I'm not happy with the results and I'm not happy with what's happened on the field, but hitting the reset button now isn't the answer.
There has been a lot out of coaches hands.
Riley can't control the current culture but can keep working to change it. No question bo ruled with fear. Riley prefers positive reinforcement and allowing kids to make decisions, guiding them to do the right thing. Giving someone freedom, who is used to being ruled by fear, can be tough. Sometimes people thrive, sometimes they don't know what to do and wish someone would just tell them. There will likely be 40-45 new faces on the team next fall (30 scholarships and 10-15 walk-ons). Changing the culture didn't happen over night, but could happen soon.
The roster isn't Riley's fault. Granted, I thought (and still think) this team was talented enough to win 10 games. No qbs fit the system, despite good talent no rbs were developed behind Abdullah, the top 8 wrs include 2 walk-ons and 3 high school qbs, there were 17 scholarship linemen and apparently only 1 can play tackle. On defense, the top 4 ends include 2 walk-ons and a tight end (and probably a d tackle), only 4 returning scholarship lbs and only 1 who played at all last year.
Injuries aren't his fault either, they happen and because of terrible roster management by the previous staff, they're barely able to field a full defense. There is no depth at end, lb, and they were almost down to 3 corners this week (fortunately jones and Joseph were able to play). On offense the starting qb, rb, and best wr were all out the second half of the game. Moore has missed time, westercamp is dinged up, the only tackle has missed the last 2 games, tight ends have missed time and I think Tommy has been dinged up most of the year. Injuries happen, but that is quite a string of bad luck.
The other side is that there have been some baffling things in the coach's hands too.
I don't like the offenses philosophy. They say balance, balance, balance, but that's not what we see on Saturday. I'm not looking for power I triple option, but a commitment to the run game, even when it's tough sledding. Back to back 48 pass games is silly. This is a worry.
Defensive plan hasn't been great either. Seems like they don't have the horses to run the scheme, and even if they did, it seems like they struggle disguising and mixing coverages, and getting pressure.
Special teams frustrate the heck out of me. A coordinator that relies on gurus for recruiting, and hasn't gotten much done in the third phase seems like dead weight. When you only get 9 coaches, having a guy that doesn't recruit is a total waste (to me, anyway).
Penalties, game management, and player management (specifically rb and oline) have all left a lot to be desired.
I don't know, it seems like all of the issues are "fixable" and I'd like to see if Riley and co can do it. I was excited when he was hired, despite his recent trouble at OSU. I've always felt like the guy could coach.
Learn, recruit, adjust, adapt.
If they don't fix it they'll be gone soon enough.