The Role of An Analyst - No Downsides

There is no downside to adding an analyst to your staff. I keep seeing posts about Aranda potentially stepping on Baker’s toes, meddling, causing chain of command issues, etc. However, that’s not how any of this works.

An analyst can serve as an experienced spring board to bounce ideas off of. They might have experience with certain teams, coaches, schemes, and tendencies that the HC, DC, or OC might not be as familiar with. They do not meddle during the game though. These are typically recently fired coaches who are trying to prove their value again. Someone in that position is not going to try to sabotage the coaches that are giving them their redemption shot.

The biggest benefit though is that an analyst can be thinking ahead. While the main staff is focused on Alabama this week, Aranda can dive full speed ahead into Texas or Tennessee. He can start watching their films. Taking notes on tendencies. What he is seeing from them in certain situations, etc. And then give suggestions on how to counteract these things.

Then, once the main staff turns to that opponent, a ton of the initial legwork is already done. This frees up more time to develop more sophisticated and well thought out game plans. The main staff doesn’t have to spend 2 days at the beginning of the week doing work that someone like Aranda has already done.

It’s a total win with no downsides.