This - and ask Jerry Moore at App about that lifetime gig thing. Even worse, I understand that unlike Coach Moore in his THREE NC seasons, Coach Matthews was a bit of an absentee coach during his NC year.

Hotrod, I recognize you're one key NC player who has good things to say about Coach Matthews. However, one of your teammates told me many times that he was not nearly as engaged with the day-to-day running of practice and operational oversight in 2004 as he had been previously because of Clayton's injury. As a result, Curt Newsome really ran the program during the NC year and ironically it and 1999 were the only years or Mickey's tenure that the Dukes exceeded expectations on the field.

It's easy to get all misty-eyed about 2008, but the Dukes' expected to win the title that year, but only got as far as they did because of closer than expected victories (Wofford in the second round of the playoffs), and miracle finishes (Nova and UR during the regular season). As a result, a bad bounce here and there could have led to another 7-4/8-3 type season. So while 12-2 and the top seed in the playoffs were great accomplishments, the fact is that the Ticks won the NC that year, adding to the disappointment of that season. And of course, we know about the sustained mediocrity since then.

So from my perspective, the success of years 1 and 5-10 had run its course and it was time to go in a different direction. Am more than willing to give Coach Withers a chance, but will be equally concerned if he and the new staff produce another 7-5/6-6 FCS season in 2014. To he who much has been given, much is expected.

(01-21-2014 09:56 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(01-21-2014 09:49 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  I find it funny that the staunchest MM supporters are now the most critical of Withers.

Shoe is on the other foot.

Exactly, and at this point for no reason - he is 0-0.

MM got a year longer than he should have out of respect to get the ship turned around but could not get it done. Whether it was recruiting, in-game coaching, game planning/preperation, passion, love of the WR end-around or a combination of all MM did not get it done period and is gone.

I guess some folks feel winning a championship 10 years ago gives you a lifetime gig.