His Plans to Light Up the Scoreboard
Offensive Coordinator Wants to Improve Players and Score
Winston Robinson: Muleskinner
Issue date: 8/28/08 Section: Sports
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Last year alone, the Cardinals averaged more than 35 points and 341 passing yards per game.
Those numbers catapulted quarterback Brian Brohm into Heisman trophy considerations as the Cardinals were consistently viewed as contenders for the Conference USA title.
Brohm is now with the Green Bay Packers, playing behind starting quarterback Aaron Rogers.
However, the brain behind the Louisville offense that nurtured Brohm's career might be making a splash of his own with the 2008 Mules' football team, who begins its season tonight against Minnesota State at Walton Stadium.
After leading Brohm and one of the more powerful offenses in the country, the Mules' new offensive coordinator Charlie Stubbs has joined head coach Willie Fritz's staff in hopes of bringing that same type of success from Louisville to Central Missouri.
"The thing that I'm going to bring in is experience because I've seen a lot of things," Stubbs said. "I'm going to help the younger coaches as they grow, and help the players develop their skills by developing a scheme that fits their abilities."
After the Mules' 7-4 season, the offensive coordinator position became available after Jeff Conway resigned. Fritz was searching for a replacement when he came across Stubbs while both of them were doing work with an instructional football video.
After talking to Stubbs and a few other coaches, Fritz decided that Stubbs was the man for his offense.
"He seemed like a really good fit," Fritz said, "and so far he has done an outstanding job."
For the Stubbs, doing an outstanding job on his part should translate into an offensive boost in the passing game.
Last year, the Mules averaged just 217 passing yards, and had 13 more rushing touchdowns than passing.
Although the passing game wasn't dynamic, senior running back Glenn Milner had a strong season, running for 1,146 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Milner figures to be one of the key factors in Stubbs' offense.
"I want to make Glenn a complete player," Stubbs said. "Everything from receiving out of the backfield to blocking skills, I want to challenge him."
With the running back situation looking bright, a training camp quarterback battle had to be settled after last Thursday's scrimmage with last year's starter, junior Eric Czerniewski, getting the starting nod over sophomore Tommy Corwin.
"They both were very similar with shining moments and moments to improve on," Stubbs said. "Eric just carries more confidence because of the experience."
With the quarterback battle resolved, the new offense might be just another thing to look forward to this season.
For Czerniewski, he knows that Stubbs' tailor-made system will be a challenge, but one that can be conquered.
"Yeah, it's a different coaching style, but we still have to come out and compete," Czerniewski said.
With Stubbs' background, that may be all the Mules need to make 2008 a good year.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Brendon Corbett
posted 8/29/08 @ 4:13 AM CST
Okay! Good start to the season beating a worthy opponent, but let's see the numbers against Pitt and Northwest and then I'll be sold. The Mules biggest name this past offseason appears to be an offensive coordinator, not an offensive superstar. (Continued…)
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