2020 UC Davis Offense - Dan Hawkins & Tim Plough

Step into the most innovative laboratory in the FCS with the 2020 UC Davis Offense playbook. Orchestrated by Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Tim Plough under the "Uncommon Engineering" philosophy of Dan Hawkins, this system—affectionately known as "Shredville"—is a masterclass in modern tempo and spatial distortion.

Despite the 2020 season being pushed to the Spring of 2021 due to global events, the Aggies didn't miss a beat. They ranked among the national leaders in total offense (454.6 YPG) and passing efficiency, using a "positionless" approach that made them one of the hardest teams to scout in the Big Sky.

The Strategic Blueprint: Entering "Shredville"

The "Shred" system is built on the idea of operating a skill at its highest form. It combines the air-raid principles Tim Plough refined at Northern Arizona with the "Big-Play" mentality of the Dan Hawkins era.

"Tempo as a Team" Weaponry: Discover the four-tier tempo system:
- Blue: The "Hottest" pace—snapping the ball in under 12 seconds.
- Green: Constant rhythm (18 seconds).
- Yellow: "Freeze" plays to look for defensive tells.
- Red: Traditional huddle for clock management.
Shots on Goal Theory: Learn Plough’s aggressive philosophy of maximizing "touches" and "shots" in the red zone, where the Aggies scored on 92% of their trips.
The "Ulonzo Gilliam" Factor: See how UC Davis weaponized All-American RB Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. as both a downhill runner and a primary receiving threat, creating "Empty" set nightmares for linebackers.

Key Techniques & Innovative Concepts

This install features the specific "Uncommon Engineering" that defines the Aggie program:

The "Trent Tompkins" Package: Explore the "Magic Man" package, where backup QB Trent Tompkins was utilized as a runner, receiver, and thrower in the same drive—averaging 10 yards per carry.
Wide Receiver "Choice" Tree: Detailed diagrams of the horizontal and vertical stretches used by Jared Harrell and C.J. Hutton to exploit zone voids.
RPO "Shred" Reads: A look at the pre-snap and post-snap "conflict" reads for QB Hunter Rodrigues, focusing on the "Glance" and "Pop" passes that punished aggressive safeties.
The "Get Off the Ground" Drill: Access the fundamental coaching points used to ensure every player is ready for the next snap at maximum speed.

System Insight: Dan Hawkins and Tim Plough prioritize "Joy in the Process." This playbook isn't just about X's and O's; it includes the "Eastern Philosophy" cues (inspired by legendary coach Jim Sochor) that keep players mentally sharp and "present" in high-pressure situations.