Vol coordinator Alex Golesh talks Tennessee's offensive install, shares timeline for naming starting QB
Tennessee fans better be ready to go fast on offense.
Considering the last few seasons on Rocky Top, the speed of Tennessee’s offense in 2021 should be sight for sore eyes.
While the system may run fast, don’t look for the players — especially the team’s quarterbacks — to fully grasp it right away according to Tennessee first-year offensive coordinator, Alex Golesh.
During his introductory press conference at Tennessee, the new OC on Rocky Top was asked about how the new Volunteer coaching staff plans to pick the first quarterback to start in Josh Heupel’s offense.
“It’s going to be a matter of finding the guy that can do both at a really high rate,” Golesh said on Wednesday. “There are guys here that have played, (graduate transfer) Hendon (Hooker) played at Virginia Tech a considerable amount. It’s going to be a matter of force-feeding it and seeing who can handle it from a mental aspect, and obviously, who can handle it from a physical aspect.”
Just don’t look for those answers to come quickly.
Because of the importance placed on the quarterbacks in the system, Golesh shared that he thinks it will take more than spring practice to determine which signal-caller proves to be the best equipped to lead the offense in 2021.
“So much of this offense revolves around the quarterback and being able to manage it and being able to operate within the system. It happens really fast, and really that’s across the board at every position,” Golesh continued. “You’ve got to be able to process information really quickly. You’ve got to be able to process looks really quickly. At the quarterback position in particular, who can grasp it the quickest? Who can operate within the system and then who can excel in the system?
“I don’t think we have that answer – I know we don’t have that answer right now. And I don’t think we will have an answer at the end of the spring. I think this is going to be, at that position specifically, a six-month process to get to Week 1 and roll with the guy that you feel is the most prepared and the most functional in terms of running the offense.”
This spring, all eyes will be on sophomore Harrison Bailey, junior Brian Maurer, graduate transfer Hendon Hooker and incoming freshman Kaidon Salter when it comes to the team’s quarterback competition. While their every move will be dissected by the coaching staff this spring, they each have plenty of time to prove they deserve to be the first to take the first snap for Tennessee this fall.
I wonder how much Harrison Bailey is excited.
I’m sure he is very excited, why wouldn’t he be?
May the fastest man win!
Hey Mr. Bratton did Maurer transfer to the mexican proleague and I just missed it or do you just give him absolutely no shot whatsoever. None of your recent articles about the UT QB’s have even mentioned his name. He fits Heupels offense perfectly. Not pulling for or against him, saying he should win the job or even be favored but he at least will get a chance to compete for it. Give the kid a little respect please.
For a program in such dire straits we sure do have a nice QB room.
I have commented on the lack of Maurer coverage too. I don’t know if we will be good or not, but we should be entertaining.
Too bad we don’t have G anymore. He could really get thru progressions quick and at a high rate. No, I’m not serious. But seriously, why is Maurer never mentioned in these articles?
Totally different than what Tenn fans are used too…faced paced offenses are becoming popular. Lane Kiffin runs it some, it’s designed to keep defenses off balance and out of place. Thing is, time of Possession…you take a powerful offense like Alabama has had and you give the ball to them more. He might want to be flexible and slow down if he has a lead.
Was his great grandfather captain of the Titanic?