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Iowa State offensive coordinator has an easy going style with players

Sports

August 6th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State football players say they’ve been doing a lot of talking with their new offensive coordinator, and it isn’t all about X’s and O’s. Cyclone running back Jeff Woody says Courtney Messingham has an approach that helps in learning what he wants done with the offense. He says They joke a lot. For instance, if someone trips on a play, they’ll laugh it off, especially if that person is giving a lot of effort. He says it keeps the mood “light.” Messingham replaced former offensive coordinator Tom Herman who left I-S-U for Ohio State. Messingham says he’s tried to foster the open approach on other issues because they spend so much time with the players throughout the year just focusing on football.

When it comes to football, Messingham says his approach to the offense will be much the same as it has been. He says fans probably won’t notice a lot of difference in the offense. He says they’ll continue to focus on the run first, and look to take better advantage of the things the defense gives them. Messingham says he wants his quarterback to be patient. He says it’s important to take what the defense gives.  “If that means throwing hitch ten times in a row because they’re giving you a hitch, take that hitch ten times in a row, don’t try to force it down the field and make a poor decision,” Messingham says. Iowa State opens the season at home against Tulsa on September first.

(Radio Iowa)