Given that this thread was started by the guy who wanted CU to go to the MWC, I now am definitively against Leach at CU.
Steve Mariucci...seriously.
If he had the passion to get back into college coaching, he'd be great. Definitely a guy who would attract attention and top quarterback recruits. Also has the connections to put together one hell of a staff.
Umm we are not always going to be playign in nice weather.
Ever been to Seattle or Eugene in the fall? San Fran can be dreary too. Oh and we still play in our stadium which can have snow and wind.
Fundamental difference is where you're drawing your recruits from.
Texas prep football has become a spread offense state. A big reason we saw programs like KU, MU, OSU and TTU on the rise in the first decade of the 2000s while NU, CU and KSU went dramatically downhill... is that those programs capitalized on the Texas spread offenses and all the quarterbacks, wide receivers and offensive linemen experienced in that system. Plus, they realized they could look for smaller, quicker Michael Westbrook prototype RBs for that offense (and get them because the traditional powers overlook those guys).
Colorado, increasingly, is also a spread offense state for prep football. Just look at how hard it's getting for us to find an in-state Tight End recruit who comes in knowing how to block. And when we find them (Nate Solder, for example), we're moving them to OT because athleticism of offensive linemen is more at a premium than ever. The Colorado offensive linemen we're recruiting are not the drive blockers of yesteryear, either.
And our other recruiting hotbed, California, is mostly spread even over pro style offenses. It's become nearly impossible to find a quarterback out of California who comes in comfortable with taking a snap from under center and executing a 3-, 5-, or 7-step drop.
Basically, programs that run Option, Power-I or Veer in our region of the country are few and far between. CU is going to be its most successful when it runs the type of system that fits our recruiting region. One thing I've got to give Hawkins credit for is that he has now re-made our roster so that we can run that system. Whether he's the one who sees the payoff from this or not remains to be seen. But CU's roster is now structured exactly as it should be and we're running the correct offense for us.
I hate Leach's offense. I want to run - and there is no reason we have to change our identity just because of the Pac. We're still going to have to play half of our games in Boulder, and half of those in likely rough weather. Coach 'em up, coach 'em up, go CU
When was the last time there was a really bad weather game in Boulder? It's been years. The idea that the weather in Boulder is sketchy is a myth.
When was the last time there was a really bad weather game in Boulder? It's been years. The idea that the weather in Boulder is sketchy is a myth.
Fundamental difference is where you're drawing your recruits from.
Texas prep football has become a spread offense state. A big reason we saw programs like KU, MU, OSU and TTU on the rise in the first decade of the 2000s while NU, CU and KSU went dramatically downhill... is that those programs capitalized on the Texas spread offenses and all the quarterbacks, wide receivers and offensive linemen experienced in that system. Plus, they realized they could look for smaller, quicker Michael Westbrook prototype RBs for that offense (and get them because the traditional powers overlook those guys).
Colorado, increasingly, is also a spread offense state for prep football. Just look at how hard it's getting for us to find an in-state Tight End recruit who comes in knowing how to block. And when we find them (Nate Solder, for example), we're moving them to OT because athleticism of offensive linemen is more at a premium than ever. The Colorado offensive linemen we're recruiting are not the drive blockers of yesteryear, either.
And our other recruiting hotbed, California, is mostly spread even over pro style offenses. It's become nearly impossible to find a quarterback out of California who comes in comfortable with taking a snap from under center and executing a 3-, 5-, or 7-step drop.
Basically, programs that run Option, Power-I or Veer in our region of the country are few and far between. CU is going to be its most successful when it runs the type of system that fits our recruiting region. One thing I've got to give Hawkins credit for is that he has now re-made our roster so that we can run that system. Whether he's the one who sees the payoff from this or not remains to be seen. But CU's roster is now structured exactly as it should be and we're running the correct offense for us.
Buffnik,
I'm repeating what I said last June so you can ignore what I said.
Looking through this thread, this occurred in June after the Pac-10 move was announced. At the time, we didn't know where the Buffs were going to go to when it came to the Divisions. Now that CU is going to the South, I am still firm in my belief that the Pirate needs to be our next head coach at CU.
I have also found out that like CU and snow, it doesn't rain that often on gamedays in Oregon as well. I got that directly from the Duck fans on other boards. So you might want to throw out those weather concerns in the Pac-12 for a Leach offense.
LEACH FOR CU COACH IN 2011! ARGH ARGH!
I actually stand by what I said, but I do believe we can do more of the zone read or spread option stuff from the talent pool we recruit from. No reason we can't run the next generation of the Leach offense that you see at places like Oklahoma State, which has led the Big 12 in rushing the past 3 seasons. The spread at Oregon is a running offense, too. Malzahn's offense at Auburn. Even Missouri is focusing a lot more on running the ball.
I actually think that the Texas Tech spread has been passed by for the same reasons the run n shoot didn't last. You might put up video game numbers, but if you can't control the line of scrimmage you can't impose your will and win the important red zone battles. Plus, your defense gets soft from practicing against a finesse team every day.
Finally, the thing I love about a running quarterback is that weather or whatnot can cause a bad passing day. But speed never slumps.
I actually stand by what I said, but I do believe we can do more of the zone read or spread option stuff from the talent pool we recruit from. No reason we can't run the next generation of the Leach offense that you see at places like Oklahoma State, which has led the Big 12 in rushing the past 3 seasons. The spread at Oregon is a running offense, too. Malzahn's offense at Auburn. Even Missouri is focusing a lot more on running the ball.
I actually think that the Texas Tech spread has been passed by for the same reasons the run n shoot didn't last. You might put up video game numbers, but if you can't control the line of scrimmage you can't impose your will and win the important red zone battles. Plus, your defense gets soft from practicing against a finesse team every day.
Finally, the thing I love about a running quarterback is that weather or whatnot can cause a bad passing day. But speed never slumps.