Bell Arrives ‘Ready to Work’
12/13/2021 3:16:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Rest? Walt Bell has no time for that. There's Indiana football recruiting to do, players and staff to meet, Memorial Stadium keys to acquire, one house to sell, another to buy, a potent offense to install, and so much more.
Welcome to the fast-paced transition to Hoosier offensive coordinator.
"I was here less than 24 hours and was on the road recruiting," Bell says from Sunday morning's Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall press roo,. "I've seen Indiana on TV and a little bit of game tape. I know of them. I don't have a great grasp of where guys will fit and how we help them improve."
That will start after Wednesday's National Signing Day.
Bell, coming off a three-year run as Massachusetts head coach, arrives as head coach Tom Allen pushes to re-energize a struggling offense that rated near the bottom of the Big Ten. It was a disappointing follow up to consecutive January bowl appearances and a No. 12 final national ranking in 2020.
"What Coach Allen has done here is incredible," Bell says. "To have a chance to work for an unbelievable man and human being … I'm excited to be here and can't wait to get to work."
Ditto for Allen.
"Walt checked all the boxes we were looking for," he said in a university release. "His experience, creativity, and leadership make him an ideal fit."
It didn't hurt that Bell's high-scoring offenses faced Allen's defenses for a couple of years while Bell was the Maryland offensive coordinator. The Terrapins scored 36 and 42 points in those games.
"We competed against each other," Bell says, "but my job now is to do exactly what he wants to do."
Understanding what Bell hopes to accomplish at IU can be summed up in one sentence:
"Hopefully, I can help score points and do it in a way that satisfies Coach Allen."
How does a Bell-run offense work?
It starts with how Allen wants it to work. Allen pushes diversity and balance and -- ideally -- having a dual-threat quarterback who stresses defenses with his arm and his legs.
Bell has run pass-happy and run-heavy attacks during stops at Arkansas State, Maryland, and Florida State.
In 2016, Maryland rushed for 2,894 yards and 26 touchdowns, while quarterback Perry Hill led the Big Ten in completion percentage, and was second in passing efficiency.
During Bell's one season at Florida State, the Seminoles ranked second in the ACC in passing yards per game (270.1) with quarterback Deondre Francois throwing for 2,731 yards and 15 touchdowns.
In 26 games at Arkansas State, the Red Wolves surpassed 400 total yards 18 times and 500 yards 11 times. In 2015, they averaged 40.0 points to rank 12th nationally. The previous year, they averaged 36.7 points while setting school records for total yards (6,194), points (477), and touchdowns (65).
"I was looking for someone to be the leader of the offense," Allen says, "and Walt will be that."
As for his offensive philosophy, Bell says, "No.1, no matter what level of football you're at, you have to effectively run. How you get that done is some quarterback driven, some systematically driven and with the offensive line and personnel. Where are your better players? How can you create matchup (advantages)?
"Then, No. 2, you have to create a quick, efficient, well-protected pass game that can manufacture explosives.
"Those are the things that have to be done."
Could that involve an up-tempo pace?
"It's different things for different places," Bell says. "That's a reflection of what Coach Allen wants. It can be week to week or an all-time thing.
"I will defer to Coach Allen. We've had some detailed conversations on what he wants this to look like. I'll keep as much as close to the vest as possible."
Thriving despite quarterback injury is a Bell strength. That's big given the Hoosiers' injury-rocked quarterback play this past season. Veterans Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle, as well as Dexter Williams III, were all hurt, leaving IU with a true freshman (Donaven McCulley) and a walk-on (Grant Gremel) by the end of the season.
Bell dealt with battered quarterbacks at Arkansas State and Maryland.
At Maryland, he played four quarterbacks in 2016 -- two seniors and two true freshmen. The same thing happened in 2017.
The Terrapins still found ways to score, including those combined 78 points against IU.
"It is not a fun thing to go through," Bell says. "Going through that makes you more adaptable. You're more system conscious about diversifying the quarterback room so that no matter what their skills are, there's a piece they can execute at a high level.
"That probably had a lot to do with Coach Allen hiring me. I've been there and done that. No one cares about your problems. You've got to find a way to be successful."
What does Bell want from his quarterbacks?
"It's all about winnable tools," he says. "It's a sliding scale. The greater a distributor he is, the less of an athlete he has to be. If he's not a great distributor, he has to be a dynamic athlete.
"Ideally, you want somebody who is a top-line distributor who can extend plays and win a couple of third downs with his feet."
That also means staying healthy in the process.
"We are in a league if we run these guys a lot, it's a very physical league," Bell says. "You want a great distributor who can take care of himself."
The bottom line, Bell says, "We want him to do what he does well."
Bell's whirlwind arrival has left little time to study Hoosier offensive players. He'll dive heavily into that after Wednesday.
"Getting to know your personnel is the first learning curve," he says. "An advantage here is there has been so much hold over on the offensive staff. They've already built relationships. They know how to challenge our players and know what they can and can't do.
"So, the No. 1 thing is getting to know the players.
"Then, No. 2 is learning new terminology. It's a new way to look at things.
"Everybody runs inside zone and verticals. What's your spin? How fast do you get the kids to see the game the way you see it? How fast can you get them to believe and trust?
"It's more about relationship building and belief."
Three years as the Massachusetts head coach did provide additional insight and experience that should work well for the Hoosiers. So should previous coaching stops at North Carolina (coaching tight ends and serving as the recruiting coordinator) and Southern Mississippi (wide receivers coach).
"In order to be a good leader," Bell says, "you have to be good at being led. I'm excited to do everything I can to be the best offensive coordinator I can be. I know how important that is to Coach Allen. I understand when you're in that chair, how much you need that from your assistants."
For Bell as he devises a new IU offense, it's less about football specifics and more about culture. That starts with Allen's Love Each Other approach.
"Xs and Os are a dime a dozen," Bell says. "Everybody runs an inside zone or four verticals. We all do the same things.
"The culture piece is what allows the way you run inside zone to work. It allows you to complete verticals at a higher rate.
"To come to a place where there is an established culture is important. It's how Coach Allen wants to live and treat players. It's exactly how I believe.
"I think God put me on this planet to help people be better people. To work for a man who believes in what I believe college football is all about.
"This is the right place at right time with the right guy."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Rest? Walt Bell has no time for that. There's Indiana football recruiting to do, players and staff to meet, Memorial Stadium keys to acquire, one house to sell, another to buy, a potent offense to install, and so much more.
Welcome to the fast-paced transition to Hoosier offensive coordinator.
"I was here less than 24 hours and was on the road recruiting," Bell says from Sunday morning's Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall press roo,. "I've seen Indiana on TV and a little bit of game tape. I know of them. I don't have a great grasp of where guys will fit and how we help them improve."
That will start after Wednesday's National Signing Day.
Bell, coming off a three-year run as Massachusetts head coach, arrives as head coach Tom Allen pushes to re-energize a struggling offense that rated near the bottom of the Big Ten. It was a disappointing follow up to consecutive January bowl appearances and a No. 12 final national ranking in 2020.
"What Coach Allen has done here is incredible," Bell says. "To have a chance to work for an unbelievable man and human being … I'm excited to be here and can't wait to get to work."
Ditto for Allen.
"Walt checked all the boxes we were looking for," he said in a university release. "His experience, creativity, and leadership make him an ideal fit."
It didn't hurt that Bell's high-scoring offenses faced Allen's defenses for a couple of years while Bell was the Maryland offensive coordinator. The Terrapins scored 36 and 42 points in those games.
"We competed against each other," Bell says, "but my job now is to do exactly what he wants to do."
Understanding what Bell hopes to accomplish at IU can be summed up in one sentence:
"Hopefully, I can help score points and do it in a way that satisfies Coach Allen."
How does a Bell-run offense work?
It starts with how Allen wants it to work. Allen pushes diversity and balance and -- ideally -- having a dual-threat quarterback who stresses defenses with his arm and his legs.
Bell has run pass-happy and run-heavy attacks during stops at Arkansas State, Maryland, and Florida State.
In 2016, Maryland rushed for 2,894 yards and 26 touchdowns, while quarterback Perry Hill led the Big Ten in completion percentage, and was second in passing efficiency.
During Bell's one season at Florida State, the Seminoles ranked second in the ACC in passing yards per game (270.1) with quarterback Deondre Francois throwing for 2,731 yards and 15 touchdowns.
In 26 games at Arkansas State, the Red Wolves surpassed 400 total yards 18 times and 500 yards 11 times. In 2015, they averaged 40.0 points to rank 12th nationally. The previous year, they averaged 36.7 points while setting school records for total yards (6,194), points (477), and touchdowns (65).
"I was looking for someone to be the leader of the offense," Allen says, "and Walt will be that."
As for his offensive philosophy, Bell says, "No.1, no matter what level of football you're at, you have to effectively run. How you get that done is some quarterback driven, some systematically driven and with the offensive line and personnel. Where are your better players? How can you create matchup (advantages)?
"Then, No. 2, you have to create a quick, efficient, well-protected pass game that can manufacture explosives.
"Those are the things that have to be done."
Could that involve an up-tempo pace?
"It's different things for different places," Bell says. "That's a reflection of what Coach Allen wants. It can be week to week or an all-time thing.
"I will defer to Coach Allen. We've had some detailed conversations on what he wants this to look like. I'll keep as much as close to the vest as possible."
Thriving despite quarterback injury is a Bell strength. That's big given the Hoosiers' injury-rocked quarterback play this past season. Veterans Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle, as well as Dexter Williams III, were all hurt, leaving IU with a true freshman (Donaven McCulley) and a walk-on (Grant Gremel) by the end of the season.
Bell dealt with battered quarterbacks at Arkansas State and Maryland.
At Maryland, he played four quarterbacks in 2016 -- two seniors and two true freshmen. The same thing happened in 2017.
The Terrapins still found ways to score, including those combined 78 points against IU.
"It is not a fun thing to go through," Bell says. "Going through that makes you more adaptable. You're more system conscious about diversifying the quarterback room so that no matter what their skills are, there's a piece they can execute at a high level.
"That probably had a lot to do with Coach Allen hiring me. I've been there and done that. No one cares about your problems. You've got to find a way to be successful."
What does Bell want from his quarterbacks?
"It's all about winnable tools," he says. "It's a sliding scale. The greater a distributor he is, the less of an athlete he has to be. If he's not a great distributor, he has to be a dynamic athlete.
"Ideally, you want somebody who is a top-line distributor who can extend plays and win a couple of third downs with his feet."
That also means staying healthy in the process.
"We are in a league if we run these guys a lot, it's a very physical league," Bell says. "You want a great distributor who can take care of himself."
The bottom line, Bell says, "We want him to do what he does well."
Bell's whirlwind arrival has left little time to study Hoosier offensive players. He'll dive heavily into that after Wednesday.
"Getting to know your personnel is the first learning curve," he says. "An advantage here is there has been so much hold over on the offensive staff. They've already built relationships. They know how to challenge our players and know what they can and can't do.
"So, the No. 1 thing is getting to know the players.
"Then, No. 2 is learning new terminology. It's a new way to look at things.
"Everybody runs inside zone and verticals. What's your spin? How fast do you get the kids to see the game the way you see it? How fast can you get them to believe and trust?
"It's more about relationship building and belief."
Three years as the Massachusetts head coach did provide additional insight and experience that should work well for the Hoosiers. So should previous coaching stops at North Carolina (coaching tight ends and serving as the recruiting coordinator) and Southern Mississippi (wide receivers coach).
"In order to be a good leader," Bell says, "you have to be good at being led. I'm excited to do everything I can to be the best offensive coordinator I can be. I know how important that is to Coach Allen. I understand when you're in that chair, how much you need that from your assistants."
For Bell as he devises a new IU offense, it's less about football specifics and more about culture. That starts with Allen's Love Each Other approach.
"Xs and Os are a dime a dozen," Bell says. "Everybody runs an inside zone or four verticals. We all do the same things.
"The culture piece is what allows the way you run inside zone to work. It allows you to complete verticals at a higher rate.
"To come to a place where there is an established culture is important. It's how Coach Allen wants to live and treat players. It's exactly how I believe.
"I think God put me on this planet to help people be better people. To work for a man who believes in what I believe college football is all about.
"This is the right place at right time with the right guy."
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