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Message: [QUOTE="Scooch, post: 1185196, member: 628"] I tend to think decisions about retaining coaches should be made the opposite of the way one decides about retaining players, absent some unique circumstances. In the pro game a good rule of thumb is to get rid of a player a year too early rather than a year too late. Carrying a declining player that counts against the cap, takes up a roster spot, etc. becomes an albatross. I'll use my Pats as an example. People screamed and yelled when they traded Logan Mankins earlier this season. But the guy graded out poorly last year and in pre-season camp, and the team felt that had capable, cheap guys on the roster who could replace him. They also got out from under his salary, which was large. Despite some early struggles, now their OL is gelling *an* they have had the means to acquire players to replace defensive guys lost to injury. So perfect case study in dumping someone early, rather than late. But I believe the opposite about head coaches. It's year 2 for Shafer, and there are a ton of variables at play this year that make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to judge exactly how he is performing. Cutting bait now would cause a ton of disruption -- in player development, recruiting, etc. There is almost always some amount of stepping back when a new coach comes in, so one should be very cautious about when that occurs. The unique circumstances, in my mind, happen when it becomes painfully obvious that the head coach in question is unequivocally in way over his head, performance is an abject disaster, or has completely lost the faith of his players. Greg Schiano in Tampa Bay is a great example of this. But none of that applies to Shafer, IMHO. So better to wait than act hastily. If, worst case scenario, he follows a 3-9 season with another 3-4 win clunker than I think we'd have enough evidence to make a decision. Far too early at this point though. [/QUOTE]

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