So far, he's lost two games to top-5 ranked schools by a total of 14 points. With all the players Marshall got through the transfer portal, we have no idea if they're actually a good team, maybe another 2022 Cincinnati or close to that. How do you think Texas A&M feels today losing to another Sun Belt team and only scoring 14 points? You gonna tell me Jimbo Fisher doesn't know what he's doing?
I say this not to excuse the Marshall game. Not at all. There are glaring offensive weaknesses that were exposed in spades. But our coaching staff has some good football experience that we should have faith that they can figure it out. Gerad Parker coordinated West Virginia's offense the last two years. No, that offense wasn't great but they put up plenty of points several times against decent competition. Maybe he can become more involved. Al Golden has been a head coach and certainly he would have some ideas on how to run an offense.
The main problem is the O-line, as we all know. Don't know what or how Hiestand is teaching these kids but it's obviously not working. As I speculated before, perhaps his methods are not suited to the college game or even the modern game. Are Rees' schemes the problem?
I have faith the coaches know what's going on and how to fix this. But let's assume it's Hiestand. Does Freeman have the guts to tell him to change his ways? Would he change his ways? Or let's say it's all Rees and his play design, blocking schemes and/or play calls. Suppose Parker has multiple suggestions that would best be implemented. Does Rees accept this? Does Freeman push this?
I think Freeman's biggest task is to not care about his assistants' resumes or egos and does what needs to be done. This isn't a done deal yet that the rest of the season or, for that matter, his entire tenure, doesn't bear fruit. He just might figure it out.
He's coaching a team of Kelly's players. He is bringing in a higher-caliber player. Players that can likely overcome his inexperience.
(no message)
(no message)
Perhaps I'm desperate here, looking for a data point.
Did he give an earful to guys not performing? I don't recall.
Dabo seems like a good balance between a players coach and a hard-ass.
Is there another "players coach" out there with big success?
Orgeron, perhaps. He did a good job delegating on that 2019 team.
No, we can'tpump the brakes on it... he IS in way over his head and he's lost THREE games as head coach... ALL THREE!
(no message)
He's a great person and an extremely hard worker but his lack of experience became obvious yesterday. His team was unprepared, undisciplined, and unmotivated. His coaches made no adjustments, and he appears to not have insisted on it. He relies too much on his coaches and doesn't use his leadership to override them when he needs to. All the above is on the head coach. His demeanor on the sidelines looked scared and sad. It would have been better for him to have gained experience as a head coach elsewhere (like Clark Lea for example). He must be living a nightmare today.
His biggest quality as a coach is his relentless recruiting. Even there, the QB recruiting strategy this year was awful, maybe because of his naivety and his overreliance on Rees. Despite an excellent start, it would not surprise me that ND falls out of the top 7 in the recruiting rankings after signing day. This would still be better than the previous years but not by much and without a QB to boot.
I think it's safe to say that he is in way over his head, and it will be interesting to see what he does from here on. It takes fortitude to overcome such adversity.
And Toledo was far worse than this year's Marshall, the only saving grace from that game last year.
All I'm saying is give the guy a few more games to see jow this plays out. Clemson fans said tbe exact same thing about Dabo.
from being 2-0. But he was 0-2.
(no message)
(no message)
(no message)
(no message)
(no message)
Marshall. We have no offense.
Yes, time for Freeman to get really hands on. Tommy's had 3 games at the helm and EVERY quarter after the first half of the OK St. game have been ABSOLUTE DISASTERS ON OFFENSE. TOTAL UTTER DISASTERS. That falls to the OC.
Although I have a feeling you are correct.
The latest nostalgia for Boss Hogg is also funny.