Why two Kansas football coaches, including the OC, are considering a game-day change
As Kansas football looks to end its two-game losing streak on Saturday at West Virginia, KU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes is open to swapping places — that is, the physical game-day location — with co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski.
Previously, Grimes has stayed on the sideline during games, while Zebrowski is in the box.
“We’ve talked about (it) and we may make that switch,” Grimes said. “We haven’t made that decision for sure, but we’ve talked about it and we’ve talked about (it) even prior to the last game. We’ve talked about it a number of times just because that can go either direction. I am comfortable either place. Z is comfortable either place.”
Grimes, who became KU’s offensive coordinator in December, has previously called plays from the box and on the field during his tenure at Baylor.
By comparison, former Jayhawks offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki (who left for Penn State) would reside in the booth during his time at Kansas. Meanwhile, Zebrowski would stay on the sidelines.
This season is the first in Lance Leipold’s head-coaching tenure that he has had a coach call plays from the sideline. Grimes calls plays to Zebrowski, who then relays them to quarterback Jalon Daniels.
This is all possible this season due to a new communication system in quarterbacks’ helmets.
As for what benefits could come with a possible switch in between Grimes and Zebrowski?
“In giving me the ability to go upstairs and be in a more sterile environment and see it a little bit better,” Grimes said. “Probably more than anything, giving Z the opportunity to be with Jalon on the sidelines, as he’s the one who’s with them every day, certainly more than I am.”
In fall camp, Grimes alluded to his relationships with the players as the reason he wanted to stay on the field.
“I think my strongest gifts are being able to be down there in person, get a feel for the game, looking at players’ eyes and see if he needs a challenge or a hug,” Grimes said. “If the offense needs to be challenged, if they’re not playing up to their level, or if there’s something that’s just not right.
“I’ve been in the box and felt frustrated seeing it down there and not being able to manage it the way that I felt like I could if I was down there. I feel like the human element and the relationship part of coaching is probably one of my strengths.”
Naturally, after KU’s dismal start on offense, the pair is considering the swap, as it worked previously for the Jayhawks. KU’s offense has taken a major step back through the first three games compared to previous seasons.
The Jayhawks are averaging 28.3 points through three nonconference games, down from 37.7 points last year and 46.3 points in 2022 (nonconference). Still, Grimes took the blame for the second straight week after KU’s offensive struggles against UNLV.
“I told the guys this after the game,” he said. “I just said, ‘You know, it’s my job to prepare us to play and to put every player in the best position possible to have success.’ And I said, ‘I didn’t do that well enough, and so it’s on me.’”
Specifically, Grimes hopes to address KU’s turnover issues that have plagued Daniels. Daniels has six interceptions through three games. In his best season (2022), he had four interceptions in roughly 8 1/2 games.
“You have to address the things that are holding you back,” Grimes said. “We had five drives (against UNLV) where we didn’t either turn the football over or have a major penalty, and we scored points on four of those five. And then we had five that were otherwise.”
The Jayhawks will look to get back on track in their Big 12 conference opener against West Virginia on Saturday.
This story was originally published September 18, 2024 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Why two Kansas football coaches, including the OC, are considering a game-day change."
