Coaches Scoop

  By Nate McCray I recently went back to revisiting the film from my days as the Running Backs Coach at Carthage College in 2022.  I approached it with the eye of both a teacher and a strategist, searching for more than just the highlight runs or the box score production.   I wanted to study the nuances, the footwork at the mesh point, the patience behind double teams, the discipline in pressing the line of scrimmage before making a cut, and the resilience in finishing runs with forward lean.  I also wanted to know where  were areas of improvement to focus on. That season was more than a collection of carries; it was a lesson in how to build a room of backs who embodied toughness, vision, and reliability.   By breaking down each snap, I was able to measure how consistently we turned contact into hidden yardage, how our backs adapted to protection responsibilities, and how they developed over the course of the year into multi-dimensional players.   Wa...

  Photo Courtesy of University of South Florida Athletics By Nate McCray If I were the offensive play-caller for the University of South Florida Bulls, my strategy for the matchup against the Miami Hurricanes would be to built around balance, adaptability, and efficiency. To maximize our chances of victory, we must dictate the tempo, sustain drives, and force Miami’s defense to defend every blade of grass . Establishing the Offensive Identity The foundation of our approach would be to establish the run early through inside zone and power concepts, compelling Miami’s linebackers to respect the ground game and setting up explosive play-action and read-option opportunities. Protecting the quarterback will be a top priority, as Miami’s pass rush is one of their greatest strengths; we would utilize heavy 12-personnel packages, max protection looks, rollouts, and quick-hitting passes to neutralize their edge threats. Pre-snap motion, misdirection, and varied formations will be used con...