Rivals.com has a great read on UW football, Coach Sark in specific
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 25, 2009 7:39 PM PDT
164 comments
Earlier in the year, when I first came over to the UW Dawg Pound- I wrote a bit about my experiences viewing Coach Sark and Coach Holt from a fan's perspective, and giving you all glimpses of them from a personal relationship I've had with them. We bantered about wins/losses for the upcoming UW Huskies season and about what the new coaches will bring to the table once practices start up.
What was written by me have, for the most part come true. I said how much you all will be surprised by "access" the coaches will allow, how much "competition" will be a factor in practices and games, and how much of a turnaround the fitness will be required in order to play in both Coach Sark's and Coach Holt's schemes. I don't think I was too far off the mark.
Well, today- Tom Dienhart wrote on these very things for the UW football team. It is a great write-up and somthing that is a pretty good read. (there's a few digs at Coach Ty Willingham, too!). As much as their schedule is this year, one of the toughest in the country- I still feel a 4 - 6 win season is not out of reach. Go Dawgs!
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Bix you beat me to it
I was in the process of posting this interview and you beat me to it. Good read, Sark knows what he is doing. The offense is going to move the chains and score in bunches and I think we’ve got better talent on defense that what we all saw last year under a retread D coordinator from the NFL. I kept saying early last season that their had to be a reason why this guy wasn’t coaching in the pros any more. I think we all found out why. Holt will see to it that the defense plays twice as good as last season. The main thing we’ve got to do is “get stops”. If you can’t get stops then it’s going to be a loooonnngg Saturday. WE NEED STOPS and a few turnovers to boot.
I’m not worried about the playbook and schemes. I just hope we can get a few more of our kids on our recruiting wish list.
Go Huskies! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Sorry about that crazidawg!
I even waited, hoping that someone else would post it up. I read it this morning and when I got home from work, I noticed John or none of the usual suspects put it up. I figured. . . . wtH?
Oh crazi, I’m going nuts for some football. I can’t wait to see what the UW has in store. That LSU game is gonna be mammoth! Know this: Coach Sark and Coach Holt are GREAT GAME PLANNERS. The Huskies might not win, but they’ll put up a great game. It WILL NOT get out of hand, I’ll tell you that. Coach Miles likes to smashmouth, guess what? He won’t get it in this game. He’s gonna have to outcoach our coaches, something he hasn’t shown the ability to do- as far as I’m concerned. He’s inherited his players, this is the first year he’s gonna have to do with what he brings to the LSU Tiger team. No Pelini. No Saban signatures.
It’ll be a great game!
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 25, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Bix
Are you secretly a diehard UW fan?? You mention above about “our coaches” in reference to Sark & Holt. Love to see a new Dawg in the house. Welcome!
I'm so getting there bigdave967!
I’m practically already there. So yeah, I’ve got tickets for the USC game (couldn’t make it for the LSU game. My dad is going to that one. I even have him pumped for the UW- he lives in Friday Harbor), I haven’t got my tickets yet, but I wanna see them play @ UCLA and the Apple Cup game.
So, I think I’m already there.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 26, 2009 7:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Friday Harbor is the bomb!
The San Juan Islands are AWESOME! ;O)
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Take a vacation
My suggestion is to go on vacation. That will get your mind off the upcoming college football season. I am anxious as hell for the season to start, but I love all the preseason hype too. I’m taking vacation in the 3rd week of August w/ the fam. By the time we arrive home the season kicks off and I will be excited to see how the team looks coming out of the tunnel.
That will tell you everything you need to know about coach Sark and Holt. The physical appearance of the team will tell the tale of what we can expect. I looked at our team last season opening up at Oregon and we looked like we just crawled out of bed. Out of shape, no real muscle mass, slow, and gassed. That’s not what a good college football team looks like.
Last year’s Oklahoma game? We looked spooked! We didn’t look like we were comfortable in our own skin and … well you know how the game went.
Our physical presense will tell us a lot about coch Sark and Holt and this football team. I see the team lean, cut, and chissled. I see them in great football shape and well conditioned. One thing is for sure is that we don’t have decent depth. That means our regulars have to play longer minutes. What does that mean? It means we’d better be in top notch football shape or LSU will pulverize us. But if we can fly to the ball and not tire, then we’ve got a fighting chance to upset the Bayou Tigers. I’m not a big fan of the Mad Hatter myself. The guy has never had to build a team from the ground up. At Oklahoma State? Foundation poored. At LSU? All the peices were there. Les is the Phil Jackson of college football.
On paper LSU wins this game hands down, but the game isn’t played on paper. We’ve got a fighting chance and everything you need to know about how the LSU game will be played will stem from how we look coming out of the tunnel. No joke!
All I saw was purple
Good idea
I tried going up to Sequoia Nat’l Park over MemDay weekend, was feeling kinda ill 2 days prior. . .on that Sat- had a temp of (high) 103. . .sinus infection. Amoxycillin for 7 days!
I’m going up to the Bay Area to look at my property in SF and to attend a wedding of a high school friend- over 4th of July weekend. Not exactly a “vacation” per se. . . .it’s the weekend of July 18th that I’m planning on doing another camping trip- the National Parks are having free camping (check it out for the State of Washington- I think it’s country-wide) FIRST COME- FIRST SERVED. I’m definitely gonna take advantage of that. Trying for a 6 day camping/fishing/chill out. No internet, no cell phone, no nothing. My girlfriend is from Australia and isn’t into canoeing or kayaking just yet. She freaked out in the Pacific Ocean last weekend, she got caught in a rip tide, I had to swim out to her with fins on to catch her from going out to see. No biggie, but she isn’t all that thrilled about it. She surfs, but there’s no surfing in the Sierra’s?
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 26, 2009 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions
Sounds fun
Enjoy yourself and be safe. We wouldn’t want to lose anyone.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I'm pumped!
I don’t think it will be long before the freshman show up for the bridge program. GO DAWGS!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Good article, but some chicken-**** comments from the anonymous former assistant.
The past two Washington coaches were not good at [recruiting]. “Go back and look at the recent NFL drafts,” says a former Washington assistant who asked to remain anonymous. “That will tell you all you need to know.”
Yeah – it tells me you and the rest of your cohorts weren’t very good at developing the players you had. I don’t think anyone would argue that the UW had recruiting Rose Bowl talent, but they didn’t recruit worst in the conference talent either. How about owning up to your inability to develop what you had, you coward.
Couldn't agree more
If the team fails, it’s EVERYONE’S fault. The Head Coach, the assistant coaches, and the players, they are ALL to blame. Shoot, even the mascot has been lazy the last few years! I really like the fact that Sark cleaned house and brought in a totally overhauled staff, even the mascot!
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Yeah that pup is getting big!
He’s going to look good leading the team out of the tunnel.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I'm just hoping
he doesn’t sleep through the second half, just like the players, mascot, and fans did last year.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Yeah there's a reason...
…he was anonymous.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
What was the reason dawgfan?
All I saw was purple
You must not be following me crazi...
…I just meant that he’s listed as an “anonymous former assistant couch”. I just noticed that I typed couch instead of coach and that pretty much sums up what I think he was. If I’m not mistaken it was his job to go recruit talent so his comments are an indictment of himself and the rest of Ty’s staff. “Couches not Coaches”
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I completely agree with the ex-assistant coach
Could this assistant coach have worked under James or Lambo? Could it have been Gilby? Steve Gervais?
If this ex-assistant coach worked under James or Lambo then they do have a beef with how the program has fallen since their days of glory. If it were Gilby himself then he’d have an ax to grind. I would to if I were Gilby. I mean growing up in the Seattle region, loving Husky football all your life, becoming a prominent assistant coach under James- FINALLY getting a chance at your dream job as head coach of his beloved Washington Huskies, but failing miserably because of what/who he followed (Neuheisel). I think I’d be grinding an ax too.
If it were Stevie? It sounds as if Gervais attempted to warn TW of his inconsistent or lack-luster perfomances in recruiting and player development. Either way Gervais was completely accurate in his assumptions towards the TW era.
Keeping “anonymous” is a way to put information out there that is accurate, yet when you have ties to the community, organization, or institution then it is probably in your best interest to remain an anonymous figure.
Hell fellas- I sure as hell wish I could pull up the anonymous card for my fanpost pertaining to what I saw on dawgman and the ill-conceived notion of two big star prospects reaffirming their commitments to Sark and Holt. I would think that is a great example as to why keeping anonymous is a way of putting out credible information without attaching your name to it. No more fanposts for Crazi, who can’t use the anonymous status on the UW Dawg Pound. And I completely agree with the ex assistant coach involving both his views on past leadership in the program and his use of keeping anonymous.
All I saw was purple
Anonymous can easily mean inaccurate
The problem with being anonymous is that their is no way to confirm the information. Although I agree with the info from the assistant coach, failure can be blamed on all of the coaches, not just the head coach. The best part of this blog is that NO ONE can be anonymous, that would be the best way to get inaccurate info, and would instantly destroy the integrity and atmosphere of the blog.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
I agree with Kirk...
we haven’t had the worst talent in the PAC-10, (not that we have had anywhere near the best), but we have consistantly done THE WORST job of developing and coaching the talent we have had and that = 0-12. This is one of the main reasons I think we will see a fairly quick turn around at UW. I think Sark is a very good and possibly great coach with a very good possibly great staff. And the S&C program which I have been complaining about for at least the last 5+ years finally looks legit. Hold on guys because we could be headed up to the top of the PAC-10 quicker than people think.
Lear my main point is that I don’t have a problem with “anonymous”. What the term means to me as a reader is “You make the decision based on what you see”. In this case I agree with the anonymous ex-assistant coach. I think his portrayal of what has been going on around here is a very accurate statement.
Yes blame all the coaches, I agree. But it is the head coaches team, he implements everything involved with the program and is ultimately responsible good or bad. Personally I thought it was pretty chicken _hit of TW, who called out the players last season and blaming them for a lack of effort. Instead of him calling out the players he should’ve looked within himself and his assistant coaches in order to figure out why the team was not responding.
Again I don’t have a problem with anonymous as long as I (as the reader) can see it as a plausible expanation. In this case it fits like a glove.
All I saw was purple
Here’s the thing about that coach’s comments – where’s the accountability in his statements? Could he look every one of us in the eyes and tell us with 100% honesty that he got everything possible out of the talent on hand? I sincerely doubt it.
As I noted above, I don’t think Washington’s talent level has been up to snuff lately. But neither do I think it was the worst in the Pac-10, which is what the results say. I do not believe that the coaching staff under Ty got the most out of their players – far from it in fact. So to hear one of those coaches say (anonymously) that the talent was poor is a cop-out. Now, maybe he acknowledged his role in not maximizing the talent and those quotes never made it into the article. But if not, shame on that coach.
Delusions and wishful thinking.
I love, love, loves me some delusional supporters. “sark and holt are great game planners” How do you know? You don’t. holt is going to have the d playing twice as good as some “ex-NFL” coach could do. We will see. holt has that intense, thousand mile stare of someone who can only think about one thing at a time without getting angry and confused. sarkisian has been great for recruiting so far compared to my favorite UW coiach ever, TW, but sarkisian has only ever been an O coordinator for blue chip players. Much to be seen still friends.
jonny6 who are you affiliated with?
I’d surely like to know so that this conversation could strike up a meaningful debate. If I am correct you are a USCer who may or may not be bitter. Bitter of what- hmm? Losing two key coordinators, losing your starting QB, losing your entire defense, or the allegations of lack of institutional control coming forth this August. If you are a USCer these are jabs in your direction, but playfully harmless.
I believe I am going to take “delusional supporters” as a compliment. How many 0-12 programs have this much involvement with the program? Stuff like that only happens in SEC country. How is it that a program coming off an 0-12 season can lure the best offensive and defensive coordinators away from the Pac 10 league champions (4 years running) and coming off back to back Rose Bowl champion seasons? We are delusinonal, we are encourable, we are without a doubt the best fanbase in the Pac 10. We are Washington- BABY! Now in today’s college football that doesn’t mean a whole hell of a lot coming off an 0-12 season. But at the same time we aren’t going to stand for it and we sent the entire old coaching staff packing. We are excited for Steve Sarkisian and Nick Holt and we have every reason to believe them over you. For instance if you haven’t checked lately, how about you check on our incoming recruiting class for 2010. Right now it is better then everybody else’s in league that is except for Stanford.
We are Washington, we aren’t taking anymore crap from anybody and we are going to be back a lot faster then you think. That coming from a delusional and out of control UofW Husky fan.
Go Dawgs! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
He's an Oregon fan
According to his profile.
Probably a kid
I think he is a kid who knows very little. He’s a Mariners fan and an Oregon fan. My guess is that he is a kid who resides in the Portland vacinity or SW Washington area. I mean he has to get news about Oregon so he’s got to be close to the programming in Oregon, but still within reach of the Seattle Mariner media.
And the New England Patriots? Right there tells me he is a kid, along with the Boston Celtics. I noticed most of the teams he mentioned are winning now, except for the mariners. Sounds like a fair weathered or fair feathered sports fan acrossed the board.
All I saw was purple
Dude, read your own post
“. . ., but sarkisian has only ever been an O coordinator for blue chip players” and then you’ve got, “. . How do you know? You don’t” (as it applies to “game planners”). Uh. . . .offensive and defensive coordinators DO JUST THAT- game plan. Duh?
What’s your story dude? Smarting over those swanky new, (not lame, though?) uniforms?
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 27, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Sorry Bix
But I woulnd’t be caught dead in those hideous duck uniforms. It seems as if they keep making new ones because they can’t get it right (right as in ugly enough). Oregon has no tradition of what college football is all about. Their march up the Pac 10 ladder is attributed to what Phil’s money can buy them, spending millions on publicity and marketing sprees. I like all our Pac 10 brethern (USC, Ucla, Cal, Stanford, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State, and even Washington State). But for the life of me I can’t stand the O, Oregon, or the ducks.
Hate the ducks! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
I couldn't agree more!
That’s why I put my “sarcastic” though? at the end of it.
I THINK THEY ARE OBNOXIOUS! Makes the “steel-plate” look almost classic, now. Seriously. . . . .I think Nike designs those unis to be “high volume” (as in “pump up”) on purpose. They’re just screaming for attention!
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 27, 2009 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Marketing 101
What is the first thing they teach you in Marketing 101? Controversy sells. Diamond plate is for underoos ladys and gentlemen. Oregon uniforms would be the big show at a 1920 generation circus. The circus was all for the most bizzare, baffling, and for the peculiar. "Step right up and see the most bizzare on-somble (sp?) ever stiched on a football uniform.
Face it Oregon is the circus. Mike Belloti was the ring leader who stepped aside. Now Chip Kelly is the new ring leader of the circus. Let’s hope as did the circus become a dinosaur, the Oregon Duck bizzare, baffling, and most peculiar show comes to a screaching halt. What Oregon stands for is lousy for the college game.
hate the ducks!
All I saw was purple
[insert bigass smiley face emoticon right here]
LOVE IT crazi!
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 27, 2009 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Too Funny Crazi!
“Face it Oregon is the circus.” You cracked me up when I read that! Perfect portrayal!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Darth Duck?
Do you guys remember when oregon came up with that “intimidating darth duck” character. I think they decided that it was like an oxymoron. I mean an intimidating duck? Get real! Just wondering if any of you saw that clown on their sideline a few seasons ago. I think they may have been trying to come up with an answer to “Captain Husky” an original.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Holt
You know it’s like maybe Carroll took the reins during game day but Holt was grinding his teeth on the sidelines. You could see it in his eyes that those were his boys out there and he wanted to be the one calling the shots.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
True all that!
You should have seen Holt stomping up and down the sidelines talking (nay- yelling in his mouthpiece. . . .Coach Carroll was like 20 ft away from him both times) during the Oregon State game and the Penn State Rose Bowl win. The OState game, terrible first half with no adjustments. The second half. . . .all Coach Holt. In the Rose Bowl, Coach Carroll took the pedal off Penn State, that sealed it for Holt. He was leaving.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 27, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I remember that
Holt was pissed as his outside LB’s kept over pursuing the play that Oregon State had designed to take advantage of USC’s LB’s being too agressive. (kudos to OSU for seeing that on film and designing a play to take advantage.) After halftime the outside LB’s “stayed home” and thus that play didn’t work anymore. USC almost caught up and won…but not quite.
+1 (bingo!)
Give credit to that Beaver front line. They kept our guys upright and locked. Our DT’s and DE’s couldn’t slide their shoulders under them! They weren’t backpedaling at all in that game, start to finish. We, for all intents and purposes, got manhandled.
They played a great game, and I don’t wanna even remember watching Jacquizz Rodgers running through, by and GONE! Damn, damn, damn, damn, DAMN!
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 27, 2009 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Your right...
OSU’s line did a great job although I realy thought USC look half a sleep in that game. Too bad because USC vs Florida would have been a hell of a national championchip game.
Kudos to USC for dismantaling Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Great game plan and outstanding exacution.
Hopefully, Sark and Co. will bring that to UW. It’s been very frustrating watching a team that looked like they had never practiced together. At points it would have been laughable if I wasn’t such a die hard Dawg fan.
Yeah, my brother told me the exact same thing
USC sleepwalked. I was too amped to see any of that during the game. Trust me, the next day. . . .there was NO TALKING bout that game around me. Pissed. I was.
Here’s the thing, I’ve said this to many a fellow Trojan fans, "You can’t “win forever”, if you lose every now and again!" (how does that work?)
So yeah, I realize the endeavor is near impossible and I’m just vexed at how we lose to UCLA, Stanford, and then Oregon State in 3 consecutive years. Now, that Oregon State loss, that was a real loss to a really good team. But that Stanford loss? And fUcla? I don’t wanna take anything away from another PAC 10 team, they all can be great on some weekends, and look terrible on others. . . .however- the USC Trojans have got to learn . . . .what it is?. . .I wish I knew. But, they can’t lose if they want to make it to the BCS championship game. Period. It’s just that way, the way it’s set up.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 27, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Announcer mentioned during the first quarter of that OSU game...
that while watching practice that week the LB’s were messing around and the coach got pissed. He called them together and started yelling at them. Maualuga, while getting his ass reamed by the coach, looked at the announcer with a big grin on his face and gave him a wink. I’d guess USC’s coaches were pulling their hair out all week because they knew the team wasn’t taking the game seriously.
That will foreve be their knock!
Cushing and Maualuga – as much hype that preceded them prior to becoming Trojans – never WON THE BIG ONE. And they played on the biggest stage of ’em all. The Rose Bowl/BCS Championship game vs. Texas. (lossed that one, an epic game though it was).
So yeah, great LB’s. . . . . couldn’t ever pull it together to win the whole enchilada. Tsk, tsk, tsk!
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 6:47 AM PDT up reply actions
(edit)
I just want to impart, I mean no sarcasm in the “tsk, tsk” wording. I really mean it. As proud as any Trojan fan can be for what those two players accomplished, and I am. . . I am bummed that they couldn’t fully realize they’re potential on the grandest stage of them all- and taste victory.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 6:57 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree Bix
At times USC’s LB’s looked incredible and totaly lived up to the hype but some times they would kind of disappear in games (espesially Maualuga). Great talent not sure if his ego was a bit too big and he / they would put it on “cruise control”. The NFL will take care of that : )
The depth at LB for Washington will be important for Coach Holt
I really like EJ Savannah. He’s a monster!
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 7:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Should be the best LB core in the PAC-10
Savannah & Foster are all PAC-10 calliber and Butler is no slouch. Throw in Tui comming off the bench and that position is very strong but it will all depend on if our DL can keep the oppents OL from getting to the second level and moving them out of the way.
I understand the perception. . . .
. . .but what I can’t comprehend is “the understanding”. When this dude “jonny-whatever” comes over to this post and claims that “we don’t know” what kind of game planner Coach Holt is, or for that matter remarks about the coach not proving himself on the field with “much to be seen” kind of comments- those are fair. I’m not downplaying the significance of Coach Holt being “just an assistant” and not fully having a defense of his own, but then again- isn’t it common knowledge that COACH HOLT WAS NAMED college football’s 2008 FootballScoop Defensive Coordinator of the Year powered by Muscle Milk. (sorry for the plug, it is what it is- as far as an award with a very long name). Coach Holt was nominated by his peers and was selected by a panel of former coaches and players. Other finalists for the award were Tom Bradley (Penn State), Ellis Johnson (South Carolina), Kirby Smart (Alabama) and Justin Wilcox (Boise State).
What’s that say? Probably not much to someone who doesn’t want to see it. But to me, it’s says a lot. Yes, at USC Coach Pete Carroll is THE HEAD COACH- and a “defensive minded” head coach at that. That’s not to say he prepared for each and every game defensively. Because to follow that logic, we’d have to say he schemed each and every for the offense. Yes, he was a major part of all the play calling, he’s a head coach. These guys are pretty ego-maniacal. But, the games which USC has played in since Coach Holt was hired has a very “Holt signature” to ’em all. Coach Carroll was there to over-ride certain plays, sets, what have you. But. . . . .
Coach Sark and Coach Holt stand as their own as far as assistant head coaches and offensive and defensive cooridinators respectively. There shouldn’t be any questions as to their football acumen and expertise. There sure as heck shouldn’t be any questions as to what they are capable of, on the field of play.
(The Trojans run, hit, and created more negative plays than just about any defense in the country last year. Under Holt’s direction, the Trojans finished 1st in the nation in total defense and scoring defense on their way to an 11-1 record. USC did not allow a touchdown in 6 of 12 games this season.
Under head coach Pete Carroll, USC has always utilized a solid defensive system using over / under schemes and zone blitzes. This year’s squad led the country in both Total Defense and Scoring Defense. Give credit to Nick Holt for putting his players in the position for success. "At USC we get excellent athletes and we have a great scheme; but I believe the real reason that we have performed so well as a defense is that our coaches do a great job teaching. The players know what their responsibilities are on each play, know what to expect and they understand what we are trying to accomplish.")
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Look for Holt and Sark to go after "tweeners" for the first couple of years
This applies to LB/Safeties. Whether it’s a safety that can dual threat at nickle-back or a LB that has speed/coverage for strong safety in case of injury/game scheme. (’SC has a few of them in this regard throughout the years, most recently- Josh Pinkard, Taylor Mays, Kevin Ellison, and Terrell Thomas).
Also look for them to hunt down an LB/DL-man. To play Will or Sam or to line up like a DE in an elephant position. (only one comes to mind right now: Clay Matthews- he was small for a DL, not even huge for a LB. . .but he learned to play on the line and in both positions- to blitz/pick up the RB on draws/screens, or trail off tackle or come around off pulling guards).
They will need to recruit and utilize these types of players and develop them as such up and until they feel they’ve reached depth at all their defensive positional players.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions
How many National Championships do you have?...
…How many Rosebowl wins? How many Rosebowls have you lost? Washington has more tradition than Oregon period. You guys have dominated us in recent history but it’s a short history of domination, just over the last 5 years or so. Big deal, Washington is and will continue to be the premier college program in the Northwest, period.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
May I invoke Oscar Wilde?
Granted, he was speaking of the good ol’ US of A, and I’m not in agreement of his particular sentiment. However, when we transcribe his words (afterall, they ARE of the utmost wit!) to fit the University of Oregon Ducks, it fits- “America is the the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.”
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 27, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Very Prophetic....
….good post Bix.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
"sarkisian has only ever been an O coordinator for blue chip players"
That statement still just irks me, something fierce!
A coach can have all the blue-chippers in the world, it still doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. There’s been numerous cases and expose’s that have said as much. What it boils down to is this: If all it takes are blue-chippers to have a great football team, then only blue chippers would be in the NFL. That MOST DEFINITELY doesn’t translate very well. What one can easily surmise is this: Blue chippers definitely don’t hurt, but not as much as everyone would like to think. As a matter of fact, most 5-stars don’t even make it out of the practice squads. There is a bunch of evidence that suggests everywhere from 2 & 3 stars athletes make up the bulk of a team. Is it because of the numbers? (more 2 and 3 star players than say 4 or 5 star players) Is it because the star rankings are flawed? (pretty much, YUP!) Is it because the 2 and 3 star players KNOW THEY have to get better to see the field? (this doesn’t hold up because- EVERYBODY has to prove themselves in practice to see the field).
Secondly, it doesn’t matter who a coach puts in uniform- these players/athletes MUST DEVELOP. Not only that, they must develop in THE SYSTEM. And to top it off, as these players mature (both on and off the field) they have to maintain status on the depth chart to see the field AND continue to get better (because those below DEFINITELY ARE still trying to get better). Factor in the campus environment (Los Angeles, Tuscaloosa, Austin, or Seattle), as well as the coaching turnover (new coach again? different scheme? what have you?) and those are the most important and mitigating factors at COACHING A FOOTBALL TEAM FULL OF FOOTBALL PLAYERS!
It’s not WHO YOU GOT. It’s what you do with what you have!
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Recruiting
Careful Bix you’re challenging the status quo.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
;- )
This is where crazidawg comes in. Depth!
In saying all that from above, it helps to have warm; uninjured players on your bench. The deeper you can go with whomever (2 – 5 star players), who know the system, scheme, and set plays depending on circumstance/play- the better off your team will be throughout the duration of a season. It’s one thing to beat a top-ranked; out of conference or in conference team in the early part of the season, it will be all for naught if you lose to a bottom feeder towards the end of your season. The losses at the end of the season isn’t subjective to any particular reasons involving teams getting worse as the season progresses, it’s more along the lines of losing able-bodied players playing to their potential as the starters perhaps being unable to compete due to injury (ies).
See Oregon/Dixon 2007.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Sorry Guys, but . . . .
although he said it in “my school is better than your school” sor of a way. there is some truth in what jonny6 is saying. Sark has zero wins as a head coach. He has only been coaching the best players in the nation, and he was coaching under Pete Carroll. I agree with him that there are a few delusional people here, and there is some wishful thinking going on, how could it be anything else when we haven’t even played a game yet? Wishful thinking is good, delusional expectations can be harmful.
Here’s the fact of the matter, Sark has done AWESOME so far, he still is a first time head coach, and there is MUCH TO BE SEEN!!!
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
We've got a new coach...
…we should be excited about the future. Sark had done a fantastic job so far with what he can control. Look at the new found enthusiasm and look at the recruiting. Has he won any games yet? No, but neither has Kelley.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Exactly
There is SO much to be excited for, and so far he has done an outstanding job, but there is still SO much to be seen. I agree the coaches have great potential, but to call them great already is really premature.
Kelly on the other hand, should scare Oregon fans. Everything that has been happening in Eugene seems really fishy, from Bellotti stepping down, the changes on the coaching staff before Bellotti left, and the players already leaving the program. Anytime you force out somebody like Bellotti that has been around for as long as he has, and done as well as he has, it stinks of bad things to come. Oregon fans are in for a VERY rude awakening, they are going to slowly slip back into the bottom of the Pac10, permanently.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Yeah wouldn't that be like...
…forcing James out? I mean I realize Don James is head and shoulders over Bellotti but to oregon he was their best.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
By the way...
…how many Rosebowls did Bellotti win?
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Exactly
No matter what any duck fan claims, Bellotti was forced out. Nothing good ever comes from forcing out a long time successful coach. I’ve predicted the downfall of UCLA, under Neuheisel and I also foresee Oregon slowly imploding and returning to be a non-factor in the Pac10. Just to show I’m not always negative, I expect good things from Stanford, Harbaugh is a rising star.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Agree about Oregon...
There is a good chance that they implode the next couple years. Kelly stikes me as an extremely arrogant, not confident, individual. He is similar to Ty in that he is convinced that he’s got it all figured out. They also can’t compete with UCLA, Cal, and now UW for the Cali talent. Without the necessary talent base in Oregon they are forced to recruit nationally and I’ll be surprised if that works out for them.
What makes you think Belotti was forced out? Would be an epic bed crapping if true.
Harbough
I don’t think Harbough is going to be on the farm too much longer. That guy is a head turner, look at his 2010 recruiting class so far. Jimmy Harbough is going to be the next in line for a big job. Miami is struggling to get its feet back under them, could the Canes come calling in a year or two? Somebody is eventually going to have to replace JoPa at Penn State and Nebraska has lost it’s identity. But make no mistake Harbough will not be on the farm too long. I’m sure he will wait for a great job, but when it opens look out- Harbough will be gone.
Academically Stanford w/ Harbough can recruit, we are seeing that this year. But the farm is not a life long career job as a football coach. Harbough will get the trees to a bowl game, get swooped up by all the hype and vacate to a more fruitfull football-playing university.
All I saw was purple
Wouldn't surprise me a bit
His stock continues to rise and Stanford is not a destination job. The only questions are when and where?
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Kelly hasn't won yet either
I might be alone on this, hopefully not, but I still think being a delusional fan is down right AWESOME! Why? Because it means we care about the program, it means we hold this program to high standards and like coach Sark says “we won’t settle”.
What the hell does working with blue chippers mean? It’s been about 6 hours since I checked on this blog and I am still trying to figure out what jonny6 meant by that. To me a scheme is a scheme and you still have to execute the scheme. Boise State doesn’t have across the board blue chippers like USC and they whipped Oregon’s oversized irregular! So what the hell does “working with blue chippers” mean? No offense, but that has to be one of the dumbest things I’ve ever read.
Chip Kelly hasn’t proven anything yet as a head coach and beleive me fellas head coach at New Hampshire doesn’t count! As of now he has proven himself as a great spread offensive guy- I will give him that, because that Oregon spread has been deaf-defying for just about every opposing defense. But the guy hasn’t been a head coach at this level so the jury is still out. But the great thing about getting Holt in here to run our defense is that he knows how to defeat the spread, where Ed Donnatel hadn’t seen it prior to this year because the pros don’t run the stinkin’ spread.
I can’t offer all the respect for Mike Belloti as did some of you. Like Les Miles at LSU, Belloti had the luxuary of walking into a job that was already top heavy and built from the ground up. The person responsible for the Oregon upstart was Rich Brooks. Belloti has failed to get the Ducks to the Rose Bowl and this may be the reason why Belotti is being forced out- hmm? Brooks is the only coach in recent memory to get the ducks to the grand daddy. Belloti is not god! He inherited a program and took if higher and farther w/ the assistance of pimp daddy Phil’s money. Actually how can we say Belotti has taken it higher and further? What’s higher and further then the Rose Bowl? Maybe we all have it wrong- maybe Rich Brooks took it higher and further then Belloti? If you must give respect to the O, then by all means offer it to Rich Brooks over Belotti. I’m out…
All I saw was purple
At least you are self aware
I must give you credit for at least knowing where you stand as a fan. But just because you are delusional, doesn’t mean you care anymore than the rest of us. Anybody that is on this blog over the last 12 months is a diehard fan, no question.
Blue Chippers: they make life easier. For instance, if you want to enter a race, what has a better chance of winning, a 1969 Dodge Charger that has not been maintained for the last 10 years, or a brand new Dodge Viper? Got news for you, the Viper’s going to win everytime. Can the Charger win? Of course, it just needs the right amount of up keep and some tuner parts and it could give a Viper a great race. Needless to say, life is easier when you have the best talent available.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
It is still very vague
I completely understand the idea of blue chippers making life easier. But again Boise State doesn’t have blue chippers across the board and they whipped Oregon’s butts. What does that tell me? It tells me that Boise State has one helluva good chief mechanic in the pit stop (Chris Peterson).
With the right coaching, right playbook, and perfect execution of the offense we can win. We’ve got good talent in here right now to pull out a successful season. That’s all I am saying.
As far as fandome, no I don’t think I care anymore the the rest of you. I’ve never stated that I was the single most biggest fan of the Washington Huskies. I’ve been a Husky fan my entire life, I bleed Husky purple, and it kills me to see our team down- I’m sure you and along with the rest of HuskyNation will concure.
Let’s not fret too much- our car is just fine. We are getting better drivers and we just hired the best cheif mechanics in the business. Note to Lear: Hate Dodge. I’m a Chevy man.
All I saw was purple
Sorry, but it's time to face reality
Coaching is easier when you have better players. When you have 11 guys with NFL potential playing against 11 guys who are smaller, weaker, and slower, life is easier.
Come on Crazi, face reality, Sark was an ASSISTANT at USC, he has NEVER been a head coach before, he has NO experience coaching a team that was 0-12 and has depth issues. These are the facts, and they are indisputable.
So far Sark has done an amazing job, for all we know he is the next Urban Meyer, but until he actually coaches a game as a head coach, everything you claim is an assumption and NOTHING is fact.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
On a sidenote, as it pertains to Coach Chip Kelly and his exQB student:
Former Duck QB Justin Roper has gone on to greener pastures to. . . .the Montana Grizzlies! Yeap, you read that right. The Big Sky conference champions. The University of Montana Grizzlies played for the 2008 Football Championship Subdivision title, losing 24-7 to Richmond; had an overall record of 14-2 and 7-1 (first) in the Big Sky Conference; and was ranked second in the nation in the Sports Network’s final poll.
Crazy! So much for Coach Kelly developing this particularly good QB. I guess he (Roper) didn’t “have it” for “his system”?
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions
There's something fishy about Kelly
There’s too many decent people leaving the program, I don’t know what it is, but buyer beware.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Heard that Lear!
Be-very-ware!
- – -(he DOES have a very very good team. if not them, then Cal can take ’SC off their perch. Cal has a great defense coming back. We play both Oregon and Cal away. OUCH!)
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey Lear. . .
. . . last week I read a great article on Urban Meyer. I’m one of those weird Trojan fans that actually likes the guy. Like I like Nick Saban and Mike Leach. Weird though? I hate Lane Kiffin, go figure?
Here it is, I think you’ll really enjoy it. It has elements of his philosophy on “the spread” (excellent points on minutia and what not), the “Wildcat”, and other topics involving team chemistry and morale. Check it out.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions
CRAZI - YOU MUST READ THAT ARTICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Bix, great article, I love Urban Meyer, any coach that can have the instant success he has had at three different stops without ANY hiccups, has got to be doing something right.
Hey Crazi, read the article, it will end our discussion on why having blue chip players makes life easier. He flat out says IT’S ALL ABOUT PERSONNEL!!!!
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
The man's a WINNER
Some may question his methodology, but he gets results. For a Trojan and newbie Husky-fan, it pains me to say- Florida definitely has the inside track to win it all again next year.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Lear I agree about Personnel
It’s all about personnel. But you are forgetting about the personnel wearing the headsets that teach the game to the personnel on the field. That is where player development comes into play.
If you are a good teacher of the game, then your sub par personnel could be very good with 100% effective execution of the designed play. It works in the spread, pro, wing T, option, and veer.
Why do I dislike the spread offense? I believe in winning the game with the talent you have on the field. I don’t want to attempt to win by “tricking” the opponent. Too many trick plays come out of the spread- WAY TOO MANY! A good defense that plays assignment defense can burry the gimmicky spread. If you catch yourself reading “flow” then the spread with destroy you. But if you read blocking leverage, then that leverage will lead you right where the ball is going. It’s basic stuff. Never read “flow” vs. the spread, always read “blocking leverage”.
The verdict is still out on Urban Meyer. Florida was loaded with “personnel” when he arrived in Gainsville. Look at the past coaches at the Swamp. The Ole’ Ball Coach and Ron Zook are both great recruiters. The Gator cupboard was completely stocked with talent. Meyer steps into a perfect situation. Hell I’d turn down Notre Dame to go to a fully stocked Florida too!
Sorry Utah and Bowling Green don’t count in my book. I could careless what the Utahs and Bowling Greens do.
All I saw was purple
REALITY CHECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The verdict is still out on Urban Meyer.” I’m sorry John, I know this is going to get me in trouble, but that has got to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, if you keep letting your hatred of the spread, cloud all of your thoughts on football, it is going to make you look like a dumb a . . .
Bowling Green: 17-6
Utah: 22-2
Florida: 45-9
8 years as a head coach: 83-17 WITH TWO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hate the spread all you want, the verdict is Urban Meyer is the BEST coach in ALL of college football. No matter where he is he WINS INSTANTLY. I can only DREAM that Sark will be anywhere close to that record.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Well, actually No Lear...
Sark won’t come even remotely close to that record. Again look at what the talent level was like in Gainsville when Meyer arrived. Tyrone Willingham could win national championships with that much talent! Sark is taking his first job at a school that just finished the 08 season going 0-12. How can you even compare the two together? It’s apples and oranges my friend.
Don’t get your panties all bunched up Lear. I know you worship Meyer, because you are a spread guy. Likewise with Stoops. National championships in major college football are designed to be debatable. I personally don’t think both times Florida won that championship that they were the best team in the country. I still would love to see USC take on Florida. Better yet, I’d love to see Pete Carroll take his kids down to Gainsville and play the Gators on their own field. USC would literally CRUSH Florida! It wouldn’t even be close.
But we’ll never see that game. Why? Because Urban Meyer is a smarty. He knows how good USC is, just like the Florida States, Oklahomas, Penn States, Ohio States, and Notre Dames. Urban doesn’t want a thing to do with Carroll, even if the game was at the Swamp. Not going to happen so I guess we’ll never really know.
You are a delusinonal fan of college football if you think these so-called BCS championships are legit. It’s a beautty contest. 75% of the media is back east and most often the two teams squaring off for the national championship are from the SEC, ACC, Big 10, or Big 12. We are an after-thought out here and really the only way we get a sniff at the championship is if we go undefeated. Look at USC? When they won the BCS championship they had to go undefeated to get it done. Oh they won the AP national championship the season before, but were overlooked for the BCS championship because they had one loss, yet still ranked No.1 buddy! How the hell can you be ranked No.1 and not get an invite to the BCS championship? Was it a coincidence that the AP pulled their polls from the BCS formula? With the AP pulling out, don’t you think that sends a message that the BCS formula is corrupt? It’s always been about the AP poll, but not anymore.
Right their tells you how freakin’ flawed this so-called BCS championship really is. Florida won the national championship both times, but they weren’t playing the most worthy opponent in both games. USC should’ve been in both those games. Oklahoma was a laugher last year! Everybody who actually knows anything about college football knew good and well that the Big 12 played HORRIBLE defense- even your beloved Sooners couldn’t play D. I knew that game was going to get out of hand rather quickly and it did.
Go kiss your Urban Meyer poster again if it make you feel good, but again until Meyer plays the best (USC) then in my book “the verdict is still out”. Beat the Trojans and I will concure with your holier-then-thou ideology of Meyer.
All I saw was purple
Typical Crazi
Arguments with no FACTS to back them up. I give you stats proving how good Urban Meyer has done, and you come back with opinion with no supporting evidence. Then, you spend multipIe paragraphs bashing the BCS. Did I say I liked the BCS? So before you call me a delusional fan, get your facts straight, I HATE THE BCS!
The facts are simple, Urban Meyer wins football games, and he did it with far less talent at Bowling Green and Utah. Pete Carroll has coached at USC and only USC, per your argument, Tyrone Willingham could have won more national championships then Carroll with all that talent at USC.
By the way, speaking of talent, you NOW claim that Urban Meyer isn’t proven because of all the talent at Florida. Yet, a few post above that, you were telling me it’s not about personnel, it’s about the personnel wearing the headset. So which is it? Do yourself a favor, sit down, think about it, then give me an answer, and try sticking to your answer. Either, great players make coaching easier, just like I said, OR it’s all about the coaching, and Urban Meyer is a GREAT coach, just like I said.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Talent
You are starting to sound like the relic that’s about to get past up because he won’t change his ways. All that matters is scoring more points than the other team, if you do that 13 times in a year you are the National Champs.
You bring up my biggest concern with this coaching staff, are they good teachers of the game, or have they been blessed with the best talent in college football? Can they coach up sub par players? So far they haven’t had to, so we have NO idea how well they can coach up sub par personnel. That’s why I won’t get excited until I see the on field product.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Supposedly they are Lear...
…Bix is saying they’re excellent teachers. I hear what you’re saying but even super talented “4 and 5 Star” highschool kids are still high school kids that have to be coached (taught) up to play at this high level.
by doubledeucedawg on Jul 3, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I sure hope so
I agree all players have to be coached up. I love what Bix brings to the table, but I just don’t see a track record of them coaching up sub par talent. The only exception would be at QB, Sark definitely has taken good players and made them great players. My concern is can they do that at all the other positions. If they can, Husky Football is on it’s way back.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
I think you could say...
…the former staff did a horrible job of coaching/teaching period. Having said that I still think there is a great amount of tutoring for “young athletes” who are making the transition from high school to college. I think you could also say Sark and Holt have been pretty solid in that department. Granted the talent was better but still they accomplished it in spades.
I think the bigger issue may be getting these Huskies out of the mind set of negativity and losing that they’ve been in. That I believe is the biggest task of all. Being in top shape and competing with each other is a great way to start though. It’ll be interesting to see how these Huskies respond when they play LSU.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
What I'm saying is. . .
. . . there is no such thing as a 5-star that differentiates from a 1-star at the start of Fall practice for college football. They are all the same. No one is better just because some recruiting site has them at this star or what-have-you. Take the 2010 recruiting class. Out of all the best 250 players being recruited- no more than 10 of them stand out from the rest. The other 240 are ALL THE SAME!
USC, as good at recruiting as they are- only get no more than 3 of those 10 on a great recruiting year.
They all must be coached. They’re all at the same level, for all intents and purposes. Look at Joe McKnight- he stood alone at his recruiting class. He’s our 3rd option as TB. (perfect case in point)
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jul 5, 2009 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions
I get what you're saying...
…I just think a lot of these guys would have a difficult time believing that. Somebody has to make the decision as to who “is the best” and or “who has the most potential” for the next level and the “gurus” oblige us by making those choices. That being said it doesn’t mean they’re necessarily right. We’ve all seen it happen. The kid who got the most accolades just doesn’t cut it for one reason or another in college. He ends up transferring and playing somewhere else like Montana or Portland State.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I don't agree
Yes, every player has to be coached up, every player is just a good high school player with no college experience.
BUT, you can’t tell me the 20+ new recruits that USC has this year are equal to the 20+ new recruits the UW has this year. I agree, recruit rankings don’t mean a darn thing, but I guarantee you USC has better incoming freshmen then we do.
Bix – Your article on Urban Meyer explains it all, a coaches job is easier with better talent. My point is: this is going to be the toughest coaching Sark has done, BY A LONG SHOT!
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Very true
I do agree with you on:
USC will have “better” recruits- on the point of depth at position and pickings on the very best (but not THE best) at their needs. Coach Carroll (with Sark’s and Nicky’s help in years previous) have stocked and re-loaded. Let’s take Taylor Mays- you guys know of him, he’s a Seattle product. At the time of his recruiting there was this guy from New Jersey who was rated higher than him at the DB/Safety position coming out of high school. Taylor was the 100/200 meter state HS champ and was gifted with natural pedigree. A. Perez (NJ-dude) came in the Winter before Taylor- had the ranking and early start. Taylor was no slouch, but he WORKED his ass off. He made up so much ground by October (thanks to his pedigree/understanding/work-ethic) he supplanted a few people. Perez didn’t even see the field that much. Taylor was coming in at nickle back that year. Spot here on punt returns, special-teams, etc. Perez didn’t want to be moved, nor did he want to really spot on CB. It was weird. He was “fixed” on becoming USC’s next Ronnie Lott. Taylor wanted to just get on the field and hit people- he’d do whatever it took.
Perez transferred by his sophomore year and actually (rumor) was that he didn’t want to play that much so he could redshirt. . . .because he already saw the writing on the board. (get this: he was very good, prolly better than Terrell Thomas, as good as Kevin Ellison, and hit harder than Josh Pinkard. But. . . .what gives?)
The reason why Coach Carroll stocks up so much talent is because he sees their worth in “position” within the framework of his defense OR because their ability to “see” the field, understand the game (whereby, they are more than likely to pick up the offensive “balance” he strives for, in whomever is running the offense. i.e.> at least 50/50 run-to-pass playing. PLUS, they must want to learn or already have the ability to BLOCK. if you’ll notice- all the WR’s, TE’s FB’s, and RB’s HAVE TO BLOCK when not “in” the play. It is paramount, as much as it is crucial) He picks the players to fit “this type” of football. He wanted Adrian Peterson more than he wanted Reggie Bush because Reggie NEEDED A TON OF HELP in being coached on it. When Reggie understood how integral it was to the system, he became one of the better blocking TB’s USC has ever had. After his sophomore year, Carroll told him if he continued to get better- he’d help both LenDale and Reggie in a campaign for the Heisman. Adrian Peterson should have gotten one before he left college- Reggie practically stole it from him. Not saying Reggie didn’t deserve it, he worked hard for it- But. . . .wow! Adrian Peterson walked away from his offer from Coach Carroll- Pete made sure to stomp Oklahoma.
As far as Urban, I truly think in the article I linked you to- that he firmly believes in what he’s saying AND IT’S WORKING for now. His position at Utah was “miracle work” and he parlayed that into “interest” from any AD of a major football program. He was leaving probably knowing that his candle was as bright as it could be, using the “interest” from ND to getting a posh gig in the SEC (bigtime football and bigtime money). His personnel is solid- he’s won a few “recruiting” top classes these past couple of years. He’s also attracted the type that- yeah, they can run, catch, tackle, hit. . but they also are getting in a ton of trouble when they’re not playing football. His coaching has been great at Florida. He’s lost a few with the players that have given him those 2 NC’s. (played a shocked tOSU and an evenly matched/well-coached Oklamohoma) Here’s the thing- Tim Tebow is a one-of-a-kind athlete for the spread. He’s made FOR the spread (which is why Tebow picked Florida over USC. Carroll wanted him too). I can easily and without hesitation say that THE BEST team in college won last year’s BCS trophy. Gotta hand it to Florida- they lose at home to a so-so Mississippi team/we lose away to a better-than-everyone thought OreState team.
This is the deal: Oregon State lost to Oregon in the Civil War and barely beat Pitt in their bowl game. Mississippi had a good handle on T-Tech in theirs and played better as the season progressed in the SEC. What’s that mean? I only know what the BCS voting knows and did. We were out, Oklahoma had the Heisman trophy winner and were kinda the best in the Big 12. Our PAC 10 gets no love, and we’ll only get “that love” when we have teams who can beat their OOC opponents whether home or away AND beat the crap out of their bowl opponents, like they should. I have no gripes with Meyer and Florida. I think Meyer is gonna have to find another Tim Tebow to win the SEC, get to another BCS championship game, and – for that matter, beat USC sometime soon. At least not lose to Michigan or Mississippi. USC has to get off it’s high horse during PAC 10 play and respect each opponent in the conference. Or, they’ll get bitch slapped again and strive for making it into the Rose Bowl or any other BCS bowl game. A PAC 10 team has to go undefeated to get the chance at the BCS trophy.
Sark IS IN UNCHARTERED territory, this is true. He hasn’t coached a down of college football where EVERYTHING is riding on his shoulders. At this point, Jim Harbaugh is a better head coach than he is. And I like Jim Harbaugh. But, I can almost assure you, Steve Sarkisian’s ability is far greater than Jim Harbaugh’s- as far as potential as a college coach. Steve has the sensibility, acumen, energy, and drive to succeed- not saying Jim Harbaugh doesn’t- just saying Harbaugh took the Stanford job because it was easy pickings and “he had to start somewhere”. Steve Sarkisian knew the opportunities Washington had to offer, major upside to it’s locale and tradition, and certain players that he knew would fit in his system nicely. He waited for the Husky job, he’ll turnaround Washington way faster than Harbaugh gave life to Stanford. But. . . . he hasn’t shown jack-shit lately. But if a gimpy Sanchez could light up defenses like Sark had him do to Penn St, than Jake Locker is gonna make a ton of defenses look silly in the next two years. Jake needs a solid 2-deep line in front of him though. Stud-blocking TE’s and FB’s, fast WR’s and powerful pass-catching RB’s for Sark’s system to flourish. He should have it in year 3.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jul 5, 2009 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions
WOW!!! and I thought I had a lot of free time!
I felt like I was reading a book, and that’s not a bad thing. I am blessed with a great job, flying air ambulance is like being a firefighter, you spend hours in a row sitting in an office with nothing to do but play video games and surf the internet. That being said, I think you might have more free time than I do!
Back to the topic, where do I start? Recruits: it’s really a combination of good personnel and good coaching. If you have one but not the other you are still going to get beat.
Urban Meyer: I love his system, but I especially love the mentality of his teams. Both offensive and defensive players are mean, nasty, and looking to kick some butts. He knows how to coach every aspect of the game. Florida is going to be just plain scary this year.
USC & BCS: I believe any team that loses a game has no reason to complain about not making the championship game, win or go home. Schools like Auburn and Utah that are undefeated have EVERY reason to complain. If USC goes undefeated, they WILL be in the game, they just need to take care of business each and every week.
Sark: I also believe he has more potential than most any other new head coach in the last 5-10 years. We could have the next Urban Meyer, but until the season starts, it’s just potential. Either way, watch out for Jake Locker, he has got the tools, ability, work ethic and mentality to be a Hall of Fame NFL QB. After two years of being tutored by Sark, I fully expect him to be a first round draft choice.
Keep up the good work Bix, you bring a well studied, informed opinion to the table.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Oh my dear man Lear. . .
. . .you don’t know the 1/2 of it! I had a bit of a “situation” with a man & his passenger, while driving in traffic in Berkeley this past 4th of July weekend. He had vanity plates on his Lexus that said he was a WSU alum. My first ever encounter with a Coug since I became newly became serious about my interest in Husky football. (Would that be called, “coming out of closet” or “emerging from the dawghaus”?).
Trust me, it took me great pains not to write about 2 things that either came to me or that I became aware of, now that I received my Huskies Coaches cap from the DawgDen last week. (weird hah? hypothetically, say you decide on buying a rainbow-colored VW Bug, thinking: “no one has THIS color car”. Then, all of the sudden as you’re tooting around town- you start seeing copious rainbow colored cars? What gives? You see? I’m fast becoming “Dawg-centered” these days. . . don’t get me wrong- USC is where I went got my Masters. I’m Trojan thick and thin. But was brought up with sisters who attended Stanford and Berkeley- went to tons of sporting events on both of those campus as a kid. But I was an Alabama Crimson Tide fan since I can remember- my Uncle J.O. graduated ‘Bama in the early ’70’s. He schooled me proper on all things Tide. My mom’s from Arkansas, my grandparents had Bear Bryant shrines throughout the house in Bentonville, AK!) But. . . .because of my fondness for both Sark and Holt- I’ll be rooting for Husky football as long as their in purple. Hopefully, I’ll do so until the sun grows old.)
I’ll put up a Fanpost for these 2 things that I was exposed to. FYI: Both have very much to do with the WSU people! (Dag-gum is it unusually fun to ridicule a RIVAL! Ah. . .fuck ’em. The whole lotta ’em!)
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jul 6, 2009 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
I can't wait to read it!
You guys are writing some good stuff, keep it up! I hope you didn’t scare crazi away, I enjoy reading his posts too!
Bix, I was born in Alabama (I know you guys are saying “I’m sorry” right about now) It’s a small world huh? My father was in the US Army and was stationed down there. My Mother and Father were both born in the Emerald City though, and we’re Huskies through and through!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
You can't beat Seattle
It’s such a beautiful city, there is nothing better than a Seattle summer. Every flight I get to fly right through Elliot Bay and see downtown and the waterfront, it’s pretty hard to find better scenery.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Agreed!
Summer and Fall in Seattle is hard to beat anywhere! Throw in Husky Football and it’s NIRVANA!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I've been hit with cataclysmic ineptitide. . . .
. . . at work. Trying to clean-up a few total fuck-ups by members of various lab groups here at work since yesterday afternoon. Thank God some of these idiots are employees and not contractors, otherwise I wouldn’t get to have the pleasure of firing them myself! (speaking of which, I think it’s high-time my R&D dept meets up with corporate HR to take up the issue “employment duration clauses” . . . .and tout de suite!)
I’ll get on the UW Dawgpound around 7pm-ish tonight. And dawgfan22, to give you a teaser: I rode my motorcycle up to NorCal and had a personal confrontation with the Lexus-WSU-dude at a toll-stop going from Berkeley to San Rafael. After a lengthy back-and-forth on Interstate 80 N, he grew a pair and we “engaged” (not physically, close- though) then he and his friend sped off nervously. The story and drama of it all will be worth the wait.
And Lear, the other “WSU” thing that happened has to do with all the arrests and debauchery involved with WSU student/athletes.
It will be kinda wordy tonight, therefore. . . a fanpost. Hope y’all had a nice 4th and a quick recovery for this new work-week. I’m good. Didn’t drink much, didn’t pound my body with jiu-jitsu of surfing, – pretty much sat on my ass driving my Buell up and down the coast of California. (found out: i’m pretty good at ironing clothes. haven’t done it in quite some time. my tux got all wrinkled, even my tie! lost a cufflink and a shirt-link though. bummer days)
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jul 7, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Roper is a drop back QB
More suited for a pro style offense if you ask me. Kelly is going to be recruiting more towards the spread QB to run his spread offense. He didn’t fit into the plans so Roper transfered to a school that runs the pro (Montana).
I am excited for Kelly and Oregon. I’m couldn’t be more pleased w/ them sticking with the spread. By the time they see the trend moving back to the pro, we’ll have it up and running and they will have to play catchup. Meanwhile all that pro style talent and the kids that want to play in the pro style to get acclimated to the perferred offense run in the pros will sign with Washington. Thus Oregon finds themselves bailing water, because the Oregon ship is sinking. WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Their ship is taking on water
but it has nothing to do with the offensive system they are running. It has everything to do with a coaching change.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
I agree...
I saw your reply to qrsouther from Addictedtoquack and it seems pretty telling to me. The only 4 star commit they have right now is from Sheldon HS in Eugene. They’ve cast a wide net over the whole country in hopes that someone will get caught in the fancy gimmicks. Juxtapose that next to Sark’s tight net over the west in hopes that tradition and the chance to turn around a great program will fetch the good kids. I think Sark’s system will win out every time.
I think Roussel is a good example of that. Brady was just to far from home on a team that he didn’t feel comfortable on. I see prospects with offers from UO hailing from places like NY, NJ, LA, FL, TX and so on. I really think Chip could break that program within 5 years (he has Bellotti’s guys for at least 3-4).
I hope that their strategy pays off…not only to strengthen the PAC-10 in general…but it will feel much better to watch Nick Montana hang 500 yards on a good Duck team.
The farther away they are...
…the less you know them. That’s why I always thought it was smart for the Huskies to recruit mainly out west. You can especially get a lot of looks on the local kids, obviously.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Bellotti
As much as I HATE the Whoregon Ducks, you have to give him credit, he maintained a high level of success over a long period of time. You can’t do that without being good at what you do. It’s not like he came in on Brooks shirt tails, had 2-3 good seasons and then left.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Sorry I couldn't disagree more
High level of success? Zero Rose Bowls during the Bellotti era. Sorry you can have all the Sun Bowl victories all you want, but the Rose Bowl is what it’s all about. The fact that he never got the ducks to the grand daddy isn’t “great”.
Sure Bellotti had success, but all that success led the ducks to Sun Bowls. I respect the Oregon program (still hate the ducks), but do respect it. Bellotti never would’ve been so prosperous if it wasn’t for Phil’s money and the decline in Washington football. If Washington is still on top, Oregon doesn’t compete on the same level and with out the funding of Knight, Oregon can’t turn their football complex into a moderized cathedral. Brooks built the program and Phil Knight funded the football team. Without Brooks or Knight, Bellotti is just another coaching casualty.
The reason why Bellotti stayed in Eugene was because the guy is smart enough to know he had a good thing at Oregon. Go somewhere else and he doesn’t have Nike money at his disposal. Lear it was all about pimp daddy Phil and his money. Brooks built it, and Knight funded the circus.
hate the ducks! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Zero Rose Bowls under Bellotti is a technicality – they won the Pac-10 outright in 2001, but that was the year the Rose Bowl hosted the BCS game, so the Ducks played in the Fiesta Bowl. Had it been any other year, they’d have been in the Rose Bowl.
I think you’re letting you dislike of the Ducks cloud your judgment on Bellotti. Brooks got the Ducks to the Rose Bowl in ‘94, but that was on the heels of 5-6, 6-6 & 3-8 seasons – it’s not like the Ducks were a year-in, year-out success at that point. And part of the reason the Ducks made the Rose Bowl in ’94? Mike Bellotti as Offensive Coordinator.
Let’s also not forget that it’s not always easy taking over for a good coach. Give credit for Bellotti for taking what Brooks left him and not just maintaining it, but improving it. Yeah, sometimes the Ducks needed help from a soft schedule to get over .500 under Bellotti, but he also had a lot of very good seasons, including the co-championship in 2000 and the outright championship in 2001.
And while people rag on Bellotti by saying his successes were tied to having great offensive coordinators, credit Bellotti for finding those great coordinators, over and over again.
I’m not trying to say Bellotti is in the Don James level of great coaches, but he’s the best the Ducks have had and probably one of the 10 best coaches in the Pac-10 over the last 40 years.
Still cannot agree
Of course Brooks didn’t have a juggernaut of a program. Yet the guy did get the ducks to the Rose Bowl. Question: Where do you benefit the most after achieving Rose Bowl success? Could the answer be funding and recruiting? CORRECT!
If a program plays its cards right they can build off from a Rose Bowl appearance and I believe Oregon did just that. Brooks got them there, stepped down and Belotti used that momentum to build his own chapter in Oregon lore. Funding came in by the truck load and once Phil Knight got on board, Belotti and the Oregon Duck program was one of the best funded football programs in the entire country- still are to this very day.
If you remember correctly when Rich Brooks stepped down it seemed a tad awkward. Who leaves a Rose Bowl team after getting there? Can’t use Mike Price because he had already accepted the job at Alabama prior to getting to Pasadena and then got caught with his pants down.
From what I remember when Brooks stepped down, it sort of had the same feeling now with Bellotti stepping down.
But I stand firm. Bellotti took over after Brooks got the ducks to the Rose Bowl, used that momentum towards successful recruitment the next few seasons. Meanwhile funding was pooring in and once Phil came into the picture. Oregon was well funded, had momentum, and became the trendy ugly duckling in the NW.
Again Bellotti is a coaching casualty if it isn’t for the Rich Brooks-led Rose Bowl appearance and pimp daddy Phil’s money. Hate the ducks!
All I saw was purple
If you remember correctly when Rich Brooks stepped down it seemed a tad awkward. Who leaves a Rose Bowl team after getting there?
Coaches that get hired into an NFL head coaching job, that’s who. There was nothing awkward about it – the man was offered a better job and took it.
Sorry crazi, you can argue against it all you want but the fact is that Mike Bellotti is a good coach. Yeah, he had the great support and funding of Phil Knight, but Bellotti still had to coach the players (or coach the coaches that coached the players). There are plenty of coaches that have stepped into very good situations and failed.
A guy that compiles a winning percentage of 68% at Oregon with winning records in 13 of his 14 seasons – that’s a good coach. Not necessarily great, but definitely good (if he’d cared as much about defense as he did offense, he might’ve been great).
I don’t know if Bellotti could’ve built up Oregon into a strong program had he taken over when they were down, but he deserves credit for keeping the Ducks successful.
Yeah I think you would have to say...
…their best, wouldn’t you?
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Gotta agree with Kirk on this...
as much as I hate Oregon Belloti was a good coach. Brooks left to the NFL after obtaining success in college – that’s how it works. The NFL isn’t going to take a college coach who can’t win in college. And, as we Dawgs should know, a sub-par coach can take a good team and fly them right into the side of a mountain ala Rick Neuheisel.
Sorry I’m not going to kiss his butt. I do however think he is a fine coach, who inherited probably the best success ever at Oregon on the gridiron from Brooks. He walked into a perfect situation, he didn’t build the thing, he managed it. Yet I stand firm, if Washington is still on top, Bellotti is not seen as the God he seems to be right now. If Washington is winning, Bellotti loses recruits to us and loses games to us. Washington was down and Bellotti and Oregon capitalized on the opportunity.
Good coach, not great. The end.
All I saw was purple
Bellotti
Give the guy his due, he was Oregon’s best and he did a good job there. I just think it’s comical that the ducks (fans) got restless and wanted Bellotti gone. They’ve been drinking the kool aid too and yeah you guessed it, it’s the green version. I think they have basically bought into the hype and really BELIEVED that Oregon should be competing for and winning a NC. Oregon has been solid recently but I don’t think those expectations are realistic by any means. Don James is head and shoulders above Belotti. I’d even venture to say that Jim Owens achieved more, if you’re talking about reaching the pinnacle anyway. The thing is Bellotti never got there, sorry but close doesn’t cut it. Don James got it done and probably should have two NCs. Not to mention going to the Rosebowl six times.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I got a buddy over at Conquest Chronicles, SoCalNative1952
This guy’s an old-school cat from way back in the day. Think Marcus Allen Trojan days, and prolly before? Anyhow, he had this great take the other day- granted it was geared for fUcla, but it hits home with the way things are rumored to have occurred in Eugene.
Here’s what he had to say about fucla: “The thing is that 97 team was good, but they lost the first 2 (WSU being first game) then lost to Tenn- but they then beat texas 66-3! Wow. . .. After those first 2 games- they win 10 in a row (with Houston in mix, albeit- basically a 1AA class team) ending with Texas A&M. The rule was, at the time, – the Pac-10 winner vs. Big 10 winner, so. . . . what does festor (SoCal’s nickname for the moderator at BruinsNation- he kinda has it in for him. but he’s fair about it, if not impeccably honest of his opinion of him) expect? (this in response to Festor/Nestor crying about the main-stream media/powers that be in Bowl Selection Committees- not putting the Bruins in the National Championship Game that year) Then the ’98 team goes 10-0 (basically 20-0) then loses their last 2 that year? (So)But to say they would of had an National Champ is a wish and that only. You know the funny thing is they were calling for Toledo’s head and got it, and know look what they have a PIPE DREAM.”
Doesn’t it sound eerily similar to the treatment of Belotti? Granted, Coach B got the AD job and can, as a matter of future consequence, FIRE ChipK. Time will tell?
It just appears that the Oregon faithful are suddenly acting like they’ve deserve something different? That they might think they deserve a Rose Bowl or BCS Championship? College football is a wonderfully weird game, so who knows? They might be on the right track? (they also might be in for a Bruin dismal-tide of a turnaround?) Former? Or, latter? (my money’s on the latter, and I’ll see to it come the start of the 2009 season)
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 30, 2009 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I remember those teams Bix...
It was like fucla had some kind of a major brain fart when the chips were down. One season Toledo is the best thing since sliced bread and the next he’s being sent down the road.
As far as oregon goes, it strikes me funny that their expectations have grown exponentially. I mean give me a break this program has just come into a “moderate amount” of success over the last 10 years. Historically they don’t make much of a bang. Yet their fans expect a NC. I really believe they’re buying into that and is it any surprise with the culture that we live in today? “I want it ALL and I want it NOW!” To quote a verse from a popular band from my era. Be careful what you wish for Oregon it may NOT come true!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
There's not enough room in the NW for both Huskies and ducks
It’s simple, Oregon got good because Washington fell thru the floor- period. Their is not enough room to operate in the northwest for both schools to be successful year in and year out. 2000 was a differnt animal- all the Pac 10 power in the northwest (Washington, Oregon State, Oregon). That was a hiccup year.
Their is not enough prep talent in the northern states for the Huskies and ducks to stay on top every season. When we dominated we took all the best kids from within state, we took a great deal of talent from Cali and robbed Oregon of it’s best talent. Since we’ve fallen and can’t get up, Oregon has been the team to beat in the northwest. They comb thru their state pretty good, have been successful in Cali and have taken some of our in-state kids, and have done remarkably well in Hawaii.
Oregon does not become the trendy ugly duckling (sponsored by Nike) if we don’t drop off the map. We bottomed out, kids forgot about how dam good the Dawgs from the Pacific Northwest use to be. It’s been almost a decade since we were a productive member of the college football playing NCAA, meanwhile Oregon has been running amuke with their (words can’t describe) awful uniforms. To me it is a mockery of the college game, built on TRADITION.
But face facts Oregon does not become the O if Washington is still Washington.
All I saw was purple
Agreed...
…but it’s really only been like the last 5 years. I really enjoyed the 2002 and 2003 seasons where we absolutely kicked their butts! Oregon has been trying to change the natural alignment of the planets. Small market with Uncle Phil’s big bucks. It hasn’t worked. They haven’t been able to push it over the top. Have they gotten better compared to where they were? Yes but what I think is comical is they’re talking about NCs when first you have to win conference championships. It’s also funny to see oregon state beating them more than not. I know it’s not much solace for us but still when you think about it, how much worse would it be if they’d actually achieved some of that stuff? The one year where they won a share of the title WE went to the Rosebowl! The other ( at least I think they won it?) they had to play in the Fiesta bowl! It’s a bit of Karma happening there, don’t ya think? GO DAWGS!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
The last 5 years..
…my bad, what I meant was WE have fallen on our face over the last 5 years but “times they are a changin’” Bigger market, more tradition, better University, better colors, better mascot, better academics….need I SAY MORE! Bigger and Better City! Husky Stadium on the shores of Beautiful Lake Washington!…….There are SO many things BETTER!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
WOW- you mean someone actually agrees with craziness?
Bellotti has managed a pretty good program over the years. Yet since he never got the ducks to the Rose Bowl is ultimately why I can’t earmark “Legend” status for Bellotti.
And the only reason why Bellotti comes to us with a remarkable coaching resume is due to Washington not taking their football serious enough. We’ve made 3 too many bad coaching decisions (Rick, Keith, and Ty) and it flatlined the program. Rick brought in instant success, but didn’t recruit well enough where it counted (trenches) for sustainability. Keith got his dream job, but it was lousy timing and his credibility was completely destroyed. Ty had a plan to rebuild, but his system would require a generation or two in order to succeed. I liked his approach of recruiting academic wiz kids that can also play football. But those kids don’t grow on trees. You’ve got to go after football players w/ high pedigree that can also be outstanding in the classroom, meanwhile it is your job to foster a safe haven so that the kids don’t run amuke breaking laws [see WSU]. Ty had a good idea, but he had it backwards. You can’t recruit across the board academic students that also play football- not enough. You have to recruit football players that also succeed in the classroom. That and Willingham spent too much time on the golf course.
We haven’t truly sensed a “sense of urgency” surrounding this program since the Lambo era. Oh Rick brought in energy, but could not be sustained, mostly due to his negligent antics, that and the guy could not recruit real talent on the front lines.
Bellotti is a dam good coach, I will state that. But that is all it can be- he never got the ducks to the Rose Bowl and you can’t yell out the “ifs”. Bellotti had 15+ years to get it done and didn’t. Great coaches get their programs to the grand daddy, good coaches manage a good program and that is what you have with Mike Bellotti.
All I saw was purple
Agreed Bellotti doesn't hold a...
…candle to Don James. He might be able to hold his jock strap or something. It is funny though that both times they could have went (To the Rosebowl) they didn’t.
by doubledeucedawg on Jul 3, 2009 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Come on Crazi
Kirkd pointed out that your argument has one big hole in it. The only reason you can claim that Bellotti never took them to the Rosebowl is because the Pac10 champion went to the Fiesta Bowl the year that Whoregon won the Pac10. So Bellotti did win the conference and went to a BCS game, only bad timing kept him out of the Rosebowl.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Yeah but Lear...
…not saying that he was bad or anything but he did it what twice? I guess for oregon that is fantastic so why then all these grandiose expectations from the smucks?!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Exactly
For Oregon, that’s legendary!
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
but apparently...
…that’s not good enough for them?
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Delusions of Grandure
They will soon figure out that they should have been happy with all of the success they’ve been having. I get the feeling the future isn’t quite so bright.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Chip Kelly
Eve if Chip is everything that duck fans think he is, then he’ll be coaching a real program in 2-3 years.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Got to agree with kirkd
Your judgement is suspect. He maintained a VERY high level of success for THAT program. Oregon isn’t all that dissimilar to WSU, they are not located in a large market, they don’t have a recruiting hotbed to pull from, the only difference between WSU and Oregon is Phil Knights money. So yes, Bellotti has been successful at Oregon.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Oregon isn't that bad of a recruiting venue
Granted most Oregon prep recruits aren’t all that, but Eugene is right in the middle of the Washington border and the California border. They can recruit the hell out of the Bay area. It’s like us recruiting the Spokane area. Kids from the Bay Area can still drive home on the weekend from Eugene, their parents can drive up easy from Northern California to Eugene and watch their kids play. So to say Eugene is not a hotbed is off-the-charts wrong. They can recruit Washington kids and Northern Cali kids just fine and have been for years.
Not to mention but Portland is only an hour 1/2 north. To get to Pullman you have to open gates, cross cattle guards, drive through a ditch, and watch out for bigfoot! Yet Eugene is right off I-5. Eugene is definitely not Pullman.
I’m going to shut up now- I find myself defending Oregon and I sure as hell don’t want to help them recruit.
Hate the ducks! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Well,...
there a lot of cute gaspumpers…interpret that as you will.
by hairofthedawg on Jun 28, 2009 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually, I'm right
Who can Oregon recruit with little to no competition? Washington kids naturally lean to UW or WSU, Cali kids normally lean to USC or UCLA, plus the whole world recruits California. Oregon has absolutely NO freebies recruiting, they MUST compete with everyone. Eugene is NOT a recruiting hotbed, the only thing they have going for them is Uncle Phil’s money.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Happy Iona
He’s got an offer according to Dawgman.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Great to hear!
I think Happy could be a special DE. I don’t remember who I was back and forth with about a good speed rusher but Iona and Hudson (if we can get them) would be a formidable pair. I hear he’s high on OSU but hopefully it’s because he didn’t have that UW offer yet.
Hroniss Grasu
6-3 246 lber? If this kid is fast he may be able to convert to MLB. This kid would be an ideal defensive player under Nick Holt. He just has that USC nastiness look about him- we’ll gladly take any and all those type of kids in a heartbeat.
Go Dawgs! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Kinda reminds me of Brockman...
…and if that’s any indication then we want him! He also looks pretty slim for a kid listed at that weight.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Scout reports a 111 inch standing long jump....
so he’s got decent explosiveness.
Maybe one of those two, either Hudson or...
…Grasu will pull the trigger soon.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Not so fast
I think everybody is holding out to see what USC & Ucla are going to do. Many of the kids that are on our wish list have indicated that they are interested in USC & Ucla. They have offers from everybody except from the Trojans and Bruins- many of these kids are California kids- that tells me they are waiting to see what they are going to do first.
I think most everybody is going to slow down on getting commits until the season gets underway. With the kids on our list, if USC or Ucla don’t come calling, they will then focus elsewhere. This is why winning early in the season is so vitally important. If we can schock the world and beat LSU- just think what that will do for recruiting. LSU is almost a must win in order to bring in one of the top classes in the country. Fingers crossed?
All I saw was purple
How many DEs do you guys think...
..we’ll take in this class?
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
3
Given the fact Sark has stated “we won’t settle” I see only 3. If we can get Iona, Hudson, and Grasu then we are looking awfully good. All three guys would offer tremendous competition in years to come for playing time.
We’ve got a secondary that needs players too, and not to mention our efforts in continuously restocking the offensive line.
All I saw was purple
Just curious
I know we have other needs but that pass rusher on the edge is vital.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Pulu
Sounds like he had a dominating game in the East vs West game. I believe he had 12 tackles.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
It’ll be interesting to see where Pulu ends up. His body type suggests he may grow into a bigger DE, but there are a number of promising young players in that spot – Everrette Thompson, Kalani Aldrich, Talia Chrichton. Kimo Makula could end up there.
If Pulu doesn’t get too huge, it sure would be nice to have a big-time thumper at MLB again.
That's why I like Grasu
If the kid has wheels he possibly could be converted to MLB.
All I saw was purple
Yeah anytime you can get athletes...
…who play multiple positions it’s an advantage.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
One final blurb about Coaches Sark & Holt "not proven yet"
Obviously it’s true that Coach Sark hasn’t coached a down of Div I football, but Coach Holt actually has- at Idaho. That’s neither here nor there, because the WAC ain’t the PAC 10.
However, both Sark and Holt have been in the PAC 10 system on and off for a good 5 and 4 years respectively. With that said, ALL THE OPPONENTS they game planned against WILL STILL BE the same opponents they’ll plan against as the Head Coach and Asst. Head Coach of the UW. With the exception of LSU- the rest of the teams on the Huskies upcoming 2009 schedule WON’T BE ANY STRANGERS TO THEM. Now what does that mean? That STILL means they haven’t coached a down of UW football. But it would be disingenuous to suggest just because they haven’t coached a down of UW football means you can throw all their experience as NOT ONLY assistant head coaches (in their own right) but also to suggest that THEY DON’T KNOW A LICK OF PAC-10 COACHING. C’mon now! It’s not like they’re gonna completely forget how to coach young men in the game of football just because they left USC?
1. Yes, they are dealing with a different set of circumstances and personnel here in Seattle
2. Yes, they’ve got a lot riding on their shoulders
3. But, no- they’re not “inexperienced” coaches. (Coach Sark went to the Raiders- pro-level coaching and Coach Holt had his stint at Idaho 5-18 record)
4. They’ve got the better “assistant head coaching” records of “decent record” of ANY HEAD COACH in the PAC 10. (so in this regard- they’re WAY AHEAD of the ballgame)
Lastly, they’re two of the better “teachers” of the game of football. Coach Sark with QB’s and offensive strategies. With Coach Holt with defensive lines and linebackers- as well as defensive schemes and strategies to stop the most potent offenses any national football team can come up with.
But sure, anyone can say they’re unproven. Guess what? So is EVERY SINGLE COACH IN THE PAC 10 next year. Every year is different- even for Jeff Tedford as much as it is for Pete Carroll. They all start from scratch. Those two coaches just mentioned ARE GONNA BE BEHIND the ball. Because THEY HAVEN’T SEEN Coach Holt and Coach Sark scheme against them. (call me crazi? i’m placing most of my money on the underdog Huskies this coming year. especially on the crazi- over/unders. i’ll bet i win more than i lose. gotta tell you though, i’m pretty good at this betting business ;- )
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 28, 2009 10:50 PM PDT reply actions
You bring up some good points
Here’s how I see it:
Pro’s:
They come from one of the best programs in the nations, they know what a top program is suppose to be
They’ve been tutored by one of the best coaches the Pac10 has seen
They are young and have TONS of energy and work their tails off
They are great recruiters
Con’s:
Sark is only 34, hasn’t been coaching for more than 10 years, and has never been a head coach
Sark has NO experience at any school other than USC, which means no experience with less than the best talent
They have very little if any experience coaching against better talent
The more I see of Sark and Co., the more excited I get about him and the future of the UW. I can very easily see Sark becoming the hottest young coach in college football. But reality is they ARE low on experience, which forces me to be somewhat cautious until I see results where it counts, on gameday.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
But he did wonders with...
Andrew Walter in Oakland…on a more serious note, I worry more about the lack of program building experience than the lack of HC experience. Even if he was an assistant under Tedford (or the like) in the midst of rebuilding a program into a power, I would feel alot better.
Recruiting
Bix you didn’t mention recruiting, which could be the most important attribute of all. Sark and staff have proven themselves (so far) to be strong recruiters.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Yeah, that goes without saying
I don’t wanna appear to be drumming up this all-consuming love affair with those two young and awesome coaches. I just thought I’d defend their name, in the sense of reputation as being good coaches, sound teachers of football, and highly-intelligent. (they’re not gonna lose games for the UW by being unprepared, nor forget what got them to their new; highly publicized positions as the Head Honchos of the Huskies)
I could also impart some details as to the manner in which Coach Carroll recruited them to be on his staff and how both were INTEGRAL in building a program that went no more than 6 wins a season (in 98) in the five years prior to Carroll arriving at Heritage Hall. Both played a big part. Sark for Palmer, Leinart, JD Booty, and Sanchez. Leinart, no so much. And Holt- for the linebackers/secondary in his first stint (Troy Polamalu, Lofa, Grotegood, et. al) and the defensive line (Lawrence Jackson, Sedrick Ellis- this list is just as long as his list for the 2003 LB’s???).
It’s immaterial though. I understand not getting too enthusiastic, but I’ll go to bat for what I know what these coaches are capable of doing on and off the field. They will not cause harm to the fine reputation of the James’-era of Husky tradition. (that is almost a “sacred” tradition of Husky dominance) and they won’t take players not geared for their system, let alone run off players who might not realize their potential. They’ll never give up on their players.
Really, for anyone who wants to know what they’ve done and how they’ve built up a moribound program- google the the 2001-2003 Trojans, then google the 2005-2008 USC Trojans for Sark, the 2006-2008 Trojans for Holt. It’s damn scary!
But yeah, recruiting. Just you wait!
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 30, 2009 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't know that it...
…goes without saying. It may be the most important attribute of a college head football coach. I think it could be Sark and Holt’s strong suit, something that will just get better with time.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I apologize to you dawgfan22
I didn’t mean to sound condescending in my reply to you. I just “got” that it totally sounds like I was. I’m sorry about that, didn’t mean anything by it.
What I should have written was: “You’re right! I consciously stopped short of remarking about Sark and Holt’s ability to recruit because I’ve read many posts here at the UW Dawg Pound, as well as the many that have been previously written about their recruiting prowess from their time at USC on numerous Trojan sites.” (I wrote “That goes without saying” for brevity and . . . .because I lacked proper blog-manners on that one altogether. My bad. Again, sorry buddy. I’m being sincere, please do not detect anything else but that)
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 30, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Forget about it!
I could see where you were coming from! I just remember a pretty good coach stated that 80% of his success is based on recruiting. You know what? I like Sark and Holt’s odds in that scenario!
Sheesh! Bix Do you think you got some mileage out of your post!? I mean it took me FOREVER to scroll down to where we are now! GOOD JOB PAL! WELL DONE!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Bix I think...
…you’re the winner. Crazi got like 60 something posts on his thread, you got almost double that!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Wow!
This will be the first thing I’ve won since the Final Four matches. (i lost my 401K on the final. got stupid with a “favorable” over/under. egads! yeash! got too greedy)
(not really though- “The Men” in shiny pointed shoes living in Asia took most of my 401K these past 20 months! 1st qtr 2009 is when it actually started to STOP losing money. if only, incrementally!)
: p <—-that’s a guy cracking up. . . . hey! i’m not good at this “emoticon” bizness.
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 30, 2009 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah I think...
…we all took our losses on the last big drop but if you’re drinking the “kool aid” it’s SUPPOSED to rebound……………….eventually! ;O)
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I for one am getting tired...
…of the roller coaster! I guess I’m getting old.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
You're still very young, my man!
Because you still “want it”.
Let’s change the words for that song to say, “I WANT MORE of it! And I WANT IT NOW!” (we should be so lucky not to have friends like Madoff, eh?)
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 30, 2009 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Amen Bro!...
…on the Madoff theme! As far as me being young?……….well now that’s another story!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
A big "THANKS" should go out to John!
Thank you John!
I’m not sure if the content deserved the front page, but I wanna let you know, John- I appreciate it. If it wasn’t for the front page, it wouldn’t have had all these replies methinks.
You all here at UW Dawg Pound are totally cool-ass people. Thank you all too, this has been a ton of fun on this post!
Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"
by BixBeiderbecke on Jun 30, 2009 10:14 PM PDT reply actions
Screw John:)
I’m just glad he’s managed to attract enough posters to keep the board alive while he’s out enjoying himself. And it hasn’t been a train wreck. Good job guys!
by hairofthedawg on Jul 1, 2009 2:36 AM PDT up reply actions
If I had known you wanted a train wreck . . .
I would have tried much harder to create one!
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Thanks to John too...
…for providing this venue and to you too Bix, for enriching us with your presence and your enlightened/philosophical commentary. Dang! Did I spell those right?!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
...Oh I almost forgot...
…the masses too! These fans are the bomb!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I thought...
…he said he was returning “soon” with another good post? Something about his confrontation with a wswho fan? That’s always fun!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Life can get busy
and it’s vacation season. I go on streaks, more flights = less blogging, and vice versa.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Yeah I can understand that...
…hopefully he’ll be back soon.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
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