  1.84:1              9-4 Rose Bowl (L)

2008 Illini       460                  393                  1.17:1              5-7 no bowl

 

I believe Illinois needs to run to be successful, and these numbers prove that a little bit.  Mike Locksley had some nice running schemes, but last year got a bit pass happy with a QB who is more dangerous on his feet.  We need a guy who will run the ball to set up the pass.  Juice has one heck of an arm, but he isn’t a passer, he’s a slinger.  A slinger shouldn’t throw the ball close to 400 times in 12 games.  Let’s look at what Mike Schultz has done with TCU the last three years.

 

TEAM           RUNS              PASSES          R/P RATIO            RECORD

2006 TCU     557                  352                  1.58:1              11-2 Poinsettia Bowl (W)

2007 TCU     574                  443                  1.30:1              8-5 Texas Bowl (W)    

2008 TCU     642                  371                  1.73:1              11-2 Poinsettia Bowl (W)

 

In ’06 and ’08, Schultz and TCU had healthy r/p ratios and they experience major success.  After the 11-2 ’06 season, TCU passed the ball almost 100 more times than the previous year, and the record fell to 8-5.  Of course there are more factors that go into winning and losing than how many times you run and pass, but I believe a good running game that is used frequently will equal great success at the college level.  Juice Williams isn’t Graham Harrell, so we need to run run run!! 

 

Illinois doesn’t have a Rashard Mendenhall anymore, but guys like Jason “four by” Ford and Mikel Leshoure can be successful with the proper scheme.  The nice thing is the way TCU distributed the run.  Five different players had at least 70 carries last year, including the quarterback, and the team totaled closed to 3000 rushing yards. 

 

Schultz gives us Illini fans hope for next season.  Unfortunately, next season seems like forever away, so we have to wait a while.  I can’t wait to see how Juice Williams operates in a scheme that seems just right for him, and there’s a chance we could see a monster season out of him.  Just the thought of that gets me excited.

 

I-L-L…          

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