While the only long-term metric fans care about is winning, there are (or ought to be) other important factors in evaluating the success of a head coach's tenure. Among these are running a clean program, graduating players, developing high caliber citizens and simply making us proud of the program.
Of course, winning means different things to different fans. For me, the realistic goal is to be good every year and fairly consistent Top 25 with the occasional Top 10. Coming from the depths of the GRob Era has been a huge challenge, especially during the conference realignment, which bumped us to a higher level of competition and HCDM leaving. Is it any wonder that is taking so long to climb up the ladder?
IMO had Marrone stayed we would have been further along notwithstanding inevitable ups and downs. He would be a God to Orange Fans and would be making great money for a very long time.That said, we have the right guy in Dino Babers.
He is a good CEO who has proven capable of making tough decisions. He has fired important coordinators and assistants, changed offensive and defensive schemes and brought in transfers to add depth and competition. He wants to be here and he will succeed.
For those clamoring for a change, remember that changing head coaches is a dangerous activity - risking going from the frying pan into the fire.
Other than Luke Fickell, who I don't think we ever had a chance to get, we got the best of the bunch. Luke was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, played at OSU. Played a season for the NO Saints. Spent one season as GA at OSU. Two years as DL coach at Akron then 14-years in various coaching positions at OSU. He was not leaving Ohio for Upstate NY.
Back in 2015 our last HC search had the following candidates:
- Babers I think we were locked in on Dino after negotiations with Frost fell apart.
- Scott Frost OC Oregon. Became UCF HC left to become HC at Nebraska. Rumored to be1st choice but wanted ability to leave if Nebraska called.
- Chris Ashe, DC Ohio State. Became HC at Maryland and fired for mistreatment of players. IMO this is why FHC SS9left without a job opportunity.
- Ed Ogeron publicly said he would accept job if offered.
- Luke Fickell oc at OSU Became HC at Cincinnati. Don't think we ever had a chance to get this Midwestern guy.
- Philip Montgomery still HC at Tulsa.
- Mike Sanford oc Notre Dame Became HC Western Kentucky fired then oc at Utah State now OC Minnesota.
- Jeff Brohm HC Western Kentucky left to become HC at Purdue.
- Mark Hudspeth HC Louisiana Lafayette then AHC/TE Mississippi State then HC Austin Peay. Forced resignation for undisclosed reason. Now HS coach.
Babers has proven he can win in the ACC. He has given us a10-win season, been ranked and won a good bowl. He also gave us exciting wins over Virginia Tech and Clemson. He has beaten every team in the ACC except Miami.
He can't control injuries, the pandemic or the schedule.
Regardless of the 2021 record, we will continue our parh back to the Top 25.
Stay the course.