When HCPN was assembling his staff, I wondered who he would peg to fill the OC position, which for a former defensive coordinator, is likely his most important hire. When Cheyney's name began to surface, I wasnt sure what to think but after seeing his offense, Im seeing him as the best triggerman that Pitt has had in years. I know there may be some home town CIgnetti or Cavinaugh(LOL) fans left, but this guy and his philosopy is what we need and time will show being a great hire. We are just now starting to see the fruit on the tree for it takes a ton of reps for to install any offense. Here's why:
After being an OC at the highest HS level in Texas and having the opportunity to work for two great head coaches with strong defensive backgrounds, Ive learned somethings about head coaches from defensive backgrounds like Narduzzi. My personal experience was that thry were typically much more conservative than Narduzzi in terms of decision making (I love PN as a game day coach!!!!!!! both for his positive yet realistic EXPECTATION and BALLS, and I would love to be his OC) and they typically give the OC freer reign to control the offense, providing HC is bought into the system too. He hired Cheyney because Cheyney's philosophies match those that he wants his team to emulate. Thats how the coordinators get hired by good Head Coaches at all levels. narduzzi sat down with Cheyney and said this:
1) I want a good ball control offenses who are effective at running the ball. I want my offense to be physical and get it on 4th and 1 when we need it.... CHeck..... So Cheyney runs the off tackle power play, playside TE, T,G and Center block gap away and seal down, kick out with Parish and FB and seal with backside guard. We run that play well and have been for some time. Follows up wityh the toss into the boundary, and even though it hasnt been a big gainer, its a good call. First, he has a numerical advantage out of the same formation that they run the power out of when they run it behind the motion(if motion comes from left to right, they run it the toss to the right) and it gets the edge faster.. Narduzzi wants to play defense for less than half of the game, and Pitts style of offense allows him to do that.
2) Narduzzi says, I dont need his Offense to score on every drive, I just want to be smart. Most impprtantly, he dont put my D n a hole with turnovers in our own end and give them easy points. Check Say what you want but Cheyney understands this. There is a reason for every call. It may be to see how him the the Defense lines up on a formation or what coverage they will give him. Hes patient and makes good adjustments based on what the defense is giving him. PN understands the longer the game goes on and he still has a chance to win it, the greater the chance of winning and conversely, dont shoot yoursef in the foot by panicing. Cheyney is a cool customer who understand games are won in the 4th quarter, and keeps PN team in the game...
3) "I want you to be you a great offensive guy" Great offensive orgnizers understand what they want to do and how to get there.
know their personnell, and based on that design the specific offensive plays to suit the strength of the offense, but Cheyney gives PN what he wants. Running a lead option, counter trey , a power or an outside wham Iso all attack he same point in the defense, but differ in terms of ability requirements of the personnel. We dont have a running back who can get to the edge as fast as TB(who is also a complete stud) and we have a very athletic RT who can get up on the force man , so Cheyney runs the jet sweep with TB. He Runs the power behind jaymar.... Peterman doesnt have a rep as a big runner, but hes a good athlete and runs well. Cheyney sees and utilizes that, keeping it within his ability levels. TB is a stud, get him the ball nd keep him involved in multiple capacities, which is what he does.
I guarantee what we see at the end of te season and next year will be even more fun to watch. Hes a good teacher and developer of talent, and a sound, patient game day coach who gives his head coach what he wants, which is the mark of a great OC. Look at Ped U. Would you trade OC's with them? He's the best Ive seen since the 80"s at Pitt and Im happy he is here and likes being here....
After being an OC at the highest HS level in Texas and having the opportunity to work for two great head coaches with strong defensive backgrounds, Ive learned somethings about head coaches from defensive backgrounds like Narduzzi. My personal experience was that thry were typically much more conservative than Narduzzi in terms of decision making (I love PN as a game day coach!!!!!!! both for his positive yet realistic EXPECTATION and BALLS, and I would love to be his OC) and they typically give the OC freer reign to control the offense, providing HC is bought into the system too. He hired Cheyney because Cheyney's philosophies match those that he wants his team to emulate. Thats how the coordinators get hired by good Head Coaches at all levels. narduzzi sat down with Cheyney and said this:
1) I want a good ball control offenses who are effective at running the ball. I want my offense to be physical and get it on 4th and 1 when we need it.... CHeck..... So Cheyney runs the off tackle power play, playside TE, T,G and Center block gap away and seal down, kick out with Parish and FB and seal with backside guard. We run that play well and have been for some time. Follows up wityh the toss into the boundary, and even though it hasnt been a big gainer, its a good call. First, he has a numerical advantage out of the same formation that they run the power out of when they run it behind the motion(if motion comes from left to right, they run it the toss to the right) and it gets the edge faster.. Narduzzi wants to play defense for less than half of the game, and Pitts style of offense allows him to do that.
2) Narduzzi says, I dont need his Offense to score on every drive, I just want to be smart. Most impprtantly, he dont put my D n a hole with turnovers in our own end and give them easy points. Check Say what you want but Cheyney understands this. There is a reason for every call. It may be to see how him the the Defense lines up on a formation or what coverage they will give him. Hes patient and makes good adjustments based on what the defense is giving him. PN understands the longer the game goes on and he still has a chance to win it, the greater the chance of winning and conversely, dont shoot yoursef in the foot by panicing. Cheyney is a cool customer who understand games are won in the 4th quarter, and keeps PN team in the game...
3) "I want you to be you a great offensive guy" Great offensive orgnizers understand what they want to do and how to get there.
know their personnell, and based on that design the specific offensive plays to suit the strength of the offense, but Cheyney gives PN what he wants. Running a lead option, counter trey , a power or an outside wham Iso all attack he same point in the defense, but differ in terms of ability requirements of the personnel. We dont have a running back who can get to the edge as fast as TB(who is also a complete stud) and we have a very athletic RT who can get up on the force man , so Cheyney runs the jet sweep with TB. He Runs the power behind jaymar.... Peterman doesnt have a rep as a big runner, but hes a good athlete and runs well. Cheyney sees and utilizes that, keeping it within his ability levels. TB is a stud, get him the ball nd keep him involved in multiple capacities, which is what he does.
I guarantee what we see at the end of te season and next year will be even more fun to watch. Hes a good teacher and developer of talent, and a sound, patient game day coach who gives his head coach what he wants, which is the mark of a great OC. Look at Ped U. Would you trade OC's with them? He's the best Ive seen since the 80"s at Pitt and Im happy he is here and likes being here....
