Kiffin says analyctics can make Owls wiser
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin has added another element to his infamous, attention-drawing Twitter account: math.
When Kiffin isn’t tweeting celebrities to #cometothefaU or defending the “national champion” University of Central Florida Knights, Kiffin has taken to retweeting accounts that specialize in applying sabermetrics and advanced analytics to college football. As Kiffin was tasked with bring- ing wins to a program that had won only nine games from 2014-16, the three-time national champion began to apply more math-driven formulas to his decisions.
FAU went 11-3 in Kiffin’s first season, winning its first Conference USA title and routing Akron 50-3 in the Boca Bowl, the Owls’ first postseason appearance since 2008. Kiffin acknowledged that part of the Owls’ sudden ascension to the top of their conference came from a partnership with Championship Analytics.
“We use it a lot, whether it’s on game day with the decisions — we led the coun- try in fourth-down attempts and we led the country in fourth-down conversions, too — which is unusual for a team that’s winning a lot,” Kiffin said. “Normally, that’s because you’re behind so you’re going for it. That’s all by charts and books and game-specific (notes).”
Mathematical formulas have found their way into sports recently, with the analytics.
“I think that it’s a newer thing that not a lot of people use because coaches are usually old-fashioned,” Kiffin said.
Kiffin noted that analytics have technically been around longer than people realize, citing using a touchdown-to-interception ratio to find how well a quarterback is playing beyond wins and losses.
“We kind of take it all in and, sometimes, that just reaffirms what you see with your own eyes — and, some- times, you’re off,” Kiffin said, “so that kind of brings you back in line.”
Where Kiffin’s interest in at least one more day to see defending MLB Champion analytics could become inter- who wins Round 4. Their Houston Astros being the esting is FAU’s heavy depen- regional semifinal matchup most notable example in dence on running back Devin was suspended Tuesday baseball. Singletary. Last season, he night due to lightning. The
Rather than follow older gave the then-sophomore an game will resume today at tactics for rebuilding teams FBS-best 301 carries. Saber- 5 p.m. like signing marquee free metrics and analytics caution Before storms forced the agents or swinging big trades, coaches not to work their teams off the field, the Warthe Astros “tanked” and players too much, which has riors led 4-0 behind strong ace, Kris Armstrong, who acquired players who fit led to a decrease in innings pitching from junior Jake Garpitched a five-inning permore into their system. A and pitches per game from land and a two-run double fect game against Cape Corplayer who got on base even starting pitchers in baseball. by senior Dakota Gaillard. al-Oasis last week. with a low batting average As for finding a balance Tuesday’s regional final “The other team was surwas more valuable to them between old-school stats and between Be n jamin a nd prised I was pitching him; in the long run than some- more math-driven formulas, American Heritage also a lot of people were,” Jack one who would hit plenty of Kiffin used the comparison was the fourth matchup Armstrong said. “But he’s home runs, but also strike of older coaches not playbetween the district foes actually leading our team in out frequently. ing music in practice. Since — they split their two regu- ERA, and it wasn’t by acci
NBA teams also have taken players listened to music lar-season games, and the dental. He doesn’t throw to the analytics movement. while working out on their Buccaneers won their show- overly hard, but he’s very However, football — colle- own because it stimulated down with the Stallions in deceptive. giate and professional — has them, coaches began playthe district title game. “And I said, you know, this lagged somewhat behind. ing music in practice to get Armstrong chose to go is just the right guy here to While there are organizations the same result. Kiffin added with Lanoce instead of his eat up a few innings and get such as Pro Football Focus that music was distracting in that use advanced formupractice the same way that las to determine how good crowd noise on the road can a player really is beyond trabe distracting. ditional stats, few teams or “We look for proof in programs have attempted everything, like what really to build themselves through does matter,” Kiffin said.