Talented Recruits....Potential of Success

[AZGrizFan]

Copper, are you suggesting that the team, at present, isn't good enough to beat Northern Colorado and Montana State?

Not with the offense we had by year end.

Last few years scoring against UNC: 53, 52, 41, 38, 30, 55, 40, 38. This year? 25. Lowest point total since this series was renewed back in 2002.

Our 17 against MSU was the 3rd lowest scoring since 2007. If we put up 25 against MSU we only lose 5 games against them since 1986. If we'd put up 25 against MSU we'd have won again this year.

 

[Copper Griz]

Copper, are you suggesting that the team, at present, isn't good enough to beat Northern Colorado and Montana State?

No Spanky. There may have been the necessary talent, but you can't lay it all at Stitt's feet. The attitudes of the players and their commitment is also critical. Truthfully, the Griz were just not very good this year. I believe in logic. Four coaches in approximately 8 years and scholarship reductions. Painful. I am not sure what fans want to do? Fire Stitt and start the coaching Merry- go round again? This staff has recruited exceptionally. They are putting the pieces together. Let them get their system in place and then there can be an honest assessment. If he does not perform the cupboard will not be bare for the next coach.

 

[Spanky]

Copper, I am not suggesting we fire Stitt, however, he is the Head Coach and should be held responsible, certainly including motivation.
I also agree that our recruiting efforts seem to have good results, however, the coaching staff must do more than issue uniforms.

 

[Copper Griz]

Copper, I am not suggesting we fire Stitt, however, he is the Head Coach and should be held responsible, certainly including motivation.
I also agree that our recruiting efforts seem to have good results, however, the coaching staff must do more than issue uniforms.

We are on the same page Spanky. I am big on accountability. We as fans just don't know what those conversations look like internally. I am hopeful they have occurred.

 

[poorgriz]

The Number 1 thing a coach should be worrying about is making sure their kids are getting the most out of their education opportunity, everything else should be second to this, but obviously its not.

Actually, glad you pointed that out because that is EXACTLY No. 1 on Stitt's list of priorities and has been since day one. He is recruiting kids who have high HS GPA's, are coming to go to class and get a degree. And no, I'm not saying other coaches don't do the same thing, but this is a thread about UM recruiting, and trust me, Stitt is as high on academics as any coach I've ever personally met.

Oh brother. :roll: I can promise you the absolute number one priority on Stitt's list is to win football games. Yes, most coaches preach that education is first and winning second, and some of them actually mean it. Bottom line though, as long as the APH is where it needs to be to not hinder the on field production, winning games is #1.

Not arguing how bad Stitt wants to win. That kind of goes without saying. What fricken coach in any sport DOESN'T want to win??? But this is a recruiting topic, and when it comes to recruiting, academics is at the VERY top of the list in what he is looking for. I know this for a fact. There are very talented players in Montana's recruiting sector that haven't been offered the last two years because of academics, and I'm not talking about academic risks either. I'm talking kids that are passing their high school classes and meet the minimum requirements to be accepted to a university.

So poorgriz, don't try and turn what I said into stupid rivalry crap. I never said Choate didn't emphasize academics. I never even brought him up. IN fact, I said in my OP "I'm not saying other coaches don't care about academics."

No, I'm not turning this into a Cat-griz thing. It's the same for most coaches. They look for kick as football players first, and then they make sure those players are going to cut it academically. As I stated earlier, some coaches actually care about whether the kids succeed academically. Lastly, you guys are confusing me. I remember a bunch of you explaining away the fact Stitt never could win championships at the D2 level - by saying it was because he was hindered by having too many smart engineering type kids on his team. Now you're saying his number 1 priority if going out and finding rocket scientists?

 

[G-BEARS]

For me, it's winning.

The Number 1 thing a coach should be worrying about is making sure their kids are getting the most out of their education opportunity, everything else should be second to this, but obviously its not.

Actually, glad you pointed that out because that is EXACTLY No. 1 on Stitt's list of priorities and has been since day one. He is recruiting kids who have high HS GPA's, are coming to go to class and get a degree. And no, I'm not saying other coaches don't do the same thing, but this is a thread about UM recruiting, and trust me, Stitt is as high on academics as any coach I've ever personally met.

Oh brother. :roll: I can promise you the absolute number one priority on Stitt's list is to win football games. Yes, most coaches preach that education is first and winning second, and some of them actually mean it. Bottom line though, as long as the APH is where it needs to be to not hinder the on field production, winning games is #1.

Absolutely right. I would say this is true for all coaches, but wasn't there a poll on bobcatnation last year saying that beating the griz was more important than winning all the other football games or something like that? It seems that that mentality may have seeped into the coaching staff as well.

 

[SeattleBobcat]

For me, it's winning.

The Number 1 thing a coach should be worrying about is making sure their kids are getting the most out of their education opportunity, everything else should be second to this, but obviously its not.

Actually, glad you pointed that out because that is EXACTLY No. 1 on Stitt's list of priorities and has been since day one. He is recruiting kids who have high HS GPA's, are coming to go to class and get a degree. And no, I'm not saying other coaches don't do the same thing, but this is a thread about UM recruiting, and trust me, Stitt is as high on academics as any coach I've ever personally met.

Does Stitt just expect recruits/players to get an education, or does he also help them get a good education?

I'm all for a good education, and for players being students, but I don't think getting the most of their education is a good no. 1 priority for a football coach at this level, nor do I think it's a blueprint for success on the field.

I think it's a very important part that is completely lost at most higher level college football programs. 2% of college football athletes continue to play football after college. If the coach isn't doing his part to make sure these kids are getting the tools they need to succeed at life, he's doing a disservice to his kids. Football takes up a high portion of a kids time, energy and effort during college. So to me if falls on that coach, sometimes making millions of dollars a year, to make sure his make to most of the opportunity given. Which could mean a lot of different things depending on the kids.