Our staff today is better than the Houston staff in 2018. There are a few that keep questioning our current staff about play calling, scheme, not playing Palmer more etc. Our offensive schemes and execution in 2017 and 2018 declined. Look at the interceptions by the same QB 2016 to 2017 and we all know about 2018.

Talking about Houston as a great coach while criticizing Cignetti and his staff shows a total lack of football IQ. Houston and his staff did great things for JMU. Our defense was good under Trott, however, I love the current energy and scheme we have on defense today. Cignetti's recruiting has been fantastic and we had more voids to fill than one would think and we will only get better.

We won't hire Trott because we don't need him.

But does our coaching staff understand clock management

(01-18-2020 07:49 AM)#20fromalongtimeago Wrote:  Our staff today is better than the Houston staff in 2018. There are a few that keep questioning our current staff about play calling, scheme, not playing Palmer more etc. Our offensive schemes and execution in 2017 and 2018 declined. Look at the interceptions by the same QB 2016 to 2017 and we all know about 2018.

Talking about Houston as a great coach while criticizing Cignetti and his staff shows a total lack of football IQ. Houston and his staff did great things for JMU. Our defense was good under Trott, however, I love the current energy and scheme we have on defense today. Cignetti's recruiting has been fantastic and we had more voids to fill than one would think and we will only get better.

We won't hire Trott because we don't need him.

Idk , can you compare each coach/defense in their first seasons at JMU and still say that.

(01-18-2020 07:49 AM)#20fromalongtimeago Wrote:  Our staff today is better than the Houston staff in 2018. There are a few that keep questioning our current staff about play calling, scheme, not playing Palmer more etc. Our offensive schemes and execution in 2017 and 2018 declined. Look at the interceptions by the same QB 2016 to 2017 and we all know about 2018.

Talking about Houston as a great coach while criticizing Cignetti and his staff shows a total lack of football IQ. Houston and his staff did great things for JMU. Our defense was good under Trott, however, I love the current energy and scheme we have on defense today. Cignetti's recruiting has been fantastic and we had more voids to fill than one would think and we will only get better.

We won't hire Trott because we don't need him.

Currently, Cignetti is a step behind Houston after one year.
Houston won the title, Cignetti was the runner up.

If (a big if) Cignetti wins it all next year, he will be even with Houston. The first 2 years would be the same with one title and one runner up finish.
As of now Houston > Cignetti.

We’ll see who Cignetti brings in for transfers. If he doesn’t get some impact guys, then the Dukes will be underdogs to get back to the championship.

A great wide receiver just entered the portal from VA Tech! Their top receiver. One year of eligibility. Could be next year's version of Polk.

Clearly Houston has found himself in a situation where he isn't calling the shots.

Some believe this is the group calling the shots on this:
https://247sports.com/college/east-carol...106884816/

(01-18-2020 07:49 AM)#20fromalongtimeago Wrote:  Our staff today is better than the Houston staff in 2018. There are a few that keep questioning our current staff about play calling, scheme, not playing Palmer more etc. Our offensive schemes and execution in 2017 and 2018 declined. Look at the interceptions by the same QB 2016 to 2017 and we all know about 2018.

Talking about Houston as a great coach while criticizing Cignetti and his staff shows a total lack of football IQ. Houston and his staff did great things for JMU. Our defense was good under Trott, however, I love the current energy and scheme we have on defense today. Cignetti's recruiting has been fantastic and we had more voids to fill than one would think and we will only get better.

We won't hire Trott because we don't need him.

I agree with that. We are light years ahead of where we would be if Houston was still here. However, that does not mean we should be happy with the status quo. There is always room for improvement and pointing that out is a fan's prerogative and duty.

Latrele needs more carries. If there are reasons that wasn't possible, that's fine. What are they? He was no longer injured. What are we saving him for? There is no fifth quarter? He should have been pushing the smelly Bisons downfield in the first half in slow-moving, clock-eating drives.

I would like to see more creativity on offense. The one guy in the stadium who was creative on offense was Matt Entz. He let it all hang out, which is what should be done in a championship game, or at least be prepared to do it after your conventional, stale offensive playcalling has not produced enough points to win the game.

Again, my opinion, but what the hell were we saving Nooch's running ability for? He can screw up a defense with his legs just like Lance. If we don't use it, the defense shifts that attention elsewhere, making it more difficult to move downfield. Bizarre to me!

I hate losing yet another championship to the smelly Bisons, but my hat's off to them. They did what was necessary to win, and even though we were the better team again (talentwise, IMO), coaching lost us the game, plain and simple.

We will grow from here, but I think the Natty was a very poorly-coached game for us.

(01-18-2020 03:10 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  Some believe this is the group calling the shots on this:
https://247sports.com/college/east-carol...106884816/

That guy passed away in 2018, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is a new crop of power brokers there to fill the void.

That part on NC is a different dynamic-very insular. To their credit, they really do take a lot of pride in their football & baseball programs though. But I get the feeling the big boosters can't get out of their own way sometimes, even though they may mean well. Ruffin McNeil's firing surprised a lot of people. And part of it revolved around "People" wanting him to make changes on his coaching staff (which he refused).

(01-18-2020 03:40 PM)olddawg Wrote:  

(01-18-2020 03:10 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  Some believe this is the group calling the shots on this:
https://247sports.com/college/east-carol...106884816/

That guy passed away in 2018, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is a new crop of power brokers there to fill the void.

That part on NC is a different dynamic-very insular. To their credit, they really do take a lot of pride in their football & baseball programs though. But I get the feeling the big boosters can't get out of their own way sometimes, even though they may mean well. Ruffin McNeil's firing surprised a lot of people. And part of it revolved around "People" wanting him to make changes on his coaching staff (which he refused).

The term "greenville mafia" is still being used, though its membership may have changed a bit. This has been my suspicion, before I saw this specific group referenced. Maybe it was Houston or AD making the call, but at least some ecu fans believe otherwise.

(01-18-2020 04:25 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  The term "greenville mafia" is still being used, though its membership may have changed a bit. This has been my suspicion, before I saw this specific group referenced. Maybe it was Houston or AD making the call, but at least some ecu fans believe otherwise.

I don't doubt you at all. If that is the case - that is, Houston firing Trott after just 1 year because a band of fans demand it - then Houston is playing with fire. I mean, who wants to join a staff when a HC caves so quickly. What is this "mafia" going to do? Put out a hit on Houston if he doesn't do what they say and when they say it? Do you want to play for a "leader" who shows such little loyalty, does what others tell him to do, and perhaps this is all a rather toxic environment?

Lots of unknowns of course. Maybe none of this is true. It certainly doesn't look good for Houston no matter what (IMO). If he canned Trott after 1 year on his own, it doesn't look good. If he canned Trott at the pressure of a group of upset fans/contributors/alums/whatever, then that doesn't look good either. If they had completed year 3 of a rebuild and Trott had not improved their D from the time he started the rebuild, then no big deal.

Good luck to Houston. He's gonna need it.

(01-18-2020 03:35 PM)Purple Wrote:  

(01-18-2020 07:49 AM)#20fromalongtimeago Wrote:  Our staff today is better than the Houston staff in 2018. There are a few that keep questioning our current staff about play calling, scheme, not playing Palmer more etc. Our offensive schemes and execution in 2017 and 2018 declined. Look at the interceptions by the same QB 2016 to 2017 and we all know about 2018.

Talking about Houston as a great coach while criticizing Cignetti and his staff shows a total lack of football IQ. Houston and his staff did great things for JMU. Our defense was good under Trott, however, I love the current energy and scheme we have on defense today. Cignetti's recruiting has been fantastic and we had more voids to fill than one would think and we will only get better.

We won't hire Trott because we don't need him.

I agree with that. We are light years ahead of where we would be if Houston was still here. However, that does not mean we should be happy with the status quo. There is always room for improvement and pointing that out is a fan's prerogative and duty.

Latrele needs more carries. If there are reasons that wasn't possible, that's fine. What are they? He was no longer injured. What are we saving him for? There is no fifth quarter? He should have been pushing the smelly Bisons downfield in the first half. If you disagree with that, that's your business.

I would like to see more creativity on offense. The one guy in the stadium who was creative on offense was Matt Entz. He let it all hang out, which is what should be done in a championship game, or at least be prepared to do it after your conventional, stale offensive playcalling has not produced enough points to win the game.

Again, my opinion, but what the hell were we saving Nooch's running ability for? He can screw up a defense with his legs just like Lance. If we don't use it, the defense shifts that attention elsewhere, making it more difficult to move downfield. Bizarre to me!

I hate losing yet another championship to the smelly Bisons, but my hat's off to them. They did what was necessary to win, and even though we were the better team again (talentwise, IMO), coaching lost us the game, plain and simple.

We will grow from here, but I think the Natty was a very poorly-coached game for us.

I don't see the "light years ahead". Defense was not better , and on Offense Cig never put our Qb in a position to turn the ball over. MH put too much faith in BD's arm last season. 2017 Bison > 2019 Bison team.

(01-18-2020 07:58 AM)Dukeman2 Wrote:  But does our coaching staff understand clock management

Houston botched the clock in the championship game 2 years ago, so he's no better.

(01-18-2020 09:38 PM)Hotrod829 Wrote:  

(01-18-2020 03:35 PM)Purple Wrote:  

(01-18-2020 07:49 AM)#20fromalongtimeago Wrote:  Our staff today is better than the Houston staff in 2018. There are a few that keep questioning our current staff about play calling, scheme, not playing Palmer more etc. Our offensive schemes and execution in 2017 and 2018 declined. Look at the interceptions by the same QB 2016 to 2017 and we all know about 2018.

Talking about Houston as a great coach while criticizing Cignetti and his staff shows a total lack of football IQ. Houston and his staff did great things for JMU. Our defense was good under Trott, however, I love the current energy and scheme we have on defense today. Cignetti's recruiting has been fantastic and we had more voids to fill than one would think and we will only get better.

We won't hire Trott because we don't need him.

I agree with that. We are light years ahead of where we would be if Houston was still here. However, that does not mean we should be happy with the status quo. There is always room for improvement and pointing that out is a fan's prerogative and duty.

Latrele needs more carries. If there are reasons that wasn't possible, that's fine. What are they? He was no longer injured. What are we saving him for? There is no fifth quarter? He should have been pushing the smelly Bisons downfield in the first half. If you disagree with that, that's your business.

I would like to see more creativity on offense. The one guy in the stadium who was creative on offense was Matt Entz. He let it all hang out, which is what should be done in a championship game, or at least be prepared to do it after your conventional, stale offensive playcalling has not produced enough points to win the game.

Again, my opinion, but what the hell were we saving Nooch's running ability for? He can screw up a defense with his legs just like Lance. If we don't use it, the defense shifts that attention elsewhere, making it more difficult to move downfield. Bizarre to me!

I hate losing yet another championship to the smelly Bisons, but my hat's off to them. They did what was necessary to win, and even though we were the better team again (talentwise, IMO), coaching lost us the game, plain and simple.

We will grow from here, but I think the Natty was a very poorly-coached game for us.

I don't see the "light years ahead". Defense was not better , and on Offense Cig never put our Qb in a position to turn the ball over.

You mean like the last play of the game? Oh, never mind. Carry on.

You mean like the last play of the game? Oh, never mind. Carry on.
[/quote]

Cig coached them to grab the facemask, Percy to trip on a likely touchdown and the refs to miss multiple calls including a illegal blindside block on NDSUs touchdown, holding on Green on several occassions etc. One play does not decide the game.

I support Cignetti and his staff and believe we upgraded from the previous staff and system. However, we got beat by NDSU and they are the better team in 2019. Yes, we got outcoached, outplayed, out executed and we lost. The time management at the end of the game was poor. We need to make tweaks to coaching but the foundation is there.

Brace yourself because I believe next year will be a better team. We may have had more talent in 2019 but our team will be better in 2020.

(01-17-2020 04:55 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(01-17-2020 12:10 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(01-17-2020 12:04 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-17-2020 11:35 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(01-17-2020 10:29 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  National D1A scoring defense stats prior to MH and BT's arrival at EZU...

2018: 37.3 ppg allowed (120th in the nation)
2017: 45.0 (130th...dead last!)
2016: 36.1 (110th)
2015: 26.0 (54th)


2019: 33.7 (111th)

Yeah, Bob Trott is the problem there in just 1 season.

Exactly, one or more coaches had to go as a result of the Houston only winning 4 games (2 FCS games, 2 win uconn, 1 win odu). Very loyal of Houston to allow Trott to be that sacrificial lamb.

I know you dislike Houston, but nobody knows how or why this happened. I seriously doubt Houston just looked at the defensive results and said, "Bob you're gone".

Maybe, maybe not......but he sure was quick to throw him under the bus when as the numbers show, the defense actually improved. Defense and offense go hand in hand as we saw under Withers......if you cannot garner at least decent time of possession the defense will suffer.

Well, the ppg improved but the ypg got worse.

I just wish for ‘offensive scoring stats would only include points scored by the offense, and defensive scoring would only include points given up by the defense.

Carry on.

I agree with your points on scoring and how presented.

At the end of the day there are 2 stats I really care about is points allowed and turnovers forced.....every other Def stat is window dressing and may support the point allowed.

(01-18-2020 02:55 AM)Hotrod829 Wrote:  

(01-17-2020 09:12 PM)Purple Wrote:  

(01-17-2020 12:30 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(01-17-2020 12:14 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-17-2020 12:10 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  Maybe, maybe not......but he sure was quick to throw him under the bus when as the numbers show, the defense actually improved. Defense and offense go hand in hand as we saw under Withers......if you cannot garner at least decent time of possession the defense will suffer.

I missed that. Could you show me where he was thrown under the bus? I had figured someone in the admin forced the change for whatever reason. I was not even 100% sure it was results on the field driven, but assumed that is likely the case.

Are you serious.....well last I checked The Great Mike Houston is the head coach for the East Carolina Pirates and as thus manages and maintains his staff. Mike Houston fired Bob Trott (oh i get it Mike Houston felt bad about it and all, that is his MO....he always feels very bad when it paints him in a bad light) even though the defense actually improved from the previous season.

I call it throwing someone under the bus.....when the performance improves and the boss fires you anyway.

It is just amusing to me, that to be as Great a man and coach as Mike Houston is......when something that does not paint him in a good light it is never his fault and folks come running to his defense.

- Fired coach Trott after 1 year --- not his fault
- Created a circus last year with his job search --- not his fault
- Came after committed JMU recuits --- not his fault
- Won 4 games (2 FCS, 1 win odu, 2 win UCONN) --- not his fault
- JMU/Harrisonburg rumors that speak to his character --- not his fault

Is anything ever Mike Houston's fault.

I agree. I am sick of the Houston apologists. He used us and continues to use anyone he can to get what he wants. He is as loyal as a rattlesnake.

Not really true. JMU hires him and extended him with clauses in his contract just in case he decided to leave. So even JMU knew it was a possibility after the NC. Trott is old school and what if Houston asked him to adjust his scheme for this level and personnel and Trott said no ? I was at the game va NC State and that defense was not good. Can't be mad that a coach we sought out came here, won and was sought after by FCS schools. Shoot we poached our last two coaches from FCS counterparts , how loyal were they when they left for same level of play?

I never faulted MH for leaving, more so the 'how' he did it.

(01-19-2020 04:38 PM)#20fromalongtimeago Wrote:  You mean like the last play of the game? Oh, never mind. Carry on.

Cig coached them to grab the facemask, Percy to trip on a likely touchdown and the refs to miss multiple calls including a illegal blindside block on NDSUs touchdown, holding on Green on several occassions etc. One play does not decide the game.

I support Cignetti and his staff and believe we upgraded from the previous staff and system. However, we got beat by NDSU and they are the better team in 2019. Yes, we got outcoached, outplayed, out executed and we lost. The time management at the end of the game was poor. We need to make tweaks to coaching but the foundation is there.

Brace yourself because I believe next year will be a better team. We may have had more talent in 2019 but our team will be better in 2020.
[/quote]

Loving that optimism! And, I agree. We were a damned fine football team in 2019, but I look for an even better squad in 2020. Of course, I'm a hopeless homer, so there's that.

And, whoever that Purple guy is, he rocks!

(01-20-2020 08:46 PM)bulldogg Wrote:  

(01-19-2020 04:38 PM)#20fromalongtimeago Wrote:  You mean like the last play of the game? Oh, never mind. Carry on.

Cig coached them to grab the facemask, Percy to trip on a likely touchdown and the refs to miss multiple calls including a illegal blindside block on NDSUs touchdown, holding on Green on several occassions etc. One play does not decide the game.

I support Cignetti and his staff and believe we upgraded from the previous staff and system. However, we got beat by NDSU and they are the better team in 2019. Yes, we got outcoached, outplayed, out executed and we lost. The time management at the end of the game was poor. We need to make tweaks to coaching but the foundation is there.

Brace yourself because I believe next year will be a better team. We may have had more talent in 2019 but our team will be better in 2020.

Loving that optimism! And, I agree. We were a damned fine football team in 2019, but I look for an even better squad in 2020. Of course, I'm a hopeless homer, so there's that.

And, whoever that Purple guy is, he rocks!
[/quote]

I'd be shocked if that was the case.

Somehow when I state the obvious it's as if to some I'm ripping on Cig. In reality I'm lowering the bar for him/giving him a mini pass for next season. Sorry - but the returning talent level and experience level is just not as good every year, and next year's returning team is not as strong as the prior 4 years. I'd project our regular season next year to be 9-3 or 10-2.

Now if we're not back to top (few) by the end of 2021 we'll have slipped a lot.

For 2019 I'll stand by the most talented team in JMU history lost to a NDSU team that was no more talented than we were.

(01-19-2020 04:38 PM)#20fromalongtimeago Wrote:  You mean like the last play of the game? Oh, never mind. Carry on.

Cig coached them to grab the facemask, Percy to trip on a likely touchdown and the refs to miss multiple calls including a illegal blindside block on NDSUs touchdown, holding on Green on several occassions etc. One play does not decide the game.

I support Cignetti and his staff and believe we upgraded from the previous staff and system. However, we got beat by NDSU and they are the better team in 2019. Yes, we got outcoached, outplayed, out executed and we lost. The time management at the end of the game was poor. We need to make tweaks to coaching but the foundation is there.

Brace yourself because I believe next year will be a better team. We may have had more talent in 2019 but our team will be better in 2020.
[/quote]

I agree with you for the most part. So many folks say that a team is only as good as their O-line, the upgrade in coach at that position cannot and should not be over looked. Wrobo is a fantastic coach and he is light years better than either of the last two O-line coaches Houston had. Hethermen is at least as good as Trott--I think he's better. Montgomery ran a sound offense this past season and I thought our offense operated much better in 2019 than it did under Donnie in 2017 or 2018. Cig doesn't give bombastic speeches and he doesn't say "Go Dukes" after every comment--so what? We had great results this year. We came up short in the Natty--bummer--it sucks--it happens. Time management needs to be improved, but like someone else said, that definitely was not Houston's strength either.

It remains to be seen if we'll be better next year. We need to find/develop a QB and WRs.