Bob Stitt has Earned a New Contract

[AZDoc]

I think things are moving in the right direction. Part of the argument between a couple on here, is apples and oranges. Part has merit. It's difficult to compare two different coaches bodies of work year to year as there is plenty of turnover, offense philosophy change, different coaches, changeover in improved teams in the BSC. It's really not fair to compare being ranked 12 and 8 vs now, just as it's not fair to say improved trajectory from previous coaching staff. Just using the rankings argument would then say that there was a downward trajectory from the BH years. I get the gist, but arguing just to argue in here takes over.
Both arguments are way more complex. I'd disagree that the team is on the upward swing from the last coaching staff. It's upward from last season, with much more confidence. One could argue, though, that "the cupboard was bare" at the end of MD run and that's the low point. I'd say 4 less scholarships hurts recruiting/depth. Plus most knew it was a bandage coach. Needed at the time. Did a decent job overall in my opinion, and was probably in the slightly overrated range as the team goes.
Now, I think Stitt has done a good job making adjustments and has HIS team on the right path. It'd be difficult to argue that overall the recruiting has been very good. Still need help at some positions, but hard to argue the talent on the way/here.
I think overall, the team has more plateaued the last 6 or so years over 2 coaching staffs, with both having good and bad teams/unity/problems. I think, though, the real argument is it seems to me that overall, Stitt has taken that plateau and started the uptick again from the stagnant times caused by frequent coaching changes. That's most likely the same playing out if there is another change...stagnant plateau football. The uptick in my opinion earns him 2 years (3 with a cat win). Blowout loss in bozo, well...there's where egriz comes in

 

[Catsrback76]

Big congrats on keeping YOUR Stitt together!!!

 

[Blgs Griz Fan]

We aren’t losing on Saturday. Everybody can just relax.

I remember the days when the Brawl was a spped bump on the way to the playoffs. Now it appears to be the gateway to the playoffs. Stitt may deserve another year if the Griz win on Saturday but not three more. If the Griz do not win there better be a good reason that does not involve coaching like last year.

 

[kemajic]

We aren’t losing on Saturday. Everybody can just relax.

I remember the days when the Brawl was a spped bump on the way to the playoffs. Now it appears to be the gateway to the playoffs. Stitt may deserve another year if the Griz win on Saturday but not three more. If the Griz do not win there better be a good reason that does not involve coaching like last year.

++++

 

[kemajic]

Put me down for the extension if he beats the kitties and explains why on kickoffs it only goes to the 10, every time.

We pray for touchbacks.

At least the Griz haven't kicked off to start the game and at the half for quite some time.

There have been important games however where we have not shown up for a half.

 

[kemajic]

Fact is simple... you don't extend stitt after this year and we get 2+ more years of the team being unranked.

Extend him and likely we spend next 3 years in the top 25

Nothing but speculation; no "fact"s offered. Top 25 in FCS; whooeee!

 

[signedbewildered]

True....ahhhhhh if we could have those four quarters back.

 

[Stop_HammerTime69]

Fact is simple... you don't extend stitt after this year and we get 2+ more years of the team being unranked.

Extend him and likely we spend next 3 years in the top 25

Hire Bobby three years ago and Montana would never have been out of the top 25, perhaps even the top 15. "Likely" three years in the top 25 is not what many people are looking for.

The same Bobby who ran UNLV further into the ground and can’t do much better than Special Teams coach at San Diego State?

I mean, let’s face it. He’s good at maintaining a standard. He’s not good at building a program or returning it to where it needs to be.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

Question for those who argue that UM should wait until after Saturday before offering Stitt a contract:

Do you think that the spectre of non-renewal (i.e., negative reinforcement) will improve Stitt's coaching performance on Saturday?

 

[UofMGrizFan]

Personally I am all for extending him regardless of this weekend. 3 years if he wins this weekend and somewhat playoff success. I would give him 1-2 if he loses this week depending on how badly.

It is no secret that our team is trending in the right direction. All without our starting QB and now we're rolling with a freshman QB that was supposed to be the backup and he's looking poised to be the future and break some career records here.

I think changing coaches now would be devastating. No need for another rebuilding phase. We are finally reaping the rewards of the last one. The arrow on the Griz is very green and has no indication of slowing down unless we make drastic changes.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
FTC!!!
GO GRIZ!!!!

 

[DrainBramage]

No contract until he can prove that he can train at least 3 all American QBs each season. Cuz' everything else depends on their play.

 

[RobGriz]

Anyone who cannot see the sharp upward trend line of this team either:

(a) has an agenda
or
(b) never played the game.

Kent’s got the pen ready.

Still have some stuff to work on but definitely going the right direction. I think "sharp upward trend" is a little bit of an exaggeration, but definitely trending upward.

 

[PlayerRep]

In terms of record, note that the difference between this season and last season is that UM beat UNC in the second to last game of the season this year. Is this the "upward trend" that some of you are touting? Beating UNC this season. I think the Griz will beat the Cats, but what if they don't. And then likely no playoffs. So, if that occurred, this great "upward" trend would be beating UNC this year, and going 7-4, instead of losing to them and going 6-5. I am still supporting Stitt, but my god, in year 3, I would hope that fans want more improvement than beating UNC. That's why I believe the Cat game, and hopefully the playoffs, is a big deal.

 

[Glendivegriz]

And to think you people were pissed off about Delaney.

 

[PlayerRep]

Anyone who cannot see the sharp upward trend line of this team either:

(a) has an agenda
or
(b) never played the game.

Kent’s got the pen ready.

Still have some stuff to work on but definitely going the right direction. I think "shared upward trend" is a little bit of an exaggeration, but definitely trending upward.

See my above post on the subject. A Cat win and playoffs would be an upward trend. Not so sure a win over UNC evidences much of an upward trend. There are some other positives too. "Sharp" upward trend. That's pretty funny, except for people with low expectations. Of course, what can we expect from Everett. He supported Engstrom as UM enrollment and budget declined. His believe was that a slowing rate of decline in enrollment was an upward trend.

 

[Spanky]

I wasn’t. Mick did a good job and is a good coach.

 

[griz5700]

Well stated. Wasnt high on Stitt when he was hired, had the obvious frustrations most have had these first 3 years, but there is no doubt about the improvements on and off the field.

Give him 3 more years. Let’s see what happens with a roster full of his own recruits, a seasoned and more experienced qb in Jenson, an evolving offensive scheme, and there will be no doubt after 2020

Go Griz

Stitt already has 80 or 85 of his recruits (based on ready that only about 18 prior recruits remained at the start of the season). He has his QB (Jensen and Phillips). He has all of his own receivers, I believe. Not H-backs but I hope you have any issues with Horner or Simis. What Are you serious that you would give him till 2020 to be running all cylinders? That’s 6 years.

Are you saying that UM, under Stitt, has improved on and off the field? Delaney’s last 2 teams were ranked nos. 12 and 8. What has improved off the field since Delaney?

tbf I'm pretty sure much of that has to do with the classes he had. It's no secret that Delaney's recruiting classes weren't the best. If you had to have an arrow pointing up/down for the Griz, do you think the arrow was pointing up or down when Delaney left?

Personally, I think the arrow was pointing down big time and I think under Stitt we have turned that down arrow into an up arrow these last 2 years.

I thought Delaney’s recruiting classes were fine. A bit hard to judge after a bunch of guys leave after new coach arrives. We will see how Stitt’s classes turn out to be. Only 1 o-lineman starting in Year 3. Any Quinn’s, Russum’s, Horn’s, Balogh, Poehl’s, Kistler’s,
Burton’s? 1 of 3 H-backs. How would you rate the secondary recruits? Where are the future NFLers? QB seems fine but there have been a lot of very good Griz QB’s. Linebacker seems good. But where are the Tripp’s, Coyle’s, and other recent first team all-conference guys besides Buss? D-line fine but not sure of Stitt depth. Running backs okay but where are Hilliard’s, Green’s, Humphrey's. Kicker-punters? We will see how the younger guys turn out.

I thought Delaney’s last 2 years beating Cats, going to playoffs, and being ranked nos 12 and 8 were perfectly fine. I explain his first year by not having with any experience, after JJ couldn’t play. The Griz are barely top 25 now. That’s not an upward trend from 12 and 8.

I never agreed with the egriz evaluation of Delaney. Chalked it up as mainly from fans who don’t really understand football.

Well said.

 

[MTGRIZ12]

I'm not 100% sold. He would need to teach his DC or replace him. But somebody mentioned the "brand" of Griz football. Totally agree, 2 weeks ago we played the #1 team in the conference and it looked like a thanksgiving weekend crowd. This past weekend the south end zone was pretty empty, granted the opponent wasn't the greatest however, what happened to the days of excitement?
-Crowd is hit or miss, most games not really into it or frustrated with inept play calling on both sides of the ball.
-Pre-game is extremely BLAH and if you showed up saturday at noon to tailgate for a 1pm kick off you would have thought maybe it was a 3 or 4pm kick off. Flyover a week ago was cool, but like everything at the UM right now way off....flew over but didn't really excite anyone and was probably close to a minute after the anthem.

I will be the first to admit, not sold on Stitt even yet and was one of many calling for his job a month or so ago. I have always thought let a guy play with his recruits and see what he can do. I think from the sounds of things he is getting some great recruits but I also think he needs to shore up a few things first, Defense, special teams and in my opinion offensive play calls (at times). I am not sold on a 3 year deal but if he can bring back the excitement of Griz Nation and get them back as a dominant team on a National level then yes but right now 1 year tops depending on Saturday.

 

[AZDoc]

In terms of record, note that the difference between this season and last season is that UM beat UNC in the second to last game of the season this year. Is this the "upward trend" that some of you are touting? Beating UNC this season. I think the Griz will beat the Cats, but what if they don't. And then likely no playoffs. So, if that occurred, this great "upward" trend would be beating UNC this year, and going 7-4, instead of losing to them and going 6-5. I am still supporting Stitt, but my god, in year 3, I would hope that fans want more improvement than beating UNC. That's why I believe the Cat game, and hopefully the playoffs, is a big deal.

Come on PR...you're baiting here! Especially to those that've played the game. They pass the "eye test" as far as the level of play overall. Their team attitude is fantastic, just look at their body language. yes, they beat UNC same week as last season. They also beat NAU, which they did not last year, defense seems to be playing better. they are 7-2 in games that "count" if you take out UW. All of those things support what I call an uptick. I agree that the cat game is important, and I think as many on here have said, Coach calling it the Super Bowl means they will be ready. I'm hoping for the boys to go 2-1 in the playoffs as well. I would say if that were to happen, 10-4 would be considered upward movement. Even 9-4 would be good imo.

 

[kemajic]

In terms of record, note that the difference between this season and last season is that UM beat UNC in the second to last game of the season this year. Is this the "upward trend" that some of you are touting? Beating UNC this season. I think the Griz will beat the Cats, but what if they don't. And then likely no playoffs. So, if that occurred, this great "upward" trend would be beating UNC this year, and going 7-4, instead of losing to them and going 6-5. I am still supporting Stitt, but my god, in year 3, I would hope that fans want more improvement than beating UNC. That's why I believe the Cat game, and hopefully the playoffs, is a big deal.

Breaks it down cleanly and pretty much nails it. You're coachable.