SDS will look at new assistant coaches around the SEC, highlighting their accomplishments, achievements, history and tough tasks ahead of them. Up next, Vanderbilt’s Andy Ludwig.

Andy Ludwig, Vanderbilt Offensive Coordinator

Coaching history:

  • 1987-88 Portland State, WR
  • 1989-91 Idaho State, QB/WR
  • 1992 Utah, grad assistant
  • 1993-94 Augustana, offensive coordinator
  • 1995-96 Boise State, QB
  • 1997 Cal Poly, offensive coordinator
  • 1998-01 Fresno State, offensive coordinator
  • 2002-04 Oregon, offensive coordinator
  • 2005-08 Utah, offensive coordinator
  • 2009-10 California, QB/offensive coordinator
  • 2011-12 San Diego State, offensive coordinator
  • 2013-14 Wisconsin, QB/offensive coordinator

Derek Mason has called on former Wisconsin OC Andy Ludwig to fix his quarterback issues in Nashville, season-long problems that marred the Commodores during last year’s winless SEC finish.

After good friend Karl Dorrell faltered in his only season, Mason’s given Ludwig free rein over a unit that averaged just 288.3 yards per game in 2014 and scored only 26 touchdowns — 15 fewer than the league’s 13th-place team, Kentucky.

Over his first month, Ludwig, also the quarterbacks coach, has opened the battle under center in hopes of finding a passer whose top priority is precision. Ludwig says his intention during spring practice is to keep the playbook simple and worry about complete installation later.

He has coached several noteworthy quarterbacks during nearly two decades worth of calling plays at the Division I level including David Carr and Kellen Clemens. Vanderbilt’s incumbent, Johnny McCrary, has an early edge but he’s being pushed by Patton Robinette, Wade Freebeck and redshirt freshman Shawn Stankavadge.

“He’s a new guy. He’s a different person,” McCrary said in a recent interview with The Tennessean. “With him coming in, you are trying to learn as much as you can from this guy. I really think he’s trying to do his best to help each of the quarterbacks grow. He has so many years of experience in quarterback coaching, and I want to get some of that wisdom.”

Following Vanderbilt’s first snow-covered spring practice last week, Ludwig didn’t pull punches when assessing a work-in-progress offense.

“There is a lot that needs to go on at that position — from A to Z,” he said. “It’s a good hard-working group, and I appreciate their efforts. But we’ve just got to get a lot better.”

The silver lining for the Commodores is the return of Ralph Webb, a tailback capable of a 1,000-yard season in Ludwig’s offense if Vanderbilt’s offensive line continues to develop.