It's incredibly disappointing that HCSS didn't workout. He was a great guy who truly loved SU, and he was passionate about both the community and school. Also, despite what many on here have posted over the last season and a half, he had/has a great football mind. As everyone who remembers him as a DC either knows or should know, his ability to understand the game and adapt are close to unparalleled. Look what he did as a DC for Stanford and then SU (he wasn't at Michigan long enough to really do anything). Unfortunately, that passion and knowledge didn't translate into being a great head coach. I can't tell you for sure why it didn't. It should have on paper. However, my personal theory is that he was too loyal. Be it personal loyalty to friends, or be it school-imposed budget constraints, I don't think that he ever surrounded himself with a truly knowledgeable and experienced staff. Everyone seemed as though they were learning on the go, and that was a problem. We were either using MAC-level tricks against P5-level competition, or we were reinventing the wheel against an opposing team led by an experienced coaching staff. We were always a step late.
Ultimately though, HCSS' tenure was a shame. I still believe that he could have been a phenomenal coach with the right staff, and I still believe that he will be a great head coach of a major school in the future. Although I understand his firing, and pending the selection of his replacement, I do believe that it may have been the right move (albeit, I am somewhat skeptical because of the tight market and need for stability in the program), it always stinks to watch a good guy get fired for being too loyal.
IMHO, HCSS' tenure was also a shame because of the SU fan behavior. It's worth noting that the vast majority of posters on this board (including many of those who spent this season calling for HCSS' head) enthusiastically supported the hiring of every (or almost every) assistant coach who I believe ultimately led to his demise. To those posters, the mistakes that now look obvious weren't obvious to you when they were being made. And to those posters from that group who are now writing/have written disparaging/insulting comments about HCSS, keep that in mind. Also keep in mind his contributions to SU as a DC. I suspect that some of the posters here are too young to remember GRob's defenses, but, even with this year's poor/young defense, we have improved dramatically. SU is no longer considered a laughingstock when we're on defense, and that is almost entirely because of HCSS. He has done enough for the university to deserve our respect.
Someday, when he's coach of a top 5 Michigan/USC/OSU-type program, kids will skim his wikipedia and see his short tenure at SU and wonder WTH happened, and what caused him to leave. And, when that day comes, hopefully SU will be a top 5 program (fingers crossed!) and we will meet on a field and have a great game with no hard feelings.
As for the other coaches, I generally believe that they are all good guys, and part of a warm and welcoming family. And, although, for the most part, I don't think that they're ready to coach in a P5 program yet, I do think that they would be excellent hires at the lower levels (g5 and fcs). They were not quite ready for the big lights, but they did try their best, and I appreciate their efforts. They gave me all I can ask from them. I wish them the best of luck moving forward.
