Should Griz fire Stitt? a poll

[AZGrizFan]

Don Read’s coaching resume was a bit more impressive than Stitt’s.

Don Read invented an entire offense called the run-n-shoot, and wrote a book on it owned by every college and most high school coaches in the nation. They either wanted to employ elements of it, or figure out how to try to stop it.

Stitt made a minor change to the jet sweep, re-named it the "fly sweep", and used that along with a heavy dose of snake-oil to get a a coveted FCS head job at Montana, when no other team ever offered him that or even an O-coordinator position. 15 years of broken dreams, finally fulfilled by a clueless university president who demanded hiring a coach to clean up the program.

He did, however write a book called "Complete Quarterbacking". Didn't write it until 2002, however, well after he'd retired from coaching. Here's a link if you want to find a clue:

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/complete-quarterbacking_don-read/424507/?utm_term=1101002865667&mkwid=fSxH7yHd%7cdt&pcrid=11558858644&utm_campaign=Bing+Shopping+%7c+Sports+&+Outdoors&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing#isbn=0736039848&idiq=23979772&mkwid=fSxH7yHd%7Cdt&pcrid=11558858644

 

[mtgrizrule]

Don Read’s coaching resume was a bit more impressive than Stitt’s.

Don Read invented an entire offense called the run-n-shoot, and wrote a book on it owned by every college and most high school coaches in the nation. They either wanted to employ elements of it, or figure out how to try to stop it.

Stitt made a minor change to the jet sweep, re-named it the "fly sweep", and used that along with a heavy dose of snake-oil to get a a coveted FCS head job at Montana, when no other team ever offered him that or even an O-coordinator position. 15 years of broken dreams, finally fulfilled by a clueless university president who demanded hiring a coach to clean up the program.

He did, however write a book called "Complete Quarterbacking". Didn't write it until 2002, however, well after he'd retired from coaching. Here's a link if you want to find a clue:

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/complete-quarterbacking_don-read/424507/?utm_term=1101002865667&mkwid=fSxH7yHd%7cdt&pcrid=11558858644&utm_campaign=Bing+Shopping+%7c+Sports+&+Outdoors&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing#isbn=0736039848&idiq=23979772&mkwid=fSxH7yHd%7Cdt&pcrid=11558858644

Don Read was 20-19 with PSU from 68 through 71.
9-24 with Oregon from 74 through 76.
21-15 with Oregon Tech from 77-80.
19-33-1 with PSU from 81-85.

Coached Montana from 86-95.
He was 6-4, 6-5, 8-4 his 1st 3 years with Montana.
He then went 11-3, 7-4, 7-4, 6-5, 10-2, 11-3, 13-2 (finally winning the championship).
It was not until his 4th season that the GRIZ made a significant run in the playoffs (losing in the semi finals). That was followed by 4 mediocre years. His final 2 years were great.
In his 10 years with Montana, there were only 4 double digit win years. The rest were pretty average years. It took 8 years for his program to be consistent championship contenders.

Back then, GRIZ NATION showed patience, which eventually paid off. It took 10 years to pay off fully! Thanks to Engstrom, this is the situation the GRIZ are now in. Continuity is huge to get this program back to where we want it to be. Most people are not asking or expecting another 3+ years. 1 additional year is all it should be, at this point, then see what happens. It is much too early to give up on Stitt.

 

[AZDoc]

Don Read’s coaching resume was a bit more impressive than Stitt’s.

Don Read invented an entire offense called the run-n-shoot, and wrote a book on it owned by every college and most high school coaches in the nation. They either wanted to employ elements of it, or figure out how to try to stop it.

Stitt made a minor change to the jet sweep, re-named it the "fly sweep", and used that along with a heavy dose of snake-oil to get a a coveted FCS head job at Montana, when no other team ever offered him that or even an O-coordinator position. 15 years of broken dreams, finally fulfilled by a clueless university president who demanded hiring a coach to clean up the program.

He did, however write a book called "Complete Quarterbacking". Didn't write it until 2002, however, well after he'd retired from coaching. Here's a link if you want to find a clue:

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/complete-quarterbacking_don-read/424507/?utm_term=1101002865667&mkwid=fSxH7yHd%7cdt&pcrid=11558858644&utm_campaign=Bing+Shopping+%7c+Sports+&+Outdoors&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing#isbn=0736039848&idiq=23979772&mkwid=fSxH7yHd%7Cdt&pcrid=11558858644

Don Read was 20-19 with PSU from 68 through 71.
9-24 with Oregon from 74 through 76.
21-15 with Oregon Tech from 77-80.
19-33-1 with PSU from 81-85.

Coached Montana from 86-95.
He was 6-4, 6-5, 8-4 his 1st 3 years with Montana.
He then went 11-3, 7-4, 7-4, 6-5, 10-2, 11-3, 13-2 (finally winning the championship).
It was not until his 4th season that the GRIZ made a significant run in the playoffs (losing in the semi finals). That was followed by 4 mediocre years. His final 2 years were great.
In his 10 years with Montana, there were only 4 double digit win years. The rest were pretty average years. It took 8 years for his program to be consistent championship contenders.

Back then, GRIZ NATION showed patience, which eventually paid off. It took 10 years to pay off fully! Thanks to Engstrom, this is the situation the GRIZ are now in. Continuity is huge to get this program back to where we want it to be. Most people are not asking or expecting another 3+ years. 1 additional year is all it should be, at this point, then see what happens. It is much too early to give up on Stitt.

That is an interesting post...

 

[GriznBigfork]

This poll is a lot like the first release of the CFP poll a lot will change.

If the Griz go 8-3 a lot more fans will support retaining Coach Stitt.

If they go 6-5 or worse and are embarrassed by the Cats again, I bet 80% or more will want to see a change.

I am going to continue to be a fan and wait to see what happens. Time will tell if Coach Stitt be here next year or not.

 

[Ursa Major]

65% say no....

...65% probably never played the game..pedestrian!

No, many of those supporting realistically believe, there are not many realistic alternative options for the quick turnaround some GRIZ fans are wanting. Also they feel the revolving door approach is likely further detrimental to the program.

I am sure, quite a few of the those supporting to not fire Stitt are not so much backing him, but very unsure of the circumstances involved. Many feel the GRIZ are stuck between a rock and a hard spot.

Chances are likely, if we knew we could hire such and such winning coach, proven winner, and know with certainty the replacement coach would bring us to the championship level as soon as 2018, then they would support parting with Stitt. At this stage, we know absolutely nothing, and feel, it is very likely, the next GRIZ coach will not be putting the program in a better position. Most realistic options are every bit as questionable, as weathering the storm with Stitt.

Any reasonable Griz fan with half a brain knows that a new head coach will not win a national championship in his first year, and not in his second year either. But, those of us who want a change in leadership do not feel that Bob Stitt has the ability to be anything more than what his 17-year record says he is........ a 0.56 coach. I am not trying to be a neggie here, but, seriously, tell me why an average head coach over nearly two decades suddenly becomes a coach who can achieve results significantly above what he has always done? If somebody can give me legitimate reasons why he will suddenly be able to give us an 11-1 or even a 10-2 record, and win 2-3 playoff games, I will be all-in to support him.

I just don't see it. I hate his offense. Boring, predictable, easy to defend, with no ability to run the football consistently. He pays no attention to either defense nor special teams, and it shows. He has had a big problem with getting all of his players on the same page in 2015 and 2016. If a head coach is unable to get buy-in from his upper classmen, then I question his leadership skills. He tells us this year that the divisions on the team are in the past, yet it doesn't show up on the playing field. Seriously, I have a really hard time finding light at the end of the tunnel in supporting him getting another contract.

If we hire the right new head coach, my expectations would be to make the playoffs in his second year, beat the Bobcats, and win at least one playoff game. I think those expectations are very achievable with the recruits who will be sophomores, juniors, and seniors by that time. More importantly, however, is my feeling that we have hired a coach who understands the elements which make a championship caliber team, and is progressing towards that end. For me, Stitt will never be that guy, no matter how many contract extensions he gets.

I'm curious, why do 90% of the people who frequently use the phrase, "If you had half a brain", seemingly have half a brain? Is this like an Irishman calling himself a shanty Irish drunkard or an Italian calling himself a wop?

Serious question.

 

[PlayerRep]

Don Read’s coaching resume was a bit more impressive than Stitt’s.

Don Read invented an entire offense called the run-n-shoot, and wrote a book on it owned by every college and most high school coaches in the nation. They either wanted to employ elements of it, or figure out how to try to stop it.

Stitt made a minor change to the jet sweep, re-named it the "fly sweep", and used that along with a heavy dose of snake-oil to get a a coveted FCS head job at Montana, when no other team ever offered him that or even an O-coordinator position. 15 years of broken dreams, finally fulfilled by a clueless university president who demanded hiring a coach to clean up the program.

He did, however write a book called "Complete Quarterbacking". Didn't write it until 2002, however, well after he'd retired from coaching. Here's a link if you want to find a clue:

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/complete-quarterbacking_don-read/424507/?utm_term=1101002865667&mkwid=fSxH7yHd%7cdt&pcrid=11558858644&utm_campaign=Bing+Shopping+%7c+Sports+&+Outdoors&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing#isbn=0736039848&idiq=23979772&mkwid=fSxH7yHd%7Cdt&pcrid=11558858644

Don Read was 20-19 with PSU from 68 through 71.
9-24 with Oregon from 74 through 76.
21-15 with Oregon Tech from 77-80.
19-33-1 with PSU from 81-85.

Coached Montana from 86-95.
He was 6-4, 6-5, 8-4 his 1st 3 years with Montana.
He then went 11-3, 7-4, 7-4, 6-5, 10-2, 11-3, 13-2 (finally winning the championship).
It was not until his 4th season that the GRIZ made a significant run in the playoffs (losing in the semi finals). That was followed by 4 mediocre years. His final 2 years were great.
In his 10 years with Montana, there were only 4 double digit win years. The rest were pretty average years. It took 8 years for his program to be consistent championship contenders.

Back then, GRIZ NATION showed patience, which eventually paid off. It took 10 years to pay off fully! Thanks to Engstrom, this is the situation the GRIZ are now in. Continuity is huge to get this program back to where we want it to be. Most people are not asking or expecting another 3+ years. 1 additional year is all it should be, at this point, then see what happens. It is much too early to give up on Stitt.

So, Read started in '68 and won a national championship in '95. 27 years. Saw that someone said Stitt had coached 17 years.

Raise your hand if you are okay waiting another 10 years to get back to or towards the top.

 

[Grisly Fan]

Raise your hand if you are okay waiting another 10 years to get back to or towards the top.

Because it took Read 27 years then being patient must mean it will take Stitt that long as well? And you think of yourself as intelligent? Has to be one of the stupidest questions ever posted on eGriz -- and that is saying a lot.

 

[whitefishbear]

Raise your hand if you are okay waiting another 10 years to get back to or towards the top.

Because it took Read 27 years then being patient must mean it will take Stitt that long as well? And you think of yourself as intelligent? Has to be one of the stupidest questions ever posted on eGriz -- and that is saying a lot.

This Don Read comparison is totally apples and oranges, and using it to justify keeping Stitt is ridiculous. The reasons why have already been posted, so I will not bore you with them. Just understand that there is no relevance to Don Read's building the Griz program from the joke it was from 1970 until he took over to what the program was when Bob Stitt took over.

 

[whitefishbear]

...65% probably never played the game..pedestrian!

No, many of those supporting realistically believe, there are not many realistic alternative options for the quick turnaround some GRIZ fans are wanting. Also they feel the revolving door approach is likely further detrimental to the program.

I am sure, quite a few of the those supporting to not fire Stitt are not so much backing him, but very unsure of the circumstances involved. Many feel the GRIZ are stuck between a rock and a hard spot.

Chances are likely, if we knew we could hire such and such winning coach, proven winner, and know with certainty the replacement coach would bring us to the championship level as soon as 2018, then they would support parting with Stitt. At this stage, we know absolutely nothing, and feel, it is very likely, the next GRIZ coach will not be putting the program in a better position. Most realistic options are every bit as questionable, as weathering the storm with Stitt.

Any reasonable Griz fan with half a brain knows that a new head coach will not win a national championship in his first year, and not in his second year either. But, those of us who want a change in leadership do not feel that Bob Stitt has the ability to be anything more than what his 17-year record says he is........ a 0.56 coach. I am not trying to be a neggie here, but, seriously, tell me why an average head coach over nearly two decades suddenly becomes a coach who can achieve results significantly above what he has always done? If somebody can give me legitimate reasons why he will suddenly be able to give us an 11-1 or even a 10-2 record, and win 2-3 playoff games, I will be all-in to support him.

I just don't see it. I hate his offense. Boring, predictable, easy to defend, with no ability to run the football consistently. He pays no attention to either defense nor special teams, and it shows. He has had a big problem with getting all of his players on the same page in 2015 and 2016. If a head coach is unable to get buy-in from his upper classmen, then I question his leadership skills. He tells us this year that the divisions on the team are in the past, yet it doesn't show up on the playing field. Seriously, I have a really hard time finding light at the end of the tunnel in supporting him getting another contract.

If we hire the right new head coach, my expectations would be to make the playoffs in his second year, beat the Bobcats, and win at least one playoff game. I think those expectations are very achievable with the recruits who will be sophomores, juniors, and seniors by that time. More importantly, however, is my feeling that we have hired a coach who understands the elements which make a championship caliber team, and is progressing towards that end. For me, Stitt will never be that guy, no matter how many contract extensions he gets.

I'm curious, why do 90% of the people who frequently use the phrase, "If you had half a brain", seemingly have half a brain? Is this like an Irishman calling himself a shanty Irish drunkard or an Italian calling himself a wop?

Serious question.

Looks like you got the wrong half

 

[AZGrizFan]

No, many of those supporting realistically believe, there are not many realistic alternative options for the quick turnaround some GRIZ fans are wanting. Also they feel the revolving door approach is likely further detrimental to the program.

I am sure, quite a few of the those supporting to not fire Stitt are not so much backing him, but very unsure of the circumstances involved. Many feel the GRIZ are stuck between a rock and a hard spot.

Chances are likely, if we knew we could hire such and such winning coach, proven winner, and know with certainty the replacement coach would bring us to the championship level as soon as 2018, then they would support parting with Stitt. At this stage, we know absolutely nothing, and feel, it is very likely, the next GRIZ coach will not be putting the program in a better position. Most realistic options are every bit as questionable, as weathering the storm with Stitt.

Any reasonable Griz fan with half a brain knows that a new head coach will not win a national championship in his first year, and not in his second year either. But, those of us who want a change in leadership do not feel that Bob Stitt has the ability to be anything more than what his 17-year record says he is........ a 0.56 coach. I am not trying to be a neggie here, but, seriously, tell me why an average head coach over nearly two decades suddenly becomes a coach who can achieve results significantly above what he has always done? If somebody can give me legitimate reasons why he will suddenly be able to give us an 11-1 or even a 10-2 record, and win 2-3 playoff games, I will be all-in to support him.

I just don't see it. I hate his offense. Boring, predictable, easy to defend, with no ability to run the football consistently. He pays no attention to either defense nor special teams, and it shows. He has had a big problem with getting all of his players on the same page in 2015 and 2016. If a head coach is unable to get buy-in from his upper classmen, then I question his leadership skills. He tells us this year that the divisions on the team are in the past, yet it doesn't show up on the playing field. Seriously, I have a really hard time finding light at the end of the tunnel in supporting him getting another contract.

If we hire the right new head coach, my expectations would be to make the playoffs in his second year, beat the Bobcats, and win at least one playoff game. I think those expectations are very achievable with the recruits who will be sophomores, juniors, and seniors by that time. More importantly, however, is my feeling that we have hired a coach who understands the elements which make a championship caliber team, and is progressing towards that end. For me, Stitt will never be that guy, no matter how many contract extensions he gets.

I'm curious, why do 90% of the people who frequently use the phrase, "If you had half a brain", seemingly have half a brain? Is this like an Irishman calling himself a shanty Irish drunkard or an Italian calling himself a wop?

Serious question.

Looks like you got the wrong half

And you got neither half.

 

[Topey711]

I think the OP poll question isn't the right one to ask. It somewhat skews the results. Quite a few no voters have put caveats on their answers. Wait and see type of thing. The telling question would be this; Do you believe Stitt WILL (not can) lead the Grizz back to success? I'll define success as Big Sky titles, deep playoff runs, being ranked in the top ten nationally consistently, and ultimately a National Title? Simple yes or no. No caveats. Do you honestly believe ? I'm curious as to what the changes in percentage would be.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I think the OP poll question isn't the right one to ask. It somewhat skews the results. Quite a few no voters have put caveats on their answers. Wait and see type of thing. The telling question would be this; Do you believe Stitt WILL (not can) lead the Grizz back to success? I'll define success as Big Sky titles, deep playoff runs, being ranked in the top ten nationally consistently, and ultimately a National Title? Simple yes or no. No caveats. Do you honestly believe ? I'm curious as to what the changes in percentage would be.

I put caveats on my answer (I answered no, BTW), but my answer to THIS question also has caveats. If he's willing to fire Semore and the ST coach at the end of the year (regardless of record), then I believe he has the leadership to make the tough decisions and do what's right for the program. If not, then I think he's got to go (regardless of record).