Orange PA is all about the coaches which is cool as he doesnt waiver. That is his thing. I tend to be in the middle but my heart is all about the program. I could really care less who our coach is as long as they win clean. I think that Doug is doing a good job and i believe that long term he is a good CEO type of head coach. I loved seeing him with passion as i believe it does make a difference with young men. Just ask the guys at Fort Drum. As to the talent on the team i believe that we have enought to win all but USC and LV. My biggest issue this year is Hack. There is no way in hell that he should be our OC. Should he be a position coach? You bet. But OC you have got to be kidding me. It is so crystal clear that he doesnt know what he is doing. His play calling and use of our talent screams newbie. He has improved this year but he blew the Minnesota game big time and almost blew Pitt. Sometimes i really feel as if he is in his dads basement playing Madden. He just doesnt have a feel for calling a game. He puts Ryan in poor positions over and over again and seems to take us out of our rythm when we find it. Not using Ash is beyond me and there isnt one poster on this board who can defend his red zone play calling as it has been beyond horrible. Still i have hope that boy wonder wakes up against the girls and joy sticks them to death. If we fall apart this year it will be interesting to see if DM has the same set of balls that he showed in letting Dan go. I for one doubt it.
"All about the coaches"?
I have been watching Syracuse Football since 1968. I go to every home game and many away games. I have gotten to know every head coach since Frank Maloney and many of the assistant coaches. (I met Ben Schwartzwalder a few times when I was a kid but did not know him).
I have rooted for the program for nearly 45 years and I have supported the coaches during that time because I think they have all given a great effort on behalf of the University - some with success and some without success. But in doing so I have been a realist about the program. I have understood for many years that we have not had the financial resources in the past to compete in the manner that so many seem to expect.
And, in most years I have not created for myself the kind of unrealistic expectations that so many on this board seem to establish as every year begins.
I recognize that I am not an x's and o's guy - I never played or coached the game and I don't presume to understand serious football strategy or undertake to offer criticism of coaches for how they apply the mechanics of the game. How can I when I don't know the game plan or have not watched the film or been to practice?
And I am dumbfounded by those on this board who make comments like yours - "He just doesn't have a feel for calling a game" - when your and the posters who seem so pre-occupied with the issue, have no idea what went into the play calling decision in a given situation.
There are times when I disagree with a coaching decision, but I don't offer the kind of knee jerk reactions that pop on this board following a given play or a given game.
So, please the fact that I don't constantly call for coaches to be fired or constantly challenge their acumen has nothing to do with my loyalty to a program that I have supported for longer than many on this board have been around.