Wildhack Presser 10 AM Monday

[RF2044]

I'm not sure which ones the poster was alluding to that you quoted, but here's my take:

1) Recruiting for this year is not over. Need to hit finish strong, inclusive of using the portal.
2) Need support, both financially and otherwise, from alumni (specifically the guys that came through the program before).
3) Need to right the ship and get to a "13th game" next year regardless of schedule.
4) Special teams needs to be fixed / gameday needs to be tight.
5) Tony White and Schmidt applauded. Tony White has a lot of potential.

Overall, I think he has faith in Dino and sees potential with a few more pieces in the team to get to a bowl game. I think he is very clear that the stuff we can compete with the blue bloods on (specials, gameday ops, etc) has to be fixed without question.

paraphrasing (I'll have to go back and relisten) but he's look for donations to expand the recruiting office and hire more people to help out in that regard. Touched on us being a developmental program and also really favors using the portal to help.

Thanks to both of you for summarizing - much appreciated.

 

[MikeSU02]

As much as some of you want to complain about the presser, that was an excellent presser. He was open, honest and touched upon every tough question from Dino to assistants, to recruiting, to on the field efficiencies, to player development, areas for improvement, money, etc. And no, he wasn’t blowing smoke nor side stepping tough questions.

It was definitely solid. And he did it on the Monday morning after the day of cuts.

He didn't bring anyone else up with him, he took a bunch of Qs. Some good, some were not.

He didn't mince words with what he thought needed to be fixed without question.

 

[bigmike]

Yep. I always compare SU to a small market MLB franchise. It's not that they can't compete, its that they have a razor thin margin of error. So the operation has to be incredibly buttoned up, from player evaluation, to development, to in-game strategy. We've failed bigly in those three areas for most of the past 20 years.

Totally nailed it.

 

[storange]

O

2 ACC Championship Games for Pitt as well, and I bet they win it this year.

I can't even fathom Syracuse winning an ACC championship.

We missed the ACC Championship by 2 plays in 18 ( at least the Championship Game )

 

[PhatOrange]

Whether you agree or not he does make two good points. He stated we just had a top level defense and a top level running game. By canning the HC that's all gone. He's taking the position that if we get these new hires right and improve the passing game to go with what we're already doing well we can compete.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I'm not sure which ones the poster was alluding to that you quoted, but here's my take:

1) Recruiting for this year is not over. Need to hit finish strong, inclusive of using the portal.
2) Need support, both financially and otherwise, from alumni (specifically the guys that came through the program before).
3) Need to right the ship and get to a "13th game" next year regardless of schedule.
4) Special teams needs to be fixed / gameday needs to be tight.
5) Tony White and Schmidt applauded. Tony White has a lot of potential.

Overall, I think he has faith in Dino and sees potential with a few more pieces in the team to get to a bowl game. I think he is very clear that the stuff we can compete with the blue bloods on (specials, gameday ops, etc) has to be fixed without question.

I would say if we go 5-7 and have a good defense next year, White will be the leader in the clubhouse to replace Dino. Not tough to tell that he's well respected by JW.

 

[Dcuse]

As much as some of you want to complain about the presser, that was an excellent presser. He was open, honest and touched upon every tough question from Dino to assistants, to recruiting, to on the field efficiencies, to player development, areas for improvement, money, etc. And no, he wasn’t blowing smoke nor side stepping tough questions.

I expected nothing less from him. I expected nothing different from this clownshow thread.

 

[FasterCuse]

I know it's not going to happen, but I feel like ADJW needs to tell Dino open up practices a bit more, and engage more with the fanbase this offseason. Can't have radio silence from here until September, if they expect to raise ticket prices and sell a decent amount of season tickets.

 

[David321]

So serious question, when do new ST go on sale? Not renewals but new ones.

 

[MikeSU02]

I would say if we go 5-7 and have a good defense next year, White will be the leader in the clubhouse to replace Dino. Not tough to tell that he's well respected by JW.

I agree. And, I think that's a well-earned respect.

 

[EuclidBred]

Clearly JW didn’t like Gilbert

Wants Dino to literally pound the portal

Wants Dino to have a Special teams coach

Tony White will be the next head coach for Syracuse

JW doesn’t want any of the assistants besides White and Schmidt

That’s what I took from this

Pretty well known around the program that Dino and Gilbert weren’t buddies. I’m sure some of how JW feels about SG would have come from Dino.

 

[ForCuseSake]

Thanks to those summarizing in real time.

Looking forward to watching the video when the Dept posts it to YouTube

 

[Toga]

They have a much better regional recruiting base than us, of course. At the same time, they're the second most-popular college football program in their own city, and the pro teams there are even more popular than both of them. They also play in a perpetually half-empty pro stadium. So it's not like they don't have structural challenges as well. But they find a way to be OK. We have really, really sucked, there's no getting around it.

And they are Always bigger and stronger than us.

The pleading for money is the part that rings the most hollow to me. We're heading into year 7 for Dino, the notion that donations made now can impact this year's recruiting class is preposterous. A lot of these comments would have made sense after 2019. But two seasons later the financial ones in particular come across poorly.

Hopefully he's talking about financial support for use in the NIL Dark Arts.

 

[dan7800]

The one thing that rang hollow to me - money/buyout didn’t matter in our decision making…

I believe that he had to say this. If he didn't, or worse said the contrary then that is analogous to a vote of no confidence for DB. Basically just saying that we're stuck with him for now due to $$$

 

[javadoc]

Basically, this was a football decision and to get better we need fan support and alumni money support. Do they not understand putting a boring losing prospect on football directly correlates with fan support and alumni fiscal support?

You have cause and effect reversed here. That's not how it works in the $EC.

 

[Ozone!]

A good recruiter can build up depth quickly through the portal. Now it’s up to DB to prove he is up to that task. His replacement coaching hires will speak volumes about his ability to lead. And yes, he needs to recruit the portal based on his coordinators and their schemes.
The OC must be a program builder; recruiter and dynamic play caller whose known for QB and other offensive player development. He also needs to be able to speak truth to the HC. Lastly, his schemes should be those that stress defenses and keep them off their desired rhythm. Hey, why not shoot for the moon, Alice!

He has to get, by now, if next season isn’t a significant upgrade he’s gone!

 

[storange]

I m happy about the decision. But , we have to bowl next year being the firm stipulation, tougher OOC schedule or not.

 

[Scooch]

I would say if we go 5-7 and have a good defense next year, White will be the leader in the clubhouse to replace Dino. Not tough to tell that he's well respected by JW.

Yep, there seemed to be a real "Bob Kraft loves Pats Defensive Coordinator Bill Belichick" type vibe to what JW was saying.

 

[elimunelson]

So serious question, when do new ST go on sale? Not renewals but new ones.

honestly every student should get a free season ticket. They showed up this year IMO.

I think fans should get a buy 1 get one free. They really need to think outside the box with football revenue coming off a horrendous year, retaining same coach.

I don't get why anyone has disdain for John Wildhack. He took every bullet and explained it away.

 

[MaxwellCuse]

I’ll be at the Dome either way. Hope we pull off the upset of a lifetime and upset ND on national television.

How Grob-esque!

 

[NineOneSeven]

Thought the presser was fine. Yeah, what he said might not be what some want to hear, but what should be said/needs said in that environment is not a full fledged roast/emotional vent or rant, like we see here. Understandably. As mentioned, he did answer some more direct questions specifically about what needs improvement which we all agree with (better time management, special teams), and spoke highly of the assistants we know are returning.

Not something I'd obviously enjoy doing, either way.

 

[PhatOrange]

Yep. I always compare SU to a small market MLB franchise. It's not that they can't compete, its that they have a razor thin margin of error. So the operation has to be incredibly buttoned up, from player evaluation, to development, to in-game strategy. We've failed bigly in those three areas for most of the past 20 years.

*edit* I'll add, I wish I could articulate what Dino's approach is in those three areas, but I have no idea. Back in the mid-2000s, when Celtics ownership changed hands (decidedly not small market, but not a popular FA destination), the new crew did extensive research into the traits of championship teams. What they found led them to retaining Paul Pierce, trading for Ray Allen, signing Kevin Garnett, and building their supporting cast. They ended up winning a title, playing for another, and having a very successful 6 year run. It was a methodical approach. I can't say that I've ever seen that from SU -- it always seems scattered and reactionary.

Your edit was kind of my takeaway from what Wildhack wants to do. His harping on the inefficiency of getting the plays in and special teams (tightening up), keeping the good pieces we already have (paul pierce/tony white and schimdt) and building out the supporting cast. I might not like it but I can understand it.

 

[All4SU]

Good PC by Wildhack. Lots of candor there. Hit all the marks except addressing where we are with the other non-addressed assistants.

 

[David321]

If anyone can find a link to it now after the fact, like YouTube or something, please post. My iPhone never lets me play these live links from the official website.

 

[MikeSU02]

I know it's not going to happen, but I feel like ADJW needs to tell Dino open up practices a bit more, and engage more with the fanbase this offseason. Can't have radio silence from here until September, if they expect to raise ticket prices and sell a decent amount of season tickets.

I wish Dino would do this, too. He's so affable and an approachable guy (it seems). If he even opened it up a bit for the spring and summer I think it would go a long way to helping build excitement.

With that said, the university absolutely has to start cutting short videos for guys for next year for when spring ball is ready. I want to see cuts for Tucker, Wax, etc. Also, when we get our new OC, let's get a hype reel for that person.

Open the program up a bit, let's push out some more fun, bite-sized content, let's honestly get the team out in the community at schools and other events. We have legitimate NFL talent. We have a QB who looks like he should be Hacksaw Jim Dugan's understudy and a stud RB. Let's promote the heck out of them.