Writing is on the wall for Gait, this isnt gonna work.

[Orangefan1]

At this stage of the season I’ve seen way too many slow starts you can’t do that and expect to win. Bottom line is Maryland was 1000 percent prepared we seemed way too happy to just get back to the semifinals

 

[FloridaCuse]

You have to be "in the box" or the restraining line. He did get there but was probably there for only a sec or 2 certainly enough to wear the TO should have been granted

You're right. I just went back and looked at it (about 5 times). It's at 4:47 left in the 1st Qtr. He took 2 or 3 steps across the restraining line but then immediate hit the sideline out of bounds. I'm not sure he was in there for even a full second. The logisitcal problem is that he's on the other side of midfield and on the other side of the field from the Syracuse bench so it would not have been easy for an official near Gary to know that he was across the restraining line. I also saw that he could have easily passed it to English very near him at the midfield line. There were still about 65 seconds left on the shot clock so a well coached team would have known that English still had time to go back across the midfield line to make it an easier pass to him from McCool. [Of course, why in the world is McCool not coached to not do that in the first place, and he did it twice in the 1st qtr.]

 

[Goin' Deep]

Repeatedly, we see the team just not ready to play.
During timeouts, Gait seems not involved...
And interviews, Gait can't breakdown what has happened after a game.
Other coaches are somewhat "specific" and/or "scientific" about their team's performance.
Gait?? Well the team played hard...they didn't give up...I'm proud of the team...

Going forward, do we see a program fast, physical and fundamentally sound... enough to often make final fours???

 

[FloridaCuse]

Repeatedly, we see the team just not ready to play.
During timeouts, Gait seems not involved...
And interviews, Gait can't breakdown what has happened after a game.
Other coaches are somewhat "specific" and/or "scientific" about their team's performance.
Gait?? Well the team played hard...they didn't give up...I'm proud of the team...

Going forward, do we see a program fast, physical and fundamentally sound... enough to often make final fours???

How about enough to win a National Championship? With the coach saying the goal was to make the Final Four, did the team and coaching staff really have the commitment to go farther? I'm still not convinced that Gary is a real coach and not just a CEO. Looking back over the 4 games that the team won -- ACC tnmt, Harvard, Princeton -- how much did good coaching have to do with it (other than saying "one day at a time") and how much was it the players themselves? From player interviews I get the impression it was the senior leadership, particularly Caden Kol and Michael Grace, that inspired the players to do better, and in the Harvard game, the crowd may have played a big part. So coaching? As others have aptly said: same old problems were evident in yesterdays game. It probably has already been said in the game day thread (which I haven't fully gone through yet; it's hard to read after the fact) the one word I have for our performance yesterday: embarassing.

 

[OrangeinBoston]

Repeatedly, we see the team just not ready to play.
During timeouts, Gait seems not involved...
And interviews, Gait can't breakdown what has happened after a game.
Other coaches are somewhat "specific" and/or "scientific" about their team's performance.
Gait?? Well the team played hard...they didn't give up...I'm proud of the team...

Going forward, do we see a program fast, physical and fundamentally sound... enough to often make final fours???

Absolutely. This year, the goal was to make Championship weekend, and they did. They didn't lose to Maryland yesterday because of coaching. They lost because Maryland is flat out a better team. Better on offense - how many goals did they score with 2 seconds left on the shot clock, or a shot on goal getting a reset? Their defense is better - they really limited our pretty potent offense. And, incredibly, they have a better FOGO. Just better all around.

Gait started from absolute zero - Desko left him with no players. The rebuilding process takes time. Next year, the goal should be making the championship game, and I fully expect them to get there.

What do they need to do? Certainly some portal additions would be advisable. As many have said, some SSDMs would be helpful and perhaps a dodger or close defender. For sure, the entire staff needs to take a critical look at what they did this year to keep the upward trend going.

 

[skeeter223]

I can't disagree with Jeremy's original post. The continued lack of discipline, the sloppiness of passes, falling into traps on the sideline, the inability to clear - we've seen the same problems year after year during the Gait coaching era. They got as far as they did this year with firepower and a whole lot of luck. I know it won't happen next season, but its time to get a real coach.

 

[Bayside44]

Some of these takes are flat out amazing.

Program won the ACC and went to the Final Four.

Hint - the guys on the other sideline are trying too.

 

[orange79]

Hint - the guys on the other sideline are trying too.

WeLl, ThAt NeEdS tO chAnGe!!!

 

[JeremyCuse]

Some of these takes are flat out amazing.

Program won the ACC and went to the Final Four.

Hint - the guys on the other sideline are trying too.

I think both things can be true. The staff did a very good job and winning the Acc tourney is a great accomplishment even in a down year for the conference. You also have to acknowledge that just getting back to memorial day weekend is a huge accomplishment.

All that said I think it's also clear until the staff can create/mold a mode disciplined team the chances of winning a title or getting past a team like Maryland is gonna be slim. You can't have an analyst online noting an offsides mistake on offense that "you see in February " in the final four vs Maryland. The bigger concern is that the same issues have been a problem all 4 years even under vastly more talented teams. You wonder if there's a bit of a blind spot with the staff to some of these recurring problems.

 

[Bayside44]

I think both things can be true. The staff did a very good job and winning the Acc tourney is a great accomplishment even in a down year for the conference. You also have to acknowledge that just getting back to memorial day weekend is a huge accomplishment.

All that said I think it's also clear until the staff can create/mold a mode disciplined team the chances of winning a title or getting past a team like Maryland is gonna be slim. You can't have an analyst online noting an offsides mistake on offense that "you see in February " in the final four vs Maryland. The bigger concern is that the same issues have been a problem all 4 years even under vastly more talented teams. You wonder if there's a bit of a blind spot with the staff to some of these recurring problems.

We won turnovers, clears and GBs (or were right there). Lost at the dot (again, which is odd considering the season) and their goalie is who he is.

Anderson ran offsides early. That should not bury the game.

The flip side is a team that trusts each other, spins it, doesn't quit and is highly talented. Nevermind the recruiting which fits our profile.

 

[CuseBlood44]

For anyone who says it’s crazy to question if Gait is the guy, watch the press conference. He literally admits we looked like a team that hadn’t been to the final 4 in 12 years, and I believe English said how we looked like we were happy to be there. Pathetic admissions

 

[cuselaxss26]

Honestly think it was clear yesterday maryland just plays better as a team in “whole” . Syracuse offense is unselfish yes but whole maryland team plays together specially their defense. They’re all in sync with each other n goalie. They know what their goalie wants to see n have great defenders to make it happen. Their defenders are great at one v one n play their angles extremely well. They make timely checks not just swinging nilly willy. They play body tough n are strong to push ya out without giving up any leverage. Not to much have a ton of senior leadership and starters.

Also they have really good coaches from tillman to bernherhrt to their OC. Bernherhrt played at maryland n in pros and has a solid D system. So fact maryland plays as team better whole n has better coaches n they have talent across board. You can not come out flat n make mistakes early. Prime example is when do you see maryland on D have 3 guys slide to ball leaving someone (erska) wide open in front of crease? Never. Their players are always on same page and talk extremely well and trust each other. To many times seen dwan or grave kinda slide on their own or do something n rest of team seems no idea n someone is left open.

Their goalie is and was a lot better. Plays his angles extremely well n sees the ball n reacts. Makes it look extremely easy at times also. I don’t think they are much more talented team tho they are very talented. Just think they play together n smarter with great coaches to help them. They also have diff skill sets on O. They have dodgers feeders snipers big small fast strong. They put those players in spots to maximize their strength which again goes to good coaching. We lacked dodgers (have few) but do not have any snipers. Guys can bring heat from range. Rhoa can yes but he has slower delivery will say.

Maryland is so good at protecting the middle you have to bury the outside shots they’re giving you. That will force them to have to press out n then you take your look inside. But we just don’t have the guys that can snipe it like that. Plus they don’t take bad shots or force bad shots. If they don’t see or get a shot they like what do they do roll it in corner. They don’t just throw a desperate shot. They play for the long gain not short. They play smart and methodical. Make teams pay for their mistakes. They won’t score ton of goals but if you don’t score on them they will slowly drain the game down n win. To beat them have to bury ur chances play smart mistake free n dominate the speciality positions (goalie , x). Gotta get a lead n score any time they do also.

 

[tbonezone]

Their players are always on same page and talk extremely well and trust each other. To many times seen dwan or grave kinda slide on their own or do something n rest of team seems no idea n someone is left open.

how vocal is mccool ? a good goalie is reading the D calling out the coverage. perhaps this is an area of improvement to work on this summer. that and long , quick clears.

 

[BillSU]

Repeat of the Harvard first half. Sloppy, don’t value possession, don’t scrap for ground balls. That’s coaching

No, it isn't coaching - how many times does the best Lacrosse player/coach have to instruct you or tell you how to go after ground balls? I was doing that w/o any coaching in little league. Go get it and pick it up and get rid of it if you're being pressured or pull it in to your chest so the ball can't be knocked loose

 

[BillSU]

Absolutely. This year, the goal was to make Championship weekend, and they did. They didn't lose to Maryland yesterday because of coaching. They lost because Maryland is flat out a better team. Better on offense - how many goals did they score with 2 seconds left on the shot clock, or a shot on goal getting a reset? Their defense is better - they really limited our pretty potent offense. And, incredibly, they have a better FOGO. Just better all around.

Gait started from absolute zero - Desko left him with no players. The rebuilding process takes time. Next year, the goal should be making the championship game, and I fully expect them to get there.

What do they need to do? Certainly some portal additions would be advisable. As many have said, some SSDMs would be helpful and perhaps a dodger or close defender. For sure, the entire staff needs to take a critical look at what they did this year to keep the upward trend going.

Great breakout and opinions of what happened, what they have, what we need. Like clone their goalie.

 

[JYCUSE12]

Feel like they lack leadership, vocal leader, gritty guy. A Mariano or Tyson bomberry. Seems like it's almost to chill of a mentality. Feel like the talent is there but the focus and discipline is not. Need a vocal leader whether it be a coach or a player. When momentum goes against us it goes from bad to worse. Nobody getting in each other's face or digging their heels in the ground. Then we get to the point of no return in games.

 

[PhatOrange]

Repeatedly, we see the team just not ready to play.
During timeouts, Gait seems not involved...
And interviews, Gait can't breakdown what has happened after a game.
Other coaches are somewhat "specific" and/or "scientific" about their team's performance.
Gait?? Well the team played hard...they didn't give up...I'm proud of the team...

Going forward, do we see a program fast, physical and fundamentally sound... enough to often make final fours???

I sat front row behind the table. Tillman gives kids the business when they come off after messing up. When he's not happy they know it. He's also working the refs. He also hits kids up when they've done something well. Gait is the polar opposite. He doesn't let anyone know if they've done something bad or good and I don't see him work the refs much. It's mostly Oderna barking and refs hate assistant coaches doing to arguing.

 

[Dcuse]

I can't disagree with Jeremy's original post. The continued lack of discipline, the sloppiness of passes, falling into traps on the sideline, the inability to clear - we've seen the same problems year after year during the Gait coaching era. They got as far as they did this year with firepower and a whole lot of luck. I know it won't happen next season, but its time to get a real coach.

There we go. The board that never disappoints.

 

[CuseBlood44]

No, it isn't coaching - how many times does the best Lacrosse player/coach have to instruct you or tell you how to go after ground balls? I was doing that w/o any coaching in little league. Go get it and pick it up and get rid of it if you're being pressured or pull it in to your chest so the ball can't be knocked loose

Because it’s the culture. Syracuse isn’t HHH these days, it’s flashy. Similar to how the basketball team doesn’t scrap for loose balls in the last few years. Some of it is the guys you bring in, but most of it is team culture

 

[swish7]

I sat front row behind the table. Tillman gives kids the business when they come off after messing up. When he's not happy they know it. He's also working the refs. He also hits kids up when they've done something well. Gait is the polar opposite. He doesn't let anyone know if they've done something bad or good and I don't see him work the refs much. It's mostly Oderna barking and refs hate assistant coaches doing to arguing.

Wasn't Slugger pretty chill too?

I'm not here to defend or criticize Gait, just wondering if there are examples where his style works.

I prefer the Tiffany / Tillman / ND coach types myself, but wonder if Gaits style can work.

IMO, it only works if you recruit a bevy of the right kinds of kids. We don't have enough depth & enough of the right kinds of kids.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Wasn't Slugger pretty chill too?

I'm not here to defend or criticize Gait, just wondering if there are examples where his style works.

I prefer the Tiffany / Tillman / ND coach types myself, but wonder if Gaits style can work.

IMO, it only works if you recruit a bevy of the right kinds of kids. We don't have enough depth & enough of the right kinds of kids.

Gait wants a free flowing style of ball where kids shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes.

If a coach chews a kid's ass on the sidelines, and the kid is afraid to shoot for the rest of the day, what have you gained?

When Gait told the team to "go out there and have fun", we went on a 4 game winning streak.

Beats this:

 

[DoctahLexus]

Gait wants a free flowing style of ball where kids shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes.

If a coach chews a kid's ass on the sidelines, and the kid is afraid to shoot for the rest of the day, what have you gained?

When Gait told the team to "go out there and have fun", we went on a 4 game winning streak.

Beats this:

View attachment 252417

If people are looking for an example of where Gait's style works, I would take a look at Gary Gait...at Syracuse.

 

[PhatOrange]

Gait wants a free flowing style of ball where kids shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes.

If a coach chews a kid's ass on the sidelines, and the kid is afraid to shoot for the rest of the day, what have you gained?

When Gait told the team to "go out there and have fun", we went on a 4 game winning streak.

Beats this:

View attachment 252417

I think you can do both.

I feel like Fran is this way. We see him chew kids out on one play and chest bumping them the next.

 

[cuselaxss26]

Do we even know what gary gait actually does? mean is march n coach O running a system that gary designed ? Is gary the actual master mind or is he just getting credit? We don’t know who actually does what. Know march is O n coach O is d but do they go off what gary wants to do or come up with everything themslves ? So can we really critique any of them without knowing 100% who is actually calling the shots? I’m very curious myself what each coach does , specially gary.

 

[CuseNHouse]

After this class graduates (which many were recruited in Desko's time) you will see what we really have in Gait. Progress from year 1 doesn't necessarily point to great coaching - it was the #1 class in the country - they came in very skilled and are now more mature , bigger , faster , stronger and game experienced. Let's just say Gary's timing was very good. Let's see how things go from here - I personally think this team got where it got to largely on premier skill and the players steadfast determination to get the final 4 monkey off their back - they also had some luck and dodged a lot of bullets along the way . I could see this team win it all next year but just as easily fumble the bag in the first round . It's unclear to me who (if anyone) is really driving the bus. Huge pieces to fill and big expectations
next year. Gait is going to have to deliver at least a FF next year or we may see a setback for a while..

Give me Chemotti - he's done more than any other coach with nothing