Utah football made big changes on Sunday night, announcing that longtime offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig has stepped down from the program. The news came as little surprise, as the Utah offense has struggled mightily in the past month, culminating in a anemic seven point effort against one of the conference’s worst defense in Saturday’s game against TCU. Utah has yet to officially state who will take over play calling duties. However, offensive analyst Mike Bajakian is being made available to the media on Monday afternoon and is the likeliest candidate to take over play calling duties in the booth.
Most Utah fans’ initial reaction will likely be “Who in the heck is Mike Bajakian?” Here is a quick primer on Bajakian’s background and what he’s done.
AN OFFENSIVE ANALYST WITH DEEP EXPERIENCE
Bajakian joined the Utah football program this season as an offensive analyst, with the primary responsibility of helping the Utes develop the quarterbacks. Bajarian has been a familiar face on the sidelines, working with Isaac Wilson as he comes off the field to recognize what has been happening. His close relationship with Wilson in particular should serve the freshman quarterback, who has the responsibility of guiding the Ute offense with Cam Rising’s season over.
Bajakian has an extensive background as both a quarterbacks coach and an offensive coordinator at both the college and NFL level and is an obvious choice to take over play calling duties for the Utes as they look to right the season. The new approach and energy gives Utah football an opportunity to inject optimism into an offense that has struggled mightily over recent weeks and has seen key players voicing their frustrations over social media. Bajakian has had a front row seat to Utah’s troubles this season and will be expected to find new ways to put Wilson in a position to succeed with a simplified attack and what Utah fans hope will be a new approach to the passing game.
BAJAKIAN’S EXPERIENCE AS A PLAY CALLER
Bajakian is an experienced offensive coordinator, most recently calling plays for Boston College in 2019 and Northwestern from 2020-2023. His offense at Boston College averaged 29 points per game. His best offense in his time at Northwestern averaged 24.67 points per game in the 2020 season. He spent four years in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals coaching quarterbacks. Prior to that, he called explosive offensive attacks for Central Michigan in 2009-10 in the MAC. His best offensive attacks have featured a balanced attack with a heavy emphasis on the running game. This approach should align nicely to Utah’s personnel strengths.
WHAT TO EXPECT IF BAJAKIAN IS THE ONE
The good news is that having been in the program, Utah won’t need to change much in terms of practice approach and terminology. We do expect to see shifts in game planning. Where Ludwig was unable to adjust his approach to new personnel once Rising went down, Bajakian will be expected to simplify Utah’s approach to the system, devise strategies to help the Utes overcome the stacked defensive fronts that have feasted on mistakes over the past few weeks, and provide relief for a freshman quarterback that is clearly talented, but has been trying to take on too much for much of his starts.
WHICH PLAYERS SHOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS MOVE?
The Utes have obvious stars that should benefit from a new approach. Micah Bernard is tailor made to be a successful featured back based on what Bajakian has done in the past. Wilson will benefit from a new approach that could give him some badly needed oxygen and confidence. If Wilson can find a way to be even 10-15% more efficient, Dorian Singer, Brant Kuithe, and Money Parks should all have more opportunities to showcase the talent that hasn’t had nearly enough chances to come alive this season. This Utah offense still has a long way to go to prove that they can be effective enough to win games. However, this is a move that players should respond well too and could renew Utah’s chances at turning the season around.
But they’ll have to prove it on the field first. Until then, all eyes will be on how Bajakian can rally his players, motivate them, and put on a show this week against the Houston Cougars.
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