Oregon St. has announced John Garrett, most recently of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and for a several years before that, as their new Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach, and Tight Ends Coach as well. This has been as we reported, anticipated for a week now.
"John comes from a great football family, and brings with him to Oregon State a wealth of knowledge about the game," Oregon State head coach Mike Riley said. "His responsibilities will include being the offensive coordinator, as well as the quarterbacks and tight ends coach, with assistance from our graduate assistant coaches. In addition to his NFL experience, he has coached at the college level and knows the recruiting aspects of the game at this level."
Here's Oregon St.'s introductory video for Coach Garrett, in which he talks at length about his background, the process, and his thoughts going forward:
John Garrett, 49, is the older brother of Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, and played for Riley with the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football in 1991.
"John is about teaching, details and technique," Riley added. "His broad knowledge of the game will add to what we are doing at Oregon State. We have a senior quarterback (Sean Mannion); we aren't changing everything out under Sean, but my goal is for our offense to continue to grow and evolve, and John will certainly provide that opportunity to do so."
With Offensive Line coach Mike Cavanaugh having decided to decline an offer to take the same position with Oklahoma St., the Oregon St. offensive coaching staff should be set to continue Riley's pro-style passing, zone blocking offense that made Sean Mannion the nation's #2 passer in terms of yardage this past season.
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com