New OC Mike Bajakian at Northwesten

[coachklein]

Northwestern points per game nationally under Mike Bajakian (2020-2023)

93/128
125/130
128/131
106/133

[Utesbyfive]

Did Northwestern have the talent we supposedly have?

[SalUteopia]

It would be very fitting of this season if this change somehow makes the O even worse.

[URow]

I was doing some stat searching as well.

Total offense ranks as OC:
2013 Tennessee: 95th
2019 Boston College: 47th, Utah 48th
2020 Northwestern: 93rd, Utah 52nd
2021 Northwestern: 116th, Utah 40th
2022 Northwestern: 107th, Utah 17th
2023 Northwestern: 124th, Utah 94th

Our defense is much better which I believe helps our offense with possessions, scoring chances, field position. Interestingly, Northwestern’s recruiting classes from 2020-2023 are ~48th in the nation. We are ~30th.

[chinngiskhaan]

Bajakian is not really the new OC. He’s just a stopgap.

I don’t anticipate much will change this year. How could it?

[Tony (admin)]

He might make some calls that exploits the opposing defense?

[apmusicman]

I also read he is apparently suing Northwestern as a result of the fallout from the hazing scandals there. Doesn’t instill me with a lot of confidence. Especially since he was backing the NW coach at the time, Pat Fitzgerald, it seems.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40549648/former-northwestern-oc-mike-bajakian-sues-school-defamation

[TruckStopTerrors]

Everybody needs to understand that this is not the new permanent OC. Just a stopgap. So what he did at previous stops shouldn’t be a huge deal. The rest of this season is about trying to get bowl eligible and developing Isaac.

[highlandute7]

That is my hope with this. That they start to play a little more loose and try to get back to having some fun given the season hasn’t gone has planned.

[Anfernee]

Hes not the next OC. So the already negative posting needs to stop. He has a great relationship with Wilson. Bajakian will simplify the approach to the system, devise strategies to help the overcome the stacked defensive fronts that have feasted on mistakes over the past few weeks, and provide relief for a freshman quarterback that is clearly talented, but has been trying to take on too much for much of his starts. Plus he’ll actually utilize our pass catchers. It’s a good move all around for the remainder of the season.

[coachklein]

He is the current OC for the season. I hope he kicks ass. Regardless, those are facts. Wasn’t meant to be positive or negative… just creating conversation.

[2008 National Champ]

Agree. If this was an offseason hire, the first thing I would do is look at what his offenses have done and post it for all to interpret however they chose. When did information become a bad thing?

He was the OC for a lot of bad Northwestern offenses. And if the rest of this season is an audition for the 2025 OC job, it will be very relevant because he will be installing his own system then instead of trying to make lemonade out of the poodle p**s Ludwig left him with.

[jshame17]

His work with Winston at Tampa and the stats they put up are interesting.

“In his debut season with the Bucs, Bajakian and rookie quarterback Jameis Winston piloted Tampa Bay’s offense to a Top-5 finish in the NFL and the most yards in team history. Winston set team rookie records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass attempts, pass completions and passer rating.”

Seems to work well with talent?

[The Miami Ute]

You forgot to add that Winston also led the NFL in interceptions that year. I think that it was close to 30 or something like that.

[2008 National Champ]

we’re supposed to overlook anything that could be construed as a negative. BEST HIRE EVER is apparently the only acceptable response. Amazing how quick this went from worst offense in 40 years to all of the problems have been solved with a single announcement.

[jshame17]

No one is saying that. At all.

But hey, he was the OC when Northwestern beat Utah in the Vegas bowl and their QB went 22/34 (65%) for 2 TDs …🤷🏻‍♂️.

So his awful offense beat Utah head to head.

[2008 National Champ]

sounds more like the old joke where the smartest person from place A moved to place B and lowered the IQ for both places.

I agree that mediocre is a step up from the last 3 weeks. I’m not sure it’s the monumental step that some want it to be so I will remain cautiously optimistic knowing that there is very little anyone can do in the short-term to change the trajectory of the season.

[SalUteopia]

@2008 we don’t need to be tOSU or Oregon on O. As you pointed out in another response, we’d be 6-1 if we averaged 25 points. 3 TDs + FG is not a monumental ask. Having said that, I am not sure if this change would lead to wins. Tough to favor us in any of the remaining games.

[Utah#1]

Why this guy? I’ve seen his experience and stat sheet from the past ten years and he’s either equal to or no better than Ludwig. What is Whitt thinking? Hmm, another yes man Whitt can control.

[2008 National Champ]

Unless you were going to hire Seth Littrell, your only option(s) was(were) internal.

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