We may have witnessed the end of the CW era last night. Thinking back these past 4 years, I tried in my mind to see what happened. CW loved ND, is an ND man, and no one should doubt his work ethic. He did restore the respect for the mystic and tradition of ND that his two predecessors tried to ignore or act as if it did not exist. However something’s just did not materialize for him. This is what I think happened.
1. The hole was bigger than we thought. Ty’s last full class and CW’s first were not good, quantity or quality wise. I have nothing against Ty so this is not another shot at him. I wanted him to win here and I wanted him to do well at UW. His assistants, I could not stand! They let him down big time. This put CW in a hole for not only players, but position competition and leaders. Did any of our starters the past two years have real competition for their spots? Some players like Mike Floyd can step in and start for anybody, but how many Floyds do we really have. Maybe these guys would have still started, but a little position competition would have made them better.
2. CW pro background hurt him a lot. College is more about teaching and coaching than true scheme. Many scheme’s run in college would never work consistently in the pros. Player development is key to the college game. This is apparent along the O and D lines. We either did not recruit or develop players there. In the Pro’s you can find a late round or FA lineman that will become an all-pro. That player was probably a 4 or 5 star recruit out of HS. That player was developed in college and for whatever reason slipped through the scouting maze. We have not developed a big time O-lineman since, I am not sure when.
3. His staff has let him down. True he did pick them, but they have not done their share. Maybe, he does not let them, maybe he intimidates them, but for what ever reason they have not helped. The O Line has been an issue from just about day one and the defense, except for this year has not been a bright spot.
4. Bill Parcell. Yep CW’s mentor, guru, whatever. CW obviously has taken a lot from Bill. They both can be over confident and a bit of a bully. Parcell disdain for the media and fans has pretty much spread through his tree. Also, Parcell coaching tree is pretty shaky at best. Billichick was a bomb in Cleveland, he went to New England, surround himself with more of Parcell’s assistants, an owner dedicated to winning, and some talent and he is this generations coaching genius. Coughlin, was fired in Jacksonville, basically for being to demanding. Was almost fired in NY. Fassel was a big dud. Crennell and CW have not lived up to expectations, their own or their fans. Not sure what Bill taught these guys, but if you look at Walsh, Noll, Landry, Hayes, or Bryant trees I think you will find more success.
5. No leaders. No Zorich, no Mirer, no Culver to tell the young guys this is ND this is what we stand for and do it right or hit the road. I hate to say this but look at USC. Sanchez basically sat for two years and watched Booty play QB. Now Booty was not great, but at least Sanchez did not have to learn to adjust to the speed of the college game and be counted on to win it. Plus Booty was helped by Linehart, who was helped by Palmer. Booty knew it was his duty to USC to help Sanchez any way or anytime he could. Sanches could play in mop up roles or in spots where the game was not in jeopardy. The older players lead the younger players; show them how it is done from the practice field to the weight room to game day. Our guys have not had that since Lou left. There is no one to show the way. Really there is no time for development because you have to produce and produce now.
I am sure we could add more but this is my top 5. I do feel bad for CW and for the team. It has to seem to them like they are under an avalanche of problems on and off the field. If he stays I hope everything works out and he becomes the winner we thought and wanted him to be. If he leaves I hope him the best.
1. The hole was bigger than we thought. Ty’s last full class and CW’s first were not good, quantity or quality wise. I have nothing against Ty so this is not another shot at him. I wanted him to win here and I wanted him to do well at UW. His assistants, I could not stand! They let him down big time. This put CW in a hole for not only players, but position competition and leaders. Did any of our starters the past two years have real competition for their spots? Some players like Mike Floyd can step in and start for anybody, but how many Floyds do we really have. Maybe these guys would have still started, but a little position competition would have made them better.
2. CW pro background hurt him a lot. College is more about teaching and coaching than true scheme. Many scheme’s run in college would never work consistently in the pros. Player development is key to the college game. This is apparent along the O and D lines. We either did not recruit or develop players there. In the Pro’s you can find a late round or FA lineman that will become an all-pro. That player was probably a 4 or 5 star recruit out of HS. That player was developed in college and for whatever reason slipped through the scouting maze. We have not developed a big time O-lineman since, I am not sure when.
3. His staff has let him down. True he did pick them, but they have not done their share. Maybe, he does not let them, maybe he intimidates them, but for what ever reason they have not helped. The O Line has been an issue from just about day one and the defense, except for this year has not been a bright spot.
4. Bill Parcell. Yep CW’s mentor, guru, whatever. CW obviously has taken a lot from Bill. They both can be over confident and a bit of a bully. Parcell disdain for the media and fans has pretty much spread through his tree. Also, Parcell coaching tree is pretty shaky at best. Billichick was a bomb in Cleveland, he went to New England, surround himself with more of Parcell’s assistants, an owner dedicated to winning, and some talent and he is this generations coaching genius. Coughlin, was fired in Jacksonville, basically for being to demanding. Was almost fired in NY. Fassel was a big dud. Crennell and CW have not lived up to expectations, their own or their fans. Not sure what Bill taught these guys, but if you look at Walsh, Noll, Landry, Hayes, or Bryant trees I think you will find more success.
5. No leaders. No Zorich, no Mirer, no Culver to tell the young guys this is ND this is what we stand for and do it right or hit the road. I hate to say this but look at USC. Sanchez basically sat for two years and watched Booty play QB. Now Booty was not great, but at least Sanchez did not have to learn to adjust to the speed of the college game and be counted on to win it. Plus Booty was helped by Linehart, who was helped by Palmer. Booty knew it was his duty to USC to help Sanchez any way or anytime he could. Sanches could play in mop up roles or in spots where the game was not in jeopardy. The older players lead the younger players; show them how it is done from the practice field to the weight room to game day. Our guys have not had that since Lou left. There is no one to show the way. Really there is no time for development because you have to produce and produce now.
I am sure we could add more but this is my top 5. I do feel bad for CW and for the team. It has to seem to them like they are under an avalanche of problems on and off the field. If he stays I hope everything works out and he becomes the winner we thought and wanted him to be. If he leaves I hope him the best.
