If those changes I mentioned took place you would see an immediate bump in many of our weaknesses. ST and recruiting as well as QB play as a whole. If zero changes are made than we know that Bo isn't really looking at the big picture nor setting us up to compete for a playoff spot in the future. We have enough defensive talent that if Bo would bring in a solid DC he could do what he does best and mold players. The one thing Pelini has always excelled at is coaching a specific group/position. You allow him more time to develop players and less time with Xs and Os on defense. Makes too much sense almost
So you'd hate Pelini less then?
That's really all that matters then...............
I don't agree that changes don't need to be made to this staff, there are plenty of things that could be changed. OC, DC, ST, Strength and Conditioning, etc. I think the order of that goes, ST, OC, S&C, DC.......
Need a new special teams coach, DC and strength and conditioning coach. Not too pleased with the OC but i would give him one more year i think due to all the turn over at QB, WR and o-line. Overall when you put it all together it really comes down to not having an experienced HC and doesn't bode well for Bo's future. He really is overwhelmed i think.
I'm sorry but special teams has been an utter joke since Ross Els arrived. He needs to go back to the MAC. Pelini needs to treat this like a business and make tough decisions that are best for the program and not worry about hurting cocaine carls feelings. I also would like to see us finally can Cotton. Garrison can handle the OL and Fisher can help with TE. Between Garrison and Fisher we can make up for any coaching Cotton can offer. I also want a DC that knows a thing or two. Yeah this is Bo's defense but we at the very least need to bring in someone who is experienced and able to expand Bo's defensive knowledge. Pay Will Muschamp $1 mil a year as DC. Hire a proven QB coach and get Doug Coleman here to replace Els. I could stomach Bo for another season if these types of changes are made
Agree with all of the above.
Pat Smith has been solid but the success of the kicker has almost nothing to do with ST coach competency.
The blocking on return teams and coverage on kick teams are much more indicative. That's where ST coaches make the hay. And while the coverage has been fine, blocking, especially on punts, has been absolutely atrocious this year. Putrid. Westerkamp truly has become Panico... a fair catch machine. Interesting stat on that, Hedley. I didn't know he was averaging less that Panico this year. Poor kid has absolutely nowhere to go once he fields the punt... he literally has 3-5 men breathing down his neck with no blockers in sight. And prior to KB's run to the house yesterday, when's the last time we had a big kickoff return this year? I don't know what Els is teaching as far as blocking, but it's about as useful as poopy-flavored lollipop.
Get a REAL ST's coach.
Beck's propensity for head scratching playcalls has unfortunately carried over into this year. While the PI from our own 1 may have seemed like a stroke of brilliance yesterday, he even admitted that that was all Bo's idea.
How many times after Tommy was knocked out of the game did we lead of with a "zone read" on 1st down that ended up equating to Ron handing off standing still to AA straight up the center's butt yesterday? It was closer to a HB draw. I understand that Ron isn't adept/doesn't have a ton of ZR experience, but if that's the case (and he's never going to keep one to keep the defense honest), find another play to lead off with Beck! I understand feeding your workhorse/best player, and totally agree with it, but for God's sakes, get a little creative when we have a statue QB in the game and find a play that gets Ameer at least a little bit of room!
I think it would suck to move on from Beck because then we'd have to implement a whole new offensive system that may not suit with the current players we have. That is, unless we can hire a coach with previous experience in a similar spread system (looking at you, Frost). On the other hand, if Beck was a great offensive coordinator, why do we still have a systemic issue from the beginning of Bo's reign (we're now in year 6) with fumbles? And why do we still get on here and all scratch our heads and complain about the backassword playcalling during specific points in the game... EVERY WEEK?
S&C leaves a lot to be desired, but I don't feel like it's as pressing as the other two issues. If we clean our turnovers up, we probably win that MSU game. If we aren't a friggin sieve on defense and TMart isn't in the game hurt all game, we win the Minny game. And the UCLA could have gone either way. I think with some better playcalling from Beck, we have a better shot at that one. They're a legit team though. For sure a top 25 team. I feel they're the best of the three.
Point is... none of those losses, IMO, could be chalked up to S&C primarily. But it sure would be better to have the biggest, fastest, best conditioned guys we can to help mitigate the talent gap with some of the teams we're having trouble with and bridge the gap to getting over the hump.
DC is a push for me. I wouldn't be upset at all if Paps was let go and someone with real experience and some cojones to stand up to Bo if needed was brought onboard. But I don't really see Bo going for that... he prefers mostly yes-men or the ol' boys. And at the same time, I feel like the improvement on D has warranted another year sticking around for Paps. I don't care if it's because Bo has taken over playcalling or beefed up his instruction to the players. If it works, do it again next year! We have something on the defensive side of the ball that approximates a BLACKSHIRT defense this year! If it ain't broke don't fix it!
+1 to BRI for the order of things that should be improved. I concur.