I think the call for a special teams coach is off base. There are three coaches that have to solve the problem: Matt Campbell, John Heacock, and Nate Scheelhaase. They have the two things that are essential to solving the problems, players and practice time. They have to reach a mutual agreement on which players and how much time are going to be taken from offense and defense players and time.
To me there are 3 general phases of special teams.
- Specialist work - Punting, FG/XP, Long Snapping, Holding
- Offensive ST - Kickoff Return, Punt Return
- Defensive ST - Kickoff Coverage, Punt Coverage, Punt Protection
Ultimately, the decision has to be mutually reached among those 3 about ST philosophy. How much "risk" is warranted in ST play? More block attempts? More or less fair catches? Run kickoffs versus the safe at 25 yard line? Kick deep v kick to a spot and cover? Trick plays like fake punts, fake field goals, and on-side kicks? The more complex, the more time needs to be devoted with corresponding less time for basic offense and defense. Basically is ST a third/third/third or more like 40/40/20?
At that point, it would seem that there would be an offensive ST Coordinator and a deffensive ST Coordinator. And the staff should be organized so that each coach has a responsibility (except OC and DC) as defined by the ST Coordinators.
The toughest is figuring out how to recruit, train, and coach specialists - technically and mentally. Off season clinics is important, but a coach needs to be their head coach - literally. They have to keep their heads from being jumbled and, perhaps, keep the Head Coach from messing with their heads.
But, to me, the biggest issue is not what you do with special teams. It is with how well they do whatever approach they choose. If they choose to be a return team, they need to do it well. If they are going to be safe, they need to catch the ball on virtually every punt and scrimmage from the 25 after every kickoff. Every. Single. Time. Just do whatever well.
Some things are no brainers, to me. The FG/XP Tackles and Guards should be Reserves that spend time honing that one craft. Avoids injury to starters in the pileups. The fg team should be LS, 4 strongest reserve OLINE, 4 TE's/HB/FB, backup QB or walk-on, and kicker.
Other teams will be a mixture of defensive and offensive players depending on philosophy. It just has to be a priority, not an afterthought or last thing you get to.
