Evaluation key to Pruitt's OC search
After giving Vol fans early Christmas presents last week with 19 signees including last Thursday’s signing of Eric Gray and Friday’s signing of Quavaris Crouch, Jeremy Pruitt’s task now shifts to finding an offensive coordinator.
Obviously, Pruitt and his staff still have recruiting work to do. But between now and January 11th, the only recruiting that can happen is phone conversations meaning there’s time for Pruitt do focus on the hire he admits he’s put on the back burner the last couple of weeks.
“I would really like to focus one recruiting right now,” Pruitt said last Wednesday. “In a lot of aspects, the offensive coordinator is overrated. Look at some of these teams out here, it is mostly based on talent or lack thereof. The most important thing right now is recruiting, and we’ll worry about that later.”
For Pruitt, later is now.
The first year head man is right in that the more talented you are the less important coaching is. That goes for offense and defense. It’s something he experienced first hand in 2018 on the defensive side of the ball.
Pruitt might have used the word overrated, but he didn’t say the hire wasn’t important. Pruitt knows that landing the right coordinator for him is a must.
As Pruitt continues to build his roster, he’s not going to have the most talent offensive players in 2019 or even 2020. In other words the coordinator position is going to be anything but overrated.
It’s why Pruitt’s evaluation must be really good in making this decision. Much like not getting caught up in number of stars, Pruitt’s eyes and ears are the most important things in finding his new play caller.
There’s obviously a chance that Pruitt doesn’t hire a big name guy. In fact there’s a chance he hires someone that does move the perception needle with Vol fans.
Pruitt can’t get caught up in all of that. As Jesse Simonton wrote in the days immediately following Tyson Helton’s departure, Pruitt must find the right fit for him. He must find someone he completely trusts.
In other words, Pruitt must make a great evaluation. Throughout the last year, Pruitt has been asked many times and has spoken openly about what he’s looking for in a prospect. He likes his defensive backs to be guys who have the ball in their hand on Friday nights. He likes guys who play multiple sports. In determining their personality, competitive nature and if they are the right fit, Pruitt likes to talk to teachers, counselors, and even lunch ladies.
In finding his second offensive coordinator in as many years, Pruitt must follow the same roadmap. He must turn over every stone. He must research candidates or vet them fully.
Simply put — Pruitt must get it right and the time is now to make the hire.
There’s nothing overstated or overrated about that.