Arizona State is in the market for a new offensive coordinator after Dennis Erickson decided to dismiss Rich Olson. And, this time around, the coach holding that title won’t be a coordinator in name only.
Erickson made the announcement this afternoon, and made it clear that he’s not laying any blame for any offensive woes at the feet of his ex-coordinator.
“It really has nothing to do with what he (Olson) did or didn’t do,” Erickson said. “It’s more about change and trying to get some new ideas. Rich Olson is a good coach, always has been and always will be. I needed to make a change. Our failings offensively had more to do with everybody involved, not just one person by any means.
“He’s a good coach and has done a good job. Our problems are not because of him, believe me. I want people to understand that.”
(We assume Erickson made those comments after he had hidden the bloody ax from public view.)
Now, in addition to a new coordinator, Erickson is making another change on the offensive side of the ball, and it will involve himself. According to the coach, he will loosen his grip on his play-calling duties and hand them over to his new assistant.
“After evaluating myself, I need to spend more time with the whole football team,” he said. “I’ve got to balance my time better. I’ll still be involved in some of the planning offensively. Also I want to be involved more in special teams and have an idea what we’re doing defensively. I want to spend more time with the players in all aspects of the game.”
Current Detroit Lions tight ends coach Tim Lappano is mentioned by the Arizona Republic as a potential replacement for Olson. Lappano was Erickson’s coordinator at Oregon State for four years earlier this decade.
Regardless of just who takes over for Olson, they will have a significant offensive hill to climb.
This season, the Sun Devils were 93rd in total offense (95th rushing, 61st passing) and 90th in scoring offense at just a shade over 22 points a game. Even more glaring was their lack of success on third down; out of 120 Div. 1-A schools, ASU was 113th at 30%.