Is there any talk (at spring practice or otherwise) about how the coaches are going to approach a game plan? One of my biggest issues last year was the play-calling (on both offense and defense). The team never seemed like they were given the opportunity to get into a rhythm. In every sport it seems as though the team that wins is the one that keeps the other team off balance, and I think the last time we did that was Ohio State in 2007. Are the coordinators going to have full reins of the play calling, and are they going to be in Zook’s ear about clock management?
~ David from Downers Grove

To be honest, of the 7 new assistant coaches, this is my #1 concern. I’ve lost sleep thinking about this. Well, that’s not true. The other night, I woke up to some thunder at 4:45. I couldn’t get back to sleep right away, so as I lay there in the dark, I thought about this:

Why are we so confident in Paul Petrino when he’s never called a single play in his life? Yes, he was Arkansas’ offensive coordinator, but his brother called the plays. It was his brother’s offense. His brother ran the show, while he mostly worked with the wide receivers. If his name was Paul Smith, would we even be half as excited about him?

This is not to say that he doesn’t know what he’s doing. He and his brother talked of “sharing a brain”, and he knows ever nuance of that offense inside and out. So I’m more than confident that we’ll have a full arsenal of innovative plays and formations.

But will he abandon the run when we’re down by 9 in the third quarter? Will he be able to sense when the defense is relying on the corner blitz and call a quick pass to that side? Can he sit there with his pocket 7-4 offsuit and stare down a defensive coordinator until he folds? Ask me in the third quarter of the Missouri game. Because until then, you nor I nor anyone else has any clue.  I’m hopeful, but cautious.

As for a rhythm to our play calling, I’d say it’s doubtful until maybe late October. This is a completely new offense, switching from the spread to the pro-set, with a freshman QB. I’m expecting sharp growing pains.  My single goal for the first six games is that no opponent’s blog puts together an Illinois offense video with Yakkity Sax as the soundtrack.

Long time listener, first time caller… What are your post spring thoughts on the Petrino and Koenning hires? From what I have heard and read about them, I think they are great hires; it just concerns me that their fate seems to be tied to Zook and our results in the next year (maybe two). Then again, they must have seen some opportunity to advance their careers by taking the positions with the Illini. I will hang up now and listen.
~ Strupac in New York City

I somewhat answered these questions in Part 2 of the Mailbag, but I wanted to answer this one to say this: I heart Vic Koenning. I’m cautiously optimistic about Petrino as stated above, but I’m full on mancrushing Coach Vic.

The first drill I saw him run with the secondary on the first day of practice was how to go up high for the interception on an overthrown slant. He got in the players faces all spring when they celebrated a tackle. He said that our tackling technique was missing “5th or 6th grade” basics. He developed nicknames like “Tapout” for our could-be-otherworldly-if-they-went-hard-every-play linemen. Best of all, he was absolutely disgusted when he had to answer questions about how the defense was coming together. He’s like 6 points from the 19 Point Plan all wrapped up into one.

If the 2011 defense comes together like I think it might (yes, 2011), Vic Koenning’s change of heart (reportedly saying yes to Georgia, and then a few hours later saying no) might be the most positive development for Illinois football in ten years.

Tell me what you think about the “dc” (aka Petrino is a Louisville guy and won’t call it the wildcat) package.
~ Matt from Naperville

When I first saw them run it at practice, I made a note to myself that I wouldn’t write about it.  Because I’m the rare combination of writer and rabid fan, I’m frightened to write anything that would give Missouri even the slightest advantage.  You know, ’cause they’re totally reading.

But now that I’ve seen it in print everywhere, and they ran it in the spring game, I feel free to talk about it.  It’s… OK, I guess.  For those unfamiliar, it’s our “wildcat” package with Eddie McGee at QB and a quasi-spread formation.  Like most wildcat packages, you have to have at least some ability to throw from it, which Eddie can do.  But mostly, I think it will simply look like we took a few plays from last year’s playbook and put them on the field in 2010.  Eddie takes the snap, heads around the Jeff Allen Corner, and we get a nice 6 yard gain.

But what I’d really like to see us do is throw it to Scheelhaase.  Most teams have learned to somewhat ignore the QB when he splits out wide in the Wildcat.  I’d love to get it to Nathan in the open field and see what he can create.

With the new and improved coordinators now in place, I’d like to know how Coach Zook’s role has changed. Have you observed any differences this year as far as responsibilities, demeanor, etc.? Have we effectively limited his influence on strategery?
~ General Engineer, Crystal Lake, IL

I could write a thousand words. Or…

End of practice on Friday the 23rd. That’s Koenning with the defense over to the left. That’s Petrino with the offense over to the right. That’s Gilbert with the offensive line back right.

And that’s Zook at the 40, talking to the ball girl.

It’s worth noting that 3 minutes after this picture was taken, Zook was doing what he does best. Many parents and other family members were milling about in the east stands, and Zook came over to the edge and made every single one of them feel good, shaking hands and kissing babies.

Which is why I’m still holding out hope that this could work. It appears that he’s swallowed his pride and left the O and D to Paul and Vic. His position on the field this spring was different than his catbird seat in Rantoul last August. He’s still The Decider, but as for the football I think he’s mostly special teams coordinator. Defensive scheming appears to be the Koenning and West show, and the offense appears to be Petrino and Brohm. Practice is still run in the same 15-20 minute sessions with air horns and timers, and the stretching and post-practice media availability are still the same, so it’s still a Ron Zook practice. But as far as the football side goes, I think Zook is much less involved.

Just like a good figurehead should.