Time to try to put this year in perspective.
This was clearly a down year. We did not defeat a SINGLE AVERAGE TEAM. We lost to both AF and were slam-dunked and embarrassed by Navy on National TV.
Of course, you need to be inside the program to have a clear perspective, but here is what I think happened (not in any particular order).
1. We were unable to replace our graduated players and injured players with Division 1 level players. Simply a lack of talent.
2. The coaches we lost – especially the Defensive Coordinator – were not as effective as the coaches they replaced.
3. The team leadership from the coaches, Captains, and Firsties was not up to our normal standards. They were just not effective in “rallying the troops” in key situations. I understand I was not in a position to know this for sure, but I – as well as many of you with extensive leadership experience – can spot a poorly led and poorly motivated organization from “a mile away”.
4. Our OL and DL (partially due to injuries) were just not nearly as good as the past 2-3 years.
5. Our offense requires a solid, experienced QB who can successfully run and pass the ball. We had a great deal of turbulence and injuries this year. A 160-170-pound QB is just not going to last long in this offense.
I believe that we have numerous good players in development. We are losing 7 starters on offense and 6 starters on defense. Clearly, we will not have a great deal of experience in most of our starting positions next year. The major problem is at QB – we must have a “stud” there with good staying power to be successful – I do not see one on this roster. I would not be surprised if an inexperienced Plebe or Yearling was a starter at QB next year.
Next year is clearly a rebuilding year. We must also regain the “winners’ attitude” which we lost this year.
Stay tuned for a “roller-coaster” year. I feel somewhat optimistic. We are likely to be more successful than we were this year.
This was clearly a down year. We did not defeat a SINGLE AVERAGE TEAM. We lost to both AF and were slam-dunked and embarrassed by Navy on National TV.
Of course, you need to be inside the program to have a clear perspective, but here is what I think happened (not in any particular order).
1. We were unable to replace our graduated players and injured players with Division 1 level players. Simply a lack of talent.
2. The coaches we lost – especially the Defensive Coordinator – were not as effective as the coaches they replaced.
3. The team leadership from the coaches, Captains, and Firsties was not up to our normal standards. They were just not effective in “rallying the troops” in key situations. I understand I was not in a position to know this for sure, but I – as well as many of you with extensive leadership experience – can spot a poorly led and poorly motivated organization from “a mile away”.
4. Our OL and DL (partially due to injuries) were just not nearly as good as the past 2-3 years.
5. Our offense requires a solid, experienced QB who can successfully run and pass the ball. We had a great deal of turbulence and injuries this year. A 160-170-pound QB is just not going to last long in this offense.
I believe that we have numerous good players in development. We are losing 7 starters on offense and 6 starters on defense. Clearly, we will not have a great deal of experience in most of our starting positions next year. The major problem is at QB – we must have a “stud” there with good staying power to be successful – I do not see one on this roster. I would not be surprised if an inexperienced Plebe or Yearling was a starter at QB next year.
Next year is clearly a rebuilding year. We must also regain the “winners’ attitude” which we lost this year.
Stay tuned for a “roller-coaster” year. I feel somewhat optimistic. We are likely to be more successful than we were this year.
