For all the cliff jumpers

[RoysRunts]

The comparisons to Coach Mac are valid. Might be a different age, but it is the same ingredients that determine success. It took Mac several years to make a dramatic change in recruiting. But at least by his 4th year (1984) he had produced a definite upgrade in the quality of recruits. You can see it in the roster -- I happen to have the SU/Nebraska program. The building blocks were in place in the F and RF players on the roster -- essentially Mac's 3rd and 4th year recruiting classes.
Mac talked special teams all the time. Sure you can find some examples of bad plays, but we weren't losing on specials the way we were this year.
The questions for Marrone are whether he is starting to win head to head battles for talent that our rivals are after; and whether he can fix obvious problems, for example, accept the importance of specials and do something about it.

Mac had already been a head Coach, He had been thru all the problems a head Coach faces. Marrone is OJT theirs the difference.

 

[Cuse2010]

If Doug has another season like this one he will be fired

so we've heard over and over and over and over and over and over in thread after thread after thread after thread well you get my point

 

[SoBristol]

Mac had already been a head Coach, He had been thru all the problems a head Coach faces. Marrone is OJT theirs the difference.

No -- two differences. Mac had already built up the UMass program -- had proved he could take a program in a down stage and make it much better. So, yes, Mac had experience as a head coach, but it was more than experience -- it was a success built on a track record of recruiting. Second, Coach Mac had a hell of personality for recruiting -- that sparkle, enthusiasm and Irish charm. Doug is a solid guy, doing a lot of things should persuade families and high school coaches to send kids our way. But where Mac might light up a living room with his stories, Doug is dry and matter of fact. Doug will need to get assistants who can provide that energy in recruiting (as well as on the sidelines).

 

[javadoc]

If not Doug can look forward to a nice check from the university and a solid assistants job in the NFL.

I nominate you for the board's honorary "Crab Bucket" chair.