Today we will look at another Offensive Coordinator Candidate, Joe Craddock of Tulane. He was the OC/QB Coach at Arkansas in 2018-2019. He was the OC/QB coach 2022-2023 Troy and followed his head coach to Tulane this past season. He is from Alabama.
Why Joe Craddock - We discussed with other coaches about checking the boxes. Coached in the ACC/SEC (Clemson-2012-2014). Coached in the SEC (Arkansas). He is young (39 years old), he will most likely be a head coach candidate in the future (Check). He has recruited Florida (Check). He has coached under some good coaches. Chad Morris while not a great head coach at Arkansas, he was the OC who got Clemson headed in the right direction. He played quarterback in college (Middle Tennessee State). So like Tino Sunseri he can relate to the modern QB.
Troy - In 2023 the Trojans were 34th in passing offense. They were 38th in total offense. In the stat most experts feel is most important they were 32nd in yards per play. HIs Troy teams were always ranked at the top of the Sun-Belt on offensive categories.
Tulane - 2024-At Tulane this year his offense is #20th in the country in Total offense (Yards per play). Scoring offense at Tulane they are #4 in the country. Rushing offense #10 in the country. What he has shown in his career that at Troy his passing offenses were very good? At Tulane he showed the ability to run the ball with success.
Tulane has a freshman QB -Darien Mensah- 2197 yards, 18 TD-4 Interceptions. His QB has 65.9 percent completion rate. Mensah has 83 yards rushing on the season. Not what you would call a dual threat QB. Would he come with Craddock? That is why some have him on the list.
Why not Craddock: Some will not like the fact that most of his coordinator stops have been at G5 programs. He did have a stint at Arkansas which was not very successful. He has worked his way back up the ladder. Can he recruit in the state of Florida? He has dabbled a little bit but not known as an elite recruiter. The biggest question can he help turn around FSU. There is not time for him to figure this thing out. FSU is a hot mess and they need clean up on aisle four.
Final Thoughts: If FSU was winning and Craddock was the up incoming OC, then taking a shot on him would not be a big deal. FSU needs someone that can turn the offense around in year one. Someone that can get prospects interested in FSU right now. I don't know if he can get the job done. I think Craddock will continue to climb and it will most likely be with another program. Most years he is a very good hire. This year at FSU under the circumstances is probably not a good idea.
Why Joe Craddock - We discussed with other coaches about checking the boxes. Coached in the ACC/SEC (Clemson-2012-2014). Coached in the SEC (Arkansas). He is young (39 years old), he will most likely be a head coach candidate in the future (Check). He has recruited Florida (Check). He has coached under some good coaches. Chad Morris while not a great head coach at Arkansas, he was the OC who got Clemson headed in the right direction. He played quarterback in college (Middle Tennessee State). So like Tino Sunseri he can relate to the modern QB.
Troy - In 2023 the Trojans were 34th in passing offense. They were 38th in total offense. In the stat most experts feel is most important they were 32nd in yards per play. HIs Troy teams were always ranked at the top of the Sun-Belt on offensive categories.
Tulane - 2024-At Tulane this year his offense is #20th in the country in Total offense (Yards per play). Scoring offense at Tulane they are #4 in the country. Rushing offense #10 in the country. What he has shown in his career that at Troy his passing offenses were very good? At Tulane he showed the ability to run the ball with success.
Tulane has a freshman QB -Darien Mensah- 2197 yards, 18 TD-4 Interceptions. His QB has 65.9 percent completion rate. Mensah has 83 yards rushing on the season. Not what you would call a dual threat QB. Would he come with Craddock? That is why some have him on the list.
Why not Craddock: Some will not like the fact that most of his coordinator stops have been at G5 programs. He did have a stint at Arkansas which was not very successful. He has worked his way back up the ladder. Can he recruit in the state of Florida? He has dabbled a little bit but not known as an elite recruiter. The biggest question can he help turn around FSU. There is not time for him to figure this thing out. FSU is a hot mess and they need clean up on aisle four.
Final Thoughts: If FSU was winning and Craddock was the up incoming OC, then taking a shot on him would not be a big deal. FSU needs someone that can turn the offense around in year one. Someone that can get prospects interested in FSU right now. I don't know if he can get the job done. I think Craddock will continue to climb and it will most likely be with another program. Most years he is a very good hire. This year at FSU under the circumstances is probably not a good idea.
