More Departures?

[NativeGriz]

We had similar problems with players from Hawaii in the past. The culture is just too different. Once upon a time (mid 90's) We used to have quite a few kids from hawaii. It just didn't work out well with most of them.

Ummm.....Brian Ah Yat, Raul Pacheco, & Kelley Bryant ring a bell?

Yup they sure do. I don't suppose you remember a guy by the name of steve valentine that worked with a number of players at that time as an unofficial chaplain to keep the Tommy Lee recruits here. The ones that stayed did well others got homesick and left........

So what you are saying is the right staff knows how to keep quality people around despite being homesick etc.

I don't have any clue as to why TM left the program, but I don't think it had anything to do with Hawaii. There are other signs, TM posted on his FB page "ha ha, the old man makes me laugh. On to better things"

 

[Paytonlives]

All this does is open up schollies for transfers...

 

[NativeGriz]

All this does is open up schollies for transfers...

Way to keep is positive Payton.

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

It's not that "the ship be sinkin". I just think that there may be some negative dynamics inside the locker room, causing some players to pack it in. I know we have capable backups, and maybe this does open up some scholarship money, however, when four players leave there may be reason for concern in regard to how the coaching staff relates to the players.

 

[statler & waldorf]

There are other signs, TM posted on his FB page "ha ha, the old man makes me laugh. On to better things"

Delaney? He doesn't make me laugh. Nauseous, yes. Pass the Phenergan! uke: From what I've read, the assistant coaching staff has been made in his image. Only a few more months, then speculation will yield to facts, so hang on 'til this "fall."

 

[Alaska Griz]

At least you guys found something to worry about. Seriously, look up any college football team in America. Usually have a handful of kids quit, move on, get told they won't start, etc. every single year. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Just off the top of my head last year Ginn, Kalekeini (sp?) and Horner quit. I know there was more. I wasn't concerned then, and I'm not now. If you need to calm yourself, go back and look at past years to see this is not out of the norm. If Jordy and Henderson up and quit, then I'de be concerned
Best of luck. the hope is that we upgrade in these areas. The end.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

I have no idea why these guys left, so I'm gonna just go ahead and form a strong opinion anyway.

 

[Ursa Major]

I have no idea why these guys left, so I'm gonna just go ahead and form a strong opinion anyway.

HA!

 

[tnt]

We had similar problems with players from Hawaii in the past. The culture is just too different. Once upon a time (mid 90's) We used to have quite a few kids from hawaii. It just didn't work out well with most of them.

Ummm.....Brian Ah Yat, Raul Pacheco, & Kelley Bryant ring a bell?

Yup they sure do. I don't suppose you remember a guy by the name of steve valentine that worked with a number of players at that time as an unofficial chaplain to keep the Tommy Lee recruits here. The ones that stayed did well others got homesick and left........

So what you are saying is the right staff knows how to keep quality people around despite being homesick etc.

One would have to define quality players. If you have one wanting to quit every year or quit if things don't go his way, its likely someone is gonna say don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. I suppose we can come up with a way to make everybody feel like they are a starter, but usually those who work the hardest and have the most success get the job anyway. Nothing changes things up faster than being successful. If we have highly successful players leaving then we have a problem. If we have a player making "out of school comments" on social media about coach or staff he needs to find the door really quick whether hes right or not. MD is old enough to be of the school to say "gee thanks for your input now get your ass the hell out here, no one is irreplaceable'

I"m not sure when college football coaches started to have to ask "are you feeling okay about yourself" should we all hold hands and sing kumbaya now?

Those kids were all involved in a Church program started back in the Grady Bennett Days. The staff involvement was Don reads encouragement to participate. Steve Valentine (if I have the name right) was local Pastor and former Olympian.

When a kids visions of grandeur and athletic stardom are dashed, that's hardly the staffs problem. All four of the kids who left never rose to the level they were at in High school. Its gotta be hard going from Star to 2, 3, or worse on the depth chart. Others grow up and realize 30 hours a week of hard work year round for a few minutes of play time (or in the case of a BU QB no play time) prolly isn't worth it. If the kid is a serious student probably less so. Of course there are other rewards than playing on Sat, but even those come into question.

 

[SaskGriz]

Not surprised that McKinney would have a negative tweet about Delaney. A young man who finds himself set adrift by circumstances that he could not control is going to be pretty frustrated. A grain of salt and best wishes to him whatever happens next for him. Hagfors seemed like a useful player and maybe he did put Student ahead of Athlete, good for him if he did. It's a tough balance to strike and it isn't for everybody. He is still at the U so maybe he has a change of heart over the summer. Don't like to see anybody who wore the Maroon and Silver leave early but it happens.

 

[NativeGriz]

Some kids under perform for a variety of reasons, some of which they have no control over. Some coaches haven’t the skill level to coach a kid to perform at his highest level. For example, MD’s system might not have been best for TM. TM was recruited to be a part of a spread offense. I believe in the right system with the right coach, TM would have done great at the FCS level. And I am sure that can be said of a lot of coaches and players

Too bad Steve Valentine is not still around-good man.

 

[tnt]

Some kids under perform for a variety of reasons, some of which they have no control over. Some coaches haven’t the skill level to coach a kid to perform at his highest level. For example, MD’s system might not have been best for TM. TM was recruited to be a part of a spread offense. I believe in the right system with the right coach, TM would have done great at the FCS level. And I am sure that can be said of a lot of coaches and players

Too bad Steve Valentine is not still around-good man.

Dead-on everything. I wish they had cut TM loose and made some calls on his behalf last year/summer.............

 

[BWahlberg]

Not the end of it, I'm hearing.

 

[CV Griz Fan]

Ummm.....Brian Ah Yat, Raul Pacheco, & Kelley Bryant ring a bell?

Yup they sure do. I don't suppose you remember a guy by the name of steve valentine that worked with a number of players at that time as an unofficial chaplain to keep the Tommy Lee recruits here. The ones that stayed did well others got homesick and left........

So what you are saying is the right staff knows how to keep quality people around despite being homesick etc.

One would have to define quality players. If you have one wanting to quit every year or quit if things don't go his way, its likely someone is gonna say don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. I suppose we can come up with a way to make everybody feel like they are a starter, but usually those who work the hardest and have the most success get the job anyway. Nothing changes things up faster than being successful. If we have highly successful players leaving then we have a problem. If we have a player making "out of school comments" on social media about coach or staff he needs to find the door really quick whether hes right or not. MD is old enough to be of the school to say "gee thanks for your input now get your ass the hell out here, no one is irreplaceable'

I"m not sure when college football coaches started to have to ask "are you feeling okay about yourself" should we all hold hands and sing kumbaya now?

Those kids were all involved in a Church program started back in the Grady Bennett Days. The staff involvement was Don reads encouragement to participate. Steve Valentine (if I have the name right) was local Pastor and former Olympian.

When a kids visions of grandeur and athletic stardom are dashed, that's hardly the staffs problem. All four of the kids who left never rose to the level they were at in High school. Its gotta be hard going from Star to 2, 3, or worse on the depth chart. Others grow up and realize 30 hours a week of hard work year round for a few minutes of play time (or in the case of a BU QB no play time) prolly isn't worth it. If the kid is a serious student probably less so. Of course there are other rewards than playing on Sat, but even those come into question.

The question becomes which of the current Griz seniors or last year's players would have left, like Hayden Craig did, had the coaching change from Pflu to MD occurred earlier in their careers? I think one more player who would've exited would have been DT Alex B.

 

[gotgame75]

Not the end of it, I'm hearing.

Seriously, what in the hell is going on? People can continue to make excuses about how this is all normal, but something is definitely amiss.

 

[tnt]

Not the end of it, I'm hearing.

Seriously, what in the hell is going on? People can continue to make excuses about how this is all normal, but something is definitely amiss.

My guess is MD cleaned house of "problems" his first year.

Now he is building "his team" planning a future and a serious run in the playoffs. He is 4 schollies short which represents 8 or more players. He needs the bucks to get some transfers and maybe drop downs. The simple fact is unless you are a top producer, there are no more schollies. It would be the same with any coach in the same position. I would guess we will see three or four more before its all over. I'm sure its like a dead blow i the gut for these kids. For others it could be extreme motivation. In any event it will be real in a pretty short time.

Every schollie will be used (no more spares from drop outs) and every kid with one will be producing. MD is taking this thing seriously.

 

['68griz]

Not the end of it, I'm hearing.

Seriously, what in the hell is going on? People can continue to make excuses about how this is all normal, but something is definitely amiss.

This.

 

[BWahlberg]

Not the end of it, I'm hearing.

Seriously, what in the hell is going on? People can continue to make excuses about how this is all normal, but something is definitely amiss.

This.

My understanding is this one is pretty plain and simple, bad grades. Not a "team culture" issue. Not sure if it can be corrected over the summer or not.

 

[BDizzle]

Anybody read bobcatnation lately? They are losing players left and right.

It happens.

 

[garizzalies]

...All four of the kids who left never rose to the level they were at in High school. Its gotta be hard going from Star to 2, 3, or worse on the depth chart.

You should not speak so generally. Harper would have been the slated started. He was very good; i witnessed that firsthand several times. Similar for Hagfors, but to a lesser extent and for only limited formations/situations. I will give you TM and Samson. But TM got a raw deal and Samson would have at least added needed depth.

If MickyD is "cleaning house" to make room for a "serious playoff" run as you suggest, these moves do not make sense. Why in the hell is he keeping the butte boys that will never see the field and who have changed positions like 10 times already? Harper and Hagfors were clearly above them on the depth chart.

I'm sure MickyD will say they "chose" to leave for personal reasons. That excuse might work once or maybe even twice but then it starts to get very fishy.