Bloomington Leader

New Co-Offensive Coordinator Brings ‘Explosive’ Edge

Everybody needs an edge.

For Anthony Tucker, it’s coaching versatility. During a 13-year career, highlighted by stops at Utah State, Central Florida, Maryland, and Arkansas State, he’s worked with running backs and receivers. He’s directed high-power passing and running attacks, and devised some of the nation’s most prolific offenses.

The result -- nine bowl appearances and four conference championships.

Now that Tucker is Indiana’s new receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator, he’s set to make a big Hoosier impact.

“I’m excited to have Anthony,” head coach Tom Allen says. “He brings a tremendous amount of experience. He’s been a part of some explosive offenses.” 

With spring practice starting Saturday, signs of that explosiveness will start emerging.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to coach a bunch of different positions,” Tucker says. “Getting that opportunity to gain knowledge in different areas has allowed me to get a broader spectrum in putting the entire picture together.

“At the end of the day, it’s 11 guys working together. With that experience, I have a better gauge in how the pieces fit.”

Offensive coordinator Walt Bell worked with Tucker at Arkansas State and Maryland. He sees the potential for a dynamic coaching combination.

“He’s a great evaluator and recruiter,” Bell says. “He has great rapport with student-athletes, and does a great job with development. We’ve done a lot of similar things. I’m excited to have him here.”

Tucker spent the last two seasons as offensive coordinator for Utah State’s high-powered attack. In 2021, the Aggies won 11 games and beat Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl behind an offense that threw for 4,248 yards and 41 touchdowns while averaging 32.6 points. Three receivers had at least 10 touchdown passes.

Tucker thrived at Utah State despite multiple quarterback injuries that forced him to use third- and fourth-stringers. 

“He did a fantastic job and had an unbelievable offense,” Bell says.

At Central Florida, Tucker started as the running backs coach, then took over as passing game coordinator before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator. The Knights were 28-8 during his three years, including a 2018 record of 12-1 and a trip to the Fiesta Bowl.

In 2018, they rushed for 3,448 yards and 43 touchdowns. In 2019, they averaged 316.7 yards passing and 223.8 yards rushing. In 2020, they passed for 357.4 yards and rushed for 210.7 yards.

Bell says Tucker will provide unbiased, informative insight when hard choices have to be made, and that he’ll focus on what’s best for the team and the offense.

“Any time you bring in a new set of eyes, a new perspective, it’s important,” Bell says. “We’ve already had conversations about screen-game stuff.”

The goal is to improve a Hoosier offense that averaged just 23.3 points and 328.3 total yards last season.

“Football is forever evolving,” Bell says. “You want to always do everything you can to stay in front. This will make all of us better.”

Tucker’s offensive philosophy is simple -- score points, limit turnovers. Beyond that, versatility rules.

“Sometimes you can spread it out and throw it all over the field based on what a defense gives you,” Tucker says. “Maybe you’re a tempo offense. Other times, you’re running.

“It’s a matter of understanding your identity and the things you can and can’t do, and come out with a win.”

Tucker’s ability to do that for multiple teams in multiple conferences could be crucial.

“Players make plays,” Tucker says. “You have to know when to pull back, understand your personnel and what they can’t do, and what they do really well. You want to give yourself and your players the best chance to have success.

“You have to tuck your ego at times, and do what’s best for the team, situationally.”

Tucker takes over a receivers room led by veterans Cam Camper, Donaven McCulley, and Andison Coby.

“Everyone’s different,” Tucker says. “Everyone has different needs and things they’re good at and things they need to polish. You want guys who want to be coached. It’s about relationship building and building trust.

“I have to get to know these guys individually and not just as players. You’ve got to invest in the whole person to get the most out of them.”

Tucker joins Bell, running backs coach Craig Johnson, offensive line coach Bob Bostad, and tight ends coach Kevin Wright on offense.

“We feel great about our staff,” Bell says.

Tucker says he joined the Hoosiers because of head coach Tom Allen. 

“I’ve always been impressed with how he runs his program and the way his players play.”

Bell vouches for that. He says Allen is an “unbelievable man who treats his players and his staff at a level nobody in this profession does.”

“He has a great reputation,” Bell adds, “and the reality is greater than the perception. He’s a special man and a special coach. He’s elite at both of those things. That’s why I’m here. It’s an unbelievable program and an unbelievable opportunity to work with a great man who is truly invested in making young people as good as they can be."

Original source can be found here.