I realize this is probably a bad place to ask this question. With something that evokes the emotions like college athletics, it's generally not enough to fix a problem - someone needs to be punished. I actually have felt this way as I've sat back and watched this abortion of a football team that has been on the field this year, but as the losses compiled - and my indifference grew - I've been able to look at things more objectively.
I realize that the team lacks discipline year in year out, that the team perennially manages to lose a game it should win, and that Mac has flat out lost control of the program this year. I know that there are many on this board that feel that McBride should be gone regardless of what happens. However, considering the 5 bowl games in 10 years, the winning record against the PAC-10, and bringing the rivalry with the Zoobs back to respectability, I'm willing to give him one more year to make some changes.
Now, the operative words in that last phrase are "TO MAKE SOME CHANGES." If Mac just writes this season off as a down year, and maintains the status quo, he should be run out of town on a rail. But, I feel that there are certain things he can do to get the program back , and ultimately save his job. If I were Chris Hill I would judge his desire to keep his job based on three criteria - How the team finishes this year, Coaching Staff, and Recruiting.
THIS YEAR:
What Gets Mac Fired:
Keeping the Status Quo. I'm tired of listening to him talk about how his game plan was good, the players didn't make plays. In the UNM game, 7 of the Utes' 9 First Quarter plays (that's right, only NINE first quarter plays - well, unless you count the 3 punts.) were runs. Tommy Lee sure mixed things up. Instead of Run, Run, Pass, Kick, the Utes went Pass, Run, Run, Kick, and Run, Run, Run, Kick, before falling back on the old stand-by Run, Run, Pass, Kick. It's time to develop the youth, and look at doing other things. Also, I heard Brandon Dart and even Kyle Wittingham after the UNM game, and I guarantee there's some in-fighting in the program between the Offense and Defensive coaches. Someone called Wittingham on Talkin' Sports and asked him if Mac was going to get a new O.C., and while he didn't answer, I definitely saw a glimmer in his eye. Mac needs to put an abrupt end to the dissension.
What I'd like to see:
Lance Rice should be the starter. Granted, I fully expect him to be the third string QB next year, but the team doesn't benefit AT ALL by having Darnell or T.D. at QB for two reasons. First, it doesn't really matter if the Utes lose anymore. I'd just as soon go into next year with a QB who has actually been under fire in a game situation. Second, I think Rice is actually our best QB right now - Elliot really shouldn't come off RS with only 3 games left. How sad is it that when the RS Freshman comes in the Utes opened up the play book because the 5th year senior needs to have the O simplified?
COACHING STAFF:
What Gets Mac Fired:
Again, keeping the Status Quo. I would've like to have seen some changes earlier, but I'll give him one more year. It's GOT TO BE obvious to Mac that changes need to be made. I was talking to my brother-in-law about this, and he brought up the point that it's probably better if the Utes just don't score again this year, because then Mac HAS TO fire Tommy Lee. The scariest thing to me would be to see the Offense explode over the last three games and see T.L. back next year. Actually, it extends beyond T.L. I think Don Eck (O-Line), Sean McNabb (Special Teams/RB), and Jugi Hogue (DB's) should be gone after this year as well.
What I'd like to see:
Someone who can develop a QB. I think it's interesting that everyone is looking forward to Breska/Elliot next year because they're the most highly recruited QB combo since...(drum roll)...that's right, Arceneaux/Crosswhite. Most people forget that Darnell was rated by Athlon as the #3 QB in the west coming out of HS. (granted, that's only Athlon, but all the publications had him in the top 20 in the West) Crosswhite was also highly recruited - he visited Florida State and Texas. These guys simply never developed. It would be a tragedy to have a QB like Breska/Elliot waste their talents by never learning a damn thing under T.L. Also, I'd like to see a kicker with a decent amount of consistency (Utah has had ONE in the last 10 years) and TWO corners in one year who can make plays on the ball, not the receiver's face.
RECRUITING:
What Gets Mac Fired:
Not delivering Chris Kemoeatu. I am absolutely adamant about this. We cannot be the leader for a kid of this caliber and not get his LOI. It is a horrible year for D-I recruits in Utah, but Hawaii, Nevada, and Arizona - three states that have been traditionally strong for the Utes - are having banner years. Mac needs a good receiver to keep Cliff from being triple teamed every play next year, a couple of D-Linemen for depth, a couple of decent LB's, a couple of corners and a FS, and a freakin' KICKER. (I'm telling you, I want that damn frizzy haired, one-named Euro, NOW!!!!)
What I'd like to see:
Quite frankly, if Mac delivers Kemoeatu and can manage to land Ikaika Curran - LB St. Louis - All is pretty much forgiven in my book. Honestly, Curran is so good, I'd be willing to keep T.L. on the staff if he could deliver him. (NOT as O.C., but he can coach the Long Snappers or be the Sideline Warning/"Move Back" coach or something.) I'd also like to see Lyle Maiava and Semisi Livai in Ute gear next year.
These are just a few thoughts. I like Mac, but he's got to recognize the need for a change, and grab the reigns of this program before it plummets off a cliff. If he keeps the status quo, we're looking at a couple of long seasons in the next couple of years.
Last modified .