The Go-Go in Vegas
February 26, 2024
2024 AFCA Conveniton: Brennan Marion, Offensive Coordinator – UNLV
Brennan Marion is in his second year as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UNLV. Marion helped lead the Rebels offense to the top of the Mountain West Conference. The UNLV offense was #1 in scoring, third downs, touchdowns scored, rushing touchdowns, and in the redzone. These stats in just his first year have helped make him a well-known master of the “Go-Go Offense.”
The culture of the Rebel offense: “How you play without the ball determines how much you love your teammates.” By instilling this into the player, you create selfless players. You must make sure everyone gets the ball; with this mindset, you always have guys giving extra effort for the other guy. Everyone on the team celebrates the same, it doesn’t matter who scores. The only stat the team is worried about is winning. To be successful, the coaches need to love the players and the players need to love the coaches.
UNLV’s style of plays is based off five V’s: Value the ball; be Violent; get Vertical; have Variety; and Victory. We call this putting the “V” in Vegas. We implement this throughout our “Go-Go Offense.” To start off, we have the Triple Option. Here multiple guys are going to get to touch the ball (variety). You want to line up in an unbalanced set, and then run the ball where they’re not.
In our Zone, the quarterback has multiple options every play to get positive yards. The quarterback can hand it off to the running back; he can run it himself; or he can pitch to the back. In the Gap scheme, you have options to pass, run, or keep. If he can’t find anything open, then the quarterback can pull the ball. This keeps the defense on their toes. In the example below, we have an unbalanced set with 22 personnel: 2 running backs, 2 tight ends, and a wideout.
In Pin-Pull, out of a two-back set: one back leads, the tight end is going to block down and pin them, and then you pull around. You must seal the edge and get around it. Anyone who can go score a touchdown you want to get them in the game and make plays. In Shots, we throw the ball vertically downhill as much as possible. You want to capture the defense’s eyes so you can get the ball down the field. Make it look just like the run, but it’s a different play. Once they catch the ball, they must come alive and get vertical.
Next, we have the Movement. You want to capture the safety on the run action and then capture him again by having the receiver run the over route. You’ll have more success if you get more people on the field. With the Drop Back Game, you develop your game at the protection point and the pass point. This play gives the receivers options. Anyone who can go score a touchdown, you want to get them in the game and make plays.
Now, let’s talk about RPOs. With RPOs, you can go 2-ways, 3-ways, or 4-ways. On a 4-way, the quarterback can throw the bubble; he can hand the ball off to the running back; he can take the ball himself; or he can pitch it out to the receiver late. When we are in Bigs, this will help get your linemen in the game and get them excited. Having inclusion and diversity helps your program. This play also gets the defense confused. In the example below, there are 8 linemen in the game, and everyone is blocking the inside zone. The running back gets around and runs the edge.
In closing, it’s all about the kids being happy. It’s not just about drawing up cool plays, it’s about passion and making sure you have real, genuine relationships. Help your players become champions not just in football, but in life.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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2024 AFCA Conveniton: Brennan Marion, Offensive Coordinator – UNLV
Brennan Marion is in his second year as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UNLV. Marion helped lead the Rebels offense to the top of the Mountain West Conference. The UNLV offense was #1 in scoring, third downs, touchdowns scored, rushing touchdowns, and in the redzone. These stats in just his first year have helped make him a well-known master of the “Go-Go Offense.”
The culture of the Rebel offense: “How you play without the ball determines how much you love your teammates.” By instilling this into the player, you create selfless players. You must make sure everyone gets the ball; with this mindset, you always have guys giving extra effort for the other guy. Everyone on the team celebrates the same, it doesn’t matter who scores. The only stat the team is worried about is winning. To be successful, the coaches need to love the players and the players need to love the coaches.
UNLV’s style of plays is based off five V’s: Value the ball; be Violent; get Vertical; have Variety; and Victory. We call this putting the “V” in Vegas. We implement this throughout our “Go-Go Offense.” To start off, we have the Triple Option. Here multiple guys are going to get to touch the ball (variety). You want to line up in an unbalanced set, and then run the ball where they’re not.
In our Zone, the quarterback has multiple options every play to get positive yards. The quarterback can hand it off to the running back; he can run it himself; or he can pitch to the back. In the Gap scheme, you have options to pass, run, or keep. If he can’t find anything open, then the quarterback can pull the ball. This keeps the defense on their toes. In the example below, we have an unbalanced set with 22 personnel: 2 running backs, 2 tight ends, and a wideout.
In Pin-Pull, out of a two-back set: one back leads, the tight end is going to block down and pin them, and then you pull around. You must seal the edge and get around it. Anyone who can go score a touchdown you want to get them in the game and make plays. In Shots, we throw the ball vertically downhill as much as possible. You want to capture the defense’s eyes so you can get the ball down the field. Make it look just like the run, but it’s a different play. Once they catch the ball, they must come alive and get vertical.
Next, we have the Movement. You want to capture the safety on the run action and then capture him again by having the receiver run the over route. You’ll have more success if you get more people on the field. With the Drop Back Game, you develop your game at the protection point and the pass point. This play gives the receivers options. Anyone who can go score a touchdown, you want to get them in the game and make plays.
Now, let’s talk about RPOs. With RPOs, you can go 2-ways, 3-ways, or 4-ways. On a 4-way, the quarterback can throw the bubble; he can hand the ball off to the running back; he can take the ball himself; or he can pitch it out to the receiver late. When we are in Bigs, this will help get your linemen in the game and get them excited. Having inclusion and diversity helps your program. This play also gets the defense confused. In the example below, there are 8 linemen in the game, and everyone is blocking the inside zone. The running back gets around and runs the edge.
In closing, it’s all about the kids being happy. It’s not just about drawing up cool plays, it’s about passion and making sure you have real, genuine relationships. Help your players become champions not just in football, but in life.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
