Pac-12 football 2023: Breaking down the top assistant coaches and coordinators

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker on Tuesday was honored as the 2023 Broyles Award winner, given to the nation’s top assistant coach or coordinator.

The news was expected. Iowa fielded an offense straight out of the Stone Age but went 10-3 because Parker’s unit held opponents to 13 points per game.

The group of five finalists included one Pac-12 coach, Oregon offensive playcaller Will Stein. But there was plenty of stellar coaching across the conference footprint this season.

Here’s the Hotline’s ranking of the top staff members.

(Note: Several head coaches serve as playcallers. They were not included.)

1. Oregon State offensive line coach Jim Michalczik: Over the years, Michalczik repeatedly has turned two- and three-star prospects into all-conference performers at the heart of OSU’s superb running game. A longtime Pac-12 assistant — he first joined the conference in 1999 — Michalczik has been, for our money, the finest assistant (or coordinator) on the West Coast.

2. Arizona defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen: Admittedly, the Hotline was skeptical of Nansen’s prospects for success in Tucson when Jedd Fisch placed him in charge of the defense prior to last season (to replace Don Brown). But the results are undeniable, as Nansen fielded the most improved unit in the conference: The Wildcats ranked 126th nationally in yards-per-play allowed in 2022; they improved to 42nd this season. A stunning turnaround.

3. Washington co-defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell: The spotlight is constantly trained on UW’s offense, particularly head coach Kalen DeBoer and playcaller Ryan Grubb. But we were extraordinarily impressed with the work performed by Morrell and co-coordinator William Inge. Their unit, which lacks the high-end talent found on the other side of scrimmage, improved significantly over the course of the season and repeatedly made big stops in the fourth quarter of close games.

4. Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein: Anyone who watched the Ducks regularly should understand Stein’s presence on the short list of Broyles Award finalists. They operated with seamless precision on all but a few occasions and averaged 44.2 points per game (second only to LSU). What’s more, Stein brought out the best in quarterback Bo Nix in their first (and only) season together.

5. UCLA defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn: Another instance of significant year-over-year improvement, as the Bruins jumped from No. 72 nationally to No. 8 in yards-per-play allowed. They did so with much the same personnel and with an offense that often provided little complementary support. Lynn, who spent most of his career in the NFL and joined UCLA’s staff in February, recently accepted a job offer from USC.

6. Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb: Sure, the Huskies have one of the nation’s top quarterbacks and collections of receivers, along with a stout offensive line. But the second-year playcaller has continually dialed up the perfect call for the circumstance. The fourth-down decision against Washington State — a fake handoff, then pitch to Rome Odunze — was the most creative call of the season in the Pac-12. No wonder Nick Saban tried to hire Grubb.

7. Arizona offensive coordinator/line coach Brennan Carroll: The other unit in Tucson was superbly coached, as well, and Carroll’s work with the line provided the foundation for what became one of the most potent attacks in the conference. We should mention assistant Jimmie Dougherty, who coordinates the passing game and worked closely with freshman quarterback Noah Fifita.

8. Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley: No list of elite Pac-12 coordinators would be complete without Scalley, whose unit is usually one of the best in the conference regardless of attrition or injuries. This year was no exception, and the defense held up as best it could despite sporadic support from the offense. Lewis Powell, who oversees the end, did his usual fine work, as well.

*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716

*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline

*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.