Though the offensive coaching staff for the Penn football team features a completely new look this year, don't expect the style of play to be much different from last year.
Head coach Al Bagnoli does not intend to implement many different strategies in the team's offensive scheme this year, despite several important coaching changes that occurred in the off-season.
Replacing Andy Coen as offensive coordinator, Shawn Halloran - along with first-year offensive line coach Jon McLaughlin and new receivers coach Rick Ulrich - will use a similar offense to the one used in years past, tweaking the system slightly in order to emphasize the running game.
"We have outstanding depth at running back, and also at fullback," Halloran said. "We want to rely more on the ground game so that we don't always need a big passing play."
Indeed, the Quakers have many options in the backfield, including second-team all-Ivy senior Joe Sandberg. Sandberg, a Rutgers transfer, averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season, in addition to over 40 receiving yards per game.
With the arrival of McLaughlin from Iowa to improve the offensive line, as well as the emergence of sophomore running back Kelms Amoo-Achampong and fullback Nick Cisler to complement Sandberg, Halloran expects the running attack to be more dynamic.
While McLaughlin is, according to Halloran, "very technique-oriented," and has revamped some of the blocking schemes, Sandberg and his teammates have become very comfortable with the coaching changes and slight adjustments to the system.
"We've been working at it for a while now, and everything's pretty similar to last year," Sandberg said. "We're definitely set for Saturday."
The passing game plan should also remain relatively unchanged, but Halloran noted that the Quakers will implement some new formations and put receivers in motion a bit more, with the intention of giving the quarterbacks the ability to get rid of the ball more quickly.
Sophomore quarterback Robert Irvin - who is competing with junior Bryan Walker for the starting job - said that "with more emphasis on the run and shorter passes," the offense won't have to take as many risks with the deep ball. With the departure of wide receiver Dan McDonald - who averaged 17.4 yards per catch last season - the Quakers take a hit in the vertical passing game.
As far as learning the system goes, Irvin has adapted easily, noting that since he didn't see any action last season, it has been easier for him to make the transition because "it's basically a fresh start."
Despite the uncertainty about who will make the start at quarterback, both Bagnoli and Halloran agree that though Walker is more mobile, and Irvin is more of a pocket passer, both are capable of running the same plays, either from inside the pocket or on the run.
"They can both do the same stuff," Halloran said. "They're both getting the same reps and doing the same types of things in practice."
Given the coaching changes, Bagnoli has spent many hours meeting with his new staff members in order to get everyone on the same page.
"We've worked hard to try to mesh all of our coaching philosophies," he said. "But everything has gone smoothly, and the kids have adapted well."
Sandberg said that since not much has changed, "it's been easy to adjust." The only major difference in coaching styles between Halloran and Coen, according to some of the players, has been demeanor.
"Coen would definitely get in your face a bit more," Irvin said. "Halloran's a bit more laid back, but he still makes you work hard. He gets the job done."
On the whole, Bagnoli is satisfied with the direction in which the offense is headed.
"Coach Halloran is going to get an even better handle on everything as we go along," Bagnoli said. "He was obviously at a bit of a disadvantage to start, but everything has come together nicely, and we're on schedule."
