Arroyo managing UNLV’s QBs up close in tight competition

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022 | 2 a.m.

Early in Monday’s football practice at Rebel Park, following an 11-on-11 period, UNLV coach Marcus Arroyo jogged over to one end of the field to oversee a special teams drill.

That left the team’s quarterbacks on an adjacent field, taking individual reps under the guidance of co-offensive coordinator/quarterback coach Nick Holz.

It made for a rare sight during this training camp. Heading into his third year at UNLV, Arroyo has taken a hands-on approach to the quarterback situation this offseason, personally directing his passers through almost every individual and team drill as he tries to decide on a starter for Week 1.

When they drop back, Arroyo is there to clock their footwork. When they throw, Arroyo is there to gauge their mechanics. When they command the offense against live defenses, Arroyo is there, planted 10 yards behind the quarterback, taking it all in.

Evaluating. Coaching.

Arroyo may be micromanaging the position, but that’s exactly what’s called for in the situation.

“I’m over there all the time,” Arroyo said of his interest in the quarterbacks. “I love it.”

There may be no more important decision this season than whom Arroyo settles on as his starting quarterback, and he’s leaving nothing to chance. There has been little delegation during camp, with Arroyo preferring to handle the position personally.

Redshirt sophomore Doug Brumfield has been in Arroyo’s program for three years now, and he has noticed his head coach getting involved during camp.

“The majority (of drills), coach Arroyo is there,” Brumfield said. “If he isn’t, coach Nick is there to do just as good as coach Arroyo. Either way we’re getting a good look, but coach Arroyo is very hands-on and he’s giving us tips that we wouldn’t have normally.”

Arroyo was a record-setting quarterback in his playing days at San Jose State, and all of his coaching experience has come on the offensive side of the ball. His specialty has undoubtedly been the quarterback position; he was a quarterback coach at San Jose State from 2006 to ’08, a passing game coordinator at Cal (2011-12), and a quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator at Oregon (2017-19).

It’s only natural for Arroyo to be involved in the quarterback situation. Heavily involved.

“I think I’m in the room all the time,” Arroyo said. “That’s probably just a habit. I don’t know any other way than to be out in the middle of it all. I’m still learning how to do this whole head coaching thing a little bit in certain aspects, but one thing I won’t change — and I don’t believe I should — is being engaged in the teach progressions.”

Quarterback play will go a long way toward determining UNLV’s fate in 2022. The program lost workhorse running back Charles Williams to graduation, and Arroyo responded by infusing the receiving corps with impact transfers. Now he needs a passer to step up and take control of what could be a high-octane offense.

Shuffling quarterbacks hasn’t worked for Arroyo so far. UNLV posted a 2-16 record the last two seasons. Brumfield showed flashes in 2021, as did Cameron Friel, who was named Mountain West Freshman of the Year. Brumfield and Friel were set to duel for the starting job until Arroyo added another big name to the mix:Tennessee transfer Harrison Bailey. Those three have engaged in a fairly even competition through the spring and most of training camp, with snaps divided equitably among them.

All under Arroyo’s watchful eye.

Bailey, a former 4-star recruit, said he has benefited from the keen attention Arroyo is paying to the quarterbacks.

“He’s taken me (to) levels I’ve never been to this fall camp,” Bailey said. “Just teaching me things that nobody has ever really told me. It’s the little things with coach Arroyo. I’ve never really had that type of coaching.

“Little things like stepping up in the pocket,” Bailey continued. “Like when a ball is supposed to be out instead of my old ways of maybe holding onto the ball until I see something or whatnot.”

With training camp coming to a close this weekend, it is nearing time for Arroyo to weigh all the factors and pick a starter. All three passers have had their moments, making it a tough call for any coach.

Whichever quarterback Arroyo chooses to run his offense, everyone involved can be assured that it was an informed decision.

“I think any impact I can have and any help I can give to Nick — any help I can give to the quarterbacks — is something I’m interested in doing,” Arroyo said. “I like that process, and I know how important it is.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.