OPINION: New coordinator came at the right time
We are all familiar with the part in every movie when the homely protagonist visits his lowly father for the first occasion in what has to be an unfathomable amount of time. We can all script it out pretty much in our head – son reunites with dad, dad is as frazzled looking as before, they talk about a few of the good times and most of the bad, the son finds some way to prove to dad he has outgrown his imperfect guidance and they part ways with the father longingly staring into his past and future while the son is, most likely, en route to a brunch date with Meg Ryan.
In many ways it’s a timeless tale. In just about every way it explains this Saturday as the Aggies take on the Rams of Colorado State and reunite ever-so-briefly with former offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin.
There were good moments with Baldwin at the helm. There were even some choice great moments – i.e. allowing Adam Kennedy to unleash and defeat a once-roaring Hawaii team at the wire – but truth be told there were innumerable blanketed moments of heartbreak and frustration.
As much as Baldwin’s transition from USU to CSU was localized in an if-you-love-him-you’ll-let-him-go type of environment, it also admittedly came as a sigh of relief, opening gates to move on and start something fresh.
Cue in Matt Wells, a new-age, almost trendy former quarterbacks coach whose age is a mere half-decade more than Baldwin’s coaching experience. Though this all sounds like a disadvantage, it is just what the doctor ordered.
In reference to the team, Wells’ style of offense eerily dwarfs the young, athletic and physical squad it is prepared for. In reference to the fans, it does even more as his attitude dwarfs the aura of a student section looking for their team to get to the next level.
Coach Baldwin was a classic type, harrowing the old school, Bear Bryant type of football – you outsmart the other team, you take what is realistic and get as far as you can and you most-definitely listen to Creedence Clearwater Revival because it’s music you can set your watch to. The recipe is good, but not for this team.
Wells, on the other hand, is young. He’s intense. He’s quick to move and quick to react. As much as you outsmart the opposition, you outplay them, you attack. He’s probably listened to Flo Rida though he may still be in the generation of it being “just noise.”
Where Baldwin metaphorically ruled with a clipboard, Wells rules with an iPad and the fans recognize the change with what they see on the field.
It’s that new breed of football – that aggressive style of play, that newfound aura, known formally in culture as “swag,” that the fans connect to. It’s their personality on turf.
This weekend will be fun. The Rams are no easy opponent and that goes double with a former confidant running the offense.
The funny thing is, as much fun as it will and may be to achieve roaring success in Fort Collins, it will be just as entertaining to see our former Dad again on the opposing sidelines calling routes, organizing bubble screens, setting backfield sets and all the while looking a heck of a lot like none of it phases him.
If we know Baldwin we will know it to be nostalgic. If we know our team, we know we have as good a chance of waxing victorious as ever, and that’s a promise.
No promises, however, on dinner with Meg Ryan after the game. She may have prior commitments.
– Steve Schwartzman is a senior studying communication studies. He has had just about every job in sports writing, including blogs, analysis, statistics and fantasy football tips, but he especially loves making bold picks. Got any comments? Let him know: steve.schwartzman@aggiemail.usu.edu.