One of my favorite things I hear on the radio, tv, or in football stadiums is the fan saying "I could coach better than him, I could recruit better, this is what needs to be done with the program..." etc. Really?
So, "Joe fan" would be willing to give up so many parts of his life to run a division one program in college football. I HIGHLY doubt that. Most fans are not that dedicated to the program they root for unless their team is having a winning season. In all honesty, I catch myself doing the "what the heck is the coach thinking?" thought from time to time, but I get myself out of those thoughts quickly because I am a coach young football men. Albeit, on the high school level and not the college level, but I hear those screams from the stands as well and wonder why can't the fans just root for the team and not yell all sorts of things at the coaches or players.
College coaches have so much responsibilities to the university it is insane. They have to manage around 100 student/athletes, a full coaching staff, kiss alumni's ass on Saturdays, deal with administration, recruit, recruit, recruit, deal with sub standard referees, and oh, you, know... win a college football game! His days are approximately 16-18 hours long during the season and maybe, just maybe, just a little shorter in the off-season.
My thought about "Joe fan" taking over a program is that he could not do it. Not even finish the first day or first week of being the man in charge. Talking with some college coaches in the past, most coaches get chased out of the profession by alumni or these unreal expectations that fans put on them. They say most fans have an unrealistic view of their program. I agree. Unless, you are Alabama, Florida State, or possibly Auburn fans think their school are going to win the National Championship. I root for Oregon State and by no means do I EVER think they are going to be in the running for a title in football. They can't get the talent up there to Corvallis to win and hopefully Beaver fans don't think we are winning the title anytime soon.
In the end, every fan wants the best for their team, but fans have to stay away from the unreal expectations that they may have for their university. Alumni can throw all sorts of money at the university, but if you don't have the talent, you won't win. Period. End of story. Fans, just enjoy the game and cheer on team and don't think you could EVER step in and take over the program. Just saying....
Friday, June 13, 2014
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Tradition and the Pac-12
I heard this being discussed the other day on a local radio talk show and it struck me as strange that the radio people were talking about the Sun Devils and most of the rest of the Pac-12 having all this tradition going on at their school(s). I just do not see it that way.
West Coast football is a pretty "what have you done for me lately" kind of fan base. It is a band-wagon culture to me because if your team is not winning then there is no support for the programs. Growing up in Oregon, support for either Oregon State or Oregon was not even close to what it is now. The football programs were terrible, had many seasons where the only competitive game for either school was the Civil War game. I attended the Civil War game that ended in 0-0 tie and the most interesting play was the last play where the Ducks were trying to pull off a Stanford-California ending. It didn't work, but made the last 20 seconds more interesting than the rest of the game. Tradition was non existent for either school. Fans were not vocal about their teams like they are now. It's funny how winning cures that.
The tradition of winning was really regulated to three schools Washington, UCLA, and USC back in the day. It seemed like those three schools were the ones on a rotating basis for the Rose Bowl. Other than that, no other school had any tradition in terms of winning and thinking that they were the next "up and coming" program. Sure, an ASU might sneak into the Rose Bowl or a University of Arizona make a push every four years, but that does not make for any kind of tradition.
Since I live down here in the desert I often hear Sun Devil fans talk about this tradition that they have of winning. What? What kind of blinders do you have on? Eventually, the conversation goes back to Frank Kush era down here. Ok, that was a LONG time ago. Tradition means, it is consistent, not just a period of time. Don't get me wrong, other school fans are like this as well. UCLA and Washington fans are you listening? The Bruins fell off the map for awhile as well. Some people didn't even realize there was another university in town besides USC while the Trojans were squashing everybody and winning National Title and competing for other championship titles. Washington has disappeared from any talk of winning anything. The Dawgs are mired in mediocrity currently. As for my Oregon State Beavers, a school that is more or less known for having 30 losing seasons in row, we should be under no illusions of any kind of tradition in Corvallis. We are just happy we win more than 3 games a year now.
About a year ago, I had a good high school friend of mine come into town from back east we had this conversation about how disillusioned many Pac-12 program fans are when they talk about winning tradition. My buddy is a graduate of the University of Oregon and he supports his Ducks all the time, but he knows there is not this huge tradition of winning in Eugene. He told me that Duck fans have forgotten how bad it was because of the recent success and the help that Phil Knight has provided. We both agreed that when you talk about winning tradition you need to look no further than teams in the south. The fans are not "fair weather" like they are here out West. The support for them is unwavering ALL the time.
Would I like to see the winning tradition take over in the Pac-12? You bet I would, but lets be realistic about things. We are little more relaxed out here in the West and look at our football programs a little differently in terms of winning. If they win we go to games, they don't win, well, we don't. It really is that simple... just saying.
West Coast football is a pretty "what have you done for me lately" kind of fan base. It is a band-wagon culture to me because if your team is not winning then there is no support for the programs. Growing up in Oregon, support for either Oregon State or Oregon was not even close to what it is now. The football programs were terrible, had many seasons where the only competitive game for either school was the Civil War game. I attended the Civil War game that ended in 0-0 tie and the most interesting play was the last play where the Ducks were trying to pull off a Stanford-California ending. It didn't work, but made the last 20 seconds more interesting than the rest of the game. Tradition was non existent for either school. Fans were not vocal about their teams like they are now. It's funny how winning cures that.
The tradition of winning was really regulated to three schools Washington, UCLA, and USC back in the day. It seemed like those three schools were the ones on a rotating basis for the Rose Bowl. Other than that, no other school had any tradition in terms of winning and thinking that they were the next "up and coming" program. Sure, an ASU might sneak into the Rose Bowl or a University of Arizona make a push every four years, but that does not make for any kind of tradition.
Since I live down here in the desert I often hear Sun Devil fans talk about this tradition that they have of winning. What? What kind of blinders do you have on? Eventually, the conversation goes back to Frank Kush era down here. Ok, that was a LONG time ago. Tradition means, it is consistent, not just a period of time. Don't get me wrong, other school fans are like this as well. UCLA and Washington fans are you listening? The Bruins fell off the map for awhile as well. Some people didn't even realize there was another university in town besides USC while the Trojans were squashing everybody and winning National Title and competing for other championship titles. Washington has disappeared from any talk of winning anything. The Dawgs are mired in mediocrity currently. As for my Oregon State Beavers, a school that is more or less known for having 30 losing seasons in row, we should be under no illusions of any kind of tradition in Corvallis. We are just happy we win more than 3 games a year now.
About a year ago, I had a good high school friend of mine come into town from back east we had this conversation about how disillusioned many Pac-12 program fans are when they talk about winning tradition. My buddy is a graduate of the University of Oregon and he supports his Ducks all the time, but he knows there is not this huge tradition of winning in Eugene. He told me that Duck fans have forgotten how bad it was because of the recent success and the help that Phil Knight has provided. We both agreed that when you talk about winning tradition you need to look no further than teams in the south. The fans are not "fair weather" like they are here out West. The support for them is unwavering ALL the time.
Would I like to see the winning tradition take over in the Pac-12? You bet I would, but lets be realistic about things. We are little more relaxed out here in the West and look at our football programs a little differently in terms of winning. If they win we go to games, they don't win, well, we don't. It really is that simple... just saying.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Rich Rod and the Cats
I am believer in Rich Rod and the Wildcats down there at the University of Arizona. I think his Big 10 experiment at Michigan was just the wrong fit for him. Michigan was not ready for a spread type of offense as well. With that being said, Rodriguez is a perfect fit for the Wildcats and the Pac-12 because his spread attack is just like the wild, wild west. Open and free! Football in the West is all about quick strikes and putting pressure on the defense on every play.
I, for one, would love to see the Cats continue to rise in the Pac-12 south division because it would create a better rivalry with the Sun Devils. The rivalry is good, but it should be great and if the two major Division one programs in the state are winning and consistently winning then everybody benefits in Arizona. The University of Arizona is finishing up a major remodel of the football stadium and that'll help bring in better recruiting classes. Let's face the truth, that remodel was sorely needed down there because going to football game there was like stepping inside a mausoleum. The stadium will be more "attractive" to recruits.
Next, his offense is the wide open spread. Very fan friendly. Watching teams execute a play about 12-15 seconds is fun to watch. Personally, I'm not sure why it took this long for this type of offense to take hold like it has
in the 5-7 years. I like the Rich Rod's aggressive personality and style on the field. The take no prisoner approach, if you are up by 20 points, make it 30 points. If people get upset with this type of football, sit down and shut up people. If you think Rich Rod is running up the score, then obviously your team isn't doing anything to stop the lopsided score.
One of his challenges this year will be to find a replacement for Ka'deem Carey, who was probably the best running back in the Pac-12 and probably a top five running back in college football last year. Most people don't know who this guy is because he played in Arizona, the Pac-12 and not the SEC or on the East Coast. Look for Rodriguez to find a suitable replacement for Carey.
With back to back 8-5 seasons the Wildcats are looking to do big things in 2014. Here's to hoping they can accomplish those high aspirations! Just saying....
I, for one, would love to see the Cats continue to rise in the Pac-12 south division because it would create a better rivalry with the Sun Devils. The rivalry is good, but it should be great and if the two major Division one programs in the state are winning and consistently winning then everybody benefits in Arizona. The University of Arizona is finishing up a major remodel of the football stadium and that'll help bring in better recruiting classes. Let's face the truth, that remodel was sorely needed down there because going to football game there was like stepping inside a mausoleum. The stadium will be more "attractive" to recruits.
Next, his offense is the wide open spread. Very fan friendly. Watching teams execute a play about 12-15 seconds is fun to watch. Personally, I'm not sure why it took this long for this type of offense to take hold like it has
in the 5-7 years. I like the Rich Rod's aggressive personality and style on the field. The take no prisoner approach, if you are up by 20 points, make it 30 points. If people get upset with this type of football, sit down and shut up people. If you think Rich Rod is running up the score, then obviously your team isn't doing anything to stop the lopsided score.
One of his challenges this year will be to find a replacement for Ka'deem Carey, who was probably the best running back in the Pac-12 and probably a top five running back in college football last year. Most people don't know who this guy is because he played in Arizona, the Pac-12 and not the SEC or on the East Coast. Look for Rodriguez to find a suitable replacement for Carey.
With back to back 8-5 seasons the Wildcats are looking to do big things in 2014. Here's to hoping they can accomplish those high aspirations! Just saying....
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Extending Todd Graham
Has Arizona State finally figured it out with it's coaching? I believe that they have with Todd Graham and what he has brought to the table. In all honesty, I was a doubter of Coach Graham when ASU hired him because of how he left Pittsburgh and Tulsa before that. Texting his Pitt players that he was leaving still doesn't sit well with me. However, that is all in the past and Sun Devil fans haven't been happier!
By extending Grahams contract that ensures that he will be the Sun Devil coach through the 2019 season and raises his contract by $300,000 to a level of $2.7 million. His contract has to be approved by the ASU Board of Regents, but that is merely a formality at this point.
I, for one, applaud the university for doing what is necessary to keep a quality head coach for their football program. Since living down here in the desert it appeared that ASU couldn't make the right choice in coaches. Dirk Koetter and Dennis Erickson never endeared themselves to the public. Koetter was abrasive with the media and alumni and Erickson let the players run the asylum and there was no discipline in the program. Heck, Koetter, even had a player kill somebody under his watch.
Enter, Graham, a guy who had, and maybe still has a reputation of continually looking for his next big job. He has embraced all the tradition that ASU has with its past. Takes the players up to Camp T for summer camp, holds his players accountable with his tough nosed discipline, makes sure his players go to class, and has brought respectability back to the program in the publics eyes. Let's face it, when the alumni are happy, the coach is happy. He gets involved with the community, takes part in Pat's Run that benefits the Pat Tillman Foundation, and basically puts a positive face on the Sun Devil program. He is an inspiring speaker, heck, he gets me fired up and wants to put the pads on when he talks to high school players or his own players about how he expects his teams to play. His teams play with urgency and passion. Seeing his players fly around and play with this passion is how Sun Devil fans want their team to play.
Here's to hoping that Graham continues this style of coaching and winning. Just saying....
By extending Grahams contract that ensures that he will be the Sun Devil coach through the 2019 season and raises his contract by $300,000 to a level of $2.7 million. His contract has to be approved by the ASU Board of Regents, but that is merely a formality at this point.
I, for one, applaud the university for doing what is necessary to keep a quality head coach for their football program. Since living down here in the desert it appeared that ASU couldn't make the right choice in coaches. Dirk Koetter and Dennis Erickson never endeared themselves to the public. Koetter was abrasive with the media and alumni and Erickson let the players run the asylum and there was no discipline in the program. Heck, Koetter, even had a player kill somebody under his watch.
Enter, Graham, a guy who had, and maybe still has a reputation of continually looking for his next big job. He has embraced all the tradition that ASU has with its past. Takes the players up to Camp T for summer camp, holds his players accountable with his tough nosed discipline, makes sure his players go to class, and has brought respectability back to the program in the publics eyes. Let's face it, when the alumni are happy, the coach is happy. He gets involved with the community, takes part in Pat's Run that benefits the Pat Tillman Foundation, and basically puts a positive face on the Sun Devil program. He is an inspiring speaker, heck, he gets me fired up and wants to put the pads on when he talks to high school players or his own players about how he expects his teams to play. His teams play with urgency and passion. Seeing his players fly around and play with this passion is how Sun Devil fans want their team to play.
Here's to hoping that Graham continues this style of coaching and winning. Just saying....
Thursday, May 29, 2014
High Expectations for the Sun Devils
In the Valley of the Sun, the expectations are as high as the sun for the Arizona State Sun Devils. They have a quarterback who is a dual threat and that will make defensive coordinators have some long hours at the house and plenty of sleepless nights.
It's about time the expectations were high down here in the desert because this program has been mired on a path of mediocrity for the last 10 years or so. They have had a lot of talk in Tempe about doing this or that, but nothing consistent at all. It's been all talk, no action. Now, it's going to change. At least that is what the prevailing thought is. The Devils finally have a coach that has a discipline plan that has been effective the past couple of years. Anything would be effective after the Devils thought that Dennis Erickson would be a good coach here. He was not, unless you think bringing in sketchy players with sketchy pasts into the program was a great idea. Erickson was the king of letting the inmates run the asylum. With Todd Graham continuing to make discipline the basis for Sun Devil success, the Devils should be contending in the Pac-12 south division.
Taylor Kelly will have plenty of receivers and running backs to throw the ball to. The one player that deserves some high recognition is a player I watched a few times in high school. D.J. Foster is his name. Coach Graham knows that if he gets Foster in space and lets his speed work its magic, Foster will be a first team all Pac-12 with ease. This kids speed is incredible, and like every coach says, "speed kills." It's one of those things you can not coach and Foster has it in spades.
If Graham can solve some of the holes that his defense has because graduation and the pros then the sky is the limit in Tempe. The defense will be the question for the team. No other Pac-12 team has more positions to fill on one side of the ball than the Sun Devils do. I have confidence in Graham that he can get it done.
Sun Devil fans should be confident in what Graham is doing and what he has done since he arrived in the desert. Hopefully, that means bigger crowds at Sun Devil Stadium to make life more unpleasant for visiting teams. Just saying...
It's about time the expectations were high down here in the desert because this program has been mired on a path of mediocrity for the last 10 years or so. They have had a lot of talk in Tempe about doing this or that, but nothing consistent at all. It's been all talk, no action. Now, it's going to change. At least that is what the prevailing thought is. The Devils finally have a coach that has a discipline plan that has been effective the past couple of years. Anything would be effective after the Devils thought that Dennis Erickson would be a good coach here. He was not, unless you think bringing in sketchy players with sketchy pasts into the program was a great idea. Erickson was the king of letting the inmates run the asylum. With Todd Graham continuing to make discipline the basis for Sun Devil success, the Devils should be contending in the Pac-12 south division.
Taylor Kelly will have plenty of receivers and running backs to throw the ball to. The one player that deserves some high recognition is a player I watched a few times in high school. D.J. Foster is his name. Coach Graham knows that if he gets Foster in space and lets his speed work its magic, Foster will be a first team all Pac-12 with ease. This kids speed is incredible, and like every coach says, "speed kills." It's one of those things you can not coach and Foster has it in spades.
If Graham can solve some of the holes that his defense has because graduation and the pros then the sky is the limit in Tempe. The defense will be the question for the team. No other Pac-12 team has more positions to fill on one side of the ball than the Sun Devils do. I have confidence in Graham that he can get it done.
Sun Devil fans should be confident in what Graham is doing and what he has done since he arrived in the desert. Hopefully, that means bigger crowds at Sun Devil Stadium to make life more unpleasant for visiting teams. Just saying...
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Expand the playoffs
Now that the BCS is dead and gone we can debate whether or not the playoff system is big enough. By big enough I simply mean: Is the format big enough? Four teams? Really? Now I'm not advocating we go to a format of 64 like the NCAA basketball tournament, but a more modest format of eight or even twelve teams.
Now I know some people will say that expanding it will take away from the education of the athletes. I highly doubt that because these college football players are already being asked to do quite a bit for their university. These student/athletes are not in school on Friday when they travel and don't get back in town after an away game until very early the next morning if they played a night game or late that evening if the game was during the day. The following day they will typically have film sessions or meetings. Expanding the playoff is not going to take away anymore than the usual time away from their studies. This larger playoff format adds MAYBE two or 3 weeks to the season if the NCAA decides to go past the typical first week of January with these games. I say instead of going past the first week of January, use those weeks before Christmas to play these games and have it culminate in the first week or two of January.
Somehow the NCAA should find a way to use the bowls as different rounds of the playoffs. I don't think it would be that difficult. Use the four big bowls (Rose, Fiesta, Orange, and Sugar) as the early rounds of the playoff. Then from their choose two of the sites for the following week, then once those games are done choose one of the four sites to host the National Championship game. Rotate the site of the National Championship like they did for the BCS. That way everybody gets a fair shot at the money, and lets face it, that is what all this is about. Right?
If the NCAA figured out a way to run a playoff system at the lower levels, then quite simply they can figure out an equitable way of running a playoff system at the division one level. The NCAA makes money, hand over fist with the basketball tournament. Just think how much money they would make off a playoff system with this countries favorite sport! Then they could trickle that money down to the athletes... oops, different topic, for a different day. Expand the playoffs... just saying.
Now I know some people will say that expanding it will take away from the education of the athletes. I highly doubt that because these college football players are already being asked to do quite a bit for their university. These student/athletes are not in school on Friday when they travel and don't get back in town after an away game until very early the next morning if they played a night game or late that evening if the game was during the day. The following day they will typically have film sessions or meetings. Expanding the playoff is not going to take away anymore than the usual time away from their studies. This larger playoff format adds MAYBE two or 3 weeks to the season if the NCAA decides to go past the typical first week of January with these games. I say instead of going past the first week of January, use those weeks before Christmas to play these games and have it culminate in the first week or two of January.
Somehow the NCAA should find a way to use the bowls as different rounds of the playoffs. I don't think it would be that difficult. Use the four big bowls (Rose, Fiesta, Orange, and Sugar) as the early rounds of the playoff. Then from their choose two of the sites for the following week, then once those games are done choose one of the four sites to host the National Championship game. Rotate the site of the National Championship like they did for the BCS. That way everybody gets a fair shot at the money, and lets face it, that is what all this is about. Right?
If the NCAA figured out a way to run a playoff system at the lower levels, then quite simply they can figure out an equitable way of running a playoff system at the division one level. The NCAA makes money, hand over fist with the basketball tournament. Just think how much money they would make off a playoff system with this countries favorite sport! Then they could trickle that money down to the athletes... oops, different topic, for a different day. Expand the playoffs... just saying.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Beaver Believing
Lets talk about the other school in the state of Oregon. Yep, those Oregon State Beavers. The Beavers are coming off a tough year in 2013. It was an up and down year for the Beavs. They started off on a pretty rough note, losing to Eastern Washington at HOME. Ugh. That was certainly not a way to get the legions of faithful Beaver fans excited about last year. However they won their next five, albeit, against some suspect competition. They righted the ship, and then... it went down hill fast. They ran up against quality competition such as Oregon, Stanford, Washington. They won their bowl game in Hawaii against those pesky Broncos from Boise State. Now 2014 is approaching and I think we are headed for a slightly better year from the Beavers.
The positives the Beavers have is that they will have good skill players at those positions despite the loss of Brandin Cooks on offense and Scott Crichton on defense. Sean Mannion is returning for his senior season and that was a relief for most Beaver fans because he had a breakout campaign last year. Over 30 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards passing will make believers out of anybody. He showed more poise in the pocket, stronger arm strength, and just more confidence in what he was doing. His downside, he is not mobile. When the pocket collapses, so does he. He is Dan Marino quick which tells you everything about his mobility.
Most of the defense comes back and that will help points stay off the board. Last year was tough to watch due to the fact that experience with the defense was a non factor. This year it'll be a much improved defense. The defensive line will be strong and give people fits to game plan for, as well as a strong linebacker core. These guys will be responsible for giving the offense more opportunities to put more points on the board.
The area in which I have a little trepidation is the offensive line. They lost some talent there, but they will be anchored by their starting center, Isaac Seumalo. Seumalo has been starting since he was a true freshman. The whole left side of the offensive line is gone and being replaced. They will also be replacing the right guard position as well. Beaver fans, that means, Sean Mannions blind side is new and half the right side is new. That's a big deal to me and it should be to you. If these guys on the line can not gel together, then Mannion will be on his back many times and that'll lead to a frustrating season. I'm hoping that coach Mike Riley will get this line issue resolved.
Let's go through their schedule: Portland State: win. Hawaii: win. San Diego State: win. They get out of the gate 3-0. Next up USC: loss Colorado: win (easily) Utah: win. Now comes Stanford: loss, a big loss. California: win. Washington State: win. Arizona State: loss, close loss, but the Devils will be competing again for the Pac-12 south title and will be inspired. Here come the Huskies: win, the Beavs pull out a close win. Finally, the Ducks: loss. Even though the game was close last year, I see the Ducks winning by a couple of touchdowns. So, in the end the Beavers end up with an 8-4 record and another mid-level type of bowl.
Beaver fans want better, but considering the division they are in and the fact they play in the Pac-12, a conference in which everybody beats up on everybody else in the conference I think this is how it'll play out for the Beavers. I want them to finish with a better record, but I need to be realistic about the program and the talent they have. Just saying...
The positives the Beavers have is that they will have good skill players at those positions despite the loss of Brandin Cooks on offense and Scott Crichton on defense. Sean Mannion is returning for his senior season and that was a relief for most Beaver fans because he had a breakout campaign last year. Over 30 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards passing will make believers out of anybody. He showed more poise in the pocket, stronger arm strength, and just more confidence in what he was doing. His downside, he is not mobile. When the pocket collapses, so does he. He is Dan Marino quick which tells you everything about his mobility.
Most of the defense comes back and that will help points stay off the board. Last year was tough to watch due to the fact that experience with the defense was a non factor. This year it'll be a much improved defense. The defensive line will be strong and give people fits to game plan for, as well as a strong linebacker core. These guys will be responsible for giving the offense more opportunities to put more points on the board.
The area in which I have a little trepidation is the offensive line. They lost some talent there, but they will be anchored by their starting center, Isaac Seumalo. Seumalo has been starting since he was a true freshman. The whole left side of the offensive line is gone and being replaced. They will also be replacing the right guard position as well. Beaver fans, that means, Sean Mannions blind side is new and half the right side is new. That's a big deal to me and it should be to you. If these guys on the line can not gel together, then Mannion will be on his back many times and that'll lead to a frustrating season. I'm hoping that coach Mike Riley will get this line issue resolved.
Let's go through their schedule: Portland State: win. Hawaii: win. San Diego State: win. They get out of the gate 3-0. Next up USC: loss Colorado: win (easily) Utah: win. Now comes Stanford: loss, a big loss. California: win. Washington State: win. Arizona State: loss, close loss, but the Devils will be competing again for the Pac-12 south title and will be inspired. Here come the Huskies: win, the Beavs pull out a close win. Finally, the Ducks: loss. Even though the game was close last year, I see the Ducks winning by a couple of touchdowns. So, in the end the Beavers end up with an 8-4 record and another mid-level type of bowl.
Beaver fans want better, but considering the division they are in and the fact they play in the Pac-12, a conference in which everybody beats up on everybody else in the conference I think this is how it'll play out for the Beavers. I want them to finish with a better record, but I need to be realistic about the program and the talent they have. Just saying...
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