If you're trying to find Kugler's blueprint look at Mark Dantnio and Michigan State. The Spartans are the program that Kugler has tried to model his program after. Like Kugler Dantonio has relied on player evaluation and recruited 2 and three star talent everyone else passed up. Like the Spartans Kugler has tried to built a team built around physical line play, power running, ball control and flipping field posistion.
The difference besides that Michigan State is in a power 5 conference, is that the Spartans were able to quickly build a very physical dominating defenses. If you're going to play power run ball control football you have to have a great defense. To this point Kugler has not been able to build a defense that can doninate opponents and dictate play.
The other issue is quarterback. Its much more difficult to play qb at Michigan State or UTEP than at a spread school. The qb has to make multiple reads, and audible in and out of plays and protections. The qbs arent asked to make big plays often, but have to make the big play on occasion to keep the defenses honest. Mark Dantonio has had two qbs during his tenure before this year,Kirk Cousins and Connor Cook. Both were very lightly recruited but both became four year starters and third round picks in the nfl draft. Kugler during his tenure has recruited one qb who could successfully and skillfully run the offense. That was leftwich. You could pencil in Lefty for 220 yds passing 2 tds and 0 ints every game. Thats exactly what you need in this offense. Lefty is the only qb we've had who could consistently make the correct reads and audibles. Unfortunately as we all know he couldnt stay healthy.
The lynchpin to both programs is strong o-line play. Michigan State has had the best o-line play in the big 10 for the past 6 years. The o-line is Kugler's calling card. The most frustrating part of this season has been the poor play of the o-line. With four returning starters the offense line should be dominant and the strength of this team. Instead the o-line has struggled with communication and has regressed. Its impossible to play the style of ball Kugler wants to without a dominant o-line.
You can win with Kugler's style of play, Michigan State is proof. However, its a tough style to play and Kugler hasnt built the defense or found the signal caller to win consistently. The deteriorating o-line play makes Kugler's brand of football almost impossible to win with currently.