I used to cook GREAT (if I may say) brisket, pulled pork, ribs, etc on a weber smoker with kingsford charcoal. No Guru...just me controlling the fire.
I don't consider the coconut lump a crutch...I liked it because it provide heat only, no smoke or flavor of any kind. That allowed me to use whatever smoke wood I wanted to provide the flavor. If you use an Oak lump you will get Oak smoke/flavor added to your meat in addition to any smoke wood you put on the fire.