It's time we circle the wagons around Coach Heupel

[newyorkvol]

Then we should just sign Heupel to a lifetime contract. No point in trying to punch above our historical average. 8-4 is good enough.

Don’t be obtuse. First, I said “There are definitely improvements that could be made.” Second, if you think we’d CURRENTLY get someone better than Heupel, I think you’re sorely mistaken. Third, parity and unbalanced scheduling are uncontrolled variables. The difference between 10-2 and 8-4 may have nothing to do with how good the team is, but rather who we play and when. Fourth, I believe we need to utilize a General Manager (see other thread) more effectively. We envision ourselves on equal footing with UGA/Bama/LSU/UF/Texas and A&M for high school recruits, but the truth is we’re in the next tier down. Being able to utilize the portal more effectively could be a huge area of potential improvement that doesn’t require changing HC.

 

[joevols89]

Don’t be obtuse. First, I said “There are definitely improvements that could be made.” Second, if you think we’d CURRENTLY get someone better than Heupel, I think you’re sorely mistaken. Third, parity and unbalanced scheduling are uncontrolled variables. The difference between 10-2 and 8-4 may have nothing to do with how good the team is, but rather who we play and when. Fourth, I believe we need to utilize a General Manager (see other thread) more effectively. We envision ourselves on equal footing with UGA/Bama/LSU/UF/Texas and A&M for high school recruits, but the truth is we’re in the next tier down. Being able to utilize the portal more effectively could be a huge area of potential improvement that doesn’t require changing HC.

That’s not true. It is, however, unlikely we would.

There are always going to be unproven guys who will end up better than Heupel. Hiring coaches is a crapshoot. Even the can’t miss guys flame out. But you still do it unless you’re content not competing for championships, until you luck into a guy who will take you to the next level.

 

[rocketskates]

Ordinarily, I'd agree 100%, and in fact they've exceeded my expectations as I thought we'd be a 7 win season. Two things bother me. First, we just didn't get better. Not ignoring the lack of talent in some spots, but we just didn't get better as the season went along. Tackling, mistakes, penalties, etc. No team is perfect, but I have to wonder how you don't resolve some of the correctable issues as the season wears on? Then there's the second half of the Vandy game. Knew the replay would be a hard watch and bitter pill, but from the couch, I saw "quit" on that field. That, for me, is the most alarming thing. You can cope with a lack of talent, mistakes, inexperience, but not a lack of heart, desire, pride, and fight.

I'm a broken record about a team reflecting the coach so I have concerns here. Is it the coach? Poor evals? No playoffs so kids quit? Kids focused on the portal and money so they are avoiding contact and injury? Dunno the answer, but that's an ominous sign regardless. If this is the new college game, just make it a pure playoff sport and forget the bowl games altogether. Why would a fan bother if the team is just going to take the field and go through the motions? Pointless.

I saw quit as well, and what was mind blowing was the quit was there at the start of the second half when it was still tied. It was as if the guys were like “we aren’t beating them by several scores, maybe they are legit; oh well, I guess we’re gonna lose.” One of the strangest things I’ve seen.