I think you’re giving Fran too much credit regarding the defensive scheme. What we did in the second half at SMU and vs Pitt may be the type of defensive scheme and personality he has wanted for this team, but why did it take guys like Kevin Coyle and Don Brown to actually get it done? Fran wants an aggressive defense but he wasn’t able to implement it nor was ERob so he brought in Kevin Coyle who I hear was the architect behind the defensive game plan against Clemson, and later brought in Don Brown after Coyle left for UCLA. Coyle’s arrival at UCLA coincidentally coincides with UCLA improved play. I understand Don Brown simplified what we were trying to do and made a few personnel changes; Chestnut moved to Star and we actually used Grant and Buxton at LB in true dollar situations. I haven’t rewatched the game to confirm but someone here will and let us know if that’s accurate. I think we may have also locked Samuel’s on a receiver in certain coverages regardless of where said receiver was lined up moved to.
Fran is loyal to a fault. He repeatedly runs cover for ERob. The first time I noticed this was last season against Stanford on 4th and 9. It’s never ERob’s fault. While I respect the loyalty and taking the hit publicly for an assistant when are we going to see accountability?
Did I miss it? In all the discussion about the poor clock management at the end of the first half, has anyone addressed the poor tackling by the punt team that actually allowed the TD and the huge momentum shift?
The next time Fran runs cover or takes a bullet for one of his assistants I wish some reporter would ask him, ok coach you’re taking responsibility here for this just like you you’ve done in previous losses, so when are YOU going to stop making these mistakes?