Report: Texas State football plans offensive staff shakeup

By Shehan Jeyarajah

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Texas State is undergoing major offensive staff turnover after a disappointing 3-9 season under first-year head coach Jake Spavital, according to FootballScoop.

The headliner is offensive coordinator Bob Stitt, who was relieved of his duties after a lackluster first season. Wide receivers coach Ron Antoine – a holdover from the Everett Withers era – and tight ends coach Morris Berger will also not return. Antoine is the husband of Texas State women’s basketball coach Zenarae Antoine. 

Stitt was hailed as a game-changing hire when Spavital brought him on staff. The pair had a longstanding relationship behind the scenes in the coaching world through Dana Holgorsen, who credited Stitt with the creation of WVU’s fly sweep play that the Mountaineers used to blitz Clemson in the 2011 Orange Bowl. Stitt had a successful run at Colorado School of Mines, and spent three years at Montana. He is largely considered a revolutionary offensive mind.

However, that pedigree did not translate on the football field in San Marcos. The Bobcats ranked No. 121 in total offense, actually a spot below Withers’ much-maligned offense in 2018. Their No. 121 rank in scoring offense was the exact same as a year ago, and the team finished with an identical 3-9 record. 

Spavital was largely hired for his offensive mind. However, he said at the introductory press conference that he would hand off play calling duties if he could find someone he trusted – Stitt fit the bill. Now, don’t be surprised to see Spavital take over the playcalling responsibilities. 

Antoine’s receiver group struggled with injuries and inconsistent play. Hutch White was the only receiver to finish with more than 35 catches or 400 yards in an air raid-type offense. Berger’s young tight end group was a nonfactor.

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