FORT COLLINS — When it came to going over the game plan last year, Colorado State quarterbacks had to use both of their ears. While offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin would require their attention in meetings, at practice they were working with quarterbacks coach Billy Napier.
With Napier’s departure, Baldwin slid over to take his place with the quarterbacks as well, having worked with the tight ends in 2012. Redshirt sophomore Connor Smith feels it will be of great service to the quarterbacks to have their coach be the one calling the shots on game days.
“It’s definitely an advantage, because you’re going to be on the same page,” said Smith, who started four of the Rams’ final five games last season and is battling with Garrett Grayson for the starting job this year. “Last year we didn’t spend that much time with Coach Baldwin; he was just calling the games. Now our coach will be calling the plays, which will be a good deal.”
CSU head coach Jim McElwain has seen play calling handled a lot of ways and says he’s not sure it matters all that much who handles the responsibility. He notes, though, that it can help when it comes to game planning and helping the quarterbacks.
“He was obviously heavily involved with the quarterbacks (last season),” McElwain said of Baldwin. “With that said, I think there is more of a comfort maybe from the quarterback group that this is our guy calling the plays.”
