Aggies are a noisy bunch, especially when they’re happy.
They whoop. They “hump it” — placing hands on knees and leaning forward — to maximize the effect of their voices. They even practice yelling.
But Aggies can make even more noise when upset. They’re upset right now. And their loud voices of discontent are directed toward Offensive Coordinator Jake Spavital.
You know the numbers.
The Aggies have scored one offensive touchdown or less in five of their last six Southeastern Conference football games. They were held to three points by Ole Miss. They managed seven points against LSU. They got 10 against Auburn.
Consequently, frustrated Aggies are demanding Spavital’s ouster as offensive coordinator.
That may or may not happen. Obviously, that’s Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin’s decision.
Also, Sumlin must decide if he still believes in the pass-oriented spread offense that was so successful when he was at Houston and when he had Johnny Manziel running it at A&M.
If Sumlin does opt to stick with the spread and decides to replace his offensive coordinator, here’s a recommendation for Spavital’s successor:
Tony Franklin.
No, not the Tony Franklin that frequently boomed 60-yard field goals for the Aggies in the ‘70s.
TexAgs
Tony Franklin's offenses at Cal — and at Louisiana Tech, which hung 57 on Texas A&M in 2012 — seem to fit from a scheme and production standpoint.
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Rather, the Tony Franklin who is currently offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Cal, which this season is averaging 524.4 yards per game and is ranked ninth in the nation in total offense.
In 2014 the Bears ranked among the nation’s top 25 in passing offense, scoring offense and total offense.
Franklin also helped develop quarterback Jared Goff into one of the country’s top passers.
Sure, most would say head coach Sonny Dykes is the reason for Cal’s offensive success and Goff’s development, but Franklin deserves credit, too.
After all, Dykes brought Franklin with him to Berkeley from Louisiana Tech in 2012.
You remember that Louisiana Tech team in 2012, don’t you? That team threatened to upset the Aggies until Ben Malena recovered an onside kick to clinch a 59-57 victory.
Franklin is a disciple of the spread offense that Sumlin likes. Franklin coached alongside Mike Leach on Hal Mumme’s staff at Kentucky. He took over as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator in 2000 after Leach left for Oklahoma.
Franklin went to Troy in 2006 to revamp an offense that was ranked 109th in the nation. Two years later, Troy was 16th in the country in total offense.
Tommy Tuberville hired Franklin as Auburn’s offensive coordinator in 2008. But Franklin never got a fair chance to install his offense at Auburn.
Offensive position coaches, who were accustomed to Tuberville’s power style, would not accept Franklin’s style. They literally coached against him. Tuberville fired Franklin midway through the ’08 season with Auburn at 4-2. The Tigers managed just one win the rest of the season and then Tuberville, too, was fired.
Franklin then had a successful stint as Middle Tennessee State’s offensive coordinator before joining Dykes at Louisiana Tech in 2010.
Look at it this way: In his 12 full seasons as an offensive coordinator, Franklin’s offenses have ranked lower than 51st just once – his first year at Troy.
Kentucky was second in 2000. Troy was 16th in ’07. Middle Tennessee was 27th in ’09. Louisiana Tech was first in ’12 and Cal has ranked between 34th and ninth the past three seasons.
Alex Parker, TexAgs
The Aggies' overload of talent on offense would almost certainly be enticing to any candidate Sumlin would choose to pursue.
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Further, four of the quarterbacks Franklin worked with ranked among the nation’s top 20 in passing at least one season. Goff has done it three times.
Perhaps Franklin could get similar results out of Kyle Allen and/or Kyler Murray.
Of course, there is a chance that Sumlin will determine the problem with A&M’s offense lies elsewhere and therefore won’t make a change at offensive coordinator.
However, if he does there will surely be dozens interested in the position.
A depth chart that already has Allen, Murray, Christian Kirk, Josh Reynolds, Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones and Avery Gennesy surely would be enticing.
If Sumlin remains steadfast in using his version of the spread offense, the pool of candidates will be limited.
But Tony Franklin seemingly would be a good fit.
If not, Sumlin could always contact the other Tony Franklin.
This offense could use a 60-yard field goal or two.
