(10-02-2017 08:40 PM)SoCalBobcat78 Wrote: (10-02-2017 12:08 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote: We went 3-9 in 2015.
Yes, we went 3-9 in 2015 and Coach Fran was let go/retired. The same thing happened at UTSA. They went 3-9 in 2015 and their coach was let go/retired. Last season UTSA won six games and went to a bowl. This season they are 3-0, with a victory at Baylor and their blowout win at San Marcos. Why can't we do what they are doing at UTSA? Why do we always set the bar at mediocrity?
We have lost 14 straight FBS games. We are getting blown out of games. We play one close game to App State at home and there are people that think we are making progress. I think there are Bobcat fans that would want to give Withers an extension if he wins a game or two in conference.
I am not advocating for Withers being fired, but let's not act like this is the norm, that Withers has to hit rock bottom before he can turn it around. UTSA has proven that to be untrue.
Most new coaches come in and attempt to "build on the talent" left from the previous HC (which is what UTSA did). Sometimes, a coach comes in and proclaims the "cubbard bare." Withers came in, proclaimed the cubbard bare and proceeded to break all the remaining China with his "My way or the Highway" philosophy.
I don't dispute that there were problems under Fran. I don't dispute that Withers faced issues with players and the program that needed to be addressed. I do think it's fair to question the extent to which he went "Scorched Earth" with the program.
I think it's fair to say that Withers set us back further than was necessary, and by doing so, it will take us even longer to get back to where we were (2013, 2014).
Would any "new" coach have struggled with our program coming in after Fran? No doubt. Would they have struggled to this extent? That I believe is debatable.
We are where we are now due to Withers taking the most extreme method of rebuilding. He owns that. That doesn't mean that as fans we necessarily want him fired yet, nor does it mean we're not pulling for his eventual success. But it also doesn't mean we're blind to what's in front of us, and that we have to accept this as "the only way" cause Withers says so . . . .
. . I would also point out that UNT is also winning this year with a relatively new coach.