Who Invented The RPO In Football?

Who invented the RPO in football? is a play design that gives the quarterback the power to decide—during the play—whether to run or pass, based on how the defense reacts. Unlike traditional plays, the RPO provides flexibility, forcing defenders into challenging decisions that make it tough to stop both the run and pass effectively.

If you’ve ever wondered why modern offenses seem unstoppable, the RPO in football is a big part of the answer. This strategy blends unpredictability with precision, giving quarterbacks more freedom and teams a competitive edge. But who invented the RPO, and how did it become one of the most feared offensive tools in football? Keep reading to uncover the roots and rise of the RPO!

The Run-Pass Option (RPO) isn’t just a trendy play—it’s a game-changer in football. Coaches at every level, from high school to the NFL, have embraced this strategy for its ability to force defenses into making mistakes.

What is the RPO in Football?

At its core, the RPO gives the quarterback the flexibility to either hand the ball off to a running back, keep it for a pass, or even run the ball themselves—all based on how the defense reacts.

The unique feature that makes RPO plays so dangerous is that the decision happens in real-time, right after the snap. Unlike traditional play-action passes where the quarterback fakes a handoff but is committed to throwing, the RPO offers multiple options based on defensive movements.

How the RPO Works: Mechanics of the Play

The RPO relies heavily on reading specific defensive players—typically linebackers or safeties. These defenders become the “keys” that the quarterback watches to make the split-second decision. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the RPO operates:

1. Pre-snap Read
   The quarterback scans the defensive alignment before the ball is snapped. If the defense is lined up to stop the run, the QB might anticipate a pass opportunity.
2. Reading the Conflict Defender
   After the snap, the quarterback watches a designated defender (usually a linebacker). If the defender steps forward to stop the run, the QB pulls the ball from the running back and throws to an open receiver. If the defender drops back into coverage, the handoff continues as planned.
3. Post-snap Execution
   Depending on the defense’s movement, the QB can also choose to keep the ball and run it themselves. The beauty of the RPO lies in this adaptability, which makes it challenging for defenses to predict and react quickly.

Who Invented the RPO in Football?

There’s no singular figure credited with inventing the RPO. Instead, it emerged from the gradual evolution of offensive strategies. However, several coaches and teams played key roles in popularizing the concept.

• Rich Rodriguez: Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the RPO, Rodriguez developed elements of the run-pass option during his time coaching at Glenville State and later at West Virginia in the late 1990s.
• Gus Malzahn: Malzahn’s high school offense in Arkansas featured RPO-like concepts, and he carried these ideas into college football. His work at Auburn helped mainstream the RPO.
• Chip Kelly: Known for his fast-paced offensive schemes, Kelly used RPO elements during his time at Oregon, which added even more momentum to the strategy.
• The High School Influence: Some argue that high school football programs in Texas and Arkansas first experimented with early forms of the RPO, long before it reached the college and professional levels.

In truth, the RPO in football evolved over time, with many coaches refining the strategy. It wasn’t invented overnight, but rather grew organically through experimentation at all levels of the game.

Why the RPO Took Off in College Football

College football became the perfect testing ground for the RPO due to the faster-paced offenses and wider hash marks, which allow more space for play development. Coaches like Rich Rodriguez and Gus Malzahn began incorporating it because it stressed defenses to the breaking point.

In college, defenses often struggle with quick reads and adjustments. The RPO exploits this by forcing defenders into impossible choices. For example:

• If a linebacker steps forward to stop the run, the QB throws a quick slant to a receiver behind him.
• If the same linebacker stays back in coverage, the QB hands the ball to the running back for an easy gain.

This ability to exploit defensive indecision made the RPO immensely popular in the NCAA, where rules also favor offensive creativity.

The Rise of the RPO in the NFL

The RPO didn’t stay confined to college football for long. In recent years, NFL teams have embraced the strategy, with notable success from teams like the Philadelphia Eagles. In fact, the Eagles used the RPO heavily during their 2017 Super Bowl run, with quarterback Nick Foles executing the plays to perfection.

Many NFL defenses initially struggled with the transition, as they weren’t used to defending RPO concepts at such a high level. Now, the RPO has become a standard part of offensive playbooks across the league, adding new dimensions to passing and running games.

Case Study: Philadelphia Eagles – 2017 Season

• Quarterback: Nick Foles
• Coach: Doug Pederson
• Super Bowl Impact: The RPO played a critical role in the Eagles’ offensive strategy, catching defenses off-guard and leading to their Super Bowl LII victory.

This example shows how quickly the RPO went from a college football novelty to a game-changing NFL strategy.

Advantages of the RPO

The RPO in football offers several benefits that make it appealing for both college and professional teams:

1. Keeps Defenses Guessing: Defenders can’t commit to stopping either the pass or the run, making it harder to predict plays.
2. Maximizes Offensive Flexibility: The quarterback has more control over the outcome of each play.
3. Creates Big Play Opportunities: With defenders often out of position, offenses can capitalize on mismatches.
4. Adaptable to Various Personnel: Teams can use the RPO regardless of whether they prioritize running or passing.
5. Encourages Fast Tempo: Offenses that use RPOs often operate at a high speed, putting even more pressure on defenses.

Challenges and Limitations of the RPO

While the RPO is an effective tool, it’s not without its challenges.

Challenge	Explanation
QB Decision-making	Requires a quarterback with quick instincts to make the right reads under pressure.
Risk of Turnovers	Split-second decisions increase the chances of fumbles and interceptions.
Offensive Line Issues	Linemen may get flagged for illegal downfield blocking if they anticipate a run but the play turns into a pass.
Defensive Adjustments	As defenses evolve, teams must constantly adapt their RPO strategies.

The Future of the RPO in Football

As teams continue to innovate, the RPO shows no signs of disappearing. In fact, analysts expect the strategy to evolve even further with dual-threat quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts taking it to new heights. Defenses will need to develop more sophisticated schemes to counter these dynamic offenses.

Analytics will also play a role in the RPO’s future. With access to real-time data, coaches can fine-tune when and how often to use RPO plays, making them even harder to defend.

Conclusion

The RPO in football wasn’t invented by a single individual—it’s the product of creative minds across different levels of the game. From high school coaches in Texas to innovative college leaders like Rich Rodriguez and Gus Malzahn, the RPO has evolved into a dominant force. Today, the strategy continues to thrive in both college and the NFL, and as offensive minds push the envelope, we can expect even more exciting developments in the years to come.

In the end, the beauty of the RPO lies in its simplicity: it puts defenders in a bind, making them wrong no matter what choice they make. And that’s what makes it one of the most impactful innovations in football history.