(10-12-2019 03:39 PM)falconplucker Wrote:  

(10-12-2019 03:26 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  Wins a MAC Championship against a surprise entry in Akron, but then loses the resulting bowl game...underachieves to a 7-win season, which included a loss in the resulting bowl game...now, with 6 games to go, has the team at 4-2 but lost to one of the worst teams in FBS (remember: Kent State scored 60+ on these guys). Would another 7-win (or even 8-win) season and bowl loss be considered acceptable if we aren't at least in the MAC championship game? Has "good enough" become "good enough" around here? I am trying to gauge where the fan base is with Candle. I'm sure the players love him...and his staff better love him since he has been more lenient than I think other head coaches would have been with them. But is the fan base getting concerned with his inability to build a program that at least flirts with being in the top 25?

It just seems that that his teams take 2 steps forward and 1 back. He certainly recruits well. The wins at Colorado State, BYU, and Western were nice, but he layed an egg today. He was out coached today. I'll give it to BG. They had not run their QBs much at all this year, but made an intentional effort to do so today. You can tell the coaches did not have the defense ready for it, and a running qb has been the Candle Achilles heel. Don't get me wrong, this was a team loss. Lines didn't block, lines didn't tackle, a freshman kicker looked like a freshman kicker, and 2 botched kick returns. But that is also preparation, which comes down to coaching. I'm still looking for the season that says, Candle is for real. Unfortunately, his winning may be enough to keep him around. Hopefully someone will sign him away.

Those botched kickoff are something that happens in Pop Warner ball. All they had to do is raise their hand and we get the ball on the 25

(10-13-2019 11:23 AM)Babes boy Wrote:  

(10-12-2019 03:39 PM)falconplucker Wrote:  

(10-12-2019 03:26 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  Wins a MAC Championship against a surprise entry in Akron, but then loses the resulting bowl game...underachieves to a 7-win season, which included a loss in the resulting bowl game...now, with 6 games to go, has the team at 4-2 but lost to one of the worst teams in FBS (remember: Kent State scored 60+ on these guys). Would another 7-win (or even 8-win) season and bowl loss be considered acceptable if we aren't at least in the MAC championship game? Has "good enough" become "good enough" around here? I am trying to gauge where the fan base is with Candle. I'm sure the players love him...and his staff better love him since he has been more lenient than I think other head coaches would have been with them. But is the fan base getting concerned with his inability to build a program that at least flirts with being in the top 25?

It just seems that that his teams take 2 steps forward and 1 back. He certainly recruits well. The wins at Colorado State, BYU, and Western were nice, but he layed an egg today. He was out coached today. I'll give it to BG. They had not run their QBs much at all this year, but made an intentional effort to do so today. You can tell the coaches did not have the defense ready for it, and a running qb has been the Candle Achilles heel. Don't get me wrong, this was a team loss. Lines didn't block, lines didn't tackle, a freshman kicker looked like a freshman kicker, and 2 botched kick returns. But that is also preparation, which comes down to coaching. I'm still looking for the season that says, Candle is for real. Unfortunately, his winning may be enough to keep him around. Hopefully someone will sign him away.

Those botched kickoff are something that happens in Pop Warner ball. All they had to do is raise their hand and we get the ball on the 25

I was thinking the same thing...has any other college team in history dropped 2 kick returns inside the 2- yard line in the same game? Was the sun looking like it could be a problem on kickoffs (for us anyway)? If so, why weren’t returners told to stand at the 5 yard line (instead of the goal line) & just let the ball bounce into the end zone if it was over their head?

On the FG attempts...Davis missed one against Western, too. I still think he’ll be a good points producer over his career, and I’m guessing the block played with his head on his miss. I think Kovacs has been the holder all season—have we switched snappers the last couple games?

And Cluckey has done a great job filling in at punter—I don’t hold the blocked punt against him.

Why does Candle have such difficulty getting his team ready to play? You could see a difference on the first drive of the game.

This loss, the loss to OU in Athens, The 2nd Bowl Game against App St., just a few examples of where Candle's teams were unprepared.

Was extremely disappointed in the statements that I read, I don't hear/see Candle taking responsibility.

I would have liked to have seen, "This is on me and my coaching staff, obviously we did not have our team prepared", but I didn't hear/see any of that.

Bump.

Just watched the tape of Candle’s post-game interview.

He said repeatedly that this is on him, that it’s his fault the team hasn’t performed. When asked if he feels greater expectations because he’s the highest paid MAC coach, he kinda briefly smirks and his response implies that he doesn’t feel the money should be a factor. So given those 2 things, I think he should give UT some money back.

Yes, it is about him and yes he should have made some coaching changes. No, it's not about the money and no, he shouldn't give any back.

But this kind of collapse isn't about money and it isn't about coaching ability or play-calling. With our recruiting level, I believe any 40 on the team should have been more competitive than what has been seen last two games. Got to be more to it.

Obviously someone on the staff can’t coach. And unfortunately it appears that it includes the entire staff. Well I can say our pass coverage has looked better but with the rest of the team’s problems it doesn’t matter if we can cover or not. These guys can’t coach. Great recruiters at least on paper but we all know that the * is a crap shoot unless you’re talking about the top of the class

We need to start by getting rid of the offensive line coach, another DIII Mount Union guy.

Obviously it goes deeper than that, though. This complete implosion has even gotten down to the place kicker. I don't think O'Brien has the interest or power to make Candle replace coaches. With three more years on his contract after this season, and a million plus buyout, Candle may have little incentive to listen to O'Brien who is probably just trying to get a few more years on his retirement package before he exits.

Important note. UT is about to go in a big fundraising push. And MOB and Nottke (heir apparent??) are on the board. Football is key to that on a lot of levels. That million dollars is not as large if true issues exist in the program



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That there is an "heir apparent" if true is a problem same as it was during football coaching searches. There should be NO presumed rise in ranks in these positions. Not only is it stupid, it's illegal and given the lineages available, in a broad definition it's nepotistic and hence, racist. I think that has to be clear WAY before any search so that there is not even a hint of attempt. "In-house" is a very good way to hold back any failing system. How can anyone with any sense presume those that helped create or let a system fail, are the ones to fix it? Without at least SOME outside talent brought in.

smh.

The next guy in line may be very capable, but it's always about finding potential and the most capable. A truly good system is not afraid to adapt to the new if the new has a experiences not seen in-house and has potential.

I just realized if we fire Candle now, his replacement would probably be Brian George. Pass.

I just said in another post that I believe the problem is coaching. I hope Candle stays. Who else would we hire? I think Brian George is a viable candidate, but, we need a clean slate if Candle goes. Maybe we can convince Dan Enos formally of CMU? He's an offensive guru.

I believe the proper spelling or use of the word would be formerly. Either way, Dan Enos is not a bad choice.

At halftime down in Muncie, I spotted some of the coaches heading up to the press tower... I yelled “ Get it together coach “ - loud enough for them and anyone in close proximity could hear... Of course they kept on going, but a parent of a Rocket player came over and we struck up a pretty interesting conversation up until the second half kickoff... He basically said that the entire staff needs to go... Lack of discipline was a major issue and the buddy thing of past hires needs to be stopped... Also saying, that this staff as a whole is under qualified on so many levels and that the head man JC will always let his arrogance and pride supercede what needs to be done now, and that is to be making future changes that will benefit the program...

(10-20-2019 01:05 PM)Michigan Rocket Wrote:  I just said in another post that I believe the problem is coaching. I hope Candle stays. Who else would we hire? I think Brian George is a viable candidate, but, we need a clean slate if Candle goes. Maybe we can convince Dan Enos formally of CMU? He's an offensive guru.

If we fire Candle and promote George to permanent HC, they might as well make the Glass Bowl free admission next season because nobody will buy tickets

(10-20-2019 01:44 PM)FMRocket Wrote:  At halftime down in Muncie, I spotted some of the coaches heading up to the press tower... I yelled “ Get it together coach “ - loud enough for them and anyone in close proximity could hear... Of course they kept on going, but a parent of a Rocket player came over and we struck up a pretty interesting conversation up until the second half kickoff... He basically said that the entire staff needs to go... Lack of discipline was a major issue and the buddy thing of past hires needs to be stopped... Also saying, that this staff as a whole is under qualified on so many levels and that the head man JC will always let his arrogance and pride supersede what needs to be done now, that is to be making future changes that will benefit the program...

That’s pretty telling...sounds as though the players aren’t buying in. I want to know what went down internally over the last 2 weeks that caused this team to go in the tank. In the 1st half, I noticed, what looked like a tense conversation on the sideline between Candle and Bryce Mitchell...after Mitchell was overthrown on a long ball. Not sure what was said, but after Candle turned away, Mitchell threw his helmet on the ground. That seems pretty out of character for Mitchell...and not something that would happen with a coach who has the players respect. Could have just been a bad moment for both...may mean absolutely nothing, but made me wonder what the heck is going on.

A previous HC post Pinkle said to ‘never hire your friends”. The FB staff can not expect UT to do much better than we have with facilities, support, fund raising, etc.
Coach’em up boys!

Candle is a GENIUS!!!

With this loss, ESPN removed us from Mobile against you know who and now projects us in the Boca Bowl against N. Texas. FINALLY, something new.



Life is sweet(er).

Is Candle still calling the plays for our offense? We were at like 3rd and a short 1 to go. Instead of a QB keeper or simply handing of to one of our backs. We throw a thirty yard pass. That’s just poor play calling. Later In the 2nd half we finally started moving the ball some. But that wasn’t till we started using some short passes instead of trying for the homerun every other play. And what about Finn. That kid looks really good to me. Give him the start next week. It sure can’t be any worse than what has been going on the past two games. Bring back Spence for the OC

(10-20-2019 04:49 PM)Babes boy Wrote:  Is Candle still calling the plays for our offense? We were at like 3rd and a short 1 to go. Instead of a QB keeper or simply handing of to one of our backs. We throw a thirty yard pass. That’s just poor play calling. Later In the 2nd half we finally started moving the ball some. But that wasn’t till we started using some short passes instead of trying for the homerun every other play. And what about Finn. That kid looks really good to me. Give him the start next week. It sure can’t be any worse than what has been going on the past two games. Bring back Spence for the OC

Rob Spence(the mad scientist of football/play calling).
At least he would demand perfection along with discipline...

(10-20-2019 04:57 PM)FMRocket Wrote:  

(10-20-2019 04:49 PM)Babes boy Wrote:  Is Candle still calling the plays for our offense? We were at like 3rd and a short 1 to go. Instead of a QB keeper or simply handing of to one of our backs. We throw a thirty yard pass. That’s just poor play calling. Later In the 2nd half we finally started moving the ball some. But that wasn’t till we started using some short passes instead of trying for the homerun every other play. And what about Finn. That kid looks really good to me. Give him the start next week. It sure can’t be any worse than what has been going on the past two games. Bring back Spence for the OC

Rob Spence(the mad scientist of football/play calling).
At least he would demand perfection along with discipline...

The Campbell / Candle / Wright offense don't have a quarterback sneak in the package. As I recall, one of them was asked about this before, and the answer was something like they would then have to have the quarterbacks practice taking snaps under center, and they had no plans to do that ... wasted practice time or something like that. I could be misremembering.

At any rate, the OL did not demonstrate the ability to pick up 1 yard all game, so not sure that would have helped. I think they figured the pass play at least had a slight chance of catching BSU off-guard (pun intended.)