Burton

[MBHORNSFAN]

Is now also confirming Koenning as the new WR coach.

 

[Juan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>With Texas likely hiring Les Koenning as the next WR coach, that could change a lot of things about who the next OC may be.</p>— Longhorn Scoop (@LonghornScoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/LonghornScoop/statuses/423307928221675520">January 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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[DizzG]

wonder what that means

 

[TMTycoon]

Good God.

 

[Juan]

wonder what that means

One possibility is that LK is not considered a spread guy.

Here is some video from 2013 of Les at MSU - he is first up then the vid goes to other coaches

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He was pushed out as the OC there.

Here is a blogpost about some of it - kinda long, but if anyone is interested

Ever since mid-3rd Quarter last Saturday, the Mississippi State social media world has been blowing up with calls for the firing of Les Koenning as offensive coordinator. While I agree that Koenning’s job performance leaves something to be desired, I find myself compelled to ask another question: Is Koenning at the root of MSU’s offensive problems or is he a convenient scapegoat? To help answer this question, let’s take a look back at Mississippi State's offensive coordinator history.
* * *

Let’s take a deeper look at Les Koenning’s role as offensive coordinator. As I said just a moment ago, Koenning has no experience running the Spread. In fact, he was nearly out of football when Mullen hired him. I’m forced to ask myself, why was Koenning hired? What is his role, considering the facts above? We know for a certainty that Les is in charge of coaching and developing the quarterbacks. We also know that Les helps create the weekly gameplan. As of last year, Les was handed play calling duties. But rumors have surfaced that Mullen himself called the plays Saturday. (Something I’ll take a look at in a future article.) But for the sake of argument, let’s say Les called the plays Saturday.

Does replacing Koenning change anything of significance? I think the answer is a resounding "No." Let’s be honest: The Spread is Mullen’s offense. He brought the system to MSU. He "taught" Koenning the offense. Mullen called the plays in 2009 and 2010. Frankly, offense is the Dan Mullen Show. Dan is making all the decisions of any real significance when it comes to that side of the ball.

http://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/football/2013/9/5/4695032/msu-offensive-coordinator-scapegoat-and-modern-hiring-problems

 

[RoyalCrowns]

Great to see Les coming back home to the 40 Acres! He was a pretty good possession receiver back in the day. Only thing is, Freddie didn't put the ball up a lot. Koenning and Bedford get to reunite. I like that Chuck brought in a couple of old school Texas exes. I think Les will be a plus to the staff. Welcome home! FWIW

 

[HornSolo]

Welcome home Les......I like this hire a lot.

 

[Randolph Duke]

Homer Watson, Homer Wickline and Homer Koenning. Three home run hires. Now, how do we find a leader in this mess?

 

[Juan]

 

[jesserson]

Mike where did you get that LoJo was leaning USC?

 

[JMagana]

Are we running a west coast pro style offense? Guess so

 

[Juan]

Mike where did you get that LoJo was leaning USC?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>One of UT's top recruits, WR <a href="https://twitter.com/LoJoe12">@LoJoe12</a>, will be taking visits to USC and TCU.</p>— Longhorn Scoop (@LonghornScoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/LonghornScoop/statuses/423306399943118848">January 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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[jesserson]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>One of UT's top recruits, WR <a onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'Outgoing', 'twitter.com', '/LoJoe12']);" href="https://twitter.com/LoJoe12">@LoJoe12</a>, will be taking visits to USC and TCU.</p>— Longhorn Scoop (@LonghornScoop) <a onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'Outgoing', 'twitter.com', '/LonghornScoop/statuses/423306399943118848']);" href="https://twitter.com/LonghornScoop/statuses/423306399943118848">January 15, 2014</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Who is Longhorn Scoop? He just seems to reveal info that comes off other sites. As he did with this one. 20 mins after Mike tweeted it.

 

[Juan]

Some more on Les Koenning --

Started as GA at Texas in 1981. He's also served as an assistant at Alabama, South Alabama, Texas A&M, TCU, Houston, Duke and the Miami Dolphins.

Coached WRs for a decade starting in 1986 but has not been a WRs-only coach since 1996 (A&M).

Since 1998 (Duke), LK has worked exclusively as an OC and QB coach. He has been the OC at MSU for the last 5 years.

His ties with Strong are limited to this -- MSU head coach Dan Mullen spent time with Strong at Florida 2005-08. Other than that, LK coached against Strong at least one season that I see.

Under Koenning at OC, the MSU offense did set some school records. According to MSU, 2010-2013 "marked the highest combined three-year offensive output in school history (14,825 yards), breaking almost every single offensive school record in the process...... In just four short years, Koenning’s offense has nearly doubled the average number of points scored (15.2 ppg in 2008; 29.5 in 2012)."

2013 -- MSU went 7-6, was 9th in the SEC in total offense, averaging 434 yards per game, and 10th in SEC scoring, averaging 27.7 ppg.

2012 -- MSU set school records in passing yardage, completion percentage, completions and TDs.

2011 -- MSU set then school record for passing TDs (19) and 2nd all-time in total offense and first downs

He also developed QBs Chris Relf, Tyler Russell and Dak Prescott. Russell set some MSU single season passing records. And Prescott has been called a "sleeper" for Heisman 2014.

He has coached the spread offense.

He is an established recruiter.

Lastly, he was not fired as the OC at MSU although there were some grumblings as I posted above. So, it is interesting that an OC would leave to become a WR coach. Perhaps a clue to our eventual OC?

Coaching Experience

2009-2013: Mississippi State (Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks)

2008-09: South Alabama (Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks)

2003-07: Texas A&M (Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks) - under Franchione

2001-02: Alabama (Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks)

2000: TCU (Passing Game Coordinator / Quarterbacks)

1999: Houston (Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks)

1998: Duke (Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks)

1997: Miami Dolphins (Offensive Assistant)

1994-96: Texas A&M (Wide Receivers)

1993 (Dec.): Duke (Wide Receivers)

1990-93: Rice (Wide Receivers)

1986-89: Mississippi State (Running Backs / Wide Receivers)

1985: Louisiana-Lafayette (Wide Receivers / Recruiting Coordinator)

1984: Alabama (Graduate Assistant)

1981-83: Texas (Graduate Assistant)