The biggest change in Applewhite’s coaching structure is the lack of a dedicated special teams coordinator. Applewhite’s plan for special teams is to have one coach from offense and one from defense collaborate to handle the return game and the cover game. Applewhite himself is familiar with special teams, having experience with the kickoff return and punt unit as a graduate assistant at the University of Texas. He will also be a part of special teams.
Applewhite’s decision to not have a dedicated special teams coach doesn’t mean he thinks it’s unimportant. He stressed its importance and how a single play can flip a game in an instant, but the new Cougar coach isn’t at the point where he can announce which two coaches will be in charge of special teams.
I think that’s a mistake. What determines the coach’s success? His position success or his special teams. We’ve been down this road and it hasn’t worked.
I tend to agree. I don’t understand why coaches continue to try this - it almost always ends in later hiring a ST coach after a catastrophic ST failure.