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Message: [QUOTE="A Clockwork Orange, post: 1181194, member: 16"] The thread title is a bit misleading, but titling it "Such a frustrating loss" would be redundant at this point. I know there are people who think coaches deserve four or five years before we can assess. I know what I see on the field right now is an undisciplined team, beset by stupid penalties, and (I'm putting this nicely) really odd play calling. Beyond that, the coaching staff makes really bad decisions when faced with punting situations in plus field position. There are literally dozens of statistical analyses out there that shows that when you're inside the 40, and under say 3rd and 12 it makes no sense to punt. Yet we do, time and again. I like Coach Shafer, I actually love his style at the podium, and in press conferences. But he is a coaching meathead. He's coaching old school, when old school has been proven to be wrong over and over again. He plays to keep games close, instead of winning games. I [I]want[/I] Coach Shafer to succeed, and I don't think he should be fired; he does need to make some serious changes this offseason though. He needs to make some tough decisions on his coaching staff, and he needs to look in the mirror and truly have a come to jesus meeting with himself. This team had zero business losing this game today. Even decimated by injuries, they were more talented on the defensive side of the ball. When they weren't shooting themselves in the foot CONSTANTLY the offense they moved the ball relatively well. This team has talent, but it needs to be disciplined in everything it does. In tackling, in assignment football, in route running, in playing smart, and not making game killing penalties. Those discipline issues are within the coaching staff's ability to change, but it takes time. It needs to be ingrained in the team from the start of the summer, until the end of the year. You look at a team like BC that shouldn't have any chance to make a bowl this year given their losses -- they play smart, relatively disciplined football. And they win because of that. Our 2010 team was much the same way. This team has GIVEN AWAY so many opportunities this year it boggles the mind. Coach Shafer has control over that, but it has to be at the core of the program. These players aren't showing it on the field, which makes me wonder if it's being taught. I know Coach Shafer wants the team to play as hard as they can at top speed, but they have to start being able to control the controllable. And they're not doing that. And yes, it's frustrating! Okay, rant over. I'm usually a pretty happy guy, but at times, this team is like watching a grizzly bear slowly scratch its claws over a 750 foot chalkboard. [/QUOTE]

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