CGC is being asked to do something that

[4shotB]

all 4 coaches since Ross has NOT done....and that is be good at all 3 phases simultaneously. Leaving L**** out of the discussion, GOL, CCG and CPJ fielded teams that were good to great in one (sometimes 2) phases but yet were below average to incompetent on the other side. This has always been very perplexing to me.I know we talk about calculus, the Hill, limited majors, the media, noon kickoffs, uni colors, etc. but this may suggest our biggest deficiency has been in identifying and hiring the right assistant coaches. We always talk about recruiting DL as our achilles heel but this wasn't an issue for CCG's staff.

IMO, this is what separated Ross as a coach from all the others in my time frame as a GT fan. He assembled a great staff. You may argue that, with Alabama's resources, identifying and recruiting top talent (coaching) isn't an issue because you can poach from any school in America and you do not have to roll the dice on unproven at this level guys. I know some of you have made up your mind on Geoff's staff already (I haven't) but the three guys preceding him all shared this same weakness/deficiency as a program CEO and they were all well respected in football circles. Whereas this is perhaps Dabo's biggest strength. Yes, he does have more resources but he seems to select well when he does hire.

to summarize, perhaps our biggest weakness has not been in all the things commonly discussed but rather in the ability of our HC's to identify and recruit the right staff within the context of their given resources? CCG got it right defensively, Paul and George got it right offensively but all missed badly on the other side of the ball. It is a recurring theme over 30+ years. Hopefully, CCG can figure this out,

 

[BainbridgeJacket]

Ummmmmm not following you. I think it's pretty clear that certain staffing choices on the offensive side of the ball are being questioned.

 

[99in99]

every coach ever hired for us has had the expectations of being competent in all 3 phases of the game.

 

[4shotB]

Ummmmmm not following you. I think it's pretty clear that certain staffing choices on the offensive side of the ball are being questioned.

Not only is that clear but it is obvious that our most vocal and prolific posters have rendered their verdict after 12 quarters of fB.

 

[JorgeJonas]

We just lost to at home to the Citadel. At this point I’d be happy with competence in one phase.

 

[SOWEGA Jacket]

I’m rooting for Collins and am fine with him being chosen. I also liked Ross, Gailey, and Johnson. We all understand Collins was hired because of his ability to recruit and his salesmanship. Imagine him in the interview with TStan selling himself. That would be a great pump up video I’m sure, But after 3 games our program looks like a dumpster fire. I’m hoping we’re not, but the results speak for themselves. We’ve looked worse each game. Clemson we looked alright and Graham brought the offense to life towards the end. South Florida we looked like a middling FCS team. We were out coached and out played by the Citadel and looked bad doing it. I always give credit where credit is due but I also call it like it is.

 

[stech81]

all Hopefully, CCG can figure this out,

I have no problem with CGC unless he brings back the OC next year. I know we don't have the money to hire the best OC but bring in a young and up coming one.

 

[herb]

We just lost to at home to the Citadel. At this point I’d be happy with competence in one phase.

I think that is a little harsh. I think we can all agree that the defense has shown improvement and there is hope for special teams. The offense, quite obviously has left a lot to be desired, but some of that was to be expected for a myriad of reasons. Let's all take a page out of A-aron's book and R-E-L-A-X, just a little.

 

[Gtbowhunter90]

When you come in from day 1, at an Institution of LEGENDARY Scholars and Athletes, preaching elitism in College football and taking this program to National Championship levels, well buddy you've done put yourself into some mighty big shoes to fill. This fanbase is starving for another championship, especially with how great Kirby Smart and Georgia are playing the last 3 years.

When you come in that hot, you better be ready to face the public when you lose inexcusable games.

Do I think we will be efficient in all 3 phases? Yes, eventually.

 

[yeti92]

I think that is a little harsh. I think we can all agree that the defense has shown improvement and there is hope for special teams. The offense, quite obviously has left a lot to be desired, but some of that was to be expected for a myriad of reasons. Let's all take a page out of A-aron's book and R-E-L-A-X, just a little.

What hope for improvement do you see on special teams? Punting is the same, kicking has gotten worse, returning has about stayed the same, worse if you don't include TO's returns, which if he ends up the qb for this year he won't be returning kicks anymore most likely.

 

[techman]

Your premise is weak....of course, every coach is 'asked to be good at all 3 phases of football'. That's not a big ask. It's just the necessary reality to fielding a 'good' team; a winning team. We lost to Clemson (most teams will/would have). We never should have beaten USF (they gave us that game w/huge, untimely, self inflicted penalties and a game saving, TD denying goal line call that could have went their way EASILY). And don't overlook this one---WE LOST TO CITADEL! We are simply not a good team---in any phase of the game yet. But I hope we get much better.

 

[4shotB]

Your premise is weak....of course, every coach is 'asked to be good at all 3 phases of football'. That's not a big ask. It's just the necessary reality to fielding a 'good' team; a winning team.

I do agree that it really isn't an ask as much as it is an expectation. However, my premise is that Johnson, O'Leary and Gailey were all well respected in their profession. And did not accomplish it (proficiency in 3 phase FB). We all hope that Geoff does of course, ....it's just that some are drawing conclusions with insufficient data. The doomsayers may prove to be right of course but I think the wailing and gnashing of teeth is emotional and silly quite frankly. And really pointless at the end of the day.

 

[JorgeJonas]

I think that is a little harsh. I think we can all agree that the defense has shown improvement and there is hope for special teams. The offense, quite obviously has left a lot to be desired, but some of that was to be expected for a myriad of reasons. Let's all take a page out of A-aron's book and R-E-L-A-X, just a little.

Are we sure the defense has improved? They had 50 hung on them by Clemson, which is ten points more than they put on Syracuse (it was 17-6 at halftime). They gave up 320 yards rushing and 50% on third down to a 1-AA school. The kick team still can’t cover, we muffed the first punt of the season, and our FG kickers don’t look great so far, either.

Everything isn’t on Collins (yet). But he doesn’t get to skate after a humiliating loss at home to the Citadel, and he isn’t exactly killing it in recruiting. The minimum expectation should be to beat the girl scout troops. Apparently that was too much to ask of him.

 

[CuseJacket]

I have no problem with CGC unless he brings back the OC next year. I know we don't have the money to hire the best OC but bring in a young and up coming one.

Since you keep beating this drum, I'm interested to know if data would change your opinion.

I posted previously that Temple's offense improved:

• From #94 in the country year 1 with CDP
• To #58 in the country in year 2 with CDP

We are absolutely struggling out of the gate this year.

Will you want him gone no matter how we perform the rest of this year? How much stock do you put into Temple's improvement?

 

[FlatsLander]

Since you keep beating this drum, I'm interested to know if data would change your opinion.

I posted previously that Temple's offense improved:

• From #94 in the country year 1 with CDP
• To #58 in the country in year 2 with CDP

We are absolutely struggling out of the gate this year.

Will you want him gone no matter how we perform the rest of this year? How much stock do you put into Temple's improvement?

I'm not yet sold on getting CDP out after this year, but there is a big jump in defensive coaching quality going from AAC and generally a G5 schedule to our ACC schedule with Clemson and u[sic]ga every year.

 

[CuseJacket]

I'm not yet sold on getting CDP out after this year, but there is a big jump in defensive coaching quality going from AAC and generally a G5 schedule to our ACC schedule with Clemson and u[sic]ga every year.

The ranking I published is an efficiency metric from Football Outsiders. In theory, the ranking accounts for strength of opponent.

In other words, succeeding against the AAC is not weighed as heavily as succeeding against Clemson and Georgia, so Temple's improvement already factors in your concern.

 

[LibertyTurns]

I do agree that it really isn't an ask as much as it is an expectation. However, my premise is that Johnson, O'Leary and Gailey were all well respected in their profession. And did not accomplish it (proficiency in 3 phase FB). We all hope that Geoff does of course, ....it's just that some are drawing conclusions with insufficient data. The doomsayers may prove to be right of course but I think the wailing and gnashing of teeth is emotional and silly quite frankly. And really pointless at the end of the day.

You’re correct. We’ve always needed a better offense or defense. The other side always seemed to be really strong. We got flip flops between the coaches, but since Ross and before him Dodd we never had both sides of the ball performing well and Ross really only one year.

That being said, there’s self-generated high expectations as @Gtbowhunter90 pointed out. Game 4 is tomorrow. We can’t replay game 3, all we can do is hope we see a different GT Football Team tomorrow. I’m praying the 2 weeks to fix ourselves did the trick. I’m not demanding a win, I’m optimistically expecting a win, nobody likes a he’d fought loss but realistically it would be improvement. A disorganized, undisciplined, head scratching performance would definitely not be welcome.

 

[jacket_fan]

Interesting point 4shotb.

Getting all three strong is what makes championship teams.

Special teams, and specifically the kick off specialist, should be one of the highest priorities of a head coach, and specifically CGC this season (I don't know but has CGC signed a kicker?). I ragged incessantly about Johnson not having a kicker. He proved me wrong when he got Buttkicker and Harvin.

This is where Collins can do his recruiting magic.

Collins needs to recruit a kicker who can consistently kick it in the endzone. Peroid. If he is also skilled at field goals all the better. How many games are won and lost on a field goal?

I think this aspect of the game is lost in all of the bluster.

 

[Whiskey_Clear]

They were all asked to do the same. We just haven’t managed to be great in all 3 phases at once very much in the last 40 years.

Quality of depth and lack of elite starting talent at the LOS being our biggest deficiencies throughout.

 

[TechPreacher]

We just lost to at home to the Citadel. At this point I’d be happy with competence in one phase.

I made a bet before the Citadel game. The loser had to wear a GT shirt.