In BIG games, which head coaches regularly call plays, be specific for on the field calls in big games/situations.  25%, 50% more??

(I anticipate most HC’s have a lot of input at the game planning level - this is more for on the field selection)

vs.

Which head coaches have a trusted OC that leads the play calling on the field in big games/situations.

 

I’d be interested to hear coaches opinions on this as well @ChiefSmoke, @coachhawk if you feel like sharing.

 

 

This raises a good point and one of the reasons that I’ve called our plays the past 33 years. I had a great Coach tell me one time that he actually called both sides of the ball because he felt like his coordinators would come to him on the most critical situations.

 

I’ve also seen it work great where the head coach calls neither. I think you just have to do whatever fits your program & your staff best.

I might be wrong, and I could be reading to original post incorrectly.  But I would be surprised if whoever is calling the O most of the time, doesn't call it during "big games".  I know several HC's that call the O or the D, but they do it all the time, not just in big moments.  

I've talked to a lot of coaches over the years - quite a few of them were assistant coaches that were also acting offensive coordinators. One thing I've heard come out of virtually all of their mouths about play calling was, "Well, it's his baby, so when it comes down to it he has the final say over things, not me."

I think there's a time and place where essentially every head coach that isn't already the offensive coordinator is going to step in and call the shots for a play or two, and it's their right to do it. And frankly there are probably situations where they should - like if they're breaking in a new/young offensive coordinator that season, or if they've moved to a new school and are in a position where they're rebuilding a coaching staff or building one from the ground up. But if it's a situation where it's a good head coach who has a good offensive coordinator working for him, the vast majority of the time it's going to be the offensive coordinator is going to be the one calling plays.

6 hours ago, BEChargers said:

I might be wrong, and I could be reading to original post incorrectly.  But I would be surprised if whoever is calling the O most of the time, doesn't call it during "big games".  I know several HC's that call the O or the D, but they do it all the time, not just in big moments.  

You’re reading right - I’ve just heard “he has the final say on plays” or “the OC gets overruled.  it’s really not a shock I mean guys in NFL do it as well. I would think bigger programs with a very talented staff may let the OC have the reigns.  But I also think as @ChiefSmokesays..offensive coaches as the HC still like directing the flow the offense but trust their coordinators to make recommendations in big situations.  I don’t guess it’s one right answer for each team.  Depends upon HC and staff.  

2 minutes ago, Brown said:

You’re reading right - I’ve just heard “he has the final say on plays” or “the OC gets overruled.  it’s really not a shock I mean guys in NFL do it as well. I would think bigger programs with a very talented staff may let the OC have the reigns.  But I also think as @ChiefSmokesays..offensive coaches as the HC still like directing the flow the offense but trust their coordinators to make recommendations in big situations.  I don’t guess it’s one right answer for each team.  Depends upon HC and staff.  

We had a set up one time, had an OC, but we did a game script &  I called the plays off the script. We got into a groove. I would just go down the script and when the OC saw a play, he called it. Touchdown! It worked pretty well! He had several of those in a row for one stretch. He was in the press box. We were a good team. 

I didn't call any plays at Franklin-Simpson after year 1. I asked Max Chaney (Current FS Head Coach) to take over the offense. He did a great job. Called all plays including all the state championship games. He had great input from Matt Marsh and Rob McDougal. I ran the D. At Bullitt East I called the plays. Here at John Hardin I ran the defense and had an OC until this past (2024) season. I was lucky enough to get Jerry Perry to come on board and he runs the defense. I do not interfere. I called the offense in 2024 while JP ran the defense. I think it is whatever works for the staff and head coach. 

On 4/7/2025 at 10:38 AM, Brown said:

In BIG games, which head coaches regularly call plays, be specific for on the field calls in big games/situations.  25%, 50% more??

(I anticipate most HC’s have a lot of input at the game planning level - this is more for on the field selection)

vs.

Which head coaches have a trusted OC that leads the play calling on the field in big games/situations.

 

I’d be interested to hear coaches opinions on this as well @ChiefSmoke, @coachhawk if you feel like sharing.

 

 

Well, for the first time in my career, I will not be calling the offense. I am curious how I will act on Friday nights. Obviously I trust my new OC, he has been with me, knows how I think and I think will do a very good job. Does that mean I won’t inject myself into certain situations? I am sure I will struggle with it. We will find out. I am 100% sure that Sam Letton will do a great job. 

I think for it to work for someone other than the head coach to call the offensive plays, there has to be great communication between the coach and the coordinator during the game.  

The OC can call the plays, but the head coach should manage the game.  For example, the head coach should let the coordinator know if they are playing for a field goal or going for it.  When do they get into 4-down territory and so forth.

3 hours ago, bruin66 said:

I think for it to work for someone other than the head coach to call the offensive plays, there has to be great communication between the coach and the coordinator during the game.  

The OC can call the plays, but the head coach should manage the game.  For example, the head coach should let the coordinator know if they are playing for a field goal or going for it.  When do they get into 4-down territory and so forth.

This is what we did well at FS. It is very simple. After some time the OC and head coach have a feel for those things as well.