The Situation Elliott Inherited
- With the midseason firing of Lonnie Teasley, Shawn Elliott stepped in as interim offensive line coach.
- The OL group has struggled this season with consistency, protection issues, and penalties.
- On3 describes Elliott as a “new but familiar face” at the helm of the line room, suggesting his prior knowledge of the program could give him some early traction.
💡 What Elliott Can Do to Turn Things Around
Here are some outlines a number of actionable pathways Elliott can use to generate improvement. Below are the key levers he can pull:
| Focus Area | What Elliott Can Adjust | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Technique & Fundamentals | Re-establish proper hand placement, footwork in pass sets, and leverage in run blocking | These basics tend to be where breakdowns occur, especially under pressure |
| Reducing Self-Inflicted Errors | Emphasize snap timing, pre-snap penalties, and minimizing false starts | The article highlights that a lot of damage is done by errors, not just opponent plays |
| Communication & Line Cohesion | Build trust, communication between centers, guards, tackles, and tight ends | The OL must move as a unit; Elliott’s former TE duties may help bridge gaps |
| Game Prep & Scheme Tweaks | Adjust blocking schemes, identify opponent fronts, design more manageable combo blocks | Adapting game plans to opponent strengths can mask personnel limitations |
| Mental Approach & Accountability | Bring a new voice, fresh perspective, and accountability culture to fix recurring mistakes | Emphasizes is that a different message and personality may help re-energize the group |
Challenges Elliott Will Have to Overcome
- Roster instability due to injuries: The line has been hit hard this season, forcing true freshmen and backups into critical roles.
- Low margin for error: In a conference as tough as the SEC, especially when pass-rushing personnel is elite, every small miscue is magnified.
- Short runway: This move comes midseason, which means Elliott must make an impact quickly — he doesn’t have the benefit of a full offseason.
- Maintaining TE/Line relationship: Since Elliott was the tight ends coach and run-game coordinator, he’ll need to balance his involvement with both groups.
What On3 Believes Will Be Key Metrics to Watch
- Sack totals and quarterback pressures allowed
- Number of penalties — especially pre-snap
- Rush yards per carry and run game efficiency
- Snap exchanges (bad snaps, fumbles, shotgun timing errors)
Improvements in these categories will serve as early proof points of Elliott’s ability to move the needle.
