You just had to ask that, didn't you? Ugh.
Audio: Norm Chow Meets With Arizona Media
- Thread starter Jim O
- Start date
You just had to ask that, didn't you? Ugh.
ChandlerCard
Now living in Scottsdale
I'm having a hard time forming an opinion of these guys based on their saying the right things in a presser. But it sure helps. And we do need someone who's strength is gameplanning, matching our strengths to opponents' weaknesses. We also need someone who can bring in the best teachers for position coaches - most obviously identified at the college ranks. All this makes Chow look good. Why then do some of our local radio commentators dismiss him so quickly as an undesirable retread?
Redsz
We do this together
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A Darth Vader like 'NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO' would be the only appropriate response.
That's EASY. Our local radio people know jack crap about football. Seriously, almost all of them are very poor (gambo and ash especially...they know basketball and baseball, but suck hard on football).
I told abomb the other day that with radio "personalities" hating Chow as a candidate, he must be the right guy.
Snakester
Draft Man
My man Chow. He is the one I want as Headcoach. I say get him signed and put him to work.
If you hear them blabbering right now, you will understand what I'm talking about.
Bickley and Jurecki on 910 in the AM....at least Jurecki is a football guy...in theory anyway! They say Chow "intrigues them". They spent most of the segment I heard this AM crying about how the Cardinals are cheap....primarily because Pete Carrolls agent spoke with the Cardinals during the season...but the Cardinals expressed no interest because Carroll was too expensive. Jurecki claims to have confirmed this with Pete's agent...
They were down on Rivera and Sherman. Like the Steelers coaches we are interviewing...ok.... but they are all "low priced" options.....as where Carroll was an expensive choice who wanted more control...and the Cardinals were cheap and do not want to give up control...
Just repeating what I heard on local radio this AM....they were positive on Chow..for the record.....but they acted like he could be the biggest success or the biggest failure. Seemed to like Whisenhut and Grimm a little better than Chow...
They were down on Rivera and Sherman. Like the Steelers coaches we are interviewing...ok.... but they are all "low priced" options.....as where Carroll was an expensive choice who wanted more control...and the Cardinals were cheap and do not want to give up control...
Just repeating what I heard on local radio this AM....they were positive on Chow..for the record.....but they acted like he could be the biggest success or the biggest failure. Seemed to like Whisenhut and Grimm a little better than Chow...
Evil Ash
Henchman Supreme
50/50. It really seems like its between him and Ron Rivera. Considering that they wanted to interview him first gives me the impression that he's the favorite but that may have changed after Chow's interview.
Norm Chow is the most intriguing but also the most risky. It will be an interesting choice
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It's like you typed out my own thoughts!
I'm pleased with this interview. He alleviated a lot of my worry. But, truth be told, I'll get behind anyone we hire.
Evil Ash
Henchman Supreme
Mostly due to the fact that he's 60 years old, has zero HC experience on any level, and only has 2 years of NFL experience.
Those are the things he has against him. I'm not opposed to hiring him but those things are hard to overlook
Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
The problem with Whis and Big Russ...the Steelers are holding them hostage as they twiddle their thumbs...I would be willing to bet that neither one gets the Steelers' head job...yet, both of them want to remain available just in case there's a chance.
This puts the Cards and them in a bind.
The bold one is the ONLY issue. The fact that his age and that he hasn't been a HC (you don't hear that for Whisenhunt, Grimm, Cameron and they haven't either) are issues that don't matter (or if they matter for HC then they apply to more than Chow).
Hammer on his lack of NFL experience...that is a question mark.
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That's why I, personally, would say "Good luck to ya" to both of them and move on.
Evil Ash
Henchman Supreme
True to a point but its really a combination of the two things (age and lack of HC experience) that are viewed as a negative for Chow. They don't know if at his age that he can handle having all of these new responsibilities for the first time.
If they get the impression that he can handle it though, this goes out the window. My guess is that there will be a 2nd interview for Chow and Rivera and they'll make their decision after that.
Agreed
red desert
ASFN Addict
I'm pleased with this interview. He alleviated a lot of my worry. But, truth be told, I'll get behind anyone we hire.
I agree.
As far back as I can remember this is the first time that I'm truly not worried about which coach we hire. What does that say about the state of affairs of our football team? Specifically, the talent? For all the criticism Green received (a ton from me alone) he actually did elevate the team to unchartered territory with regards to talent. He did. Maybe not on his own, but he certainly was instrumental. It's cool to be in this position.
He still couldn't manage the clock or second half adjustments to save his life, but that's another story altogether.
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Yes, we do have more legitimate NFL players than we have ever had in Arizona. If we can just get a coach hungry to win (I thought Green had that hunger, but he didn't) and knows what they are doing I think we can make the playoffs next year.
red desert
ASFN Addict
Yup.
Well, i am not a guy who knows alot about coaching, i do not watch college football and i have only follow the nfl the way i do for a few years, before that it was just casual watching and cardinals football.
with that being said between analysts opinions and mostly based of asfners opinions and lastly theyr press conferences my top choices are sherman and chow, with chow taking the lead.
Shermans main knock seems to be his GM stuff and a few other things but overall he sounds to be a good coach. his press conference was very confident, salivating for the job, wants to bury himself in film..the type of guy we need.
Chow has the lack of NFL experience and age, age I dont care as alot of guys are alot older. NFL experience is a so-so thing considering how long he has been in football and how many people he knows throughout football will really help in that area. The way his offensive thinking is described make me really want him, the way people say how imaginative he is, like a 2004 pendergast but on offence and consistant. Then we come to his presser, Rod said he wants someone with a plan, I think this is the guy. His description of what he envisions for D made me smile, I believe that is the best answer he could have given. Then his ongoing of bringing out the skill in every player. This means he will gameplan for Q which I believe when done right already fixes our offense 10x. then also hitting pope where you should and having mr fitz etc etc etc...the type of guy we need.
I do not know much about grimm but I would like to stay away from all pittsburgh coaches, especially since they both want pittsburghs job. Ron rivera has alot of questions marks that turn me away and cam/jim didnt even talk about it so i really have no input on them.
I choose chow.
with that being said between analysts opinions and mostly based of asfners opinions and lastly theyr press conferences my top choices are sherman and chow, with chow taking the lead.
Shermans main knock seems to be his GM stuff and a few other things but overall he sounds to be a good coach. his press conference was very confident, salivating for the job, wants to bury himself in film..the type of guy we need.
Chow has the lack of NFL experience and age, age I dont care as alot of guys are alot older. NFL experience is a so-so thing considering how long he has been in football and how many people he knows throughout football will really help in that area. The way his offensive thinking is described make me really want him, the way people say how imaginative he is, like a 2004 pendergast but on offence and consistant. Then we come to his presser, Rod said he wants someone with a plan, I think this is the guy. His description of what he envisions for D made me smile, I believe that is the best answer he could have given. Then his ongoing of bringing out the skill in every player. This means he will gameplan for Q which I believe when done right already fixes our offense 10x. then also hitting pope where you should and having mr fitz etc etc etc...the type of guy we need.
I do not know much about grimm but I would like to stay away from all pittsburgh coaches, especially since they both want pittsburghs job. Ron rivera has alot of questions marks that turn me away and cam/jim didnt even talk about it so i really have no input on them.
I choose chow.
TheCardFan
Things have changed.
http://sky.prohosting.com/cbbrown/2004/05/thoughts-on-norm-chows-offense.html
Thoughts on Norm Chow's Offense
This is in response to questions about what Norm Chow is doing. My disclaimer is I have no insider knowledge, nor have I seen a playbook, so I may not be very accurate. This is mostly just my thoughts as a casual observer. The question was about what is Chow doing differently from the BYU days. These are just some thoughts, and I try to talk about them in a universal way that applies to all of us.
------
Thanks for the email. I'd love to get an insiders view
of some of what Chow used to do, most of what I know
has been more external viewing and second-hand info,
coupled with a clinic here or there.
As far as what I've observed from some tapes and
whatnot I don't think his offense is that different.
Structurally I think the plays are mostly the same,
the techniques the same, and the goals the same. I
still see most of the same flood routes, option routes
to the RB, curl/flat, and that ever present draw-trap
that they have used since the beginning of time. The
differences from my perspective are thus:
1) Different personnel, not just better. I think one
thing this has resulted in is less of the traditional
pro-set and a lot more 3-wide/single back as well as
no-back and things like that. The old strategy seemed
to be more of getting 5 athletes on the field with
your HBs and TEs. Remember, in those days everyone still
lined up with 3 big run stuffing LBs, so they got
those RBs and TEs on those LBs and had good
mismatches. Defenses have gotten faster but also teams
in HS throw more so I think there are simply a greater
number of WRs and slot-men who are D1 caliber, and of
course USC gets them. Look at the NFL draft and all
the WRs who got chosen.
My completely unfounded and uneducated prediction will be
that next season with the top two WRs gone and all
those RBs you'll see Norm use a lot more 2-back, even
if one of those guys motions out of the backfield half
the time.
2) Greater reliance on 3-step - I think this is a two
part issue: one, they have more individual 1 on 1
matchups that are favorable so throwing a slant or a
fade to a guy in that situation is more favorable,
whereas without those you have to get a bit more
creative. Norm is smart enough to KISS it, and if the
choice is between throwing a slant to a Mike Williams
or dropping back 5 steps and trying to run some
crossing pattern or whatnot, KISS becomes TTSS, throw
the slant, stupid.
The other being that defenses have reacted to the
passing offenses and are just faster. BYU always tried
to get rid of the ball quickly, and they did not hang
onto the ball for 7 steps and do a lot of
double-moves, but now with such good defensive ends
and pass rushing LBs etc, it makes more sense to just
drop back the 3-steps and get the ball out and protect
your QB. Chow knows that your QB can't play if his
face is bloodied and he gets knocked around, and
Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer and Matt Leinert aren't
exactly Michael Vick in the pocket.
3) More zone runs. Not sure for the rationale with
this, probably just simplicity and the greater use of
one-back sets. Also, the variety of blitzing fronts
and things make zones a simpler concept than some of
the man schemes which can require each potential front
being gameplanned.
4) Just a few new packages. I think most of the
difference people notice is with the new packages.
First, they now use a bunch package, which seems to
include the snag or Coverdale/Robinson mesh as well as
some variations off of it, such as the corner-man
running a skinny post. I could not tell you if they
teach these as seperate plays or simply tags. They
also use the Green Bay Packers concept, which is like
a 3-step stem deal, where #1 drags immediately at a
depth of 1-2, #2 hitches/sits at 5-6 and #3 shoots
right now. They also do all kinds of tags backside,
with slants/hitches/fades/and sluggo (slant-corner).
They have loved this using Mike Williams backside.
The other thing is they seem to be using a bit more
play-action, but their play action seems very simple.
it seems like it is their 5-step passes with some
fake-zone or fake-draw action.
Anyway, I think it is mostly window dressing. When I
see them yes I see the mini-curl, yes I see a lot of
3-step (of course I remember the BYU game where they
completed 18 straight of a bunch of speed outs,
hitches, sticks and slants) and some of the bunch
stuff, but overall I still see the draw-trap, I see
the frontside and weakside floods, I see all curl, I
see corner post flat, I see the double shallow
crossers, 4-vertical, etc.
posted by Chris at 5/06/2004 03:09:28 PM
Thoughts on Norm Chow's Offense
This is in response to questions about what Norm Chow is doing. My disclaimer is I have no insider knowledge, nor have I seen a playbook, so I may not be very accurate. This is mostly just my thoughts as a casual observer. The question was about what is Chow doing differently from the BYU days. These are just some thoughts, and I try to talk about them in a universal way that applies to all of us.
------
Thanks for the email. I'd love to get an insiders view
of some of what Chow used to do, most of what I know
has been more external viewing and second-hand info,
coupled with a clinic here or there.
As far as what I've observed from some tapes and
whatnot I don't think his offense is that different.
Structurally I think the plays are mostly the same,
the techniques the same, and the goals the same. I
still see most of the same flood routes, option routes
to the RB, curl/flat, and that ever present draw-trap
that they have used since the beginning of time. The
differences from my perspective are thus:
1) Different personnel, not just better. I think one
thing this has resulted in is less of the traditional
pro-set and a lot more 3-wide/single back as well as
no-back and things like that. The old strategy seemed
to be more of getting 5 athletes on the field with
your HBs and TEs. Remember, in those days everyone still
lined up with 3 big run stuffing LBs, so they got
those RBs and TEs on those LBs and had good
mismatches. Defenses have gotten faster but also teams
in HS throw more so I think there are simply a greater
number of WRs and slot-men who are D1 caliber, and of
course USC gets them. Look at the NFL draft and all
the WRs who got chosen.
My completely unfounded and uneducated prediction will be
that next season with the top two WRs gone and all
those RBs you'll see Norm use a lot more 2-back, even
if one of those guys motions out of the backfield half
the time.
2) Greater reliance on 3-step - I think this is a two
part issue: one, they have more individual 1 on 1
matchups that are favorable so throwing a slant or a
fade to a guy in that situation is more favorable,
whereas without those you have to get a bit more
creative. Norm is smart enough to KISS it, and if the
choice is between throwing a slant to a Mike Williams
or dropping back 5 steps and trying to run some
crossing pattern or whatnot, KISS becomes TTSS, throw
the slant, stupid.
The other being that defenses have reacted to the
passing offenses and are just faster. BYU always tried
to get rid of the ball quickly, and they did not hang
onto the ball for 7 steps and do a lot of
double-moves, but now with such good defensive ends
and pass rushing LBs etc, it makes more sense to just
drop back the 3-steps and get the ball out and protect
your QB. Chow knows that your QB can't play if his
face is bloodied and he gets knocked around, and
Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer and Matt Leinert aren't
exactly Michael Vick in the pocket.
3) More zone runs. Not sure for the rationale with
this, probably just simplicity and the greater use of
one-back sets. Also, the variety of blitzing fronts
and things make zones a simpler concept than some of
the man schemes which can require each potential front
being gameplanned.
4) Just a few new packages. I think most of the
difference people notice is with the new packages.
First, they now use a bunch package, which seems to
include the snag or Coverdale/Robinson mesh as well as
some variations off of it, such as the corner-man
running a skinny post. I could not tell you if they
teach these as seperate plays or simply tags. They
also use the Green Bay Packers concept, which is like
a 3-step stem deal, where #1 drags immediately at a
depth of 1-2, #2 hitches/sits at 5-6 and #3 shoots
right now. They also do all kinds of tags backside,
with slants/hitches/fades/and sluggo (slant-corner).
They have loved this using Mike Williams backside.
The other thing is they seem to be using a bit more
play-action, but their play action seems very simple.
it seems like it is their 5-step passes with some
fake-zone or fake-draw action.
Anyway, I think it is mostly window dressing. When I
see them yes I see the mini-curl, yes I see a lot of
3-step (of course I remember the BYU game where they
completed 18 straight of a bunch of speed outs,
hitches, sticks and slants) and some of the bunch
stuff, but overall I still see the draw-trap, I see
the frontside and weakside floods, I see all curl, I
see corner post flat, I see the double shallow
crossers, 4-vertical, etc.
posted by Chris at 5/06/2004 03:09:28 PM
TheCardFan
Things have changed.
http://usc.scout.com/2/14014.html
Norm Chow article
By WeAreSC.com
Posted Aug 21, 2001
courtesy of ESPN.com
Chow brings new ideas to home of Student Body Right
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Wayne Drehs
ESPN.com
Norm Chow remembers clearly the day he learned that college football players were of a different breed.
It was a handful of summers ago when Chow, then the offensive coordinator at BYU, was recording the voice overs for a video playbook each player was to study. Realizing the boredom his players would face watching the video, Chow inserted a message toward the end of the tape: any player still watching should call Coach Chow for a $100 reward.
"And guess how many guys called me. Just guess," Chow recalls. "One. And he was the center, the all-American boy who went on to medical school, married the cheerleader, all that stuff. Now what does that tell you?"
Norm Chow's offenses have produced record numbers at BYU and N.C. State.
It told Chow to simplify. And that's just what he's done this summer at USC, installing his wide-open, pass-happy offense with a playbook about half as thick as the one used by former coach Paul Hackett. Instead of worrying about precise footwork and perfect mechanics, Chow is instructing junior quarterback Carson Palmer to merely relax and find the open man.
It's worked before. In 27 years at BYU and last season at North Carolina State, Chow's series of short to mid-range passes, thrown to each and every eligible receiver, has produced some of the greatest offensive seasons in college football history. Yet doing this at USC, at a school that cherishes its Heisman-winning running backs like Harvard does its Rhodes Scholars, is something entirely different.
"I worried about that before I even took the job," Chow said. "But because of what's happened here over the past couple years, the fans are hungry for something positive to get behind and support.
"I'm not naive enough to think that if it doesn't work they won't be all over us, but these people are clamoring for the success of the old days. No matter what it takes."
When defensive-minded Pete Carroll took the USC job in January, he made it his first priority to pry Chow away from N.C. State. He barely knew Chow, but Chow's track record and conversations with a handful of NFL quarterbacks spoke volumes.
In 18 seasons as offensive coordinator, Chow coached six of the top 12 career passing efficiency leaders and 11 quarterbacks who rank among the top 30 in NCAA history for single-season passing yardage. The Cougars scored 30 or more points in 106 of 181 games. His list of pupils include Robbie Bosco, Steve Young and 1990 Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer.
Chow coached Philip Rivers, who broke seven school passing records and was named ACC Freshman of the Year last season. The Wolfpack offense finished second in the ACC behind Florida State (396.2 yards per game), with Rivers throwing for 3,054 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
"I really didn't know much about Coach Chow until he got here," USC quarterback Carson Palmer said. "But when I saw his bio, I was like, 'Wow.' I couldn't wait to work with him. I had no idea."
For Carroll, who was looking to give autonomy to his offensive coordinator so Carroll could concentrate on defense, Chow was the perfect fit.
"He is arguably the best offensive coordinator in the history of college football, certainly in terms of championships and wins and people he has coached," Carroll said. "He is not only a great attraction for us in recruiting and a great asset as a coach, but he allows me to do what I want to do."
It isn't like the USC offense needs that much tinkering. Under Paul Hackett last season, the Trojans led the Pac-10 in total offense (415.9 ypg) and ranked 23rd in the nation in passing offense (262.3 ypg).
Still, improvement is expected out of Palmer, who has yet to live up to lofty expectations in two years with USC. Last season, Palmer's 16 touchdowns were overshadowed by his 18 interceptions.
“ He is arguably the best offensive coordinator in the history of college football, certainly in terms of championships and wins and people he has coached. He is not only a great attraction for us in recruiting and a great asset as a coach, but he allows me to do what I want to do. ”
— USC head coach Pete Carroll on Norm Chow
"He is the most physically talented quarterback I have ever been around," Chow said. "But he's been ragged on a bit around here, so my job is to make him believe in himself and believe in what we're doing."
Palmer says Chow's simplified approach is working.
"The thing with the offense is once you've got it, you've got it," Palmer said. "It doesn't keep going like the old offense. It isn't so broad. The key is taking what the defense gives you. I've been greedy with the long ball when there's a guy 5 or 6 yards in front of me open. So he tells me to be more patient.?
The path that has brought the 55-year-old coach to USC has been anything but normal. The grandson of a Chinese immigrant, Chow grew up in Honolulu and was an All-WAC guard at Utah. After one season in the Canadian Football League, a knee injury ended his playing career.
Chow then coached two years of high school football in Honolulu before joining the BYU staff in 1973 as a graduate assistant. At BYU, he worked on a master's degree in special education and later a doctorate in educational psychology.
While at BYU, Chow worked with not only head coach LaVell Edwards, but also a handful of talented assistants, including current Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick and Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren.
In 1982, it was Chow who gave an unknown Holmgren -- then the quarterbacks coach at San Francisco State -- his first big break.
"LaVell was bringing Mike in for an interview, but he had to go on a cruise that he couldn't back out of," Chow said. "So he tells me, 'You interview this Holmgren guy and if you like him, hire him.' Mike comes in, and we had laughs for about two hours. I still kid him that he owes his career to me."
Though a handful of head coaching opportunities presented themselves over the years, Chow stayed at BYU for three reasons: his allegiance to Edwards, because he didn't want to move his family and, well, he felt comfortable.
He considered the idea of someday replacing Edwards, but a change in BYU's administration changed that.
"It was a nice run, a real nice run, but I stayed too long," Chow said. "And I knew that. It was a case where there were some awfully loyal guys on the staff but the new administration felt it was time for a change."
So Chow headed for N.C. State, where he worked his wonders with Rivers. And then Carroll came calling.
"I didn't know Pete that well," Chow recalls. "And I told him I really wouldn't consider (USC) because I had a great job where I was. But he laid out the challenge, the tradition and how badly he wanted me to join him. It was on offer I couldn't refuse."
Which has brought Chow to Los Angeles, the home of Student Body Left and Student Body Right, to educate a run-oriented team on taking to the air.
What could be simpler than that?
"To give them a thick playbook and tell them to study every page, over and over, we're fooling ourselves," Chow said. "And besides, I'm not that smart anyway. So I have no choice but to make things easier."
Norm Chow article
By WeAreSC.com
Posted Aug 21, 2001
courtesy of ESPN.com
Chow brings new ideas to home of Student Body Right
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Wayne Drehs
ESPN.com
Norm Chow remembers clearly the day he learned that college football players were of a different breed.
It was a handful of summers ago when Chow, then the offensive coordinator at BYU, was recording the voice overs for a video playbook each player was to study. Realizing the boredom his players would face watching the video, Chow inserted a message toward the end of the tape: any player still watching should call Coach Chow for a $100 reward.
"And guess how many guys called me. Just guess," Chow recalls. "One. And he was the center, the all-American boy who went on to medical school, married the cheerleader, all that stuff. Now what does that tell you?"
Norm Chow's offenses have produced record numbers at BYU and N.C. State.
It told Chow to simplify. And that's just what he's done this summer at USC, installing his wide-open, pass-happy offense with a playbook about half as thick as the one used by former coach Paul Hackett. Instead of worrying about precise footwork and perfect mechanics, Chow is instructing junior quarterback Carson Palmer to merely relax and find the open man.
It's worked before. In 27 years at BYU and last season at North Carolina State, Chow's series of short to mid-range passes, thrown to each and every eligible receiver, has produced some of the greatest offensive seasons in college football history. Yet doing this at USC, at a school that cherishes its Heisman-winning running backs like Harvard does its Rhodes Scholars, is something entirely different.
"I worried about that before I even took the job," Chow said. "But because of what's happened here over the past couple years, the fans are hungry for something positive to get behind and support.
"I'm not naive enough to think that if it doesn't work they won't be all over us, but these people are clamoring for the success of the old days. No matter what it takes."
When defensive-minded Pete Carroll took the USC job in January, he made it his first priority to pry Chow away from N.C. State. He barely knew Chow, but Chow's track record and conversations with a handful of NFL quarterbacks spoke volumes.
In 18 seasons as offensive coordinator, Chow coached six of the top 12 career passing efficiency leaders and 11 quarterbacks who rank among the top 30 in NCAA history for single-season passing yardage. The Cougars scored 30 or more points in 106 of 181 games. His list of pupils include Robbie Bosco, Steve Young and 1990 Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer.
Chow coached Philip Rivers, who broke seven school passing records and was named ACC Freshman of the Year last season. The Wolfpack offense finished second in the ACC behind Florida State (396.2 yards per game), with Rivers throwing for 3,054 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
"I really didn't know much about Coach Chow until he got here," USC quarterback Carson Palmer said. "But when I saw his bio, I was like, 'Wow.' I couldn't wait to work with him. I had no idea."
For Carroll, who was looking to give autonomy to his offensive coordinator so Carroll could concentrate on defense, Chow was the perfect fit.
"He is arguably the best offensive coordinator in the history of college football, certainly in terms of championships and wins and people he has coached," Carroll said. "He is not only a great attraction for us in recruiting and a great asset as a coach, but he allows me to do what I want to do."
It isn't like the USC offense needs that much tinkering. Under Paul Hackett last season, the Trojans led the Pac-10 in total offense (415.9 ypg) and ranked 23rd in the nation in passing offense (262.3 ypg).
Still, improvement is expected out of Palmer, who has yet to live up to lofty expectations in two years with USC. Last season, Palmer's 16 touchdowns were overshadowed by his 18 interceptions.
“ He is arguably the best offensive coordinator in the history of college football, certainly in terms of championships and wins and people he has coached. He is not only a great attraction for us in recruiting and a great asset as a coach, but he allows me to do what I want to do. ”
— USC head coach Pete Carroll on Norm Chow
"He is the most physically talented quarterback I have ever been around," Chow said. "But he's been ragged on a bit around here, so my job is to make him believe in himself and believe in what we're doing."
Palmer says Chow's simplified approach is working.
"The thing with the offense is once you've got it, you've got it," Palmer said. "It doesn't keep going like the old offense. It isn't so broad. The key is taking what the defense gives you. I've been greedy with the long ball when there's a guy 5 or 6 yards in front of me open. So he tells me to be more patient.?
The path that has brought the 55-year-old coach to USC has been anything but normal. The grandson of a Chinese immigrant, Chow grew up in Honolulu and was an All-WAC guard at Utah. After one season in the Canadian Football League, a knee injury ended his playing career.
Chow then coached two years of high school football in Honolulu before joining the BYU staff in 1973 as a graduate assistant. At BYU, he worked on a master's degree in special education and later a doctorate in educational psychology.
While at BYU, Chow worked with not only head coach LaVell Edwards, but also a handful of talented assistants, including current Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick and Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren.
In 1982, it was Chow who gave an unknown Holmgren -- then the quarterbacks coach at San Francisco State -- his first big break.
"LaVell was bringing Mike in for an interview, but he had to go on a cruise that he couldn't back out of," Chow said. "So he tells me, 'You interview this Holmgren guy and if you like him, hire him.' Mike comes in, and we had laughs for about two hours. I still kid him that he owes his career to me."
Though a handful of head coaching opportunities presented themselves over the years, Chow stayed at BYU for three reasons: his allegiance to Edwards, because he didn't want to move his family and, well, he felt comfortable.
He considered the idea of someday replacing Edwards, but a change in BYU's administration changed that.
"It was a nice run, a real nice run, but I stayed too long," Chow said. "And I knew that. It was a case where there were some awfully loyal guys on the staff but the new administration felt it was time for a change."
So Chow headed for N.C. State, where he worked his wonders with Rivers. And then Carroll came calling.
"I didn't know Pete that well," Chow recalls. "And I told him I really wouldn't consider (USC) because I had a great job where I was. But he laid out the challenge, the tradition and how badly he wanted me to join him. It was on offer I couldn't refuse."
Which has brought Chow to Los Angeles, the home of Student Body Left and Student Body Right, to educate a run-oriented team on taking to the air.
What could be simpler than that?
"To give them a thick playbook and tell them to study every page, over and over, we're fooling ourselves," Chow said. "And besides, I'm not that smart anyway. So I have no choice but to make things easier."
arthurracoon
The Cardinal Smiles
very impressive
i believe chow could make it as a head coach in the nfl. the question is for how long. 5-6 years and have to find a new head coach. i have nothing againist norm chow being the head coach of the cardinals, but i rather have a younger coach who succeeds will stay for about 10 years. not one who will want to retire after few years. that is why i want cam cameron or jim mora jr. rather have both coaches on the cardinals team, but i dont determine that. like someone else said earlier, i will get behind whomever the cardinals hire, but i believe it is the players that need to get behind the new head coach. that is probally why the players are part of the interview process. i like that. that way their will be no excuses why the players won't play for a coach. here to the best person to fill head coaching position for the arizona cardinals.
Zeno
Ancient
Why would anyone want Jim Mora? He screwed up in Atlanta and made it clear his dream job isn't coaching iin the NFL.
People bad mouth Carroll for his NFL record getting worse each year he coached--Mora did the same thing. He was also 0-17 and when trailing in the 4th quarter--sounds a lot like a coach who struggles making adjustments in games.
conraddobler
I want my 2$
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First time I've heard the man talk, I'm impressed, he's the dude.
I'm excited if they hire him, I'll enjoy watching him fail or lift this franchise out of the dirt.
Let's try the smart guy for a change.
I'm excited if they hire him, I'll enjoy watching him fail or lift this franchise out of the dirt.
Let's try the smart guy for a change.
