Holtz explains USF staff changes

Posted Feb 22, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated Feb 22, 2012 at 12:07 PM

University of South Florida football coach Skip Holtz said he believes the shifting of responsibilities on his staff will make for a more efficient offensive approach in 2012.

Holtz said offensive coordinator Todd Fitch, also the running backs coach for two seasons, will now work with USF’s quarterbacks. Peter Vaas, the former quarterbacks coach was reassigned to tight ends. Meanwhile, Larry Scott will shift from tight ends to running backs.

Last season, the Bulls were the nation’s 30th-best offense (432.75 yards per game) in the Football Bowl Subdivision, a vast improvement from 105th in Holtz’s first season that was rendered somewhat irrelevant by USF’s 5-7 finish.

“None of these (moves) are demotions,’’ Holtz said. “It wasn’t a deal where you’re saying, ‘Ugh, we’ve got to move this coach, we’ve got to lose this guy.’ To make the step that we did statistically in one season, I wasn’t at all dissatisfied with our progress.

“I feel like in those guys we’ve got three really good football coaches. For us to take another step and help the internal workings of our staff, I think these are very positive moves. I think it will make this more efficient. But it wasn’t like I was trying to correct an inefficiency.’’

Holtz said it makes sense for USF’s offensive coordinator to work directly with the quarterbacks. As an assistant at Notre Dame and South Carolina, Holtz said he had stints working specifically with quarterbacks, tight ends and wide receivers while serving as offensive coordinator.

“It is easier coordinating from the quarterbacks because the quarterback is tied into every aspect of the offensive game plan,’’ Holtz said. “There are less layers, one less link of communication. From that standpoint, it’s a positive, and I think it’s something that coach Fitch ultimately is going to feel more comfortable with.’’

Fitch is USF’s primary recruiter in the Orlando area. Tuesday night, the Bulls might have gotten closer to attracting their quarterback of the future when Winter Park High School rising senior Asiantii Woulard gave a verbal commitment to USF for the 2013 signing class.

Holtz praised the work of Vaas, saying his knowledge, experience and versatility “allowed us the flexibility to be able to make these moves in the first place.’’ Scott, a holdover from Jim Leavitt’s staff, “is becoming a better football coach and we wanted to give him more all-around experience.’’

Steve Shankweiler will continue as USF’s offensive line coach. Tuesday, Holtz hired Jerome Pathon, a former NFL player who has been on the University of San Diego staff for three seasons, as USF’s receivers coach. Pathon replaces Phil McGeoghan, who left for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins shortly after signing day.