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New Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck isn't offering many clues about what the Cornhuskers' system will look like when they move into the Big Ten this fall.
Beck held his first news conference Tuesday, three weeks after coach Bo Pelini announced his promotion from running backs coach. Both spoke in generalities about the 2011 offense, but the bottom line is that it will be simpler and, hopefully, more productive.
The Huskers open spring practice Saturday and Beck said his first task is to ''deprogram'' his players.
That's not to say there won't be some carry-over from former coordinator Shawn Watson's playbook, which featured a mishmash of West Coast passing principles, spread and zone-read.
''My philosophy is I want our players to understand our offense and to run our offense,'' Beck said. ''I don't want them to just run plays. I think they need to know why I'm doing what I'm doing and what they're doing and how it fits.''
One of the criticisms of Watson was that he didn't adjust his play-calling once defenses figured out how to shut down the Huskers.
By having an easier-to-understand offense, Beck said, the players will be able to make changes on the fly.
Previously, receiver Brandon Kinnie said, players operated like robots.
''We ran the plays. You do what you're told, and you do it how we teach it,'' he said, repeating Watson's mantra. ''Now it's more laid back. We understand what we're doing, and you have an option to play fast.''
Elements of the spread will remain. Beck specialized in the spread on former Kansas coach Mark Mangino's staff before he came to Nebraska in 2008.
Pelini said he also wants to use big sets, with two tight ends and a fullback. The zone-read also will carry over, and so might the wildcat.
The goal is for there to be a common thread for all the sets, Pelini said.
''Just because you line up in a spread offense or you line up in a two-back offense doesn't mean one is physical and one is not,'' Pelini said. ''You have to be multiple in what you do, but you have to have a lot of 'same-as' for your players so they can be aggressive, come off the ball, play with technique, play with fundamentals. And then understand the schemes so you can make adjustments as you move along. It's nothing magical.''
The Huskers were 10-4 last season but foundered in the biggest games. They lost three of their final four and scored only one touchdown the last six quarters. The poor finish ultimately cost Watson his job.
''We want to win championships,'' Pelini said.
Nebraska led the Big 12 in rushing (247.6 yards per game) but was last in passing yards (150.6). The Huskers gave up more than two sacks a game, lost the most fumbles in the Big 12 (16), committed the most penalties (109) and averaged the second-most penalty yards (70.9).
Beck, who coached three years under Watson, said he raised concerns about the offense to Watson in staff meetings.
''You walk out of the room, you go to war and believe'' in the man in charge, Beck said. ''I believe we had the kids' best interest at heart and we were trying to do the things for them to give them success.''
However, Beck said, communication problems with the players and an inability to make adjustments were too much to overcome.
There are other changes on the offensive staff.
Ron Brown, who coached receivers under Tom Osborne and Frank Solich in the 1980s and '90s and returned to coach tight ends under Pelini three years ago, is now in charge of running backs. Beck said Brown can convey to young tailbacks the lore of what under Osborne was the most feared running game in college football.
''They play tailback at the University of Nebraska, which is 'Running Back University' as far as I'm concerned,'' Beck said. ''What better guy to teach about the legacy of the program, the toughness it takes to play the position, the integrity... What better coach than Ron Brown?''
Rich Fisher, who previously coached at a prep school in Massachusetts, has taken over for Ted Gilmore as receivers coach.
Beck said every position is open, including quarterback. Taylor Martinez, the 2010 starter, was magnificent the first half of the season but struggled after injuring his ankle in late October. Brion Carnes and Jamal Turner join the mix along with 2010 backup Cody Green this spring.
There had been reports that Martinez was thinking about transferring after last season, and he had been criticized for being aloof on the sidelines when he wasn't playing.
Beck said Martinez has had a good winter of conditioning and that the sophomore from Corona, Calif., has shown more confidence. Beck said he senses no problems with chemistry.
''He's from California. All them California guys are a little weird, right?'' Beck joked.
