TCU on SI: Is It Time To Move on From Kendal Briles?

[TopFrog]

Is It Time To Move on From Kendal Briles?​

What is the verdict on the Frogs' offensive coordinator following several underwhelming, lackluster performances?

Ian Napetian​

As the TCU Horned Frogs continue to fade as the regular season comes to an end, it might be time to move on from offensive coordinator Kendal Briles.

When Briles was hired in 2023, he had big shoes to fill after Garrett Riley put one of the most potent offenses in the nation on display. Coming from Arkansas, where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for three years, Briles added the title of associate head coach. However, things have not gone to plan. In his first year, the TCU offense struggled.

Between Chandler Morris and Josh Hoover, the Frogs won just five games and went 3-6 in Big 12 play. TCU was 14th in red zone offense, converting just 72.5% of the time. They scored in 37 of 51 trips and surrendered six turnovers. Following a frustrating first season under Briles’ offense, the Frogs turned things around and became the most prolific red zone scoring team in the conference. Scoring in 52 of 57 trips (91.2%), TCU led all Big 12 teams in the red zone. Instead of continuing this positive trend, the Frogs have since taken several steps in the wrong direction.

Read the rest at https://www.si.com/college/tcu/football/is-it-time-to-move-on-from-kendal-briles-01kachg7rx4n

 

[froglash88]

Does a bear [ Finebaum ] in the woods?



I'm on the bring back LRBWGMFP train at this point

 

[TopFrog]

The run game has not been good under Briles. It tends to make us and him one-dimensional.

Why is that? Scheme? Coaching? Personnel?

It all starts up front and I don't think we have built and maintained a good OL under Dykes and Co.

 

[HornyWartyToad]

This must be a parody account. You can’t criticize this guy, just look at all the yards they gain! /s

 

[Big Frog II]

Our offense wears me out. It is too inconsistent.

 

[Wexahu]

The run game has not been good under Briles. It tends to make us and him one-dimensional.

Why is that? Scheme? Coaching? Personnel?

It all starts up front and I don't think we have built and maintained a good OL under Dykes and Co.

I think the most logical explanation is that our QB isn’t a running threat, and his “system”, at least in the past, has featured that. His last two Arkansas teams ran for 3,000 yards. Some of it is the O-line I’m sure but I doubt those Arkansas lines were a bunch of road graders.

Now if Dykes prefers his QBs not run the ball in order to save their health then it might not be a good HC/OC fit.

 

[Limey Frog]

We should have moved on when he was first offered. It's three years past time, but better late than never.

 

[TopFrog]

I think the most logical explanation is that our QB isn’t a running threat, and his “system”, at least in the past, has featured that. His last two Arkansas teams ran for 3,000 yards. Some of it is the O-line I’m sure but I doubt those Arkansas lines were a bunch of road graders.

Now if Dykes prefers his QBs not run the ball in order to save their health then it might not be a good HC/OC fit.

Schobel ran track in HS but he is not considered a dual-threat QB. He is a big arm pocket passer. So some things need to change for both Hoover and Schobel to have success.

 

[Wexahu]

Schobel ran track in HS but he is not considered a dual-threat QB. He is a big arm pocket passer. So some things need to change for both Hoover and Schobel to have success.

Hard to say that Hoover hasn’t been “successful”. It’s not like he was some can’t miss kid out of HS, and he’s had a pretty good career so far. His problems have been more boneheaded decisions and game management stuff more than system related IMO.

I honestly don’t care if Briles leaves, there are other guys out there that would probably be ok. I also think if his last name was not Briles he wouldn’t be getting near the grief that he is, and that it could also get worse as far as offensive production goes, especially relative to the personnel.

 

[TopFrog]

Hard to say that Hoover hasn’t been “successful”.

He is putting up some numbers and climbing and passing some all-time marks, moving ahead of some excellent past quaterbacks.

Scoring-wise we are averaging 17.5 ppg in our last four games. For Hoover success is eliminating the poor throws and decisions leading to multiple turnovers and getting us in the end zone -- which I don't put the recent scoring problems entirely on him. When you can't run the ball effectively, when you lose the field position battle and turn it over you are going to have problems.

This weekend is likely going to be a similar struggle but hopefully a win.

 

[EVOfrogMR]

Yes.

 

[Frozen Frog]

He is putting up some numbers and climbing and passing some all-time marks, moving ahead of some excellent past quaterbacks.

He throws a great interception! I can remember a QB that threw that many INTs since Sean Stilley. In Stilley's defense he did run a good option.

 

[Panther City Frog]

Yes.

Underrated post.

 

[Frog79]

The run game has not been good under Briles. It tends to make us and him one-dimensional.

Why is that? Scheme? Coaching? Personnel?

It all starts up front and I don't think we have built and maintained a good OL under Dykes and Co.

I think it is largely due to OL issues. Briley's actually had a pretty stellar rushing offense when he was at Arkansas. I don't think he suddenly became unable to produce an effective rushing offensive scheme. I think it is a personnel problem. We are clearly getting killed in the NIL era.