Sportsfan101
Well-Known Member
Let me start by saying Dan Hawkins should be fired.
But this team's problems don't start and stop with the head coach. We've got multiple problems. First, as Jimmy Johnson has said, it's not the Xs and Os but the Jimmys and the Joes. Our talent is average at best. We have below-average QB play, and in college football that will get you beat whenever you play good teams, and usually when you play average or bad teams on the road. Our offensive skill position players are below average, our offensive line is average, and our TEs are below average. Our defense is average, and our special teams atrocious.
Well, you may say, the talent isn't great because Dan Hawkins couldn't recruit/evaluate/develop talent. Definitely some truth there, but let's face is -- our facilities suck relative to the rest of the B12. Our support sucks relative to much of the B12. We as fans and alums have work to do --- and it starts by going to games, joining the Buff Club, and opening the checkbook.
I say all of this because it's really easy to pile on Dan Hawkins. I'll be honest -- even if Knute Rockne was our coach this year, I don't think we'd win 9 or 10 games.
In sum, Hawkins should be fired but it's a long road to go for the program. I don't think there's much hope for next year to be a great, great year (unless we do something that neutralizes talent disparities, ie play option/i-bone). Still, let's quit blaming Hawkins 100% for current problems and instead look in the mirror a little bit.
But this team's problems don't start and stop with the head coach. We've got multiple problems. First, as Jimmy Johnson has said, it's not the Xs and Os but the Jimmys and the Joes. Our talent is average at best. We have below-average QB play, and in college football that will get you beat whenever you play good teams, and usually when you play average or bad teams on the road. Our offensive skill position players are below average, our offensive line is average, and our TEs are below average. Our defense is average, and our special teams atrocious.
Well, you may say, the talent isn't great because Dan Hawkins couldn't recruit/evaluate/develop talent. Definitely some truth there, but let's face is -- our facilities suck relative to the rest of the B12. Our support sucks relative to much of the B12. We as fans and alums have work to do --- and it starts by going to games, joining the Buff Club, and opening the checkbook.
I say all of this because it's really easy to pile on Dan Hawkins. I'll be honest -- even if Knute Rockne was our coach this year, I don't think we'd win 9 or 10 games.
In sum, Hawkins should be fired but it's a long road to go for the program. I don't think there's much hope for next year to be a great, great year (unless we do something that neutralizes talent disparities, ie play option/i-bone). Still, let's quit blaming Hawkins 100% for current problems and instead look in the mirror a little bit.