MT Head Guy said:
What are you predicting for 2017 (honestly asking)?
Well, I've always said I thought Bob Stitt was a smart guy, but that his ego and stubbornness get in the way. And he's a nice enough guy, very cordial and has an infectious enthusiasm and that's part of his personal charm, but anybody that's actually listened to him and heard what he says, as opposed to what they want to hear, will understand what I am saying about him.
His continual whining about the players and the team did, I think, finally reach a "come to Jesus" moment after the Griz Cat game. His head was slammed in the door and he had the most miserable week in his life. I do think that he finally realized that his DII experiences had not translated up to DI.
He realized vividly that his arrogant condescension about Ty Gregorak -- and his annoying asides about it throughout the season -- and his faith in replacing a successful DI DC with a relatively inexperienced DII DC had been badly misplaced and blew up on him in the most public way possible. He made a profound strategic error in staffing choices. No other way to put the lipstick on that pig. He f------ up, it hurt the Griz and it bolstered the Cats. And 26,182 people saw it live and understood that all too clearly by 3:30 p.m. November 19.
Choate's comments about our linemen stances had to have been humiliating since it was not only true, but gave a compelling talking point to every coach recruiting against us: "these guys don't even know how to play DI football." And 26,182 fans saw a local boy do some good kicking, an MSU recruit that Stitt rejected over the advice of his assistant staff.
Kent Haslam has had his conversation with Stitt. And Haslam was none too happy over the "firestorm" over Stitt that erupted after the Griz Cat game. Not my word. The assistant coaching staff has had their unhappy meeting with Stitt and Semore; this is a coaching staff very unhappy with how Stitt manages this team and they said so.
So, what "needs" improvement for 2017? Our Head Coach and his attitude.
Can that be fixed?
Optimistically, why not?
Pessimistically, how? I think he's got the picture, now, but much of that picture was painted by inexperience. How do you get that during an off-season? Well the good news is perhaps found in the assistants. That's a good staff. Stitt listening to them would be a good start.