OC Joe Sloan of LSU discusses his goals for his second season as a play caller.

In college football, few roles are as crucial to a team’s success as that of the offensive coordinator. In this role, the coach is responsible for orchestrating the offensive strategy, calling plays, and helping to develop the overall game plan each week. For LSU, a program with a rich history and championship pedigree, the offensive coordinator is expected to balance innovation with the tradition of excellence, all while working in one of the most competitive conferences in the country: the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In his second season as LSU’s offensive coordinator, Joe Sloan faces the task of improving a highly talented offense and continuing the growth and development of his players while maintaining the high expectations that come with coaching at a school like LSU.

Sloan took over the offensive coordinator role for LSU in 2023, after spending time in various coaching positions, including stints as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. His promotion to OC signified the trust the program had in his abilities, and in his first season as LSU’s primary play-caller, Sloan helped the Tigers to a solid offensive performance. However, with a new season approaching and a revamped roster, the pressure is on to continue to elevate the offense and deliver consistent results. This article explores Joe Sloan’s goals for his second season as LSU’s offensive coordinator, the keys to his success in 2024, and how he plans to maximize the talent on LSU’s roster.

The Challenges of a Second Year as Play Caller

One of the unique aspects of coaching, especially in a high-profile program like LSU, is that every season presents new challenges, both on and off the field. For Joe Sloan, his second season as LSU’s offensive coordinator will likely present opportunities to refine the offensive system and address any growing pains from his first season. As a first-time play-caller at the Power Five level, Sloan had to quickly adjust to the demands and pressures of being the primary decision-maker on offense. But now, with a year under his belt, he’s looking to take the offense to the next level.

In an interview discussing his second season, Sloan emphasized how much he learned during his first year at the helm. He noted the importance of finding balance within the offense and making sure that the schemes fit the strengths of his players. There’s a fine line between developing an identity and being too rigid in your play calling, and for Sloan, the second season presents an opportunity to create more flexibility within the offensive system while improving on the consistency of the execution.

One of the major takeaways from his first season as LSU’s offensive coordinator was the challenge of adapting to different quarterbacks and offensive line play. In 2023, LSU was dealing with a few different quarterbacks, and the offensive line, while talented, was still developing and adjusting. In his second season, Sloan has a much better understanding of the players he’s working with, and this knowledge will allow him to better craft his game plans and make in-game adjustments more effectively.

However, the road to improvement is not always linear. The second season comes with its own set of challenges. As opposing teams have a full season’s worth of tape on LSU’s offense under Sloan, he must adjust his schemes and play calling to stay one step ahead of the competition. The offensive coordinator’s job is constantly evolving, and Sloan must continue to push for new wrinkles and improvements while maintaining the core elements of the offense that have worked.

Key Goals for the 2024 Season

1. Developing a Consistent Offensive Identity

One of Joe Sloan’s primary goals for his second season as play caller is to establish a more consistent offensive identity. In college football, successful offenses tend to have a clear identity—whether it’s a fast-paced, up-tempo spread offense or a power-run game with explosive play-action passing. While LSU’s offense showed flashes of brilliance in 2023, it never quite found a consistent rhythm, particularly in certain games where the team was unable to capitalize on its talent.

Sloan’s approach to building that identity revolves around playing to the strengths of the team’s personnel. With quarterback Jayden Daniels expected to return for his senior season, along with a talented group of wide receivers and running backs, Sloan is looking to implement an offense that plays to Daniels’ strengths as a dual-threat quarterback. His ability to make plays with his legs, combined with a strong arm, presents unique opportunities for Sloan to blend an up-tempo passing game with a potent rushing attack.

“We want to be an offense that can run the ball effectively, but also be versatile in our passing attack,” Sloan said. “We have a quarterback who can do a little bit of everything. He can throw the ball accurately downfield, but he’s also dangerous on the ground. My job is to make sure we put him in positions to succeed.”

While a balanced offense is a clear goal, Sloan is also looking for a deeper level of consistency in the running game. LSU has an impressive stable of running backs, including elite talents like Josh Williams and the emerging John Emery. Developing a consistent rushing attack will not only open up more opportunities in the passing game but also ensure that the offense can control the tempo and maintain long drives.

A big part of developing an offensive identity involves teaching players to execute at a high level. Sloan emphasized that for LSU to achieve consistency, the offense must eliminate mistakes such as missed blocks, poor route-running, and inaccurate throws. This means that, as a coach, Sloan will focus on improving individual skills while fostering teamwork and cohesion.

2. Maximizing the Talent at Quarterback

As mentioned earlier, the return of Jayden Daniels is a major boost to LSU’s offensive chances in 2024. Daniels, who has shown flashes of brilliance as both a passer and a runner, is expected to take on an even larger role this season. Sloan’s job is to build the offense around Daniels’ skill set and make sure that the system is tailored to his strengths.

“I believe in Jayden as a dual-threat quarterback,” Sloan said. “He’s got the arm to make every throw, but he’s also a real weapon with his legs. Our offense has to reflect that versatility.”

In 2023, Daniels displayed his ability to keep defenses on edge with his legs, but he was also able to deliver pinpoint passes downfield. Moving into 2024, Sloan is looking for a more refined passing game, with an emphasis on deeper shots, timing routes, and extending plays when necessary.

Sloan’s goal is to provide Daniels with the freedom to make decisions on the fly, taking advantage of the defense’s weaknesses. This could mean more RPOs (run-pass options), designed quarterback runs, and pass plays that allow Daniels to exploit the defense’s coverage. Ultimately, Sloan wants Daniels to feel comfortable operating the offense and using his dynamic skill set to elevate the entire team.

3. Improving the Offensive Line Play

While LSU boasts elite talent at skill positions like quarterback and wide receiver, the offensive line is a key factor in determining how successful the offense will be. In 2023, the offensive line showed potential but had its ups and downs. Pass protection, particularly in key moments, was an area of concern at times.

Sloan understands that the offensive line will be critical in both the running and passing game, and he has set a goal of improving line play across the board. This includes better communication, quicker decision-making on blocks, and more consistency in creating running lanes. If LSU can establish a dominant offensive line, it will allow for greater balance and versatility in the offensive play calling.

“Offensive line play is fundamental,” Sloan said. “We need to be able to control the line of scrimmage, whether we’re running the ball or passing. If we’re going to be an elite offense, the offensive line has to be consistent, and we’ve got to get better in that area.”

Sloan’s focus on line play will involve more than just the fundamentals. He wants to make sure that his offensive linemen are not only executing basic blocks but also adjusting to different defensive fronts and blitz packages. This means that line coaches and players must have a deep understanding of how to adjust on the fly, something that will be crucial when facing the SEC’s top defenses.

4. Diversifying the Playbook

While LSU’s offense in 2023 was successful, Sloan understands the need to keep the playbook fresh and unpredictable. As defensive coordinators analyze game tape, they begin to spot tendencies and patterns. To stay ahead of the competition, Sloan plans to expand his playbook and incorporate new concepts that can catch defenses off guard.

“We can’t be predictable,” Sloan explained. “We’ve got to keep defensive coordinators on their toes. That means being creative with our schemes, mixing up personnel groupings, and finding new ways to attack.”

One of the ways Sloan hopes to diversify the offense is by incorporating more motion, misdirection, and play-action. By moving players around pre-snap, Sloan can create mismatches and force the defense to make quick decisions. This type of offensive creativity can be the difference between an average play and a game-breaking one.