I’ve liked a lot of what he’s done - or at least reports of what he’s done - in terms of building the staff, culture etc.
But…The culture seems to be:
Get punched in the mouth, group hug, talk about cleaning up mistakes. Get punched in the mouth, group hug, talk about cleaning up mistakes. Get punched in the mouth, group hug, talk about cleaning up mistakes. Get punched in the mouth, group hug, talk about cleaning up mistakes. Get punched in the mouth, group hug, talk about cleaning up mistakes. Get punched in the mouth, group hug, talk about cleaning up mistakes.
Let’s say they got those 2-3 plays that left us 7-5 or even 8-4 with a rivalry win over an admittedly limping f$u. There would be a much happier buzz, but that’s only acceptable on a path to contending status. Do these guys - players and staff - get that? Or would that have led to an offseason of false positives while enjoying our elite facilities?
There’s a lack of urgency. If a losing record drives pants-on-fire effort all offseason that produces marked improvement top to bottom, including changes to X’s and O’s, then his process would work. If not, and why would this offseason be any different, then more of the same. They all watched Swamp Kings. Get the memo. Panic button time.
He lost you at “Hello.” He hasn’t lost the players yet, as far as I can tell as of today*. But he will if he leads them into more of the same. He’s got to beat scUM, UCF and go at least 4-4 in conference against a tough schedule while showing real progress. Unlikely, but that’s the minimum.
* Etienne, Wilson &/or James transferring will spell disaster.