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Coaching update: Thatcher officially OC, Drinkall, Viti, Worley promoted

Army officially announced Nebraska-Kearney’s Drew Thatcher as its new offensive coordinator and the promotions of current assistant coach Matt Drinkall, Mike Viti and Cody Worley.’

Black Knight Nation reported the hiring of Thatcher, who was Nebraska-Kearney’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the last four years, earlier this week. Thatcher, a former wide receiver at New Mexico State, guided Nebraska-Kearney to 402 yards and 33 points per game this past season, 450 yards and 34 points per game in 2021 and 4,115 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns in 2019. UNK was 25-11 over the three season.

Drinkall, Army’s tight ends the last three seasons, is now the Army’s co-offensive coordinator.

Viti, a 2007 Army team captain who finished his first season as offensive line coach, has been promoted to assistant head coach for offense.

Worley, who has led Army’s quarterbacks during the last three seasons of multiple starters, had added run game coordinator to his title.

Army’s offense is expected to shift from the flexbone under Thatcher’s scheme.

Former offensive coordinator Brent Davis, who led Army to be one of the top rushing teams in his nine years on staff, is not expected to return.

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  1. Thomas M. Arielly

    December 26, 2022 at 2:39 PM

    I think the Army staff sees the writing on the wall regarding triple option offenses. The NCAA (i.e Power 5 schools), have been trying for years to kill this offense in the name of “player safety” – more accurately “we don’t want our chances at CFP ruined by having to prepare for this offense and potentially getting beat by a school that runs it”. Final straw was last season’s change regarding cut blocking outside the tackle box, which basically eliminates the pitch as an effective option against most FBS teams. All those linebackers and corners are still on their feet, as opposed to fighting off cut blocks. Of note – NCAA has no problem with tackling below the waist – from any angle or side – just with blocking below the waist (I guess tackling is “safer” thank blocking?). We’ll see how this works out, but RPO seems to be the way ahead.

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