Returning UM football to dominance

[EverettGriz]

IMO - to improve on dominance.

1. Stability - as previously posted. 3 coaches and 3 systems in the last 5 years with most players also experiencing just as many position coach changes, if not more. Each head coach has recruited for different systems and schemes. Real hard to build NDSU-like dominance with that kind of change almost every other year.

2. Internal facilities improvements. The new weight/locker/study/training rooms would be a GAME CHANGER for this program on the same level of when the stadium was built in 1986. Montana would have the inner-workings to match what us fans see on game day.

3. Strategic vision. Not that the current team/program does not have it, but to set a long-term vision for where this program will be in 5, 10, 15 years. Use that vision to guide decisions along the way. As you consider coaching changes, expansions, recruiting, conference alignment, etc - reflect on that strategic vision and determine if these moves fit within the long-term goals of the program. Have a long-term guide. Have this vision built by a wide-array of people, staff, admins, main hall, advisory board, alumni, community.

Good post.

 

[getgrizzy]

Any other program that has been ran through the ringer like Montana was the last two years would have been dealt a crippling blow, EWU, MSU and any other school in the BSC. The fact that we made it through that mess and the next season had a 10-3 record is amazing.

I don't always agree with our coaching staff, nor would I like to see MD as HC much longer. But he has done what he was brought here to do, kept the ship afloat, and after only one bad year, were back to winning again. I would say its been a job well done. If anything needs to go its Royce Engstrom.

we weren't under any sanctions last year.

Yeah we were, they started July 2013

we weren't under any scholarship sanctions last year. the other sanctions like reduction of grad assts and vacating wins and public reprimand are basically fluff.

 

[griz8791]

. . . I say that our current coaching staff, from top to bottom, is the weakest, least experienced staff we have had since before the Read era . . .

I have a client who is a die-hard, bleeds-blue-and-gold Cat fan, and he vehemently disagrees with you about who has the weakest staff in the conference. I've heard the tirade several times now so I know it isn't a one-off. I keep telling him he's over the top and he keeps ignoring me.

 

[kemajic]

Don Read came back from our first Championship game against Georgia Southern frustrated after seeing their program and facilities.

We have had only one Championship game with GSU and that was at Chattanooga in 2000 when Joe Glenn was coach, and I doubt he went to Statesboro to see the GSU facilities. Our only visit to Statesboro was with Read in a semifinal game in 1989, which must be the instance to which you refer. The only other time we played GSU was our quarterfinal blowout in Missoula in 1995, a few weeks before Read retired.

 

[grizcountry420]

Montana needs to hire someone from outside of the box, someone with no ties to Montana.. That would be a good start.

I see this kind of opinion posted a lot, and while I don't necessarily disagree with it I'm just wondering why. Care to elaborate?

I like to think that we pride this team on tradition and if there are good options with former knowledge of Montana... great. But I also don't think that should be criteria that takes precedent over knowledge/talent/system/potential.

I see where you are coming from Brint but I like the idea of change. Bring someone in that has fresh ideas on where he wants to take this program. I feel that our football program is getting burnt out. It reminds me of the guy who just shows up to work because he has too. We need to mix it up a little bit, get back to how it use to be.. You know, winning at home all the time and making a run for the championship. Shit in all honesty, i would love to see Bobby come back and coach. I know that will never happen but damn that was a pretty good ride..

 

[griz5700]

I dont understand why people think Delaney saved the program? Sure, tough situation.. but he inherited a talented team with players and coaches he was familiar with.

I thought the only way Delaney could go from interim to official HC would be if he absolutely kicked ass and buried any concerns about his abilities as a HC. Plenty of concerns and questions at the moment.

5-6 in 2012 was all I needed to see to know Mick isn't the right guy.. And his nonchalant, arrogant attitude leading up to the coastal carolina game.. embarrassing.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Any other program that has been ran through the ringer like Montana was the last two years would have been dealt a crippling blow, EWU, MSU and any other school in the BSC. The fact that we made it through that mess and the next season had a 10-3 record is amazing.

I don't always agree with our coaching staff, nor would I like to see MD as HC much longer. But he has done what he was brought here to do, kept the ship afloat, and after only one bad year, were back to winning again. I would say its been a job well done. If anything needs to go its Royce Engstrom.

we weren't under any sanctions last year.

:roll: :roll:

Yeah. I'm sure having a QB come back after JUST getting found not guilty of rape charges, and the uncertainty of that outcome and not having touched football for a year, not to mention all the distractions associated with the DOJ, DOE, NCAA, HLS, EPA, etc., etc., breathing down the university's neck...I'm sure NONE of that was a distraction. And yet, somehow, we managed a 10-win season.

 

[getgrizzy]

Any other program that has been ran through the ringer like Montana was the last two years would have been dealt a crippling blow, EWU, MSU and any other school in the BSC. The fact that we made it through that mess and the next season had a 10-3 record is amazing.

I don't always agree with our coaching staff, nor would I like to see MD as HC much longer. But he has done what he was brought here to do, kept the ship afloat, and after only one bad year, were back to winning again. I would say its been a job well done. If anything needs to go its Royce Engstrom.

we weren't under any sanctions last year.

:roll: :roll:

Yeah. I'm sure having a QB come back after JUST getting found not guilty of rape charges, and the uncertainty of that outcome and not having touched football for a year, not to mention all the distractions associated with the DOJ, DOE, NCAA, HLS, EPA, etc., etc., breathing down the university's neck...I'm sure NONE of that was a distraction. And yet, somehow, we managed a 10-win season.

could just as easily call that motivation.

 

[tnt]

Any other program that has been ran through the ringer like Montana was the last two years would have been dealt a crippling blow, EWU, MSU and any other school in the BSC. The fact that we made it through that mess and the next season had a 10-3 record is amazing.

I don't always agree with our coaching staff, nor would I like to see MD as HC much longer. But he has done what he was brought here to do, kept the ship afloat, and after only one bad year, were back to winning again. I would say its been a job well done. If anything needs to go its Royce Engstrom.

we weren't under any sanctions last year.

:roll: :roll:

Yeah. I'm sure having a QB come back after JUST getting found not guilty of rape charges, and the uncertainty of that outcome and not having touched football for a year, not to mention all the distractions associated with the DOJ, DOE, NCAA, HLS, EPA, etc., etc., breathing down the university's neck...I'm sure NONE of that was a distraction. And yet, somehow, we managed a 10-win season.

could just as easily call that motivation.

Yeah, but then I find it fascinating the number who go onto a hissy about losing momentum over a bye week. A bye season?????

 

[griz5700]

Any other program that has been ran through the ringer like Montana was the last two years would have been dealt a crippling blow, EWU, MSU and any other school in the BSC. The fact that we made it through that mess and the next season had a 10-3 record is amazing.

I don't always agree with our coaching staff, nor would I like to see MD as HC much longer. But he has done what he was brought here to do, kept the ship afloat, and after only one bad year, were back to winning again. I would say its been a job well done. If anything needs to go its Royce Engstrom.

we weren't under any sanctions last year.

:roll: :roll:

Yeah. I'm sure having a QB come back after JUST getting found not guilty of rape charges, and the uncertainty of that outcome and not having touched football for a year, not to mention all the distractions associated with the DOJ, DOE, NCAA, HLS, EPA, etc., etc., breathing down the university's neck...I'm sure NONE of that was a distraction. And yet, somehow, we managed a 10-win season.

Excuses, excuses.. But you're right, Mick wasn't capable of handling these distractions.

 

[ordigger]

Always refreshing to read opinions of all the closet coaches, and couch quarterbacks out there. Fellas, stick with your day jobs. Mick has done a great job.

 

[griz5700]

Always refreshing to read opinions of all the closet coaches, and couch quarterbacks out there. Fellas, stick with your day jobs. Mick has done a great job.

Says the Butte guy..

 

[get'em_griz]

Always refreshing to read opinions of all the closet coaches, and couch quarterbacks out there. Fellas, stick with your day jobs. Mick has done a great job.

Says the Butte guy..

 

[Eriul]

Always refreshing to read opinions of all the closet coaches, and couch quarterbacks out there. Fellas, stick with your day jobs. Mick has done a great job.

Says the Butte guy..

I'm not gonna lie. Everytime I see that gif I laugh

 

[PlayerRep]

Montana needs to hire someone from outside of the box, someone with no ties to Montana.. That would be a good start.

Yes, the way to get back to dominance is get a coach who doesn't know anything about Montana, doesn't know the history or traditions of UMor UM athletics or who coached here, doesn't know the State or its cities and towns, doesn't know the current or recent assistants, doesn't know any of the big name players like those in or formerly in the NFL, doesn't know the recruiting territory, doesn't know any of the high school coaches in the region, Doesn't know the strengths of UM and how to sell UM and Missoula to out of state recruits, doesn't know anyone in the administration or faculty, doesn't know any of the financial supporters or fans, and has a clean slate. Someone with no ties to MT could probably hit the ground running within several years.

 

[tgreseth]

You got your ass paddled on that one 420!

 

[grizcountry420]

You got your ass paddled on that one 420!

HaHaHa! He has some good points. Its all good!

 

[mtgrizrule]

I am very split regarding Delaney, as is GRIZ NATION. I do feel many GRIZ fans, including myself had too high of expectations in 2012. Look at the circumstances: lost of your quarterback, new coach took over in spring ball, and chaos due to circumstances distracting most. How many coaches/programs could have coached a national title contender or much better than .500 under those same circumstances? As frustrating as 2012 was, it was a bye year for Delaney. I posted I would have a better idea of Delaney from the 2013 season.

2013 was an improvement. Offense, defense, and special teams were all improved from 2012. Were they improved enough for me to be 100% behind Delaney being here longer than 2014? Not quite. Were they enough for me to have a more open mind in 2014? Yes. With that said there are a lot of things I need to see in 2014, which will determine my support for Delaney beyond 2014.

I need to see more consistency on each side of the ball. In Mick's time as coach, his teams have struggled against playoff caliber teams, and teams better than average. They have lost a few games they had no business losing, and struggled against teams they should have beat soundly.

Offensively, I need to see better play calling (not so much reliance on the deep ball), better player utilization, better in game adjustments sooner than halftime, give JJ more freedom, and a meaner attitude from the OL.

Defensively, more aggressive pass coverage schemes, more consistent pressure on the qb, better containment on the edges, and more consistent tackling, continue to force turnovers, and more swagger/attitude.

Overall, under Delaney the offense has boosted it's averages against average or below average opponents. Defensively, we have given up way too many 3rd down conversions, and teams moved the ball too consistently against us. Against quality opponents, we were outcoached and struggled. The GRIZ should not be struggling against NAU, Sac State, and SUU. The GRIZ should not be losing as often to EWU. Like it or not, they are the best program in the conference and appear to widening the gap. In 2014 we need to soundly beat the teams we are expected to beat, and win more games against better teams. Sorry, but we should not be losing to the likes of Coastal Carolina at home in the playoffs in the manner we lost. Speaking of losses, it is not the losses that upset me. It is how we lose and who we lose to that has been frustrating to me.

For me 2014 is the season that will make or break my opinion and support of Delaney. Right now, I am slightly leaning toward making a new start. Fortunately, that leaning is much less of a gap than it was at this last year.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

I am interested in the opinions of Griz fans on this topic, so I will jump into the fire with both feet, and give my opinion first. Feel free to disagree with me, but I would love to see your examples to justify why you disagree, instead of just generally disagreeing. Save the stats, cause they mean nothing to me. Give me game time examples, or football Xs and Os to support your position.

I say that our current coaching staff, from top to bottom, is the weakest, least experienced staff we have had since before the Read era. Delaney is totally over his head, and is the worst head coach in the Big Sky. Gregorak is all fluff and rah rah, and is clueless designing an effective defense or making game-time adjustments. Dual O-coordinators is a stupid idea, but they could combine their play calling skills and it still would be weak. The only coach I really like is Green. He knows how to teach, and has a great attitude. His NFL experience is obvious in his coaching. Lurch's NFL experience should make him a great O-line coach, but his O-line's have not produced up to previous coach's standards.

I see the enthusiasm on this board for the expectations of a great 2014 season, and I wish I could feel the same way, like I did ever season for many years. But the reality to me is that this staff is incapable of coachin'-them-up to a level necessary to be excellent again. So, I wait for the axe to fall to become excited again. And you say............?

I love how you back up your arguments with "X's and O's." :lol:

 

[AZGrizFan]

Overall, under Delaney the offense has boosted it's averages against average or below average opponents. Defensively, we have given up way too many 3rd down conversions, and teams moved the ball too consistently against us. Against quality opponents, we were outcoached and struggled. The GRIZ should not be struggling against NAU, Sac State, and SUU. The GRIZ should not be losing as often to EWU. Like it or not, they are the best program in the conference and appear to widening the gap. In 2014 we need to soundly beat the teams we are expected to beat, and win more games against better teams. Sorry, but we should not be losing to the likes of Coastal Carolina at home in the playoffs in the manner we lost. Speaking of losses, it is not the losses that upset me. It is how we lose and who we lose to that has been frustrating to me.

Sweet Jesus....EVERY TEAM IN THE WORLD BOOSTS ITS AVERAGES AGAINST THE BELOW AVERAGE OPPONENTS. THAT'S WHY THEY CALL THEM AVERAGES!

And I hate to break it to you, but these teams (NAU, Sac, SUU, MSU) are not your father's teams....the playing field has leveled somewhat, and the days of winning 17 straight against one opponent are OVER. Unless it's UNC or ISU.