Story by
The Huntsville Item, Texas
Longo expected to call plays in 2026. Can it work?
- Story byThe Huntsville Item, Texas
- Longo expected to call plays in 2026. Can it work?
ARLINGTON — On the preseason media tour, Phil Longo was asked plenty of questions, but one about Mike Leach provided a glimpse into how the coach is preparing for his second year as the head coach at Sam Houston.
Longo spoke highly of Leach and said that the two would talk once a week and share plays. With a smirk, Longo said he would always share a run play with the creator of the Air Raid offense.
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One thing he did mention was that every offseason, Leach would extend an offer to join his staff. Longo responded with "Are you gonna let me call the plays?" to which Leach knew that he wasn't going to let go of it.
"He and I both wanted to do that same thing," Longo said. "Philosophically, our offense is based on that philosophy he taught me in the Air Raid. We have applied that to the run game as well. We trust our players on offense and give them a lot of flexibility. I would not be here right now without that man. I would hope my staff could be those people in the lives of our players."
Longo said he expects to call plays until he is done coaching. At his introductory press conference, Longo stated he would call the plays for the first year and then reevaluate it after that.
During his first year as a head coach in more than 20 years, Longo saw a career low on passing yards per game, rushing yards per game and points per game.
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In his stint at Sam Houston, where he was the offensive coordinator, he saw a career high with Jeremiah Briscoe under center. In 2016, at the FCS level, his offense averaged 54 points per game, 604 yards per game and the offense threw for 438.1 yards per game. All of those were career highs.
Longo has shown over time that he can call a game at a high level, but the main question is, can he call a game, be a head coach and be the figurehead of the Sam Houston program?
"I think to approach calling an offensive game as the head coach, and again, I learned that from Mike. He called every game he coached. It keeps you engrossed in the sport," Longo said.
Longo has been the offensive coordinator for Mack Brown, Luke Fickell and K.C. Keeler, with two of them being CEO-type head coaches, meaning they give autonomy to the coordinators.
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While he said he was appreciative of their styles, Longo stated that he allows his defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator to run their side of the ball. While Zack Patterson is listed as the offensive coordinator, Longo stated he does 80% of the work.
Patterson is involved with all aspects, with Longo coming in for game planning and the play calls.
"The area of the offense I am involved in is the game planning piece, which I would be involved with anyway," Longo said. "I know what the defense is doing and special teams. A significant part of it is the play calling, which is largely due to the relationship I have with the quarterbacks I am coaching. If I couldn't lean on other people, I couldn't be the head coach and play caller."
In Year 1, things didn't seem like handing both duties was something he could handle. A glaring example was the Jax State game that saw the Gamecocks throw a five-yard out to kick a game-winning field goal.
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However, last year was an anomaly in the college football world with 12 road games, and the fact that the roster was thrown together with people left from the 2024 team, and what they could find in the transfer portal.
With a full offseason for the staff to find players to fit the mold, could this be the resurgence Longo has looked for since leaving Sam Houston?
