Learning life in the South: McElwain changes style to post W's

NEW ORLEANS, Jan 01, 2009 (The Decatur Daily - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- ACONF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- When Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Jim McElwain arrived in Tuscaloosa 12 months ago from Fresno State, his son looked a little out of place with his short-cropped haircut.

But as time went on, and the McElwains became more accustomed to life in the South, his son let his hair grow a little longer. Now, when McElwain looks at him, he sees a little bit of another young protege.

"Now he's got the John Parker (Wilson) 'do," McElwain said.

The length of McElwain's son's hair is not the only adjustment that the former Fresno State offensive coordinator and Montana native has had to make since he arrived. Along with the cultural differences between the South and the West, McElwain needed to change his play-calling style to adapt to the SEC defenses. He went from a high-tempo offense to a boring and methodical one. It is a difference he has taken in stride as No. 4 Alabama (12-1) prepares to face No. 7 Utah (12-0) in the Sugar Bowl. While many call the offense "boring," McElwain has another adjective to describe it.

"It was actually exciting as hell because of the wins," McElwain said. "There were times where I've been involved in those 500-, 600-yard offenses deals and all over the field and you go home and the only person talking to you is your dog, because you lost the game."

At Fresno, McElwain guided quarterback Tom Brandstater to the best season of his career in 2007. He finished the year ranked 23rd in passing efficiency at 140.49, and threw for 15 touchdowns, five interceptions and 2,654 yards.

The original thought was that McElwain would have the same effect on Wilson, the Tide quarterback.

This was not exactly the case as Wilson posted 2,096 yards passing, down from 2,846 a year ago, and threw for nine touchdowns, nine fewer than his 18 in 2007.

But McElwain realized Wilson didn't need to run the offense, just manage it. In turn, his passing efficiency jumped to 123.81 from 114.6 a year ago. He also cut down on his mistakes, as evidenced by his six interceptions this year.

"I just killed JP's numbers. I talk to him all the time, that I'm the worst thing that ever happened to the guy, you know?" McElwain said. "No matter what you do, the bottom line is, how does it fit your offense, your defense and your kicking game. What can you do best to win the game? Because the bottom line, at the end of the day, it's about wins and losses."

That fit involved Alabama's running game, which became the base of Alabama's attack. The Tide finished 22nd in the country in rushing offense and running back Glen Coffee ranked second in the SEC in rushing with 1,235 yards.

"You want to win the game. I don't care," Wilson said. "You get 12 wins, I'll hand the ball off a 100 times before I'd give up 12 wins."

In order to run this "exciting" offense, McElwain needed to make some changes of his own. He had to better understand the concepts of a run-first attack, and figure out how to call those types of plays.

"I think when you put the plan together, that's probably the biggest thing and accounting for an extra 17 people in the box, figuring out how to get them blocked," McElwain said. "That was a little adjustment."

He also needed to account for the bigger and faster defensive players in the SEC, which he calls "glass eaters and fire breathers."

Added McElwain, "I would say the biggest adjustment is how quickly you need to get things out, the speed of the game, and being able to make adjustments during games because these guys are on top of it."

Against Utah, McElwain's Western background can help out the Tide. He has a grasp of the types of defenses and concepts that a team in that region can bring.

"I don't think people realize how good, how talented this team is," McElwain said.

It's at least something that McElwain has held onto from his past experiences, even if he is almost a Southerner.

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