HCSS

[Crusty]

I can't help but wonder where we would be had Shaf hired Lester as OC instead of McD. Our players suit Lester's system much more than George's. I remain convinced that he hired George because he knew we needed a big boost in recruiting and he hired Lester as plan B if it didn't work out. Because that is my belief, I am OK with the risk he took. I also think he corrected the decision, which is not easy for a new HC.

Oh well. He is 13-15 so far. Considering the jump to the ACC, the horrible injuries last year and his mistake with his first OC, I don't consider that a bad job at all. Had he had two 5-7 seasons, I don't think the vitriol directed his way would be as bad. For me, I prefer having won the Texas Bowl and enduring last season.

When I evaluate Shafer, he passes the most important test of all - would I want my son to play for him? The answer is a resounding yes. This is how I evaluate HCSS. I'm very interested in your thoughts.

The Good:

1. He is a high quality guy.
2. He is a very good recruiter.
   
3. So far, seems to be a very good evaluator of talent potential.
4. He is an excellent defensive mind and his defenses are exciting to watch.
5. He has demonstrated an ability to correct his mistakes. (Fired McDonald early)
6. This is his 7th year at SU. He likes it here and bleeds Orange.
7. His players perform in the classroom. (B average - highest in program history)
8. He is a players coach and has demonstrated the ability to get his players to play hard for him.
9. He has improved the quality of individuals in the program. (We save on bail money)
10. He has demonstrated a sincere interest in his players as people.
11. Has clearly moved the program forward. We can argue about how much.

Not so good:

1. Very conservative game manager. (Yes, I know about the trick plays, but those are few and far between and usually is desperate situations.)
2. Not the best clock or game manager. (FHCDM got a lot of criticism for his clock management as well.)
3. "Interesting" pressers, but not very smooth under pressure. He wears his emotions on his sleeve and can't hide them.

Unkown:

1. Will he be able to bring us to the top 25 or just improve the program from its mediocre level?
2. Will he be able to attract the next level talent, not just diamonds in the ruff?
3. Will he grow as a game manager?

What do you think?

 

[SoBristol]

Agree with all that -- Scott isn't the smoothest coach around, he doesn't have Coach Mac's sparkle, but I like the passion & determination, and yes, can understand that parents would want their sons to play for him. Very important that the young men get something out of SU education and behave well on campus (compare to Rutgers). He bleeds Orange now, and I am pulling for him to be successful.

An important element in the success of a head coach is the quality of his assistants. We have a good, young, enthusiastic crew now. The additions (Moreland, Acosta, Lester) are an upgrade. The defensive side is solid, even though struggling now with a very young group.

The big question is about building a team that can compete in the ACC. Shafer has decided to build with high school recruits -- does not like going JUCO and does not like the concept of grad transfers. Marrone did some of that (using contacts that Adkins and Anselmo brought), and it helped fill gaps in the roster he inherited (after deletions), added size in the lines. It made a difference in turning around a program.

Under Shafer, can HS recruiting be the exclusive means of building the talent? Is that a winning philosophy for SU? It looks to me like we are about to take some lumps for lack of quality depth and lack of size at safety. How much patience does our fan base have?