mtgrizrule
Well-known member
Sadly and disappointingly, the 2016 football season is in the books. This GRIZ fan and many other GRIZ fans are torn in what to think of the status of this program. By reading EGRIZ, I can see many are over reacting, and letting the results bring out the worse in themselves. I have truly read some very classless posts. EGRIZ is hard to stomach after a disappointing loss, let alone a disappointing season.
Part of the problem, the GRIZ fan base has become spoiled from 2 decades of absolute dominance. Having the most wins in Div 1 football for a decade + has raised the bar to unprecedented heights, and many far reaching expectations. Here we are, criticizing our coaches, administration, players, etc, yet fail to look at ourselves. Regardless who is doing what, who is making what, etc, we should keep in mind, too much negativity, hate, and disrespect just adds fuel to a fire. We need to improve on understanding, respect, and grace. I can honestly say, the last 5 years of GRIZ football have humbled this fan a lot.
Do I still have aspirations of championships, dominance, and being among the best programs in the FCS every year? Yes, I have those hopes entering every season. Do I let those desires and expectations interfere with respecting, supporting, and at the very least show some empathy for all that is GRIZ NATION, especially the players and coaches? I have toned down my reactions online a lot. God knows, bad play, questionable play calls, bad results, inconsistent play really does get to me. As I get older, I am learning to appreciate how great it is to be part of GRIZ NATION, no matter the results on the field, court, etc. I am tired of reading all the negativity. Objective criticism and suggestions are fine. The problem is, too many fans here have no respect, self control, and just spit VITRIOL crap consistently. I for one feel, I don't need to cross some of those lines.
On the other hand, sugar coating is just as frustrating. I really am torn on what to believe and support moving forward. I have to admit, a 6-5/ 3-5 conference record, losing to UNC, then the Cats at home, missing the playoffs, should be unacceptable in GRIZ NATION. Last season, I feel Stitt slightly exceeded expectations. This season, Stitt and his staff, fell short of expectations. As a result, I feel year 3 is truly a make or break year for Coach Stitt. My support for him has taken a few steps back from the results of this season.
Moving forward, here are things I feel need changed, done, etc.
(1) Make the playoffs
(2) Get back to being a conference elite contender
(3) Get back the swagger and confidence of being the best in the nation. Do that by knocking the hell out of our opponents on each side of the ball. That attitude has been missing since Hauck departed.
(4) No more excuses for road losses. If the GRIZ lose on the road, let it be that of our opponents having earned a win, instead of helping them by giving away games.
(5) No more playing down to competition
(6) Have your QB's know what not to change a play to.
(7) Have faith in your WR's to make plays. I honestly thought the game against ISU should have been a turning point game in the offense. That was the only game this season when our QB actually put the ball up giving the wr's a chance to make plays consistently. Sadly, that style lasted only that game. EWU does that every season, no matter who their qb is. They do that because their coach believes in his system and his players. I am not saying to force everything, but to be more confident in more matchups more consistently.
(8) As much as I love a more aggressive defense, Semore has to learn to change things up when teams are exposing his defense. Ty learned that as he gained experience.
(9) A well rounded OL, great at run and pass blocking, that plays with a mean attitude!!! This alone would lead to everything else falling into place.
(10) Throw more quick passes that are not bubble screens. Hard to believe, our current offense actually over uses the bubble screen.
I don't need more time to think about it. I still do believe, Stitt is a great hire. I feel he is capable of returning the GRIZ to being a FCS elite again. Year 3 started as soon as the 2016 season was over. I do understand, it takes time for a coach to fully implement a new system. I feel 3 years is a very fair evaluation period. Barring no major injuries, I expect nothing less than being in the round of 16 in the playoffs, preferably round of 8. No major let downs, by winning all the games we are expected to Win. A good road team, and a return of dominance attitude on each of the ball.
If, year 3 turns out to be a mediocre season, then by all means get a new head coach. That pains me to have that outlook though. I am not a believer in a program having a "Revolving Door" attitude for head coaches. This fan is hoping that 2017 results will lead to retaining Stitt from positive results on the field.
Part of the problem, the GRIZ fan base has become spoiled from 2 decades of absolute dominance. Having the most wins in Div 1 football for a decade + has raised the bar to unprecedented heights, and many far reaching expectations. Here we are, criticizing our coaches, administration, players, etc, yet fail to look at ourselves. Regardless who is doing what, who is making what, etc, we should keep in mind, too much negativity, hate, and disrespect just adds fuel to a fire. We need to improve on understanding, respect, and grace. I can honestly say, the last 5 years of GRIZ football have humbled this fan a lot.
Do I still have aspirations of championships, dominance, and being among the best programs in the FCS every year? Yes, I have those hopes entering every season. Do I let those desires and expectations interfere with respecting, supporting, and at the very least show some empathy for all that is GRIZ NATION, especially the players and coaches? I have toned down my reactions online a lot. God knows, bad play, questionable play calls, bad results, inconsistent play really does get to me. As I get older, I am learning to appreciate how great it is to be part of GRIZ NATION, no matter the results on the field, court, etc. I am tired of reading all the negativity. Objective criticism and suggestions are fine. The problem is, too many fans here have no respect, self control, and just spit VITRIOL crap consistently. I for one feel, I don't need to cross some of those lines.
On the other hand, sugar coating is just as frustrating. I really am torn on what to believe and support moving forward. I have to admit, a 6-5/ 3-5 conference record, losing to UNC, then the Cats at home, missing the playoffs, should be unacceptable in GRIZ NATION. Last season, I feel Stitt slightly exceeded expectations. This season, Stitt and his staff, fell short of expectations. As a result, I feel year 3 is truly a make or break year for Coach Stitt. My support for him has taken a few steps back from the results of this season.
Moving forward, here are things I feel need changed, done, etc.
(1) Make the playoffs
(2) Get back to being a conference elite contender
(3) Get back the swagger and confidence of being the best in the nation. Do that by knocking the hell out of our opponents on each side of the ball. That attitude has been missing since Hauck departed.
(4) No more excuses for road losses. If the GRIZ lose on the road, let it be that of our opponents having earned a win, instead of helping them by giving away games.
(5) No more playing down to competition
(6) Have your QB's know what not to change a play to.
(7) Have faith in your WR's to make plays. I honestly thought the game against ISU should have been a turning point game in the offense. That was the only game this season when our QB actually put the ball up giving the wr's a chance to make plays consistently. Sadly, that style lasted only that game. EWU does that every season, no matter who their qb is. They do that because their coach believes in his system and his players. I am not saying to force everything, but to be more confident in more matchups more consistently.
(8) As much as I love a more aggressive defense, Semore has to learn to change things up when teams are exposing his defense. Ty learned that as he gained experience.
(9) A well rounded OL, great at run and pass blocking, that plays with a mean attitude!!! This alone would lead to everything else falling into place.
(10) Throw more quick passes that are not bubble screens. Hard to believe, our current offense actually over uses the bubble screen.
I don't need more time to think about it. I still do believe, Stitt is a great hire. I feel he is capable of returning the GRIZ to being a FCS elite again. Year 3 started as soon as the 2016 season was over. I do understand, it takes time for a coach to fully implement a new system. I feel 3 years is a very fair evaluation period. Barring no major injuries, I expect nothing less than being in the round of 16 in the playoffs, preferably round of 8. No major let downs, by winning all the games we are expected to Win. A good road team, and a return of dominance attitude on each of the ball.
If, year 3 turns out to be a mediocre season, then by all means get a new head coach. That pains me to have that outlook though. I am not a believer in a program having a "Revolving Door" attitude for head coaches. This fan is hoping that 2017 results will lead to retaining Stitt from positive results on the field.
