In 3 years, HCSF has amassed 3 losing seasons (12 wins in 20 games). 3 wins coming from non-conference warm up games. Out of the rest (all B1G), he has beaten 2 teams with a winning record (albeit both in his first year vs MSU and Minn, who both ended up 7-6 overall with losing records in the B1G). HCSF is averaging 3 B1G wins per year.
He has no quality wins. I've been tracking players and stats for all 3 years and have posted my take on those throughout, but that really doesn't matter at this point I think. At the end of the day, it is about the wins and losses and what happens on the field.
3 years in, I have to give him a D-. He doesn't get an F because I think he has recruited well. It isn't higher because many of his most highly touted recruits have left or been a bust. Jury is still out on some.
I think his coaching ability speaks for itself at this point. His teams show up unprepared to play, make the same mistakes over and over again, and simply don't seem to have what it takes at this level to win. To me, that is all on the head coach. He isn't making the changes that need to be made. He isn't getting the most out of his staff. He isn't getting the most out of his players.
He will still be here next year and most likely the year after simply because of who he is and what he has meant to the program in the past. But make no mistake, he hasn't earned these extra years he is going to get because he certainly has not achieved anything on the field to deserve more.
I hope he can turn it around, I really do. Flip whatever switch he needs to flip and start winning, but it is hard to see how he can keep recruiting at a high level but not producing on the field.
You might ask what I would have considered a passing grade over 3 years? I would say at least 1 or 2 signature wins, clear signs of progress forward and probably at least 1 bowl game.
He has no quality wins. I've been tracking players and stats for all 3 years and have posted my take on those throughout, but that really doesn't matter at this point I think. At the end of the day, it is about the wins and losses and what happens on the field.
3 years in, I have to give him a D-. He doesn't get an F because I think he has recruited well. It isn't higher because many of his most highly touted recruits have left or been a bust. Jury is still out on some.
I think his coaching ability speaks for itself at this point. His teams show up unprepared to play, make the same mistakes over and over again, and simply don't seem to have what it takes at this level to win. To me, that is all on the head coach. He isn't making the changes that need to be made. He isn't getting the most out of his staff. He isn't getting the most out of his players.
He will still be here next year and most likely the year after simply because of who he is and what he has meant to the program in the past. But make no mistake, he hasn't earned these extra years he is going to get because he certainly has not achieved anything on the field to deserve more.
I hope he can turn it around, I really do. Flip whatever switch he needs to flip and start winning, but it is hard to see how he can keep recruiting at a high level but not producing on the field.
You might ask what I would have considered a passing grade over 3 years? I would say at least 1 or 2 signature wins, clear signs of progress forward and probably at least 1 bowl game.