Quinn was never the issue. Sarks play calling was. To prevent throwing the ball to the short side of the field on the 1-yard line, he should hire an Offensive Coordinator.
In football, the importance of effective play calling cannot be overstated. The play caller’s decisions dictate the rhythm, strategy, and outcome of a game. When a team faces setbacks, particularly in key situations such as a critical red-zone play on the 1-yard line, it’s easy to place the blame on individual players. However, as has often been the case in recent seasons, the true culprit may lie elsewhere—in the hands of the offensive coordinator and their decisions. In the case of the Texas Longhorns, head coach Steve Sarkisian’s play calling has come under scrutiny far too often. The focus should be on the system and strategies in place, not on the performance of the players themselves, like Quinn Ewers, the quarterback.
This article seeks to explore why Quinn Ewers, or any individual player for that matter, should not bear the brunt of the blame for a team’s struggles. Rather, the true problem lies in the approach to play calling, which can be addressed through a change in offensive strategy, leadership, and coordination. Specifically, when facing critical moments, such as being on the 1-yard line, the play-calling decisions—like throwing the ball to the short side of the field—become glaringly evident as problematic. At such a crucial juncture, the offensive coordinator must be able to adjust the playbook to the situation, putting the team in the best possible position to succeed.
The Importance of Effective Play Calling
To understand the crux of the issue, we must first consider the role of the offensive coordinator. The offensive coordinator is responsible for developing the team’s offensive scheme, calling plays, and adjusting strategies as necessary throughout the course of the game. In this role, they must maintain an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of their players, the tendencies of the opposing defense, and the overall flow of the game. Successful coordinators are adept at making adjustments to keep the offense unpredictable, fluid, and efficient.
However, when an offensive coordinator repeatedly fails to make smart, situationally aware decisions, problems begin to arise. A perfect example of this is the failure to execute a sensible play on the 1-yard line. For a team like Texas, with athletes like Quinn Ewers and a roster packed with talent, there is no excuse for throwing the ball to the short side of the field in such a critical situation. The offensive coordinator must consider the probability of success based on the field’s dimensions, the defense’s alignment, and the execution capabilities of the players involved. But too often, coaches get too creative, relying on plays that lack a solid foundation for success.
Quinn Ewers: A Quarterback Under Pressure
When analyzing any quarterback’s performance, we must acknowledge that quarterbacks are the most visible and scrutinized players on the field. For a quarterback like Quinn Ewers, this can be especially difficult. Ewers, while a talented and highly-rated recruit, is still relatively young in his college career. With the weight of a program like Texas resting on his shoulders, it’s easy for fans and analysts alike to point fingers when things go awry, whether or not it’s justified.
In Quinn’s case, when he is forced to make a play on the 1-yard line, especially when the play calling does not match the situation, the pressure on him skyrockets. The quarterback is often in a no-win situation where even the smallest mistake—whether it’s a misread, a poorly executed throw, or a lack of protection—can turn into a disastrous outcome. In these scenarios, it is critical that the play calling around the quarterback allows him to succeed, not place him in compromising positions where the chances of failure are magnified.
Looking at plays that occur on the 1-yard line specifically, we need to ask: what is the most sensible strategy for success? Throwing a pass to the short side of the field, a crowded area with little room for error, simply isn’t the best choice. Instead, an offensive coordinator should consider more traditional or high-percentage options that can maximize the opportunity for a touchdown while minimizing the risk of disaster.
The Short-Side Throw: A Dangerous Gamble
One of the most controversial and misguided play calls is the decision to throw the ball to the short side of the field on a crucial play, such as on the 1-yard line. On the 1-yard line, every inch of space counts, and when the ball is placed toward the short side of the field, the quarterback loses a significant amount of real estate to work with. The narrow space drastically reduces the available options for route combinations and leaves the defense with fewer areas to cover.
Furthermore, this decision limits the ability of the quarterback to move or manipulate the defense. Quarterbacks thrive when they can quickly survey the field and make decisions based on what the defense is presenting. On the short side of the field, however, that flexibility is limited because the space available for receivers to break free is compressed. A quick pass under pressure becomes more likely to be contested or intercepted, or the quarterback may not have the time to fully evaluate the defense before making the throw. In the high-stakes situation of the 1-yard line, this risk becomes magnified.
Instead, on a short-yardage play like this, teams generally opt for more conservative strategies. A quick handoff to a reliable running back, a quarterback sneak, or a bootleg play all take advantage of the available space and typically have higher success rates than a risky throw into a congested area of the field. If the offensive coordinator fails to see this, or worse, ignores it in favor of an overly complex passing play, the results can be disastrous. The quarterback, like Ewers, is forced to shoulder the blame for something that is often out of their control—the play calling.
Hiring an Offensive Coordinator: A Solution for Sark
Steve Sarkisian is a coach with a wealth of offensive experience. His pedigree as a former offensive coordinator and head coach at multiple programs gives him the football acumen needed to develop a high-powered offense. However, his tenure at Texas has not been without criticism, particularly regarding his play-calling decisions during critical situations. One of the key ways to rectify these issues is for Sark to bring in an offensive coordinator to help balance the responsibilities of running the offense and making intelligent, in-the-moment decisions. Having a dedicated offensive coordinator would allow Sark to focus on the broader management of the program while entrusting an experienced coach to fine-tune the specifics of play calling.
An offensive coordinator could bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table, implementing a more refined offensive strategy. With this move, Sark can avoid getting bogged down by the minutiae of play calling, especially in high-pressure situations like the 1-yard line. The offensive coordinator would be tasked with understanding the nuances of situational football, allowing for better decision-making in moments of crisis.
More importantly, the addition of a new voice with expertise in offensive strategy could open the door for new approaches to play calling, particularly in red-zone situations. An offensive coordinator would likely focus on simplifying the decision-making process, creating more straightforward and high-percentage plays that work within the existing framework of the team’s talent. This shift would also free up Sark to delegate more effectively, ensuring that his team remains well-prepared for whatever challenges arise during a game..
