At least one XFL team will be fun to watch when the league gets going next year. One of the most successful offensive minds in recent college football history, Bob Stoops, it the head coach for the Dallas-based franchise.
Stoops has now decided to bring on the inventor of the “Air Raid” offense to be his coordinator on that side of the ball.
The XFL on Thursday announced the hiring of Hal Mumme in that role.
This is some fun stuff right here. Mumme, 67, began his head-coaching career with Iowa Wesleyan back in 1989. That’s when he first started the “Air Raid” offense that has since come to define Big 12 and other powerhouse programs around the nation.
The concept is simple. Spread skill-position players out and pass the ball down the throats of opposing defenses. His career eventually took him to Valdosta State, Kentucky, Southeastern Louisiana, New Mexico State, McMurry, SMU and Belhaven.
While Mumme’s programs didn’t have a ton of overall success during his stints, his offenses have become something of legend.
The past two first-round picks in the NFL Draft, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, played in “Air Raid” offenses at Oklahoma.
Stoops himself initiated that offense when he became the Sooners head coach in 1999. During 18 seasons in Norman, Stoops posted a 190-48 record with one National Championship and 10 Big 12 titles.
Among others, Mike Leach (Washington State), Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma) and Kliff Kingsbury (Arizona Cardinals) run this offense.