A new era of Navy football will dawn Saturday in Annapolis during the season opener against Bucknell when a partisan crowd at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will get its first glimpse of the Wing-T offense installed by first-year coordinator Drew Cronic.
This is the first time in 21 years the Midshipmen haven’t run some version of the triple-option. Coach Paul Johnson brought his patented version of the flexbone attack to Annapolis in 2002 and former head coach Ken Niumatalolo and former offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper put their own spin on the triple-option.
Cronic acknowledged there is some pressure that goes along with transitioning Navy from the triple-option to the Wing-T.
“I do feel a sense of responsibility. It is very important to me that we go out and be a sharp offensive football team that is well coached,” he said. “I’ve got an ego just like anyone else and I want people to say that guy is doing a good job of putting the players in position to be successful.
“Can what we’re doing work here? That’s what everybody wants to know. Is true triple-option the only offense that will work at an academy? I think what we do has enough of that flavor to make people have to defend us in some similar ways, but hopefully we can be a little more dynamic and be able to do more things.”
Cronic’s Wing-T attack, which he has evolved over the span of 15 years, is extremely unique in its own right. It would be safe to say that no other program at the Football Bowl Subdivision level is employing a system remotely similar to what Cronic has created.
Cronic calls it the “millennial” or “hybrid” version of the Wing-T and Navy fans will see what it’s all about starting Saturday. Football junkies that consider it a high school offense or archaic should be forewarned that this is not your grandfather’s Wing-T.
About the only aspect of Cronic’s Wing-T offense that resembles the traditional version is that he’s mantained the base personnel group of skill positions — a fullback, two wing backs (called snipes at Navy), a tight end and wide receiver.
Of course, Cronic has also remained true to the original philosophy of making different plays look as similar as possible so the defense can’t figure out where the ball is going until it’s too late. The Wing-T relies on deception and misdirection to force defenses to be disciplined and assignment-sound. When properly executed, the Wing-T prevents defenses from playing as fast they would like, forcing them to react instead of attack.
Cronic has evolved the offense to feature lots of formations and tons of motion. He has added the shotgun formation and developed numerous innovative passing concepts. He has also incorporated traditional triple-option and run-pass option schemes.
Navy head coach Brian Newberry has seen Cronic’s offense move the ball effectively and hit big plays enough during spring practice and August preseason camp to become a believer.
“I’m definitely excited about the offense and can’t wait to see it in action on Saturday. I look at things from a defensive perspective and it’s challenging stuff to defend,” said Newberry, who initially came to Navy in 2019 as defensive coordinator. “I think it’s exactly what we need to be doing to give our players an edge. It’s very unique and hard to prepare for defensively.”
Cronic recently conducted a “film study” session for members of the media that cover Navy football to help them understand the Wing-T and what it’s attempting to accomplish. What stood out was the ability for the Midshipmen to run a wide range of plays using the same personnel group. That typically prevents opposing defenses from substituting players in order to call different defensive schemes based on down and distance.
It was also obvious that in Cronic’s system the skill position players can and will move all over the formation. Fullback Alec Tecza could initially line up as a wide receiver then come in motion to take a jet sweep. Tight end Cody Howard could start off in a slot position, then shift a few yards to attach himself to the offensive line. Snipe Eli Heidenreich could set up in the backfield, then move outside to a receiver spot along the line of scrimmage.
Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker said the multiple formations and almost constant motion has the effect of distracting the defense. Players can get caught looking at the wrong things and lose track of where the football is going.
“Coach Cronic does an amazing job with the offense and I think anyone who has been out to practice has seen that. It has been very difficult to defend,” Volker said. “There are a ton of challenging things going on, a lot of eye candy. Defensively, it all comes down to being able to play with phenomenal eye discipline. I can tell you it’s been a major challenge for us. Kudos to the offense for that.”
Triple-option factor
During the half-hour film study session, it became clear that triple-option elements remain a staple of Navy’s new offense. Many of the same plays fans have become familiar with over the past two decades can be implemented using the traditional Wing-T personnel.
“There are going to be some things we do that are similar to what Navy offenses have done in the past.” Newberry said. “At the same time, it’s going to look a lot different for sure. There’s the ability to get into the gun and do some things out of that as well.”
Navy football conducted mock games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium the past two Saturdays with Newberry and Volker both coming away impressed with the offense’s ability to execute. Newberry believes the offensive players are getting to the point where they are not thinking as much.
“Things are starting to slow down for them a little more. I thought Saturday’s mock game was really clean,” he said. “It all starts with Drew being very clear on what he wants taught and being a great communicator. He’s done a great job of installing the offense.”
Volker agreed wholeheartedly with that assessment: “I think the guys on offense are really comfortable with what they’re doing and are playing at a high level. I think they’re playing fast and physical. I think they’re in sync with what they’re doing.”
Cronic has been pleased with the progress and believes the Midshipmen are right on schedule. He does see the offensive players becoming more confident in executing the system, but recognizes that confidence is fragile.
“I have to remind myself that this is a process; We have to take one step at a time and give these guys a chance to get better every week. We’re certainly going to be better three weeks from now and eight weeks from now,” Cronic said. “The main thing is for these guys to trust me and believe in what we’re doing, and I think they do. They’re also going to have to do that when there’s a storm this fall, when there are difficulties and things aren’t going your way.”
Cronic did not hesitate when asked this week what he wants to see out of the Navy offense in Week 1.
“Points. I want to see us score,” he said. “Seriously, I just want to see us go out there and play wide-open and be sharp in our processes. I want the players to be in attack mode. If you’re going to make a mistake, do it at full speed. think the kids are enjoying what we’re doing and believe in what’s going on. You solidify that confidence by being able to go out and executing at a high level in a game.”
