Report: McDonald to WolfPack

[CarolinaCuse]

Meh. On the surface, it looks as though Cuse lost their most capable recruiter in McD. Delve further an you realize that McD was not a proven skill coach (WRs certainly didn't develop significantly under his guidance); his offense was more offensive than progressive; his approach to adversity was more disruptive than professional; and the jury was still out as to whether he could raise recruiting to the next level. I agree, it says a lot that he may be going to NC State in a demotion (strictly WR coach). I am more interested in what HCSS does next than concerned about what we lost in McD.

 

[Finwad32]

Of course I wasn't in on the conversation...But actions speak to more than words. He could have taken steps to preserve the relationship by: 1 . Not announcing the DEMOTION and producing the same result he ended up with in terms a new set of eyes calling the plays bu Leaving MCdonald as OC and having Lester call the plays. After the season was over, then, this could have been dealt with. All this decision did was create public controvery right in the heart of the season and produced no tangible improvement on the field!

Again, Scott Shafer did not announce the demotion. It was done in house. An about face was done after it was leaked, presumably by McDonald.

And, again, the decision was made by SS quickly and decisively to produce different results than they were getting. No way of knowing at the time that it would've worked out the way that it did.

I commend him for being able to do what was necessary, as hard as it may have been, to preserve the season.

Hindsight is always 20/20.

 

[CuseHulk]

Really is this news ?

We knew after the demotion he was gone after the season, the only questions where when and to where.

 

[Dr. Bill]

a little like marrone, b!tching to the press about your boss doesn't make you appealing to other bosses.

I think his on field results as OC speak more to why he is not taking an OC job than what he said in the press. The entire Cuse nation seemed to dog McDonald for being honest when asked how he felt about being demoted. People say all kinds of stuff when they are emotional. Listen to some of Shafer's comments...or our beloved Jim Boeheim!

 

[cuseguy]

Again, Scott Shafer did not announce the demotion. It was done in house. An about face was done after it was leaked, presumably by McDonald.

It's not like it would have been a secret for long, though.

Next game everyone would have figured it out.

 

[Millhouse]

I must have missed the press conference or in detail article where he "bitched about his bosses". You got a link?

You miss a lot

http://www.cnycentral.com/m/sports/story?id=1106855

 

[Finwad32]

It's not like it would have been a secret for long, though.

Next game everyone would have figured it out.

Very well may have been known by the next game. I'm just countering his statement that SS announced his demotion.

 

[Dr. Bill]

He was demoted privately.

McDonald cried to the media on his own.

Shafer announced the change..that is not private. Private would have been keeping his title...just changing play calling assignments.

 

[Finwad32]

Shafer announced the change..that is not private. Private would have been keeping his title...just changing play calling assignments.

Shafer announced the change after it was leaked publicly.

 

[Dr. Bill]

Did Shafer demote him publicly? Seems a common assumption that it was Shafer's doing, but I think a more believable case can be made for McD leaking the info himself to make it public.

Conspiracy theory ..only makes McDonald look bad. Why are we trying to assasinate his character...besides being a bad OC, What did he do to deserve that?

 

[Finwad32]

Conspiracy theory ..only makes McDonald look bad. Why are we trying to assasinate his character...besides being a bad OC, What did he do to deserve that?

Nobodies trying to assasinate his character. All we were saying is that it may have played a role in what jobs were available to him.

I've sat in a room with George. I've spoken at length with him about the game. I like George, he's an intelligent guy. Maybe you should try to read what the discussion was from the beginning.

 

[JoeSU]

Put yourself in McDonald's shoes: you are demoted at work, which means your career there is at a dead end. Unlike many employment situations, an assistant coach's career is generally tied to the head coach, so it's not like you can simply wait for your boss to move on.

Beyond what appeared in the papers, very few, if any of us know the actual circumstances of how/when McDonald was informed, so I think it's foolish to debate hypothetical scenarios.

With respect to the timing of McDonald's announcement, his forte is recruiting, so I'm sure NCSt wanted him on board now and not after LOI day (I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't one of the terms of his employment). Also, from McDonald's perspective, after this weekend's coaches convention in San Antonio, coaching openings begin to dry up.

 

[SUFan44]

Conspiracy theory ..only makes McDonald look bad. Why are we trying to assasinate his character...besides being a bad OC, What did he do to deserve that?

Really? How about sounding like a 20-year old frat boy in a newspaper article, for one. Or whining after he was demoted saying "I never would have left Arkansas if I would have known it would turn out like this."

 

[rrlbees]

Shouldn't be difficult to negative recruit against him.

My gut says Shafer isn't into negative recruiting.

 

[TBCuse11]

Put yourself in McDonald's shoes: you are demoted at work, which means your career there is at a dead end. Unlike many employment situations, an assistant coach's career is generally tied to the head coach, so it's not like you can simply wait for your boss to move on.

Beyond what appeared in the papers, very few, if any of us know the actual circumstances of how/when McDonald was informed, so I think it's foolish to debate hypothetical scenarios.

With respect to the timing of McDonald's announcement, his forte is recruiting, so I'm sure NCSt wanted him on board now and not after LOI day (I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't one of the terms of his employment). Also, from McDonald's perspective, after this weekend's coaches convention in San Antonio, coaching openings begin to dry up.

spot on. George is doing what anyone would. He was basically insulted in from of America mid-season. Anyone with pride would not stick around. Its not like we are Oregon or Alabama either.

 

[Dr. Bill]

A true lateral move. I wonder if they matched is Asst/Assoc HC bonus as a position coach.[/QU

Nobodies trying to assasinate his character. All we were saying is that it may have played a role in what jobs were available to him.

I've sat in a room with George. I've spoken at length with him about the game. I like George, he's an intelligent guy. Maybe you should try to read what the discussion was from the beginning.

I have read the entire discussion and been a part of previous discussions on the same topic. There has been a lot of talk about McDonald being a bad guy for expressing to the press his feelings about the demotion..and not being loyal...etc...etc. you should read all the comments..that is the general thread. I seem to be the only one that has no problem with what he said to the press.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Shafer announced the change..that is not private. Private would have been keeping his title...just changing play calling assignments.

Shafer confirmed the change only AFTER McDonald had already cried to the press.

Of course, if McDonald hadn't opened up his mouth, Lester would have been calling the plays and the press (and public) wouldn't have found out until after the season was over.

 

[Trueblue25]

Not what i wanted to read on my lunch break

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Conspiracy theory ..only makes McDonald look bad. Why are we trying to assasinate his character...besides being a bad OC, What did he do to deserve that?

Yet you have no issue trying to assassinate Shafer's character.

 

[Dr. Bill]

Screw McD! I dont give a crap that he left (it was expected). The fact that he left to a division rival really grinds my gears. I hope he fails miserably. We better bring in another strong Florida recruiter. If we end up losing Daoust too, it's gonna be the worst coaching turnover recruiting-wise we've ever had. Hope Shaf makes some strong moves at the coaching convention, and SU opens the purse for some high quality guys or I will give up on the idea of SU commiting to winning football (already have doubts).

Part of recruiting success is continuity. Our recruiting was just starting to pick up. Staff changes of any kind hurt.

 

[Finwad32]

I seem to be the only one that has no problem with what he said to the press.

Which should tell you something.

 

[CuseLegacy]

Obviously they miscalculated.

He was never qualified.

And Shafer led us to believe he wasn't here because of personal reasons when it was academics all along.

They were protecting his dignity.

The PS writers bought into this and never bothered to report the facts.

I venture to guess that they've known he wasn't coming for some time.

They didn't have a clue that he wasn't coming...the ps guys.

 

[orange_in_VA]

Part of recruiting success is continuity. Our recruiting was just starting to pick up. Staff changes of any kind hurt.

I didnt want him to leave. He went to a division rival to recruit and coach against us. Screw him. Thank god he brought in Ishmael, the best player we've brought in for some time.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Stephen Bailey ‏@Stephen_Bailey1
A note on McDonald: He worked with current NC State OC/QBs coach Matt Canada at Northern Illinois from 2001-03.

 

[TheCusian]

This will be a great experiment with good controls. Let's see how well he recruits at NC State - that will be a good measure of our program and its current perception, and quite possibly a wake-up call for some on this forum.

They have a better rated class right now. Anybody in the know won't be shocked if McDonald has similar results as he had at all his stops. And North Carolina is closer to Florida than Syracuse last I checked.