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In Defense of Coach Hawkins

Buffnik

Real name isn't Nik
Club Member
Junta Member
Apologies in advance for such a long post.:smile:

As a fan, I hate to be negative. It's no fun. At heart, I'm a total sunshine pumper and I was a true believer in Coach Hawkins. I think that's why I was so upset at what I saw the first two weeks of this season. The product I saw on the field completely contradicted everything I had come to believe in as far as where the program is and where it is headed under Hawkins.

But with the bye week, I've had some time to reflect on things. My starting point was the Denver Post quote 2 weeks ago from Coach Mac:

“I still believe he’s laid the right foundation and with a foundation of sound character, hard work and principles, it’s just a matter of time. In construction there’s a principle,” McCartney said. “The higher the building, the deeper you dig the foundation. What’s the foundation look like? He’s getting good kids who stay the course. It will end up being something significant."

Following that quote, we shut out Wyoming 24-0. Wyoming didn't play well and CU still had its problems (especially on offense), but it was a shutout win against a respectable and well-coached smaller conference opponent that has a history of pulling significant road upsets. So I thought to myself, "Maybe Mac is onto something here" and I decided to really consider what he was trying to communicate and whether it makes sense.

I believe Mac was referring to several things, some of which have been discussed and some of which haven't.

1 - CU was a mess when Hawkins took over. He inherited players that had quit on their last coach, a severe lack of talent, and an incoming recruiting class that was barely salvageable.

2 - The quick approach to winning would have been to bring in a number of JUCO players, ignore it when talented guys didn't follow team rules, practice hard or study their play books, and to play the talented true freshmen instead of redshirting them. But Hawkins decided instead to primarily recruit HS kids that fit the mold of what he wanted a "Colorado Man" to be, redshirt every one of them he could to give them time to develop for maximum long-term success, only took a select few JUCOs that fit the profile. Basically, he took his lumps for the sake of building the right foundation.

3 - Because of #s 1 and 2, our junior and senior classes are still thin. Therefore, even though we hate to keep using it as an excuse, the fact is that this team is still extremely young. A bowl game this year, a better bowl in 2010, and a breakout 2011 is actually the realistic expectation when you look at the Buff roster.

As an aside, Cody fits into this one. You never want to start a QB before his RS-Junior year unless he's a truly special player. Cody's taking his lumps and managing our offense to give the younger, more talented QBs time to develop. Dan is trying to set us up as a 5th year senior-dominated program that can re-load every year just like Boise does.

4 - Speaking of Boise, they also run 30 or 40 personnel groups every week. This takes a veteran team of players with high football IQs in order to work. That doesn't happen overnight, but when it does "pop" you're in a position to beat teams that have a lot more elite talent but much lower football IQs simply because your guys are always in the best position to take advantage of the holes in their schemes. Since Colorado will never be able to consistently win recruiting battles with Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska (Top 10 all-time programs) or get in the borderline students and JUCOs other Big 12 programs make their living on, we need to win by being a more mature football team with more football smarts. The Boise model with the better athletes we can attract could be a perfect match. It makes a ton of sense if we want to see CU be a consistent Top 25 team again.

I could go on, but you guys get the gist. Where I'm at is, upon reflection I trust Coach Mac when he says that Coach Hawkins has done things the right way. That a foundation has been laid for sustainable long-term success. That this is the right approach to take at CU. However, I also believe that it needs to start showing tangible results this year. Bottom line is that my stance has softened and that if we can get to a bowl game this year and win it, that will be enough for me to continue believing in Coach Hawkins and what he is doing. Tonight is essential to the mission and we need to get back to .500 with a big road win. I think we do it.

Go Buffs!

P.S. Anyone that made it through this rambling piece of mental masturbation, please let me know where I've gone wrong here. Did my wife slip Kool-Aid into my bong water or something? :smile2:
 
Apologies in advance for such a long post.:smile:

As a fan, I hate to be negative. It's no fun. At heart, I'm a total sunshine pumper and I was a true believer in Coach Hawkins. I think that's why I was so upset at what I saw the first two weeks of this season. The product I saw on the field completely contradicted everything I had come to believe in as far as where the program is and where it is headed under Hawkins.

But with the bye week, I've had some time to reflect on things. My starting point was the Denver Post quote 2 weeks ago from Coach Mac:

“I still believe he’s laid the right foundation and with a foundation of sound character, hard work and principles, it’s just a matter of time. In construction there’s a principle,” McCartney said. “The higher the building, the deeper you dig the foundation. What’s the foundation look like? He’s getting good kids who stay the course. It will end up being something significant."

Following that quote, we shut out Wyoming 24-0. Wyoming didn't play well and CU still had its problems (especially on offense), but it was a shutout win against a respectable and well-coached smaller conference opponent that has a history of pulling significant road upsets. So I thought to myself, "Maybe Mac is onto something here" and I decided to really consider what he was trying to communicate and whether it makes sense.

I believe Mac was referring to several things, some of which have been discussed and some of which haven't.

1 - CU was a mess when Hawkins took over. He inherited players that had quit on their last coach, a severe lack of talent, and an incoming recruiting class that was barely salvageable.

2 - The quick approach to winning would have been to bring in a number of JUCO players, ignore it when talented guys didn't follow team rules, practice hard or study their play books, and to play the talented true freshmen instead of redshirting them. But Hawkins decided instead to primarily recruit HS kids that fit the mold of what he wanted a "Colorado Man" to be, redshirt every one of them he could to give them time to develop for maximum long-term success, only took a select few JUCOs that fit the profile. Basically, he took his lumps for the sake of building the right foundation.

3 - Because of #s 1 and 2, our junior and senior classes are still thin. Therefore, even though we hate to keep using it as an excuse, the fact is that this team is still extremely young. A bowl game this year, a better bowl in 2010, and a breakout 2011 is actually the realistic expectation when you look at the Buff roster.

As an aside, Cody fits into this one. You never want to start a QB before his RS-Junior year unless he's a truly special player. Cody's taking his lumps and managing our offense to give the younger, more talented QBs time to develop. Dan is trying to set us up as a 5th year senior-dominated program that can re-load every year just like Boise does.

4 - Speaking of Boise, they also run 30 or 40 personnel groups every week. This takes a veteran team of players with high football IQs in order to work. That doesn't happen overnight, but when it does "pop" you're in a position to beat teams that have a lot more elite talent but much lower football IQs simply because your guys are always in the best position to take advantage of the holes in their schemes. Since Colorado will never be able to consistently win recruiting battles with Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska (Top 10 all-time programs) or get in the borderline students and JUCOs other Big 12 programs make their living on, we need to win by being a more mature football team with more football smarts. The Boise model with the better athletes we can attract could be a perfect match. It makes a ton of sense if we want to see CU be a consistent Top 25 team again.

I could go on, but you guys get the gist. Where I'm at is, upon reflection I trust Coach Mac when he says that Coach Hawkins has done things the right way. That a foundation has been laid for sustainable long-term success. That this is the right approach to take at CU. However, I also believe that it needs to start showing tangible results this year. Bottom line is that my stance has softened and that if we can get to a bowl game this year and win it, that will be enough for me to continue believing in Coach Hawkins and what he is doing. Tonight is essential to the mission and we need to get back to .500 with a big road win. I think we do it.

Go Buffs!

P.S. Anyone that made it through this rambling piece of mental masturbation, please let me know where I've gone wrong here. Did my wife slip Kool-Aid into my bong water or something? :smile2:


we'll see.
 
Hawk's recruiting so far isn't enough to turn it around.. We lack playmakers on both sides of the ball.. He's had 3 recruiting classes to find ones and he has one: Speedy..
 
Hawk's recruiting so far isn't enough to turn it around.. We lack playmakers on both sides of the ball.. He's had 3 recruiting classes to find ones and he has one: Speedy..

I hear you. But I watch Boise and they don't have any playmakers either.

After tonight's game, my biggest frustration and the thing I can't defend is that we're a bad tackling team. There is no excuse for that. Ever.
 
I hear you. But I watch Boise and they don't have any playmakers either.

After tonight's game, my biggest frustration and the thing I can't defend is that we're a bad tackling team. There is no excuse for that. Ever.

Boise has many more players that are faster than us.. They would roll us..
 
Apologies in advance for such a long post.:smile:

As a fan, I hate to be negative. It's no fun. At heart, I'm a total sunshine pumper and I was a true believer in Coach Hawkins. I think that's why I was so upset at what I saw the first two weeks of this season. The product I saw on the field completely contradicted everything I had come to believe in as far as where the program is and where it is headed under Hawkins.

But with the bye week, I've had some time to reflect on things. My starting point was the Denver Post quote 2 weeks ago from Coach Mac:

“I still believe he’s laid the right foundation and with a foundation of sound character, hard work and principles, it’s just a matter of time. In construction there’s a principle,” McCartney said. “The higher the building, the deeper you dig the foundation. What’s the foundation look like? He’s getting good kids who stay the course. It will end up being something significant."

Following that quote, we shut out Wyoming 24-0. Wyoming didn't play well and CU still had its problems (especially on offense), but it was a shutout win against a respectable and well-coached smaller conference opponent that has a history of pulling significant road upsets. So I thought to myself, "Maybe Mac is onto something here" and I decided to really consider what he was trying to communicate and whether it makes sense.

I believe Mac was referring to several things, some of which have been discussed and some of which haven't.

1 - CU was a mess when Hawkins took over. He inherited players that had quit on their last coach, a severe lack of talent, and an incoming recruiting class that was barely salvageable.

2 - The quick approach to winning would have been to bring in a number of JUCO players, ignore it when talented guys didn't follow team rules, practice hard or study their play books, and to play the talented true freshmen instead of redshirting them. But Hawkins decided instead to primarily recruit HS kids that fit the mold of what he wanted a "Colorado Man" to be, redshirt every one of them he could to give them time to develop for maximum long-term success, only took a select few JUCOs that fit the profile. Basically, he took his lumps for the sake of building the right foundation.

3 - Because of #s 1 and 2, our junior and senior classes are still thin. Therefore, even though we hate to keep using it as an excuse, the fact is that this team is still extremely young. A bowl game this year, a better bowl in 2010, and a breakout 2011 is actually the realistic expectation when you look at the Buff roster.

As an aside, Cody fits into this one. You never want to start a QB before his RS-Junior year unless he's a truly special player. Cody's taking his lumps and managing our offense to give the younger, more talented QBs time to develop. Dan is trying to set us up as a 5th year senior-dominated program that can re-load every year just like Boise does.

4 - Speaking of Boise, they also run 30 or 40 personnel groups every week. This takes a veteran team of players with high football IQs in order to work. That doesn't happen overnight, but when it does "pop" you're in a position to beat teams that have a lot more elite talent but much lower football IQs simply because your guys are always in the best position to take advantage of the holes in their schemes. Since Colorado will never be able to consistently win recruiting battles with Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska (Top 10 all-time programs) or get in the borderline students and JUCOs other Big 12 programs make their living on, we need to win by being a more mature football team with more football smarts. The Boise model with the better athletes we can attract could be a perfect match. It makes a ton of sense if we want to see CU be a consistent Top 25 team again.

I could go on, but you guys get the gist. Where I'm at is, upon reflection I trust Coach Mac when he says that Coach Hawkins has done things the right way. That a foundation has been laid for sustainable long-term success. That this is the right approach to take at CU. However, I also believe that it needs to start showing tangible results this year. Bottom line is that my stance has softened and that if we can get to a bowl game this year and win it, that will be enough for me to continue believing in Coach Hawkins and what he is doing. Tonight is essential to the mission and we need to get back to .500 with a big road win. I think we do it.

Go Buffs!

P.S. Anyone that made it through this rambling piece of mental masturbation, please let me know where I've gone wrong here. Did my wife slip Kool-Aid into my bong water or something? :smile2:

Welcome to the dark side.
 
so when will the announcement be made? after he comes back from the TU loss or at home after the KU loss? my bet is on after the KU game.
 
Chilly,

I'm only flirting with the dark side. :smile2:

On the one hand are all the reasons I want to believe. On the other hand is what I see on game days. Can you think of any reason to have hope against Texas?
 
Chilly,

I'm only flirting with the dark side. :smile2:

On the one hand are all the reasons I want to believe. On the other hand is what I see on game days. Can you think of any reason to have hope against Texas?
Death in Austin.....74-3. Hawkin's death, that is.....
 
Last edited by a moderator:
How many losing seasons will it take for these excuses to finally wear thin? He had a horrible situation to deal with. He has laid a wonderful foundtion. He is on track. Its a work in progress. We are lucky to have such a devoted and great guy as coach. Blablabla...............

Apparently, Hawk does not even know whats going on in his program cos he looked at this team and proclaimed 10 wins. If the team were actually that good, would he have been proclaiming Super bowl?
 
Coach Mac has always been a gentleman. I don't take his comments for anything more than a gentleman's response. I think if Coach Mac spoke the truth it would hurt him more than Hawkins.
 
How many losing seasons will it take for these excuses to finally wear thin? He had a horrible situation to deal with. He has laid a wonderful foundtion. He is on track. Its a work in progress. We are lucky to have such a devoted and great guy as coach. Blablabla...............

Apparently, Hawk does not even know whats going on in his program cos he looked at this team and proclaimed 10 wins. If the team were actually that good, would he have been proclaiming Super bowl?

Amen brotha!!!! :thumbsup:
 
there is very available material to defend DH anymore. It's about the bottom line at this point.
 
there is very available material to defend DH anymore. It's about the bottom line at this point.

I tried my best.

I'm too upset tonight to fight on when I'm having trouble seeing us go 5-3 in the Big 12 to make a bowl game.
 
Go Buffs!

P.S. Anyone that made it through this rambling piece of mental masturbation, please let me know where I've gone wrong here. Did my wife slip Kool-Aid into my bong water or something? :smile2:


Nice post dude! Its easy to get down and not see the big picture. Its an emotional game, that's why we love it the way we do, right? If Hawk does stick around I really hope this all comes to fruition. If not, the next guy will inherit a whole hell of a lot more than Hawk did when he came in.

I was thinking about it tonight. It would be a shame to see someone else come in and have success with all the guys Hawk has recruited. (We do have lots of young talent) However, that guy better be a good recruiter as well, because I could see having early success turn sour quickly if get another Skippy type come in (recruit QBS and WRs and no OL or DL). How Barney did so much with so little I'll never know.
 
Nice post dude! Its easy to get down and not see the big picture. Its an emotional game, that's why we love it the way we do, right? If Hawk does stick around I really hope this all comes to fruition. If not, the next guy will inherit a whole hell of a lot more than Hawk did when he came in.

I was thinking about it tonight. It would be a shame to see someone else come in and have success with all the guys Hawk has recruited. (We do have lots of young talent) However, that guy better be a good recruiter as well, because I could see having early success turn sour quickly if get another Skippy type come in (recruit QBS and WRs and no OL or DL). How Barney did so much with so little I'll never know.

I dunno skippy brought in some of the big ugly's that did pretty well, Vic Rogers, Andre Gurode on OL. Tyler Brayton and Justin Bannan on DL to name a few. I agree the cupboard is not bare but we do seriously lack the speed to be competitive in the B12
 
Chilly,

I'm only flirting with the dark side. :smile2:

On the one hand are all the reasons I want to believe. On the other hand is what I see on game days. Can you think of any reason to have hope against Texas?

Only hope against UT is if they forget to show up. But we knew that at the beginning of the season.

I do see hope against KU the week after at home though, if the team can keep it's head up after going to Austin and continue to build upon todays game
 
I do see hope against KU the week after at home though, if the team can keep it's head up after going to Austin and continue to build upon todays game

Yeah. I'm probably a fool for this, but no matter what happens at Texas I know without a doubt that I'll be at Folsom for the Kansas game expecting a great Buffs win.
 
I don't think any rational buff fan thought this was theyear to make a run at the B12 CCG. But this team still plays bad fundamental football. Getting rolled by MAC and MWC also rans shows that after four years, Hawk can't get a team on the field that is going to be competitive in this conference. Do I expect CU to be competitive in the B12, yes. And I no longer believe Hawk will field a team to do that. WVU did everything possible to give the game away in the first half, and CU's offense couldn't find it's fanny with both hands and a flashlight. Yeah, that BSU offense works...
 
Boise has many more players that are faster than us.. They would roll us..
Just curious, what is your basis for saying that? Have you put a stopwatch on 'em? Timed 'em in the forty? Or are you just basing it on watching them on television? Where do you get that?
 
Coach Mac has always been a gentleman. I don't take his comments for anything more than a gentleman's response. I think if Coach Mac spoke the truth it would hurt him more than Hawkins.
So, your calling Mac a liar?
 
Just curious, what is your basis for saying that? Have you put a stopwatch on 'em? Timed 'em in the forty? Or are you just basing it on watching them on television? Where do you get that?

Just watching them play Oregon.. They are faster and have more athletes than we do..
 
Just curious, what is your basis for saying that? Have you put a stopwatch on 'em? Timed 'em in the forty? Or are you just basing it on watching them on television? Where do you get that?

I think you might be going senial there, DBT. I don't care if they run sub 4.0 40s...they are being outran by everybody we play. they are slow. What have you been watching?
 
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