- Oct 8, 2017
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We've seen some head scratchers from Mullen too - the 4th quarter Miami INT Franks threw on 1st down w/ 3 minutes left takes the cake. Anyhow, this myth that Mullen will outcoach Kirby so far is 0 for 2.
I don’t know if Mullen’s X’s & O’s per say are the issue. For instance, his play structures and calls are often good (not always but no one is). He is at least in the top 20% on this front though.
To me the issue is situational awareness and putting the team in the best position to win with overall game management decisions. The example you gave is perfect, as is the 4th and 1 vs the dwags, the slow pace 4th quarter 7 minute drive (w/ 9 to play) in that same game down two td’s, the 5 minute drive (with 6 minutes to play) against LSU down two TDs, or the decision to run the ball vs LSU with 1 minute left (ensuring we lost our crucial timeout or 20 seconds or more of clock if the play is not 100% successful).
All of those were 100% coaching decisions and not on the players (players have proved they can run a faster -not fast per se- tempo against lesser teams all year). They were all in tight games, and each substantially reduced our chances of winning. I’ve noted before, a smart 12 year old who is quick at math would be yelling at him as a sideline advisor to do the opposite.
If not for 2 bad Kentucky penalties and Hammond breaking a 76 yarder, both of which took game management out of Dan’s hands by stopping clock and not forcing him to manage it, you have to wonder how he would have dealt with the clock and game management against Kentucky down the stretch.
Maybe he misses these items because being he head coach and coordinator is too much. He’s too focused on the next “play” to have a calm/clear head about the overall clock/game management.
Oh, plus recruiting.
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