It’s been widely discussed across various publications, but the Noel Mazzone offense isn’t that complicated. Texas A&M’s new offensive coordinator will bring in a style that Aggies fans have grown accustomed to. It’s one they’ll recognize, or at least look familiar.

The former UCLA offensive coordinator with numerous ties to the SEC replaces Jake Spavital, whose offense sputtered then spiraled downward in College Station over the past couple of seasons. Mazzone’s offense reached as high as 20th in the nation in scoring over his four years at UCLA. Prior to that, Mazzone was at Arizona State.

The 58-year-old has been coaching for more than 30 years, getting his first shot as an OC with Ole Miss in 1995. He also held the same position at Auburn (1999-2001) before working his way to the NFL where he was wide receivers coach for the New York Jets (2006-08).

His ties with Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin go back to the 1993-94 seasons when both were on the staff at the University of Minnesota. Mazzone was the quarterbacks coach while Sumlin the receivers coach.

He is a leader in the one-back, spread offense system. So much so, he has his own website, the Nzone System, where he sells the system to those wishing to purchase and study it. The premise is the same as with most spread offenses; the use of space in an up-tempo style.


The basic goals are to get the ball snapped every 18-22 seconds, to play the next play and quickly put behind the last one. And here’s perhaps the most important of all; built-in solutions within the system to take advantage of what the defense is presenting.

It’s often described as quarterback friendly.

Mazzone doesn’t employ a large playbook. It’s about executing the basic concept, because each play begins with different formations and those plays vary depending on the defense’s reactions. The quarterback has a run/play option and that’s what gives diversity to a simplified spread offense.

Aggies’ fans can anticipate a lot of motion in the offense in hopes of tipping the defense’s hand on whether it’s playing man or zone. It’s a quick offense that depends on the quarterback making good reads and quick distribution of the football.

That’s where Aggies quarterbacks Trevor Knight and Jake Hubenak come in. Their decision-making will determine whether or not the system works for Texas A&M. Knight looks like the guy to take the controls. It looks like, on paper, that this is a system that will allow Knight to use his experience and knowledge of the game to full potential. It’s a quick three-step drop passing attack that plays to Knight’s skill set.

That’s not to say Hubenak couldn’t flourish. But quick reactions derived from confidence and recognition of the situation are among the essential ingredients in steering this offense.

The running game remains important, but the goal is to spread the defense and remove as many numbers from the box as possible, keep them honest with the occasional tunnel screen and plays that test the perimeter. Getting the ball to playmakers in space is the key and the Aggies possess the skilled athletes to make it work.