I have one question...

[CusefanATL]

Not necessarily. We didn't have to throw in some meaningless title to pay him what he's getting paid now.

I think we probably did.

 

[retro44]

i think mcdonald was calling plays from section 420 duuuude

that section is directly above the Teflon roof

 

[sufandu]

I think we probably did.

Why? What stopped us from paying him exactly what we're paying him now without the useless title? Like I said before, ultimately it doesn't matter because it's clear the title meant nothing. Was it just added to stroke his ego?

 

[RF2044]

Why? What stopped us from paying him exactly what we're paying him now without the useless title? Like I said before, ultimately it doesn't matter because it's clear the title meant nothing. Was it just added to stroke his ego?

No, it was added as an additional incentive to get him to leave a job he'd committed to a month earlier.

 

[sufandu]

No, it was added as an additional incentive to get him to leave a job he'd committed to a month earlier.

I guess that's what I don't understand. How was the addition of a title that carried with it nothing more than the OC title, already an upgrade over the job title he was leaving, already had, additional incentive? Is his ego that big and easily stroked that a few meaningless words are what convinced him to join the staff?

 

[RF2044]

I guess that's what I don't understand. How was the addition of a title that carried with it nothing more than the OC title, already an upgrade over the job title he was leaving, already had, additional incentive? Is his ego that big and easily stroked that a few meaningless words are what convinced him to join the staff?

I guess I'm having difficulty understanding all of this psychological projection you're injecting onto this.

McDonald had just accepted another position. Most people don't leave jobs that they'd just accepted a month earlier. It does seem odd that Shafer also tacked on the AHC designation on top of OC--but it stands to reason that this was a function of sweetening the pot for someone who Shafer knew, was comfortable with, and had a proven track record as a stud recruiter, in order to ensure that he'd come.

 

[sufandu]

I guess I'm having difficulty understanding all of this psychological projection you're injecting onto this.

McDonald had just accepted another position. Most people don't leave jobs that they'd just accepted a month earlier. It does seem odd that Shafer also tacked on the AHC designation on top of OC--but it stands to reason that this was a function of sweetening the pot for someone who Shafer knew, was comfortable with, and had a proven track record as a stud recruiter, in order to ensure that he'd come.

I'll let it go.

 

[CusefanATL]

I guess that's what I don't understand. How was the addition of a title that carried with it nothing more than the OC title, already an upgrade over the job title he was leaving, already had, additional incentive? Is his ego that big and easily stroked that a few meaningless words are what convinced him to join the staff?

I cant speak necessarily for the coaching staff, but I know for a fact that the football team in the past (within the last 5 years) combined roles (but more in an honorary way, the work load wasn't doubled) in order to get employees more money. My assumption is that this 'title' also allowed him a bump in pay.

 

[Crusty]

The obvious lack of preparation is what's killing me. That doesn't just speak to incompetence in calling plays but incompetence in organizing and running quality practices. I don't know who's more responsible for that on offense, McD or HCSS.

I have often wondered about this element. Wish I knew the answer.

 

[javadoc]

I would've thought OC was enough of a step up in title. We didn't have to give Associate Head Coach to him to throw a bunch of money his way. I suppose it really didn't mean much, it just seems like it was silly.

How do you know that? The AD may have hard limits on what it can pay coaches, by position, with additional titles/duties carrying extra reward. I have no problem at all believing that the AD is not allowed to spend more than a certain amount on a coordinator, and it is less than what McD was making at Arkansas. Shafer can't cut a check whenever he wants.

 

[javadoc]

at the time he was considered a recruiting guru. not sure how he hasnt landed a single notable player, but whatever.

We had to steal him for the big guys and in order to do that we had to give him title and money.

I think there is ample evidence by now that it is simply hard to recruit at Syracuse, and to get prospects to take you seriously when you do. Is that so hard to believe?

We went from having to fight the MAC for recruits 6-7 years ago, to now filling a class (subject to change of course) with "3 star" talent. That is a huge step up. If we translate the talent into wins, the next level of guys will take notice. Until then, I'll say it again, there is not a recruiting star out there who can walk through the door and start landing those top-end blue chips at Syracuse. Ain't gonna happen.

 

[CusefanATL]

I think there is ample evidence by now that it is simply hard to recruit at Syracuse, and to get prospects to take you seriously when you do. Is that so hard to believe?

We went from having to fight the MAC for recruits 6-7 years ago, to now filling a class (subject to change of course) with "3 star" talent. That is a huge step up. If we translate the talent into wins, the next level of guys will take notice. Until then, I'll say it again, there is not a recruiting star out there who can walk through the door and start landing those top-end blue chips at Syracuse. Ain't gonna happen.

excellent points

 

[cuseinchina]

I guess that's what I don't understand. How was the addition of a title that carried with it nothing more than the OC title, already an upgrade over the job title he was leaving, already had, additional incentive? Is his ego that big and easily stroked that a few meaningless words are what convinced him to join the staff?

I think the answer to your second question may be a big fat yes. One gets the sense that he has been valued as a recruiter rather than as a coach for his entire career. He came to his buddy Shafer by way of some meaningful on paper positions at big programs, and I'm sure he was promised a lot of control and leeway in running the offense and influencing the game planning and recruiting priorities etc. Last year when Lester joined him upstairs, you could see the raw frustration and embarrassment in his interviews. He couldn't stand it. He looked dejected, hurt, and sounded pretty passive aggressive. He reminded me of kids I don't like coaching on youth travel soccer teams - the ones who sit in the front and wait to score a goal which they do well against teams with inferior talent but then can't get it done against teams who have any size or speed or ability - and then they sit and pout when you take them out of the game and put someone in who is going to be aggressive in fall facets of the game and will help defend. Not super skilled, looking for respect and glory, and at the end of the day just lazy and whiny. That was always my impression of McDonald. He also tries so hard to not look dumb that he ends up looking even dumber - too many trick plays, too many instances of trying to do the unexpected when the unexpected is just plain stupid.

Shafer had come from a couple years of watching Marrone work incredibly hard with inferior talent getting them to exceed expectations and perform on an average division 1 level with below average division 1 players. Shafer I think couldn't see getting to the next level without upgrading talent and so he got McD in to rectify that. The plan was to replicate Hackett's offense. But he gave too much control to George and let him go out and start creating his own offensive vision - so they scrapped what was working and George probably said he'd just recruit all the players he needed to run his vision. Shafer let him do it. Now we are a team with an offensive identity that doesn't work, a team that is trying to be something it's not. Hopefully Lester is smart enough to fix that. Hopefully McD, despite his recruiting connections, takes the fast train back down south.

 

[sufandu]

How do you know that? The AD may have hard limits on what it can pay coaches, by position, with additional titles/duties carrying extra reward. I have no problem at all believing that the AD is not allowed to spend more than a certain amount on a coordinator, and it is less than what McD was making at Arkansas. Shafer can't cut a check whenever he wants.

If the AD falls for that (adding a meaningless title to get more money) they're dumber than I would've thought. It's not like we need two head coaches and it's not like he was a long time coordinator being given head-coach-in-waiting status. Like I said before, it's pretty meaningless. I just don't see the point of playing word games that everyone knows are games just to get money. If we wanted him to be our OC and we needed to pay him, just pay him.

 

[javadoc]

If the AD falls for that (adding a meaningless title to get more money) they're dumber than I would've thought. It's not like we need two head coaches and it's not like he was a long time coordinator being given head-coach-in-waiting status. Like I said before, it's pretty meaningless. I just don't see the point of playing word games that everyone knows are games just to get money. If we wanted him to be our OC and we needed to pay him, just pay him.

Is it meaningless? Does it carry any responsibilities and duties?

 

[thorpedo]

who has been putting together the gameplan?

I think the game plans have been as bad as the Saturday play calling. A good game plan makes Saturday easier. I hope its all been McDonald's doing.

I thought Marrone was an awful game day coach, but I'd put his game plan and preparation up against a lot of coaches. He won more games Sunday - Friday than he did on Saturday.

Our philosophy has to change. If we're trying to beat teams by getting our skill players out in space against defenders - someone had to think of a plan B once we discovered their defenders are better in space than our skill players.

I think that's where the feces hit the rotator.

Going off your title I just had to reply...

"I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"

 

[sufandu]

Is it meaningless? Does it carry any responsibilities and duties?

Good question. It seems like everything he was responsible for would have been covered under OC. It seems that would place him over every staff member on the offensive side of the ball. As an associate head coach I would think his responsibilities would be expanded into other phases such as special teams or defense. I never got the impression that was the case. Someone else suggested he wasn't happy when Lester was placed up in the booth to help him with the offense. Maybe that's accurate, maybe not, but I wouldn't think someone with his title and the authority that seemingly comes with it would allow that against his will.

 

[javadoc]

Good question. It seems like everything he was responsible for would have been covered under OC. It seems that would place him over every staff member on the offensive side of the ball. As an associate head coach I would think his responsibilities would be expanded into other phases such as special teams or defense. I never got the impression that was the case. Someone else suggested he wasn't happy when Lester was placed up in the booth to help him with the offense. Maybe that's accurate, maybe not, but I wouldn't think someone with his title and the authority that seemingly comes with it would allow that against his will.

I also do not know the answer. I hope that it isn't window-dressing. Maybe there are some logistical things he does in the HC sphere.