If you're Coyle -- what do you do?

[Scooch]

True, if we win a couple our feeling changes. I'd agree with that. But do the options change that much? If we're 6-6 -- which I think we'd all agree would actually constitute a pretty strong finish -- are we sure we've got our guy? Conversely if we're 4-8 do we necessarily have to fire him? All I'm saying is that if you're taking a step back and looking at this -- allowing for the fact that there are games yet to be played -- how might you head into the offseason. So, yes, obviously some upsets along the way would change things but I don't really think these are hypetheticals as much as the actual options that could be in play for Coyle (except for having big money to throw around -- that may be a pipe dream) at the end of the season.

Unless Coyle has a candidate in mind that he is near 100% certain will take the job and is his A-#1 choice to lead the program, then chances are I think he sticks with Shafer. I've seen enough of Shafer to know that he's not a "great" coach, but that's not to say that he couldn't lead this program to success. I'm also not any fan of the AD micromanaging the staff. Give the HC resources and let him make his calls.

So barring something catastrophic I'd say give him next year and see how it goes.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

It's hard to say because we don't really know yet what Coyle values in a football program. We do know he's familiar with how a really good program is run from a non-traditional power. There's a good chance he's looking at how Shafer works operationally just as much as what's happening on the field.

Shafer can shut this down by rallying and winning, but I wouldn't be heartbroken if Coyle is the person that starts treating the Dome like the asset it is if he decides we need a new coach. It boggles the mind that we've been so consistently committed to pissing away the one truly unique advantage our program has.

 

[Crusty]

You don't really need to extend Shafer right now. His contract goes through 2017, so you can simply retain him and see what happens next year before reassessing the situation.

Are we sure of Shafer's contract terms?

 

[AZOrange]

I'm by no means a shafer apologist, but I don't get rooting for failure. Shortcomings aside the guy is trying and by all appearances loves SU. Those are 2 big pluses in my book. The meatheadness and in game strategery not so much, but man I want these guys to win.

But I'm somewhere between option b and d.

 

[oldpinepoint]

Are we sure of Shafer's contract terms?

I thought it was a 5 year deal

 

[Ringostar57]

I have a sneaking suspicion that Shafer and his staff will be let go at the end of the season unless they get a win over FSU, Clemson or Louisville. 3-9 means goodbye. Lots of coaching mistakes......players playing with a lot of hesitancy is not good with the next 3 games we have to look forward to.

 

[Crusty]

There are better skill players on this team than we have had in many years. Coyle would be nuts not to see if Shafer can win next year with his kids.

 

[AZOrange]

There are better skill players on this team than we have had in many years. Coyle would be nuts not to see if Shafer can win next year with his kids.

I think this is shafers only argument at this point.

 

[PAcuse]

I'm clearly not him, nor is anyone on the boards. I would simply tell him, get this time better each week and show me how much heart and desire your kids have to play. No way I fire him after this season, he gets next year with his kids.

 

[RoysRunts]

The next coach whenever it is, has to be an offensive guy. A spread, air raid, whos comitted to bringing the greatest show on turf to the dome. I dont care if we win games giving up 40 points on D. No more north eastern smash mouth meathead football.

Smash Mouth would have won the last 2 games North and south Football not reverse's and shotgun inside the 10 with no backs.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Smash Mouth would have won the last 2 games North and south Football not reverse's and shotgun inside the 10 with no backs.

This is the funniest post I've ever read on the board.

 

[TheCusian]

I have a sneaking suspicion that Shafer and his staff will be let go at the end of the season unless they get a win over FSU, Clemson or Louisville. 3-9 means goodbye. Lots of coaching mistakes...players playing with a lot of hesitancy is not good with the next 3 games we have to look forward to.

There's two winnable games after those

 

[suorange08]

I have a sneaking suspicion that Shafer and his staff will be let go at the end of the season unless they get a win over FSU, Clemson or Louisville. 3-9 means goodbye. Lots of coaching mistakes...players playing with a lot of hesitancy is not good with the next 3 games we have to look forward to.

We have a chance against louisville. Not sure we will win though watching the end of their game with bc and they look beatable. We will need to execute and block on offense as they have a good pass rush.

 

[Rage4CUSE]

If I'm Coyle, I let Shafer know he's on the hot seat. He has until the end of this season to prove he deserves to coach his recruits next season by winning at least 2 more games this year. Injuries and youth have not been the only reason for losses this year. Bad coaching decisions have factored in at least 2 losses.

By the end of the year if he hasn't won the minimum 2 more games, I let the staff go and look for an up and comer for less.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

If I'm Coyle, I let Shafer know he's on the hot seat. He has until the end of this season to prove he deserves to coach his recruits next season by winning at least 2 more games this year. Injuries and youth have not been the only reason for losses this year. Bad coaching decisions have factored in at least 2 losses.

By the end of the year if he hasn't won the minimum 2 more games, I let the staff go and look for an up and comer for less.

What's magical about 2 wins?

I'm inclined to say 3. Would be really good to show we can get a won we're not expected to.

 

[Rage4CUSE]

What's magical about 2 wins?

I'm inclined to say 3. Would be really good to show we can get a won we're not expected to.

2 wins means we would end up with 5. Which is a step in the right direction from last year. Especially with having such a young team on offense.

 

[stuckinbig11]

BILLS in01: You forgot the option of bringing in a real winner like the Bills did. :crazy:

 

[MadNY3]

If I am Coyle...

• ...Currently just over 100 days into a new school, job
• ...Figuring out how everything was run AND a newish Chancellor
• ...Dealing with some unknowns on the NCAA Hoops side
• ...Still learning about the administrations finances, economics and budgeting
• ...Surveying a VERY active marketplace for new major college football coaches

...I do not want to have to fire Shafer after this year.

This team and program are far from broken. Upgrade in facilities, conference stability, promising young talent and literally a couple (frustrating) calls from being 5-2.

2016 season has a lot of promise, and likely, tailwinds of the new Carrier Dome and athletics fields renovation and potentially, the announcement of a $2 billion (guessing) capital raise. The school is going to be more attractive this time next year.

A repeat 3-9 has become a distinct possibility. That could make it hard to bring him back, but not necessarily a no-brainer that he's out. Closing out with Ws vs NC State and BC, with a massively young team, and a plan to Coyle as to why we are on the doorstep of consistent bowling (plus change out of coaches at the OL, DB...and maybe even Daust gets a meaningful promotion in some way) could make it an easy decision to come back.

Lots of ifs. We were almost all giddy post LSU. Now, many of us are burning Internet couches and thinking the Memphis coach will come here (ha!)

Go Orange.

 

[orangepassion]

A big thing no one really wants to talk about-What if Dungey gets hurt again (G-d forbid). Then next year we're in bad shape, too.

 

[PAcuse]

A big thing no one really wants to talk about-What if Dungey gets hurt again (G-d forbid). Then next year we're in bad shape, too.

I think we have 3-4 threads about Dungey running to much, not sliding, etc

 

[OrangeXtreme]

A big thing no one really wants to talk about-What if Dungey gets hurt again (G-d forbid). Then next year we're in bad shape, too.

Mahoney, Wilson, Scott, Womack in a pinch. CPep gets a pass.

 

[orangepassion]

I think we have 3-4 threads about Dungey running to much, not sliding, etc

Yes, but i'm saying it in the perspective of Shafer. Does he get a free pass if Dungey gets hurt again?

 

[PAcuse]

Yes, but i'm saying it in the perspective of Shafer. Does he get a free pass if Dungey gets hurt again?

Gotcha. I think it factors into the discussion, but I don't think it's an automatic free pass.

 

[MadNY3]

A big thing no one really wants to talk about-What if Dungey gets hurt again (G-d forbid). Then next year we're in bad shape, too.

Tough.

Year #4 and injuries happen in football.

I don't lower a standard based on ONE player.

 

[Quazzum69]

There are better skill players on this team than we have had in many years. Coyle would be nuts not to see if Shafer can win next year with his kids.

All the better reason to get a coach that knows how to utilize them. Everyone agrees that Shafer is a better recruiter than XO guy (which isn't saying much because recruiting is average in the ACC, at the very best) so why does this matter? We have the players, now get a coach.

I could care less if he doesn't get to coach "his kids." Not every manager gets to see their hires through.