By
Maxx Wolfson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Player positions are still 'wide open'
Editor's note: In the second installment of a three-part question-and-answer session with incoming UA football coaches, the Arizona Daily Wildcat sat down with new offensive coordinator Rick Dykes.
Dykes - who worked at Texas Tech under his father, former Red Raider head coach Spike Dykes - will coach alongside UA head coach John Mackovic in designing a new, high-octane offense. Mackovic will handle the play calling, while Dykes will be in charge of personnel matters.
WILDCAT: What is the John Mackovic offense?
DYKES: It's a pro-style offense, and we use a lot of different formations and a lot of different personnel groups. What we're trying to do is - by formation or movement - we're trying to get the best personnel matchups that we can on the field, whether it is in the passing game or in the running game. Very rarely will you ever see the same look more than two or three times in a game. We will keep people off-balance and there won't be a lot of consistency. We're just as likely to throw a deep ball on third and half an inch as we are to line up with two tight ends and run the option. I think that is one of the things that has made (Mackovic) so successful over the years - he is willing to take some chances and gamble.
WILDCAT: Coaching under Mackovic, who not only runs his style of offense but also calls all the plays, how much influence will you have on the scheme?
DYKES: Obviously, coach Mackovic - being the head coach - will oversee what we do offensively. But I think you will see pieces and bits, he has been very open, and we have worked well. I think you will see a lot of things that have made him very successful down through the years, and we will have some input on some new ideas.
WILDCAT: With spring practice coming up, how well do you know the players so far?
DYKES: I'm learning. Every day I learn a couple more. The guys have been great on stopping by and introducing themselves - that part of it has been easy. I had a chance to see them work out a little bit, that has helped as well. Everyone is excited, we have been working sun-up (to) sun-down trying to get everything ready for spring practice (to) make sure we are organized and ready to go.
WILDCAT: The team is very young. Is that a concern?
DYKES: I think it's exciting to have a young team. It gives us a chance to be able to install an offense, and you know that there's not going to be a lot of graduation in the next year or two. That makes it exciting to know the guys that you are training will be here for the next two to three years.
WILDCAT: Is the quarterback race a two-man competition between (incoming freshman) Nic Costa and (sophomore transfer) John Rattay?
DYKES: I would say right now the quarterback race is wide open. I think we have several good candidates here on our campus. Nic Costa is obviously a very talented young freshman coming in.
WILDCAT: There are several potential candidates for running back. Is that position as wide open as you say the race for the starting quarterback spot is? What is preventing a running back from transferring?
DYKES: One thing that we have done that Mackovic did at Texas and we did at Texas Tech is that we have always played a lot of guys. When you are that talented and you have as many quality players as we have at that position, I think you have to find ways to get them all on the field. You can never have enough depth at the running back position because it's a physical position. Very rarely have (I) gone through a season where (I) didn't have to play a No. 4 or a No. 5 (guy) on the depth chart. Those guys know if they practice hard, there's a chance.
WILDCAT: Tucson is considered a basketball town, Mackovic has vowed to change that. Is it possible?
DYKES: I think people like to win. Obviously when you win, more people come out to support you. I think we will have an exciting brand of offense. I think it will be fun to watch. The bottom line is still winning.
