The question I hate to even ask

[poorgriz]

True... but MSU "Almost Beat" both SMU and SFA, so we have that going for us.

Ah yes, moral victories. Congratulations...

Apparently you've never played the game. :thumb:

 

[BWahlberg]

I find it interesting that an extension hasn't already been announced. And I have no idea if one is in the works.

I am of the opinion that Mick did a great job righting the ship. But I don't see him as the long term (i.e., more than next year) answer. I share Brint's concerns regarding Scott Gragg. Not sure there is a nicer guy around, and he is a very good position coach. Just not sure how he would be as a head guy. Then again, I had the exact same concern about Wayne Tinkle. Appears I was wrong on that one. Again.

IF UM goes the inbred approach, I would hope it is Gregorak. I don't know much about Hynson. I think Justin Green may end up being the best of the group in a few years, but he is pretty young.

In my perfect world, Haslam would announce that next year will be Mick's last (with Mick's agreement. They make Mick a consultant/fund raiser for a couple of years as a thank you), and that they are starting a national search NOW. And I would hope they would truly do a national search, not one that ends at Frenchtown and Clinton. Let the current coaches throw their names in the hat, but make sure it is the best person who gets hired. Have the new coach in place by June, so that he can participate / observe in summer camps. May be a little awkward next year, but the assistant coaches would have a nice long "try-out" for their jobs also.

Really good post GP, and excellent point about Tinkle. He came into his job without a lot of experience, went through some initial stumbles and found his stride. Had to make the shift from being the nice/player friendly coach to finding that balance of motivation, toughness, leadership, and support to his players. It took him almost 3 years to get there. He had that luxury with Griz Hoops, no coach would have that luxury with football.

 

[kurtismichael]

I find it interesting that an extension hasn't already been announced. And I have no idea if one is in the works.

I am of the opinion that Mick did a great job righting the ship. But I don't see him as the long term (i.e., more than next year) answer. I share Brint's concerns regarding Scott Gragg. Not sure there is a nicer guy around, and he is a very good position coach. Just not sure how he would be as a head guy. Then again, I had the exact same concern about Wayne Tinkle. Appears I was wrong on that one. Again.

IF UM goes the inbred approach, I would hope it is Gregorak. I don't know much about Hynson. I think Justin Green may end up being the best of the group in a few years, but he is pretty young.

In my perfect world, Haslam would announce that next year will be Mick's last (with Mick's agreement. They make Mick a consultant/fund raiser for a couple of years as a thank you), and that they are starting a national search NOW. And I would hope they would truly do a national search, not one that ends at Frenchtown and Clinton. Let the current coaches throw their names in the hat, but make sure it is the best person who gets hired. Have the new coach in place by June, so that he can participate / observe in summer camps. May be a little awkward next year, but the assistant coaches would have a nice long "try-out" for their jobs also.

Really good post GP, and excellent point about Tinkle. He came into his job without a lot of experience, went through some initial stumbles and found his stride. Had to make the shift from being the nice/player friendly coach to finding that balance of motivation, toughness, leadership, and support to his players. It took him almost 3 years to get there. He had that luxury with Griz Hoops, no coach would have that luxury with football.

I think I made the point (not as articulately) about Tinkle right above GP's post. :?

 

[PTGrizzly]

I'm not worried about the de-commits here...we're talking about 17-18 yr old kids. I think Mick is on the way to earning a few more years, if he choses to do so. However, I must throw caution to the wind. The heart of the schedule is in front of us and there are some definite challenges ahead. The opponents so far have a collective record of 15-24 which may or may not be indicative of anything other than "stats"...I'll let the stat posters hammer that one out during the work day. Cal Poly, EWU, Sac on the road, and the Scats at their place are going to be the deciding factors...most likely. The 2013 campaign has been outstanding with the NAU game being the lone "Titanic," which no one has been able to explain. Should things go south, administrative decisions could change like the weather. I see "NO" reason for the possibility of this happening. So, at this juncture of the season it's probably wise not to purchase the cart before we have the horse. :egriz:

By comparison, MSU's opponents have won only 16 games, and 4 of those were wins by Colo Mesa. EWU's have won 19, including 3 wins by West Ore. 5 of those wins come from EWU's loss to SHS. Of the teams EWU has beaten, and excluding West Ore, those teams have 8 wins (5 of which come from Ore. St.).

True... but MSU "Almost Beat" both SMU and SFA, so we have that going for us. UM on the other hand, got destroyed by NAU.

Almost only counts in horseshoes, and this is football.

If I remember correctly, and I think I do...he's poking fun of PR's statements about "almost victories" last year.

 

[Grizbeer]

BW I am not sure if you are familiar with Frosty Westering, but if not you might want to pick up a copy of his book make the big time where you are. Gragg seems to have a similar philosophy as Frosty.

Frosty was a marine drill instructor before coaching football, but he would never tear a player down to build him back up. Although at the non-scholly level of football, Frosty never had a losing season, is top 10 all time in wins, and won 4 national championships (and lost 4).

I don't know if Gragg would be a head coach, but I do believe you can be successful if you are positive all the time, if your players and coaches buy into it. frosty was proof of that.

 

[DoubleNicks]

True... but MSU "Almost Beat" both SMU and SFA, so we have that going for us. UM on the other hand, got destroyed by NAU.

Ahh, Stephen F. Austin. The team whose only DI win is MSU and who have lost to powerhouses Weber State, Prairie View, and SE Louisiana.

(SMU's only win is MSU, as well.)

 

[HighLineGRIZ]

Head coaches are like QBs. They get too much credit when times are good and too much blame when times are bad...

Despite that though, getting a head coach with experience being a HC or assistant HC is what I'd like to see. I like Gragg, but I don't think he has the experience to head a program yet. Not to say that he could work his way up to being a good one someday.

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

True... but MSU "Almost Beat" both SMU and SFA, so we have that going for us.

Ah yes, moral victories. Congratulations...

You mean msu "Almost Beat" SMU (1-4) and SFA (2-4)?

SMU's only win is against msu.
SFA's only wins are against msu and McMurry (1-5). SFA lost to Weber State (1-6)!

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

True... but MSU "Almost Beat" both SMU and SFA, so we have that going for us.

Ah yes, moral victories. Congratulations...

You mean msu "Almost Beat" SMU (1-4) and SFA (2-4)?

SMU's only win is against msu.
SFA's only wins are against msu and McMurry (1-5). SFA lost to Weber State (1-6)!

msu has two BAD LOSSES on their record.