Indiana University Athletics
‘He’s Ready’ – Nick Sheridan To Continue Attack Offense
1/13/2020 9:29:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The spotlight found Nick Sheridan unblinking, unwavering and understanding of this universal truth:
Humor rocks, winning rules.
"I helped input for all the plays that worked and scored," Indiana's new offensive coordinator said with a smile when asked about his input last season in calling plays. "All the other ones I had nothing to do with."
It's no joke -- Sheridan has been elevated to one of the premier coaching positions in college football, and with it comes fame, fortune and pressure.
Call a play that works and everyone loves you. Call a play that doesn't and you're a bum.
If you can't take it, find another profession.
Sheridan can take it.
So here he was, sitting next to head coach Tom Allen in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall's rowing locker room, contemplating a promotion a decade in the making, and if most of it was far from the limelight (coaching quarterbacks and, last season, tight ends), if it never included calling plays, Allen has this message:
Sheridan is ready.
"I'm very confident in this decision," Allen said.
He pointed to Sheridan's growth in transitioning from working with quarterbacks (a position he played in high school and college) to tight ends (a position he'd never coached).
Sheridan was a big reason why tight end Peyton Hendershot set school single-season tight end records for catches (52) and yardage (622) as IU finished 8-5 and earned a TaxSlayer Gator Bowl bid.
When offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer left in December to take over the Fresno State program, Allen wanted to keep an offensive system that had thrived by emphasizing explosive plays and limiting turnovers.
"I strongly believe in what we've evolved into," Allen said. "It all came together this year."
Allen decided the right guy to sustain it was already on his staff, just as he had when he elevated Kane Wommack from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator a year earlier.
"Hiring is about fit, it's about timing, it's about getting a guy who will make your program better," Allen said. "It's about having a mind for the game. He's one of the bright young offensive minds in our game.
"Nick went from coaching quarterbacks to tight ends, and did a tremendous job. I saw even more out of him that impressed me. The way he handled that (given) his comfort zone was with quarterbacks. I challenged him about growing in that, and he responded in a great way.
"Kalen was raving to me about him, what he felt he brought to our staff, the way he thought and saw things, both schematically and in personnel."
Allen added that assistant coaches and players were "100 percent on board with Nick."
DeBoer called Sheridan "a perfect fit."
"He is able to see the big picture, but is also very detail-oriented. I quickly realized he was ready to be an offensive coordinator."
Allen said Sheridan -- a former Michigan quarterback who in 2017 was named as one of the nation's Top 30 coaches under age 30 by 247Sports.com -- has the instincts to be a strong play-caller.
"I feel without any hesitation that the feel for the game, the understanding of the game, the ability to have the big picture of it all, (Sheridan has).
"Some guys can visualize it. Really good play callers can do that. They can see it, anticipate what's next, have a feel for where the defense is going to be aligning, where the weaknesses are, where you can attack them.
"That's what play calling is about. You have to have a feel for that."
Sheridan's mission is clear -- take an offense that averaged 31.8 points and 432.8 yards last season, one that ranked second in the Big Ten in passing yards, one that delivered a program-record tying nine games of scoring 30-or-more points, and make it better.
"Our expectations are to do better next year than this year," Sheridan said. "It will always be that way. We're looking to try to grow and improve.
"The challenge to the players is just because you had some success last season, it has no impact on what you're going to do in the future. You have to earn it every day in this league."
Sheridan has an aggressive philosophy. He will go after defenses at every opportunity.
"We want to be an attacking, pro tempo offense that features its play-makers," he said. "We want to be an offense that's quarterback driven and quarterback friendly."
He has not forgotten the ultimate goal.
"You want to do what helps you win first, then what helps you score, not in the reverse order.
"There's a lot that goes into it. Obviously, the biggest factor in winning and losing is turnover margin and creating explosive plays. That's how you score points. Everything that we do, everything that we put together, is in an attempt to help us win and score points. That's really what we're trying to do."
As far as innovative play calling, he said, "I love the schematics part of football. My favorite part about coaching is the players, is the interaction with the players. To say I don't enjoy the X's and O's, the schematic competition that goes into coaching, I absolutely do. There's a fine line between trying to be too creative, but then your execution can suffer.
"You don't want to jeopardize your opportunity to win because of your recklessness.
"You have to make sure that your players can execute on game day. You're doing everything in your power to give them the best schematic advantage you can. That challenge is exciting. We are looking forward to that."
Excitement starts with plenty of returning offensive talent, from quarterbacks Peyton Ramsey, Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle; to running backs Stevie Scott III, Sampson James and Ronnie Walker Jr.; to Hendershot and receivers Whop Philyor and Ty Fryfogle; to starting offensive linemen Harry Crider, Matthew Bedford and Caleb Jones.
"We're very excited about the quality of people (Allen) and the staff have brought to Indiana," Sheridan said.
"The players are a joy to be around. The energy, the passion, the commitment they have to one another, the (Love Each Other) mindset they bring on a day-to-day basis, I couldn't be more thrilled or excited."
Sheridan seems born for this role.
His father, Bill, is a long-time coach of 35 years. Nick Sheridan has worked closely with DeBoer and former IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord.
"I've learned from a lot of great coaches, starting with my dad. I've learned from a young age some of the things that give (defensive coaches) problems.
"I've learned from every coach I've worked with, certainly Coach DeBoer and what he brought to our offense. From Coach DeBord. I wouldn't be here without him. I'm incredibly grateful to him.
"Certainly from Coach Allen. I've learned every day from him, the work ethic, integrity and passion he has for our players. It's motivating."
Sheridan had one final message for players he has coached, and ones he will.
"Once I'm your coach, I'm always your coach."
Besides promoting Sheridan, Allen has adjusted other coaching roles. Receivers coach Grant Heard was named co-offensive coordinator. Running backs coach Mike Hart is the new associate head coach. The goal is to give Heard and Hart more experience that could lead to future coaching opportunities.
Allen also will hire another assistant coach. That announcement, he said, should come within the week.
Every move is designed for this ultimate goal -- build a long-term winner.
The Hoosiers are on their way.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The spotlight found Nick Sheridan unblinking, unwavering and understanding of this universal truth:
Humor rocks, winning rules.
"I helped input for all the plays that worked and scored," Indiana's new offensive coordinator said with a smile when asked about his input last season in calling plays. "All the other ones I had nothing to do with."
It's no joke -- Sheridan has been elevated to one of the premier coaching positions in college football, and with it comes fame, fortune and pressure.
Call a play that works and everyone loves you. Call a play that doesn't and you're a bum.
If you can't take it, find another profession.
Sheridan can take it.
So here he was, sitting next to head coach Tom Allen in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall's rowing locker room, contemplating a promotion a decade in the making, and if most of it was far from the limelight (coaching quarterbacks and, last season, tight ends), if it never included calling plays, Allen has this message:
Sheridan is ready.
"I'm very confident in this decision," Allen said.
He pointed to Sheridan's growth in transitioning from working with quarterbacks (a position he played in high school and college) to tight ends (a position he'd never coached).
Sheridan was a big reason why tight end Peyton Hendershot set school single-season tight end records for catches (52) and yardage (622) as IU finished 8-5 and earned a TaxSlayer Gator Bowl bid.
When offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer left in December to take over the Fresno State program, Allen wanted to keep an offensive system that had thrived by emphasizing explosive plays and limiting turnovers.
"I strongly believe in what we've evolved into," Allen said. "It all came together this year."
Allen decided the right guy to sustain it was already on his staff, just as he had when he elevated Kane Wommack from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator a year earlier.
"Hiring is about fit, it's about timing, it's about getting a guy who will make your program better," Allen said. "It's about having a mind for the game. He's one of the bright young offensive minds in our game.
"Nick went from coaching quarterbacks to tight ends, and did a tremendous job. I saw even more out of him that impressed me. The way he handled that (given) his comfort zone was with quarterbacks. I challenged him about growing in that, and he responded in a great way.
"Kalen was raving to me about him, what he felt he brought to our staff, the way he thought and saw things, both schematically and in personnel."
Allen added that assistant coaches and players were "100 percent on board with Nick."
DeBoer called Sheridan "a perfect fit."
"He is able to see the big picture, but is also very detail-oriented. I quickly realized he was ready to be an offensive coordinator."
Allen said Sheridan -- a former Michigan quarterback who in 2017 was named as one of the nation's Top 30 coaches under age 30 by 247Sports.com -- has the instincts to be a strong play-caller.
"I feel without any hesitation that the feel for the game, the understanding of the game, the ability to have the big picture of it all, (Sheridan has).
"Some guys can visualize it. Really good play callers can do that. They can see it, anticipate what's next, have a feel for where the defense is going to be aligning, where the weaknesses are, where you can attack them.
"That's what play calling is about. You have to have a feel for that."
Sheridan's mission is clear -- take an offense that averaged 31.8 points and 432.8 yards last season, one that ranked second in the Big Ten in passing yards, one that delivered a program-record tying nine games of scoring 30-or-more points, and make it better.
"Our expectations are to do better next year than this year," Sheridan said. "It will always be that way. We're looking to try to grow and improve.
"The challenge to the players is just because you had some success last season, it has no impact on what you're going to do in the future. You have to earn it every day in this league."
Sheridan has an aggressive philosophy. He will go after defenses at every opportunity.
"We want to be an attacking, pro tempo offense that features its play-makers," he said. "We want to be an offense that's quarterback driven and quarterback friendly."
He has not forgotten the ultimate goal.
"You want to do what helps you win first, then what helps you score, not in the reverse order.
"There's a lot that goes into it. Obviously, the biggest factor in winning and losing is turnover margin and creating explosive plays. That's how you score points. Everything that we do, everything that we put together, is in an attempt to help us win and score points. That's really what we're trying to do."
As far as innovative play calling, he said, "I love the schematics part of football. My favorite part about coaching is the players, is the interaction with the players. To say I don't enjoy the X's and O's, the schematic competition that goes into coaching, I absolutely do. There's a fine line between trying to be too creative, but then your execution can suffer.
"You don't want to jeopardize your opportunity to win because of your recklessness.
"You have to make sure that your players can execute on game day. You're doing everything in your power to give them the best schematic advantage you can. That challenge is exciting. We are looking forward to that."
Excitement starts with plenty of returning offensive talent, from quarterbacks Peyton Ramsey, Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle; to running backs Stevie Scott III, Sampson James and Ronnie Walker Jr.; to Hendershot and receivers Whop Philyor and Ty Fryfogle; to starting offensive linemen Harry Crider, Matthew Bedford and Caleb Jones.
"We're very excited about the quality of people (Allen) and the staff have brought to Indiana," Sheridan said.
"The players are a joy to be around. The energy, the passion, the commitment they have to one another, the (Love Each Other) mindset they bring on a day-to-day basis, I couldn't be more thrilled or excited."
Sheridan seems born for this role.
His father, Bill, is a long-time coach of 35 years. Nick Sheridan has worked closely with DeBoer and former IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord.
"I've learned from a lot of great coaches, starting with my dad. I've learned from a young age some of the things that give (defensive coaches) problems.
"I've learned from every coach I've worked with, certainly Coach DeBoer and what he brought to our offense. From Coach DeBord. I wouldn't be here without him. I'm incredibly grateful to him.
"Certainly from Coach Allen. I've learned every day from him, the work ethic, integrity and passion he has for our players. It's motivating."
Sheridan had one final message for players he has coached, and ones he will.
"Once I'm your coach, I'm always your coach."
Besides promoting Sheridan, Allen has adjusted other coaching roles. Receivers coach Grant Heard was named co-offensive coordinator. Running backs coach Mike Hart is the new associate head coach. The goal is to give Heard and Hart more experience that could lead to future coaching opportunities.
Allen also will hire another assistant coach. That announcement, he said, should come within the week.
Every move is designed for this ultimate goal -- build a long-term winner.
The Hoosiers are on their way.
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