So, after the game, Coach said he told the team that we can't get any free agents.
Wow.
You know what else we can't get. New coaches.
Here's the thing. After the last season, I thought Coach Jinks did a nice job talking about the things his coaching staff had done wrong in their first season, starting with coaching Texas Tech in the bowl game and then extending into the season. I respected him for it. I thought it showed personal accountability. Of course, that was after the three-game winning streak, so maybe he felt like he could afford to say those things since he had found some success.
This year, the general theme has been a little different. As the failure has continued, a new theme has emerged, which is that it is the players' fault. Players have to make plays. We have no backups.
So BG loses 48-17 to NIU and Coach's response is that we aren't going to get any free agents.
Maybe we should try some new assistants or a new head coach. Or at least the coaches could acknowledge that they can do better, too.
Here's the thing. We may be under-talented. But we are not getting better. The same mistakes keep getting made over and over again. Apparently, the only answer to a player who isn't performing is to take him out. Not improve his skills. Not adjust the game plan. Or have one. Not put a player in a position to succeed. Not adjust the zone sets on defense. Teach players not to be run out of position. Nah. All this is on the players. Unless they can be replaced, there's nothing that can be done.
Even a young team improves. But not this team.
If you read between the lines, you could almost hear the implication that this was a game until Morgan made a couple mistakes. And that doesn't square with what actually happened on the field.
To be fair, Coach admitted it was a butt-whupping.
Which it was.
He just doesn't seem to think he had anything to do with it. And apparently, they are getting ouchy with the idea that the losing might start to impact recruiting.
He says he is drained. Emotionally and physically.
Honestly, it shows. As in, no idea how to fix this.
Random observations.
ReplyDeleteQBs - I thought it was mainly a Morgan issue, but now we've seen all three QBs habitually "lock" not just onto their 1st WR, but to the areas they are supposed to run too. Worse, with Morgan especially, the kid throws blindly too those spots. And Loy did much the exact same thing. DBs are feasting on this, and even those of us in the stands can figure out the play and were, just by watching his head. That IS a coaching issue, period. One of the most basic things a QB can do wrong and coaches must be able to develop a player away from doing. That isn't happening.
Energy, body language, etc. - This is the most hang-dog looking team I've seen in 20 years. They dress sloppy, their pre-game workouts are sloppy and drew comments up in the FC perch.
General credibility on the field - They don't have any. Name any one "good" thing the team did or had happen after which they failed to immediately shoot themselves in the foot? Seriously, go back, play a tape.
Recruiting - sure, they've got talent coming....for now. If it unravels as some suggest is starting, BG is a write-off for the next five to six years, no less.
This season has shifted the burden of proof from the kids on the team to the coaches. The issues I'm seeing have nothing now to do with what the previous coach didn't do or what the current staff had to work with. These are newly fermented systemic issues. [sic]
I see worried eyes around the stadium. I don't say anything, I don't need too. Knowing tilts of the head and nods get met with the same. Nobody wants to deal with what I suspect they worry is happening. The party line is becoming more and more non-descript about how things are, the status of the team, coach, etc.
All that is missing is news of off-field issues or a sudden dive in grades.
I never Heard a Coach Blaim His Team for loosing Football Games every week like Coach Jinks. I know yu wouldn't want your players to go to the media and say it's the Coaching staff as a Head Coach yu and your staff have to take the BLAME. YU accepted this Head coach position. The players look to yu and your coaching staff for answers. And the players have to be running your scheme or I'm sure they will not be on the field on offense or Defense.
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