I wasn't sure which of the 20+ threads to post this in...but this is as good as any.
Part way through the 3rd quarter, I was telling the wife that if I were one of the kids on the team, the first thing I'd do when I got back to campus would be walk up to each of the suspended players and blast them for putting themselves ahead of the team. Stupid and Selfish on their part, and it hurts the team more than it hurts those individuals.
After the game, I had a lot more come to mind that has continued to bother me (warning: TL; DR imminent).
If I were a player, yes I'd be mad at the idiots who got themselves suspended, but I'd have much more serious concerns looking at the staff and wondering if I have a chance to make the NFL under their 'guidance'. I'd be wondering what I've gotten myself signed up for, and if these guys will turn it around or get replaced...and then who do I have to play under? The suspended players made selfish decisions. This staff is making decisions for ALL of us, and they aren't good decisions. Big Question #1 - Can this staff actually coach?
Later, I reflected on the onus of the coaches as it relates to the suspended players. Yes, individuals make a choice, but Mac is the guy that recruited them, has them in a system and environment where they aren't policing themselves and aren't watched by team managers to keep out of trouble. Yeah, a kid may make a bad decision - isn't that part of you're assessment in recruiting them, and if you recognize this 'bad decision' potential aren't you responsible for the environment you have them in? If you are counting on them to contribute, you sure as heck need to be ensuring they are eligible to contribute. Injuries happen and you can question if the S&C program is robust enough or too punishing. Poor decision making by an individual or two is on the individual. Multiple players pulling a stupid, some of them repeatedly, is on the coaches. Big Question #2 - Can this staff manage college kids?
Year 3 and no improvement on offense - play calling, getting kids in a position to succeed, etc. As a player, I wouldn't be soaking in the constant negativity from GCMB, nor the Nuss hate. However, even coming from a mediocre HS program, I would have the expectation that staff at a P5 program like UF would a) have the expectations of staff to be able to do more, and b) have the accountability to fire and replace if staff wasn't doing more. Nuss isn't doing it (don't care if he's a lovable BFF, we need an OC). Big Question #3 - Is Mac going to replace Nuss with someone who can OC, or is Stricklin going to replace Mac with someone who will get it done? If so, WHEN?
Bah...there was probably more, but I'm too disgusted right now. As a player, I'd hold myself accountable, and my teammates, for what we can each control. But I'd be looking at this staff asking WTF is our future?
Back to the thread title....kids have accountability, but this is mostly on the coach(es). There may be other factors, but at this point, it IS the coach(es).