FOOTBALL: Thoughts on the Team, Coaches, Recruiting, and the ColoUte Tip of the Week...
Posted By: ColoUte
<everutes@hotmail.com>
Date: Monday, 17 December 2001, at 1:32 p.m.
1. It's looking like the rumors of Mac's demise are hitting the internet. I too have heard a 4th hand rumor that Mac would be offered a fairly sizeable amount of money to walk away at the end of the season. Of course this 4th hand source is about as credible as those guys selling genuine Rolexes on a Bronx street corner.
2. I still think firing Mac this season would be a mistake. It would be a bigger PR nightmare than BYU's firing of Roger Reid was. Late season collapse notwithstanding, this season provided me with exactly what I wanted to have - hope for the future. I now have incredible expectations for next season. In my mind, the late season collapse only tightens the noose around Mac's neck. If we're worse than 9-2 and don't win the MWC, it's time to pull the lever.
3. The thing I don't think a lot of people realize is the message that firing Mac (even if we only manage 7-4 next year) would send to the coaching community in general. All of a sudden, our program is seen as a "Coach Killer." We're basically telling any coaching prospects out there that anything less than 8 wins and a conference championship - despite preseason projections - is unacceptable. I know that most of us don't really think that. Most of us would be happy - temporarily - with one outright title in the near future. However, that's not the message that firing a guy with 10 winning seasons and 6 bowl games gives. If I'm a hot young coaching prospect, I don't touch this job. If I do, and deliver a couple of conference titles, I leave at my first opportunity because I know that fans are going to be calling for my head if I ever have a rebuilding year. We're in a tough predicament right now.
4. Has anyone noticed that our first game against Utah State was kind of a Microcosm of the entire season? We came out strong, had a bit of a stumble early, but looked spectacular - except at QB - for the rest of the first half. We weren't spectacular in the 3rd quarter, but were good enough, and then we quit before the game was over. I hope that the USC game isn't the symbolic equivalent of the Fernandez punt return.
5. On the Kaufusi situation, you know the biggest concern I have about him going to BYU at this point isn't recruiting, it isn't fact that he's a solid coach, and it isn't the fact that it would bolster the Zoobs. Based on the last few days, the biggest concern I have is the inevitable 738 posts by YzGay trying to convince us that the loss of our Defensive Ends coach will bring about the end of Utah athletics.
6. If Kaufusi does go, I think it would be a blow is the very short term, but I think there are replacements available. Nate Kia was a Grad assistant here a couple of years ago. I think Pene Talamavao is in coaching as well. Another move that would intrigue me, would be to bring in Kautai. It may not intrigue Kautai all that much, though. I think Kautai would be an outstanding coach, and would be a much bigger pull for island recruits than Kaufusi is now. Besides being polynesian and LDS - which helps in recruiting Kahuku - Kautai is a very respected member of the Hawaiian HS football community. From a recruiting standpoint we'd probably actually be better off. However, it'd be a tough move for Kautai as young assistant coaches don't make much money, and I don't think Kautai's playing days are over. Kia would also make a GREAT replacement.
7. Oh, memo to Zoob trolls who think that Ute defensive players would follow Kaufusi - you know who you are. I realize that Kaufusi is singlehandedly the reason that every good defensive player we have is here, but let's not forget about the Inter-conference Transfer Loss of Eligibility Rule. I know it may be tough for all of you to grasp, but even if you're right and he does go, I promise it won't be nearly as crippling to us as you're pretending it will be.
8. I appreciate the updates that UTEopia and other are giving us in regards to recruiting. You know, this recruiting year is really just luxury recruiting other than at a couple of positions - most notably TE and MLB. It's nice to be able to go after the best available players rather than have to fill holes in the lineup. That said, I'm more than a little concerned with the amount of JUCO recruiting we're doing. In years like this, we should really make a concerted effort to get young kids we can develop. We can afford to redshirt a lot of players next year, but won't necessarily have that ability in a couple of years. It would just be nice to bring a really talented crop of HS studs this season when we're not really in need of immediate help anywhere.
9. OK, OK, we're in need of immediate assistance at QB and PK. Know what, I'm done piling on Rice. It's not that I think we're being unfair with him, I just don't think there's anything more to be said. As for kicker, well, we've needed help here before as well, and we've ended up with Truhe, Whetman, and Kaneshiro. I'm not going to try to fool myself into expecting great things here. Quite frankly, it's just easier to not expect anything out of a kicker other than to make 90% of his PAT's. Then, if he can show the propensity to make a couple of 30 yarders, it's all gravy. It's just absolutely amazing how we can have a problem as chronic as we've had at PK, yet no adjustments have ever been made.
ColoUte Tip of the Week:
Note to the Ute Marketing department - While I think many are embarassed by the lack of fan support and ticket sales for the Vegas Bowl, I really don't think that having McBride make the fans "feel guilty about not coming" is really the way to go. He's not exactly the most popular guy amongst Ute fans right now. You may want to investigate a different strategy. BTW, Marketing Department, I'm going to start charging you all for these tips until you finally hire me.
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