garizzalies said:
The answer to the question in the thread title is: "NOW". The old boy could tip-over or retire tomorrow and we should at least be taking steps to be prepared for that.
I do not think he should be fired mid-season (this season or last). That's crazy. But I also do not think he should be given an automatic extension simply because he has not lost to a non-playoff team (since JJ returned). That's even crazier. If that were the metric, a monkey could keep this job forever.
I believe a program is a direct reflection of its fans. E.g., EWho plays like a bunch of punks because their fans are a bunch of punks. Same can be said with MSU, except use the word "losers", etc. We used to play with confidence/arrogance but lately I've been seeing griz fans giving more excuses than demanding dominance. I'm so sick of hearing someone on here say, "its unreasonable to expect us to be on top forever." With that attitude, it sure as hell is.
7-5/8-4 will not win the BSC anymore. If that is the new acceptable metric for a HC, than you are basically saying you are okay with a coach that can't win the fricken BSC.
Well put!!! After living in Nebraska for better than a decade, I assure everyone their fans every bit as demanding as our fan base. They don't like losing. They hate falling short of expectations. Their expectations are to be national contenders. Even with a top 25 team, they are not happy. They expect to be amongst the top 10 every year.
Delaney's time here reminds me of most Husker teams under Frank Solich. Solid teams, but not good enough to beat or contend with elite programs in their conference and nationally. Were those Husker teams bad? Hell no, in comparison to most FBS programs, they were great. Other fan bases from non elite schools and conferences always thought their fans had no right to bitch because they have been amongst the best in the nation for so long. In Husker Nation their fans expect much better. Too many Husker anything less than being a contender is unacceptable.
Personally, I thought Solich was a good coach. After listening to some of the criticism of Solich and his staff, many of their knowledgeable fans were right. Their offense was pretty predictable, they did not utilized their skill players well enough, and very seldom utilized the middle of the field in their passing game. Their staff was good enough to beat the average or below teams, but would fall short against contending programs. I am seeing the same exact signs to date under Delaney. Our fans are also acting similar to how Husker fans did then.
Nebraska decided they had to make another change. As it turned out, Bill Callahan was the worse possible hire for Nebraska football. He put their program back a few years. The Huskers are still working their way toward elite status. Bo Pelini has Cornhusker Nation pretty well split. Despite a few struggles they have managed to remain unbeaten so far in 2014. Pelini of late has brought in great classes, and the upcoming class is strong so far. Pelini's status up and down, even week to week. Many Husker fans expect a major bowl game and great showing at a major bowl game this season. Anything less than that will jeopardize Pelini's job.
GRIZ and Husker fans both feel neither program should settle for anything less than being a contender at their respective levels. It is not an implication the coaches and their staffs are bad. It is a reflection of how hard the schools and programs have worked to have these high expectations over many decades. Overall, it is a great feeling to have, and great place to be for fan bases who are fortunate to have programs who have consistently reached the pinnacle in their respected levels.
We have the remainder of this season to determine the progress of the GRIZ program under Delaney. Personally, I still expect nothing less reaching the final 8 teams in the FCS playoffs. For that to happen our offensive staff has a lot of work ahead of them. If the improvement is not there and we fall short, yes I will want a new leader. If the improvement happens and the GRIZ meet or exceed expectations, then this staff has my support. Right now, I just am not sure of this staff as a whole. I am much more unsure of the staff on the offensive side.
GO GRIZ!!!
