This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
If the spread offense isn't dead for the Utah Utes, it is at least on the endangered list. That seemed to be the overall theme during a meet and greet Monday with new offensive coordinator Norm Chow and new offensive line coach Tim Davis at Utah's Smith Athletics Center.
While saying they will wait until spring practice to judge what talent is available, Chow acknowledged that Utah coach Kyle Whittingham aims to change things up for the Utes.
"He wants a little more of a downhill run game, more under center and the rhythmic passing game that can happen under center," Chow said.
Such a plan suits Davis just fine. The former Ute said he likes "to put my hand on the ground and get after it."
"Run, play action, that sort of thing, every place we've been and we've put it in, it has been good," he said. "I'm fired up."
However, the catch for the Utes is the new coaches are too unfamiliar with Utah's talent to predict how the Utes could respond to any changes.
Chow said he is familiar with incoming freshman quarterback Tyler Shreve because he recruited him out of high school but doesn't know anything about backup quarterback Griff Robles. Moreover, he won't get a chance to see returning starter Jordan Wynn in action in the spring since he is recovering from shoulder surgery.
The first order of business, then, is to determine who the playmakers are and create an offense that showcases their abilities, Chow said.
"We owe it to the young people as coaches to magnify the skills they have, that is our job," Chow said. "That is coaching. If we aren't a good spread team, we won't run the spread. If we are a good spread team, we will run the spread and that is what we need to find out, in a big hurry."
Chow will familiarize himself with Wynn through meetings and watching him on tape. However, he said he was confident Wynn could run the offense.
"When you watch him on tape, good quarterbacks have that 'it' factor, and he has it," he said.
Utah's other offensive unknown is at running back. Junior college transfer John White and former Bingham High star Harvey Langi already have signed with the Utes and are expected to participate in spring practice.
"We're going in with a couple of unproven guys," Chow said. "That is an area of concern."
Even with all the uncertainty, Chow said the Utes will be competitive in a tough league.
"I'm excited, but you have to temper that enthusiasm with the understanding of what we are getting into is extremely difficult," he said.
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Utah football upcoming key dates
Wednesday • Signing day
March 8 • Spring practice begins
April 16 • Red-White game
July 1 • Utes officially a member of Pac-12
Sept. 1 • Season opener vs. Montana State