Alan Hall brings 'the spread' to Winston-Salem State

Alan Hall's former employer, Savannah State began spring football practice April 2. He was hired as Winston-Salem State's offensive coordinator April 1.

Hall helped Savannah State have its best season in 12 years.

"Leaving [Savannah State] the day before spring practice started didn't help much, but this was one of those things that I just couldn't pass up," Hall said.

Hall was added to the staff becoming WSSU's latest offensive coordinator, a job that head coach Kermit Blount assumed last season after the firing of Nick Calcutta.

After the Rams finished 3-8 last season, Hall is enthusiastic about incorporating the tactics he used while at Savannah State into WSSU's playbook. During his tenure, the Tigers averaged 19 points a game while running the spread offense. The Rams typically ran the ball out of the I-formation, using the spread sparingly. They began the first stages of the transition in spring practice.

"The biggest negative about it [spring practice] was being that some guys were injured. I didn't get to evaluate," Hall said.

"I wanted to try to get my eyes on everybody, since I'm new and trying to learn what everybody can do."

Hall said he was looking forward to getting an idea in advance of where players, such as wide receiver Lamar Whidbee and tight end Jimmie Johnson, stood going into the fall, but rehab and medical red shirts placed some of his evaluating on hold.

Wide receiver Omar Kizzie went through the first couple of days of the practice and running back Nic Cooper got hurt halfway through with injuries.

Hall said he was most impressed by the team's focus and effort in the spring practice. He said that a lot of challenges were thrown their way in the practice, but the players worked.

"We're getting there with the personnel we had in place," Hall said. "It's getting better."

He said the team seemed to be embracing the changes and that they were a lot better on April 11 than they were on March 30.

However, after just one scrimmage, which closed out spring practice, Hall says it is still too early to indicate who will be the starting quarterback this fall. The leading contenders are Branden Williams and Jarrett Dunston, but Hall didn't rule out rising freshman Jordan Reid from High Point Andrews.

"I'd like to think of them both [Williams and Dunston as a starting quarterback next season], but he's [Reid] going to have a shot too when he gets here in the fall," Hall said.

"Now he's [Reid] obviously going to be somewhat behind because he didn't have the spring [practice] so naturally these two [Williams and Dunston] ought to have a leg up on him, but we'll see.

"One of the three will be the starter."

Hall is an advocate for the spread offense but says that he knows running the ball will make the Rams successful, especially down the stretch and when closing out games. He said that part of the Rams' offensive identity will not be phased out, but it just might come with a different look.

"They [recruiters] signed some pieces that will fit into place in making this transition. He [Blount] had that notion going into recruiting."

While coaching at Savannah State, Hall faced off against WSSU, with a 16-13 final in favor of the Tigers. Blount got the opportunity to see how the Tigers performed offensively, and Hall said he thinks the spread style of offense was already the next path Blount wanted the Rams to take.

"Coach Blount had an idea that's what he wanted to do with the next hire he made," Hall said. "I'm not an I [formation] guy out of trade, but we did some of it against him," Hall said.

"Blount got to see first hand what we did offensively, as opposed to just coming into the interview being cold and trying to explain those types of things. It was an easy fit investing with Coach Blount. I think it's worked out for the best."