Who is the new offensive line coach? Ron West

[LongforDodd]

anyone else find it odd....

that he spent half his career as DC type
and half as a OL/OC type

and our two biggest issues are on D and OL???

LOL...maybe this says alot about the hire?

To me this is first an interesting hire, but secondly I truly wonder if he will participate in D and O? Almost like a hybrid staff consultant?

His lack of Offensive experience for the past 11 or so years stood out to me as well. Oh well, it could be worse.

 

[ramblinvak]

I think Stacy Searles was CPJ's first choice and Richt swooped in and brought him to UM, so CPJ had to search deeper. I guess time well tell how this hire works out. I was really hoping we would pick someone off of Navy's staff but don't think CPJ was willing to breach that gentleman's agreement with CKN.

 

[Skeptic]

And he's an O-line coach for us? Seems like an odd transition, could be wrong though.

Really from what I have read it is not all that unusual. If I remember right Johnson coached defense some at GSU, and LB, D backs and DE coaches flip about considerably. I suppose the ability to teach is as important as knowing the position, and the latter can be learned.

 

[swampsting]

Really from what I have read it is not all that unusual. If I remember right Johnson coached defense some at GSU, and LB, D backs and DE coaches flip about considerably. I suppose the ability to teach is as important as knowing the position, and the latter can be learned.

Started out as D line coach. Went to offense after a year, maybe two.

 

[takethepoints]

Really from what I have read it is not all that unusual. If I remember right Johnson coached defense some at GSU, and LB, D backs and DE coaches flip about considerably. I suppose the ability to teach is as important as knowing the position, and the latter can be learned.

Yep. This is actually one of Coach's advantages, imho. He's coached both sides. No reason why West can't do the same.

 

[1939hotmagic]

Here from the peanut gallery, all one can do is assume that CPJ believes West's longevity and experience coaching both sides of the ball, and not inconsiderable ties in the southeast, will help get Tech back to 2014 form.

Frankly, I was hoping for someone younger (not a slam on West, he's only got two years on me), preferably with recent experience coaching o-line in a successful option-oriented offense -- someone like Ron Boyd, o-line coach at The Citadel. C'est la vie. Here's hoping Coach West is a successful addition to the staff.

 

[Skeptic]

Yep. This is actually one of Coach's advantages, imho. He's coached both sides. No reason why West can't do the same.

Thinking of Johnson as a defensive coach is like thinking of John Wayne on Broadway. It just doesn't register.

 

[ATL1]

I don't believe he's hired just to help with the OLine.

 

[awbuzz]

I don't believe he's hired just to help with the OLine.

Would be surprised if he isn't allowed to express possible options (no pun intended) for other positions.

 

[ATL1]

CPJ wants to blitz more and play more aggressively. This guy was a co-dcoordinator who created his own blitzing linebacker position. (I wonder what the defensive staff thinks of this)

As a OLine coach he help create his own scheme for power football in the shotgun.

He's gonna be doing a lot of bouncing around.

 

[Frenchise]

CPJ wants to blitz more and play more aggressively. This guy was a co-dcoordinator who created his own blitzing linebacker position. (I wonder what the defensive staff thinks of this)

As a OLine coach he help create his own scheme for power football in the shotgun.

He's gonna be doing a lot of bouncing around.

Creating something doesn't mean it's effective. Time will tell I guess.

 

[ATL1]

Found this:

"Actually, it is very similar to the "nickel back" in a traditional 4-3-4 defense's 3rd down package. Big difference is that it is played in front of a 3-3, not a 4-2, and that it is an every down vs. situational position. A couple of the things this necessitates are the ability to fill running lanes, and the ability to blitz the QB. In the traditional "nickel", that guy was usually a good cover guy, but not always the best in the box."

I still don't really know what scheme the defense is under Roof.

 

[Techster]

Found this:

"Actually, it is very similar to the "nickel back" in a traditional 4-3-4 defense's 3rd down package. Big difference is that it is played in front of a 3-3, not a 4-2, and that it is an every down vs. situational position. A couple of the things this necessitates are the ability to fill running lanes, and the ability to blitz the QB. In the traditional "nickel", that guy was usually a good cover guy, but not always the best in the box."

I still don't really know what scheme the defense is under Roof.

Isn't that basically the "wolf" spot Wommack tried to incorporate into his defense...and what Roof does sometimes with our "bigger" DBs? Most defenses these days depending on the offensive scheme, incorporates a hybrid LB/DB because of the spread personnel.

 

[iceeater1969]

CPJ wants to blitz more and play more aggressively. This guy was a co-dcoordinator who created his own blitzing linebacker position. (I wonder what the defensive staff thinks of this)

As a OLine coach he help create his own scheme for power football in the shotgun.

He's gonna be doing a lot of bouncing around.

I had thought we would get a down in the trenches guy.
Idea of an older highly experienced guy is growing on me. Calling plays with another set of experience d eyes should be improved. Also can help with same on defense.

 

[ATL1]

I definitely think the hire is in direct relation to what CPJ wants to emphasize in the off season.
Pass rush & pass protection

 

[33jacket]

Isn't that basically the "wolf" spot Wommack tried to incorporate into his defense...and what Roof does sometimes with our "bigger" DBs? Most defenses these days depending on the offensive scheme, incorporates a hybrid LB/DB because of the spread personnel.

no. Funny though this 3-3-5 is what tenuta would run ALOT in passing situations.

wommack ran a 4-2-5 with the down db being the wolf. That is different than a 3-3-5....In a 3-3-5 if you drop a db you can look like a 3-4 almost....in a 4-2-5 if you drop a db you look more like a 4-3. However, backed assignments are the same and in a one gap scheme so are in the box assignments.

I don't care for a 3-3-5 as base, but I liked it how JT used it in spots....he did a ton of cb slot blitzing in this package....We don't have the line to do a 3-3 as base.

I agree with ATL; I don't know what scheme roof has. Its so all over the place and no rhyme and reason on what we are trying to do. Sometimes it hits; works....then sometimes its a dumpster fire and you go "how can we have FSU" then have days like the rest of the season practically.

This is why I am convinced its not all a athlete issue for us on D. If it was we dont' hang with athletic teams like we can.

 

[AE 87]

We ran a 3-3-5 a lot vs CU and georgie in 2014. I think it was one our best formations.

 

[Skeptic]

We ran a 3-3-5 a lot vs CU and georgie in 2014. I think it was one our best formations.

I would not know one from the other, but if that was one of our best against those two, I know why we were 3-9.

 

[AlabamaBuzz]

We need miracle recruiting, and so I hope he is a miracle worker. Jimmies and Joes, and mostly DL/LB jimmies and joes, are what we need.....

 

[jwsavhGT]

Ron West Joins Football Staff

The Atlanta native will serve as Tech’s co-offensive line coach

Ron West brings nearly four decades of coaching experience to Tech's staff.

Jan. 14, 2016

THE FLATS - Georgia Tech head football coach Paul Johnson announced Thursday the addition of Ron West to the staff as co-offensive line coach.

West, who played for Clemson and most recently served on North Carolina’s staff, brings 36 years of experience to the Yellow Jackets.

“I’m excited to add Ron to our staff,” said Johnson. “He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our staff and he’ll be a big part of our program moving forward.”

West will work alongside offensive line coach Mike Sewak, overseeing the backbone of Johnson’s spread option offense that has helped lead the ACC in rushing in each of the last eight seasons. He joins Tech’s coaching staff after a two-year stint (2013-14) with the Tar Heels, where he served as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

“Having grown up and played high school football in Georgia, it’s an honor for me to come back home and coach at a great institution like Georgia Tech,” said West. “I’ve spent much of my career in the ACC and I have great respect for Tech’s program and what Paul Johnson has done there. This program has a proud history, won the Orange Bowl last year, so it’s the perfect opportunity for me to join a great staff and bring my family back home to Atlanta.”

West attended high school at nearby Russell High School (now Tri-Cities) and enrolled at Marion Institute before transferring to play his final two years at Clemson. West was high school classmates with Tom Cooksey, the father of current Yellow Jacket Tyler Cooksey. Current Tech offensive lineman Shamire Devine attended Tri-Cities.

Ten years of his career were spent at Clemson, joining the Tigers’ staff in 1999 first as offensive line coach. He moved to the defensive line in 2004 and spent the final four years coaching outside linebackers.

In 2006, West coached one of the greatest players in Clemson history, the late Gaines Adams -- the No. 4 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. Adams was named to all five All-America teams in 2006 and was recognized as one of seven unanimous first-team All-Americans that year.

Since leaving Clemson, West has coached defense at Tulsa (2009), Illinois (2010-11) and Arizona State (2012) before landing at North Carolina in 2013.

After graduating from Clemson in 1979, he received his first full-time coaching position as offensive line coach at North Texas in 1980. His other coaching stops have included Texas Tech (1981-85), Louisiana-Lafayette (1986-92), Baylor (1993-96) and Tulane (1997-98).

While at Baylor, he worked alongside current Tech linebackers coach Andy McCollum.

West and his wife Becky have two adult children, Brad and Lori.