The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(10-24-2015 08:27 PM)Old Dominion Wrote:  Tonight is the first time I've seriously questioned BW and staff. I am now officially worried. I get having a very young team and just not being very good ( and deep), but some of the absolutely bush league calls and inexplicable runs on 3 and 6 have got me very concerned this staff may not be up to the task. The season is now more than half over and the team looks worse, not better. I'm afraid the D is worn out with 5 games left. We are in trouble. 4-8 or maybe 5-7 best case, maybe 3-9 worse case.

BN, I absolutely agree with you. To be on the goal line right before half and not get any points is just unacceptable. If we had scored there, even just 3, we put ourselves in position to tie or take the lead in the 3rd quarter.
The bizarre calls have been going on for awhile. I just don't get it.

Clemson, Ohio State and Michigan State makes it look so easy. How is it they beat everybody? Is it really the coach?

(10-25-2015 02:53 PM)ODUAlumni2015 Wrote:  Clemson, Ohio State and Michigan State makes it look so easy. How is it they beat everybody? Is it really the coach?

Sometimes it may be a key assistant.

The aforementioned schools have huge traditions, conference identities, and well known coaches. Consequently there is a substantial built in recruiting advantage.

However, you need only look at Michigan to see what a coach can do as well. Harbaugh has taken a program in shambles and made it more than respectable in one season, largely with the same players. Given his history and another season, UM will almost surely be a perennial top ten program.

Some coaches do it primarily with Jimmys and Joes, others with specific systems. Those that do it with both are obviously the most successful.

You need to have enough of a system to give your players a chance to reach their potential. [Monarchblue]

Because it is so recent, a good example of system is UNCC. The 49ers have a sophisticated, well developed offensive scheme. I don't believe their personnel are nearly as good as ours, even on their OL. However if the 49ers had any semblance of a consistent QB or even a Ray Lawry, they would, IMHO, rock.
As it is, with lesser personnel at almost every position, the Charlotte offense is every bit as good as ours, maybe better.

On the other hand,
We were the consummate example of great players with little or no system. For years in FCS we had better players at almost every position than any opponent, and we only needed to let them play. Now we are at FBS and don't have the personnel advantages, but we still, IMO, have no system.

I agree. I would add the defense does seem to be developing a system and identity. In the long run the D could be our calling card. The O, on the other hand, doesn't look much more than flag footballish. 3-4 staple plays and that's it. Charlotte clearly had a more sophisticated offense.

Hell, look at our bball team. Coaching can make a difference.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

(10-25-2015 12:19 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 08:15 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  I said it earlier, but at this point, I think it is worth repeating. Coaches don't fumble, and coaches don't throw interceptions. We were clearly in the game at half time -- moving the ball and only down two possessions. We score immediately to begin the second half, on what I suppose was ok play-calling. I know I am not the only one who was feeling really good about our chances at that point.

We then proceeded to turn the ball over three times in the second half, each turnover leading to points for FIU. (I am a little fuzzy on it now, but I think all three were TDs.) The players also failed to execute an absolutely wide open on-sides kick.

We can blame the coaches all day long (and there is some blame to be had there too), but in the end, the players on the field have to make plays, and execute without turning over the ball. That just did not happen. Ball security and execution -- failures in those two areas were the primary culprits in this loss.

I am not sure about the execution, as only the coaches know that for sure. What may easily be executed in practice may be nearly impossible to execute against what an opponent might present. That is not a failure of execution, but a failure of design. Players (and coaches alike) are expected to say things like "we need to execute better", and "we need to play with more pride and intensity". Such statements are what every player and many coaches say after a loss from every team in the country. Like coachspeak, playerspeak is to be taken with a grain of salt.

However, I DO know that three turnovers - 2 Fumbles and 1 INT - are not that excessive at our level, and certainly not enough to negate 500 yards of total offense.

C'mon. If every aspect of our offense AND special teams are not executing, then we either have:
a) the wrong personnel playing,
b) the plays themselves are inadequate, or not being taught
c) practices are not close enough to game-like conditions.
All of the above are on the coaches. I don't see motivation as an issue, YET, but if it were, that would also on the coaches.

I have long been concerned with "c" based on what I saw in the Spring and what I hear from BW.
Our QBs always seemed to have time to make a read, always seemed to have time to throw, always seemed to have receivers available with separation. That has not been the case in real life. There are ways to create real game-like conditions in practice.

Does anyone here remember Norview JV football and varsity swimming coach John Tigmo? He (along with Granby's Billy Martin) was one of the great teaching coaches ever. His JV football teams went undefeated in many seasons. His swimming teams were excellent even though he couldn't swim a stroke. He couldn't even safely go into water over his head.
His philosophy on execution was to run it until you could run it blindfolded. Mistakes weren't net with sprints and laps, they were met with repetitive drills over and fricken over. When you cannot always choose what players you have, you teach skills and force execution through repetition, making everything so reflexive there is no need to think.

Just sayin'

Having spent two summers and countless days and hours with ol man Martin ( Billy Martin Sr) training one on one with Wayne Martin with a video camera and ol man martin beating me with his crutches I could execute everything they taught me in the dark. Martin would say you do this 7000 times you'll never forget. To this day 20 years later and 125lb heavier I can still execute a beautiful Standing Granby. His philosophy was to drill it in to you 7000 times.

(10-25-2015 10:05 PM)AimHigh Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 12:19 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 08:15 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  I said it earlier, but at this point, I think it is worth repeating. Coaches don't fumble, and coaches don't throw interceptions. We were clearly in the game at half time -- moving the ball and only down two possessions. We score immediately to begin the second half, on what I suppose was ok play-calling. I know I am not the only one who was feeling really good about our chances at that point.

We then proceeded to turn the ball over three times in the second half, each turnover leading to points for FIU. (I am a little fuzzy on it now, but I think all three were TDs.) The players also failed to execute an absolutely wide open on-sides kick.

We can blame the coaches all day long (and there is some blame to be had there too), but in the end, the players on the field have to make plays, and execute without turning over the ball. That just did not happen. Ball security and execution -- failures in those two areas were the primary culprits in this loss.

I am not sure about the execution, as only the coaches know that for sure. What may easily be executed in practice may be nearly impossible to execute against what an opponent might present. That is not a failure of execution, but a failure of design. Players (and coaches alike) are expected to say things like "we need to execute better", and "we need to play with more pride and intensity". Such statements are what every player and many coaches say after a loss from every team in the country. Like coachspeak, playerspeak is to be taken with a grain of salt.

However, I DO know that three turnovers - 2 Fumbles and 1 INT - are not that excessive at our level, and certainly not enough to negate 500 yards of total offense.

C'mon. If every aspect of our offense AND special teams are not executing, then we either have:
a) the wrong personnel playing,
b) the plays themselves are inadequate, or not being taught
c) practices are not close enough to game-like conditions.
All of the above are on the coaches. I don't see motivation as an issue, YET, but if it were, that would also on the coaches.

I have long been concerned with "c" based on what I saw in the Spring and what I hear from BW.
Our QBs always seemed to have time to make a read, always seemed to have time to throw, always seemed to have receivers available with separation. That has not been the case in real life. There are ways to create real game-like conditions in practice.

Does anyone here remember Norview JV football and varsity swimming coach John Tigmo? He (along with Granby's Billy Martin) was one of the great teaching coaches ever. His JV football teams went undefeated in many seasons. His swimming teams were excellent even though he couldn't swim a stroke. He couldn't even safely go into water over his head.
His philosophy on execution was to run it until you could run it blindfolded. Mistakes weren't net with sprints and laps, they were met with repetitive drills over and fricken over. When you cannot always choose what players you have, you teach skills and force execution through repetition, making everything so reflexive there is no need to think.

Just sayin'

Having spent two summers and countless days and hours with ol man Martin ( Billy Martin Sr) training one on one with Wayne Martin with a video camera and ol man martin beating me with his crutches I could execute everything they taught me in the dark. Martin would say you do this 7000 times you'll never forget. To this day 20 years later and 125lb heavier I can still execute a beautiful Standing Granby. His philosophy was to drill it in to you 7000 times.

The only wrestling I ever did was in PE class, but Billy Sr was the teacher. Even there you could see that. I am not particularly literate with regard to wrestling, but I enjoyed going to the the meets and as a GHS grad, I appreciated growing up with that tradition.

I know from my own martial arts experience that a good grappler beats a good striker almost every time.

Sidearm issued a full refund for that awful broadcast feed.

(10-25-2015 10:33 PM)AimHigh Wrote:  Sidearm issued a full refund for that awful broadcast feed.

Yes..and awful announcers..lol

(10-25-2015 08:04 PM)Cr8n Wrote:  Hell, look at our bball team. Coaching can make a difference.

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Look at Michigan for a football example.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

(10-25-2015 09:07 AM)Old Dominion Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 08:15 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  I said it earlier, but at this point, I think it is worth repeating. Coaches don't fumble, and coaches don't throw interceptions. We were clearly in the game at half time -- moving the ball and only down two possessions. We score immediately to begin the second half, on what I suppose was ok play-calling. I know I am not the only one who was feeling really good about our chances at that point.

We then proceeded to turn the ball over three times in the second half, each turnover leading to points for FIU. (I am a little fuzzy on it now, but I think all three were TDs.) The players also failed to execute an absolutely wide open on-sides kick.

We can blame the coaches all day long (and there is some blame to be had there too), but in the end, the players on the field have to make plays, and execute without turning over the ball. That just did not happen. Ball security and execution -- failures in those two areas were the primary culprits in this loss.

Do you see turnovers and lack of execution as a talent problem, focus problem or inexperience problem ( possibly related to focus)?

Hell of a good question, and while I am pretty sure I don't have the answer, I don't think it is a talent or inexperience problem. My guess is that it is a matter of focus, and of course, that is a reflection on the coaching. In a general sense, I just don't think the coaches had this team ready to go, for whatever reason.

I think I stated in an earlier thread that -- if we have a turnover problem, it would not be Lawry but would most likely be DW. We have to remember, that as a QB, he is just as much a newbie to FBS football as r/s freshman Bentley. It was almost guranteed that he would throw an int, and he tends to carry the ball loosely when scrambling -- an invitation for a turnover. These are both flaws that are coachable/fixable. Of course, with his injury, we are back to SB for the Hilltoppers.

(10-25-2015 10:05 PM)AimHigh Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 12:19 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 08:15 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  I said it earlier, but at this point, I think it is worth repeating. Coaches don't fumble, and coaches don't throw interceptions. We were clearly in the game at half time -- moving the ball and only down two possessions. We score immediately to begin the second half, on what I suppose was ok play-calling. I know I am not the only one who was feeling really good about our chances at that point.

We then proceeded to turn the ball over three times in the second half, each turnover leading to points for FIU. (I am a little fuzzy on it now, but I think all three were TDs.) The players also failed to execute an absolutely wide open on-sides kick.

We can blame the coaches all day long (and there is some blame to be had there too), but in the end, the players on the field have to make plays, and execute without turning over the ball. That just did not happen. Ball security and execution -- failures in those two areas were the primary culprits in this loss.

I am not sure about the execution, as only the coaches know that for sure. What may easily be executed in practice may be nearly impossible to execute against what an opponent might present. That is not a failure of execution, but a failure of design. Players (and coaches alike) are expected to say things like "we need to execute better", and "we need to play with more pride and intensity". Such statements are what every player and many coaches say after a loss from every team in the country. Like coachspeak, playerspeak is to be taken with a grain of salt.

However, I DO know that three turnovers - 2 Fumbles and 1 INT - are not that excessive at our level, and certainly not enough to negate 500 yards of total offense.

C'mon. If every aspect of our offense AND special teams are not executing, then we either have:
a) the wrong personnel playing,
b) the plays themselves are inadequate, or not being taught
c) practices are not close enough to game-like conditions.
All of the above are on the coaches. I don't see motivation as an issue, YET, but if it were, that would also on the coaches.

I have long been concerned with "c" based on what I saw in the Spring and what I hear from BW.
Our QBs always seemed to have time to make a read, always seemed to have time to throw, always seemed to have receivers available with separation. That has not been the case in real life. There are ways to create real game-like conditions in practice.

Does anyone here remember Norview JV football and varsity swimming coach John Tigmo? He (along with Granby's Billy Martin) was one of the great teaching coaches ever. His JV football teams went undefeated in many seasons. His swimming teams were excellent even though he couldn't swim a stroke. He couldn't even safely go into water over his head.
His philosophy on execution was to run it until you could run it blindfolded. Mistakes weren't net with sprints and laps, they were met with repetitive drills over and fricken over. When you cannot always choose what players you have, you teach skills and force execution through repetition, making everything so reflexive there is no need to think.

Just sayin'

Having spent two summers and countless days and hours with ol man Martin ( Billy Martin Sr) training one on one with Wayne Martin with a video camera and ol man martin beating me with his crutches I could execute everything they taught me in the dark. Martin would say you do this 7000 times you'll never forget. To this day 20 years later and 125lb heavier I can still execute a beautiful Standing Granby. His philosophy was to drill it in to you 7000 times.

Three turnovers are always excessive -- at any level. I don't think there is a head coach anywhere that would not agree. But in this case you also have to add in the failed onside kick, where failure to execute was essentially a fourth turnover. You just cannot expect to survive giving up four scores that way.

This was one of those days when there was plenty of blame to go around -- players and coaches alike.

For all that are giving up on the season, that sounds to me an awful lot like the fans you question because they leave a game early. My challenge to all who would be jumping ship -- now is the time to rally around this team and give them all of our support. If you would not leave a game early, don't leave the season early!

I'm starting to worry that the kids are going to start losing faith in the coaches. To know that we could have attempted a fg at the end of the half or try a quick pass and still had time for a fg would have kept us mentally in the game. Had we scored 3 or 7 there the kids mindset going into the half would have been different.

I also think if Wilder is going to talk about how young we are, he has to allow these youngsters room to make mistakes. Is Bentley not throwing the ball downfield because he is afraid of throwing a pick? Is Ray going to be less aggressive hitting the hole afraid of fumbling and being benched?

(10-25-2015 12:19 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 08:15 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  I said it earlier, but at this point, I think it is worth repeating. Coaches don't fumble, and coaches don't throw interceptions. We were clearly in the game at half time -- moving the ball and only down two possessions. We score immediately to begin the second half, on what I suppose was ok play-calling. I know I am not the only one who was feeling really good about our chances at that point.

We then proceeded to turn the ball over three times in the second half, each turnover leading to points for FIU. (I am a little fuzzy on it now, but I think all three were TDs.) The players also failed to execute an absolutely wide open on-sides kick.

We can blame the coaches all day long (and there is some blame to be had there too), but in the end, the players on the field have to make plays, and execute without turning over the ball. That just did not happen. Ball security and execution -- failures in those two areas were the primary culprits in this loss.

I am not sure about the execution, as only the coaches know that for sure. What may easily be executed in practice may be nearly impossible to execute against what an opponent might present. That is not a failure of execution, but a failure of design. Players (and coaches alike) are expected to say things like "we need to execute better", and "we need to play with more pride and intensity". Such statements are what every player and many coaches say after a loss from every team in the country. Like coachspeak, playerspeak is to be taken with a grain of salt.

However, I DO know that three turnovers - 2 Fumbles and 1 INT - are not that excessive at our level, and certainly not enough to negate 500 yards of total offense.

C'mon. If every aspect of our offense AND special teams are not executing, then we either have:
a) the wrong personnel playing,
b) the plays themselves are inadequate, or not being taught
c) practices are not close enough to game-like conditions.
All of the above are on the coaches. I don't see motivation as an issue, YET, but if it were, that would also on the coaches.

I have long been concerned with "c" based on what I saw in the Spring and what I hear from BW.
Our QBs always seemed to have time to make a read, always seemed to have time to throw, always seemed to have receivers available with separation. That has not been the case in real life. There are ways to create real game-like conditions in practice.

Does anyone here remember Norview JV football and varsity swimming coach John Tigmo? He (along with Granby's Billy Martin) was one of the great teaching coaches ever. His JV football teams went undefeated in many seasons. His swimming teams were excellent even though he couldn't swim a stroke. He couldn't even safely go into water over his head.
His philosophy on execution was to run it until you could run it blindfolded. Mistakes weren't net with sprints and laps, they were met with repetitive drills over and fricken over. When you cannot always choose what players you have, you teach skills and force execution through repetition, making everything so reflexive there is no need to think.

Just sayin'

Wow, I remember Coach Tigmo. Nicest guy in the world, but really made you work for it. His son swam for ODU and is now with NCIS, last I heard.

(10-26-2015 09:04 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 10:05 PM)AimHigh Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 12:19 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 08:15 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  I said it earlier, but at this point, I think it is worth repeating. Coaches don't fumble, and coaches don't throw interceptions. We were clearly in the game at half time -- moving the ball and only down two possessions. We score immediately to begin the second half, on what I suppose was ok play-calling. I know I am not the only one who was feeling really good about our chances at that point.

We then proceeded to turn the ball over three times in the second half, each turnover leading to points for FIU. (I am a little fuzzy on it now, but I think all three were TDs.) The players also failed to execute an absolutely wide open on-sides kick.

We can blame the coaches all day long (and there is some blame to be had there too), but in the end, the players on the field have to make plays, and execute without turning over the ball. That just did not happen. Ball security and execution -- failures in those two areas were the primary culprits in this loss.

I am not sure about the execution, as only the coaches know that for sure. What may easily be executed in practice may be nearly impossible to execute against what an opponent might present. That is not a failure of execution, but a failure of design. Players (and coaches alike) are expected to say things like "we need to execute better", and "we need to play with more pride and intensity". Such statements are what every player and many coaches say after a loss from every team in the country. Like coachspeak, playerspeak is to be taken with a grain of salt.

However, I DO know that three turnovers - 2 Fumbles and 1 INT - are not that excessive at our level, and certainly not enough to negate 500 yards of total offense.

C'mon. If every aspect of our offense AND special teams are not executing, then we either have:
a) the wrong personnel playing,
b) the plays themselves are inadequate, or not being taught
c) practices are not close enough to game-like conditions.
All of the above are on the coaches. I don't see motivation as an issue, YET, but if it were, that would also on the coaches.

I have long been concerned with "c" based on what I saw in the Spring and what I hear from BW.
Our QBs always seemed to have time to make a read, always seemed to have time to throw, always seemed to have receivers available with separation. That has not been the case in real life. There are ways to create real game-like conditions in practice.

Does anyone here remember Norview JV football and varsity swimming coach John Tigmo? He (along with Granby's Billy Martin) was one of the great teaching coaches ever. His JV football teams went undefeated in many seasons. His swimming teams were excellent even though he couldn't swim a stroke. He couldn't even safely go into water over his head.
His philosophy on execution was to run it until you could run it blindfolded. Mistakes weren't net with sprints and laps, they were met with repetitive drills over and fricken over. When you cannot always choose what players you have, you teach skills and force execution through repetition, making everything so reflexive there is no need to think.

Just sayin'

Having spent two summers and countless days and hours with ol man Martin ( Billy Martin Sr) training one on one with Wayne Martin with a video camera and ol man martin beating me with his crutches I could execute everything they taught me in the dark. Martin would say you do this 7000 times you'll never forget. To this day 20 years later and 125lb heavier I can still execute a beautiful Standing Granby. His philosophy was to drill it in to you 7000 times.

Three turnovers are always excessive -- at any level. I don't think there is a head coach anywhere that would not agree. But in this case you also have to add in the failed onside kick, where failure to execute was essentially a fourth turnover. You just cannot expect to survive giving up four scores that way.

This was one of those days when there was plenty of blame to go around -- players and coaches alike.

For all that are giving up on the season, that sounds to me an awful lot like the fans you question because they leave a game early. My challenge to all who would be jumping ship -- now is the time to rally around this team and give them all of our support. If you would not leave a game early, don't leave the season early!

To be accurate, the INT and one fumble led to TDs. The 2nd fumble was a wash as we got a fumble back.

Additionally, any change of possession on downs is a turnover as well. We do a lot of that.

I don't believe that we blame lack of execution on not recovering the onside. That play at any level is a crap shoot and succeeds far less than 50% of the time.

Personally, I thought we would only win four, App being the fourth, so this is about where I expected us to be.
However, as others have noted, it is the way we are losing and the extent to which we are losing that is quite frankly shocking.

The Charlotte game really opened my eyes.
We have a 4 star QB, an all conference RB, and and FBS (albeit young) caliber offensive linemen and receivers.
Charlotte has mostly FCS caliber players right now. Charlotte has a serious QB problem. And yet, their offense is sophisticated and crisp.

That offense out-gained us 536 to 482.
That offense had an over 10 minute time of possession advantage on us that cannot be blamed on the Heinicke quick strike.
That offense, like ours vs FIU, had 3 turnovers, yet somehow managed to score 34 points.

The realization that we likely won't win another game is not "giving up on the season", it is sound reasoning.

(10-26-2015 09:04 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 10:05 PM)AimHigh Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 12:19 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 08:15 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  I said it earlier, but at this point, I think it is worth repeating. Coaches don't fumble, and coaches don't throw interceptions. We were clearly in the game at half time -- moving the ball and only down two possessions. We score immediately to begin the second half, on what I suppose was ok play-calling. I know I am not the only one who was feeling really good about our chances at that point.

We then proceeded to turn the ball over three times in the second half, each turnover leading to points for FIU. (I am a little fuzzy on it now, but I think all three were TDs.) The players also failed to execute an absolutely wide open on-sides kick.

We can blame the coaches all day long (and there is some blame to be had there too), but in the end, the players on the field have to make plays, and execute without turning over the ball. That just did not happen. Ball security and execution -- failures in those two areas were the primary culprits in this loss.

I am not sure about the execution, as only the coaches know that for sure. What may easily be executed in practice may be nearly impossible to execute against what an opponent might present. That is not a failure of execution, but a failure of design. Players (and coaches alike) are expected to say things like "we need to execute better", and "we need to play with more pride and intensity". Such statements are what every player and many coaches say after a loss from every team in the country. Like coachspeak, playerspeak is to be taken with a grain of salt.

However, I DO know that three turnovers - 2 Fumbles and 1 INT - are not that excessive at our level, and certainly not enough to negate 500 yards of total offense.

C'mon. If every aspect of our offense AND special teams are not executing, then we either have:
a) the wrong personnel playing,
b) the plays themselves are inadequate, or not being taught
c) practices are not close enough to game-like conditions.
All of the above are on the coaches. I don't see motivation as an issue, YET, but if it were, that would also on the coaches.

I have long been concerned with "c" based on what I saw in the Spring and what I hear from BW.
Our QBs always seemed to have time to make a read, always seemed to have time to throw, always seemed to have receivers available with separation. That has not been the case in real life. There are ways to create real game-like conditions in practice.

Does anyone here remember Norview JV football and varsity swimming coach John Tigmo? He (along with Granby's Billy Martin) was one of the great teaching coaches ever. His JV football teams went undefeated in many seasons. His swimming teams were excellent even though he couldn't swim a stroke. He couldn't even safely go into water over his head.
His philosophy on execution was to run it until you could run it blindfolded. Mistakes weren't net with sprints and laps, they were met with repetitive drills over and fricken over. When you cannot always choose what players you have, you teach skills and force execution through repetition, making everything so reflexive there is no need to think.

Just sayin'

Having spent two summers and countless days and hours with ol man Martin ( Billy Martin Sr) training one on one with Wayne Martin with a video camera and ol man martin beating me with his crutches I could execute everything they taught me in the dark. Martin would say you do this 7000 times you'll never forget. To this day 20 years later and 125lb heavier I can still execute a beautiful Standing Granby. His philosophy was to drill it in to you 7000 times.

Three turnovers are always excessive -- at any level. I don't think there is a head coach anywhere that would not agree. But in this case you also have to add in the failed onside kick, where failure to execute was essentially a fourth turnover. You just cannot expect to survive giving up four scores that way.

This was one of those days when there was plenty of blame to go around -- players and coaches alike.

For all that are giving up on the season, that sounds to me an awful lot like the fans you question because they leave a game early. My challenge to all who would be jumping ship -- now is the time to rally around this team and give them all of our support. If you would not leave a game early, don't leave the season early!

100% agree. I would also add, if you quit on the team, don't come here to ***** and complain.

(10-26-2015 09:21 AM)reagan Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 12:19 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-25-2015 08:15 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  I said it earlier, but at this point, I think it is worth repeating. Coaches don't fumble, and coaches don't throw interceptions. We were clearly in the game at half time -- moving the ball and only down two possessions. We score immediately to begin the second half, on what I suppose was ok play-calling. I know I am not the only one who was feeling really good about our chances at that point.

We then proceeded to turn the ball over three times in the second half, each turnover leading to points for FIU. (I am a little fuzzy on it now, but I think all three were TDs.) The players also failed to execute an absolutely wide open on-sides kick.

We can blame the coaches all day long (and there is some blame to be had there too), but in the end, the players on the field have to make plays, and execute without turning over the ball. That just did not happen. Ball security and execution -- failures in those two areas were the primary culprits in this loss.

I am not sure about the execution, as only the coaches know that for sure. What may easily be executed in practice may be nearly impossible to execute against what an opponent might present. That is not a failure of execution, but a failure of design. Players (and coaches alike) are expected to say things like "we need to execute better", and "we need to play with more pride and intensity". Such statements are what every player and many coaches say after a loss from every team in the country. Like coachspeak, playerspeak is to be taken with a grain of salt.

However, I DO know that three turnovers - 2 Fumbles and 1 INT - are not that excessive at our level, and certainly not enough to negate 500 yards of total offense.

C'mon. If every aspect of our offense AND special teams are not executing, then we either have:
a) the wrong personnel playing,
b) the plays themselves are inadequate, or not being taught
c) practices are not close enough to game-like conditions.
All of the above are on the coaches. I don't see motivation as an issue, YET, but if it were, that would also on the coaches.

I have long been concerned with "c" based on what I saw in the Spring and what I hear from BW.
Our QBs always seemed to have time to make a read, always seemed to have time to throw, always seemed to have receivers available with separation. That has not been the case in real life. There are ways to create real game-like conditions in practice.

Does anyone here remember Norview JV football and varsity swimming coach John Tigmo? He (along with Granby's Billy Martin) was one of the great teaching coaches ever. His JV football teams went undefeated in many seasons. His swimming teams were excellent even though he couldn't swim a stroke. He couldn't even safely go into water over his head.
His philosophy on execution was to run it until you could run it blindfolded. Mistakes weren't net with sprints and laps, they were met with repetitive drills over and fricken over. When you cannot always choose what players you have, you teach skills and force execution through repetition, making everything so reflexive there is no need to think.

Just sayin'

Wow, I remember Coach Tigmo. Nicest guy in the world, but really made you work for it. His son swam for ODU and is now with NCIS, last I heard.

Incredible coach. I seriously meant it when I can only honestly compare him with the great Billy Martin Sr.
His son Johnny was a class act as well, and yeah I heard NIS -> NCIS as well. I haven't heard anything of his sister but she was nice too.

(10-25-2015 01:11 AM)TheDancinMonarch Wrote:  

(10-24-2015 08:27 PM)Old Dominion Wrote:  Tonight is the first time I've seriously questioned BW and staff. I am now officially worried. I get having a very young team and just not being very good ( and deep), but some of the absolutely bush league calls and inexplicable runs on 3 and 6 have got me very concerned this staff may not be up to the task. The season is now more than half over and the team looks worse, not better. I'm afraid the D is worn out with 5 games left. We are in trouble. 4-8 or maybe 5-7 best case, maybe 3-9 worse case.

He was hired to create an FCS football program and he did an outstanding job. But everyone seemed to want to go FBS. So maybe we need an FBS capable coach for that step.

Ahead of my time I guess.