BRANDON INTERVIEWS IN VEGAS!

Schadenfreude · Post by **Schadenfreude** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 5:15 pm

If Brandon gave an "I don't have a dream" speech recently, please post a link.

Thoughts:

1. Brandon may not get this. We all saw the Toledo game. Brandon is a good coach... perhaps a very good coach. I'm not sure he's great... not yet. And there is the buy out issue. That's a lot of money to strong arm from which ever casino magnates are the big money behind the Nevada-Las Vegas program. The UNLV AD's pitch to boosters is obvious: "Brandon is the next Urban Meyer, and we need to get him." But will the AD able to make that pitch with heart-felt sincerity? Or will he see the rough edges that we see?

2. Brandon may not want this. Sure, it's out west, where Brandon has roots. And it's more money. But one can spin Nevada-Las Vegas in several directions. Is this the next Utah just waiting to happen? Or this another Indiana?

Brandon may go there, sense fundamental problems, and decide the situation isn't for him.

The reality is, Nevada-Las Vegas is a program program has shown occasional flashes of brilliance surrounded by long stretches of medocrity. I don't see these guys as far along as Utah was when Urban arrived.

Fifteen years ago, the Rebs were overshadowed in the standings by Fresno State and San Jose State in the old PCAA/Big West. Now they are overshadowed by Utah, Brigham Young and Colorado State in the Mountain West. For all the booster money that may be flowing into this program, the Rebs have shown a persistent inability to consistently put butts in seats. This program doesn't connect with the rootless people who tend to inhabit Las Vegas.

3. If Brandon does get it, Krebs may have tricky decisions to make back here. Will Stud and Beckman both seek the top job? Will one or both believe their time has come and be offended if they are rejected?

I share NWLB's sense that it might be wise to bring in another outsider to manage the program... someone who can handle this offense, and continue the program on the path it is on.

But eventually we are going to need to bring in a guy like Bobby Pruett or Tom Amstutz... a guy who will settle in for the long haul, and really start to build this thing for the long haul.

Stud may be that guy. I have no idea if he is ready to lead this program, but it seems to me he might be someday...

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 5:25 pm

hammb wrote:and that $500,000 buyout would pay our next coach for his next 2 years' salary.

Good point hammb. $250,000 a year ain't too shabby in this league.

Paul Krebs knows what he's doing...pure and simple.

OptionQB · Post by **OptionQB** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 5:26 pm

I have a tendancy to be a bit thickheaded and not clearly see all of the issues from time to time . . . So please enlighten me . . . What in the hell has Greg Studwara ever done to inspire someone to name him as a possible and/or credible replacement to run a college football program?

Studwara is a wonderful position coach. I will never deny that. He's a mediocre Offensive Coordinator and that's being nice. So where's the hype for a head coaching job?

Schadenfreude · Post by **Schadenfreude** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 5:29 pm

OptionQB wrote:He's a mediocre Offensive Coordinator and that's being nice.

How do you figure? Just curious.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 5:33 pm

OptionQB wrote:I have a tendancy to be a bit thickheaded and not clearly see all of the issues from time to time . . . So please enlighten me . . . What in the hell has Greg Studwara ever done to inspire someone to name him as a possible and/or credible replacement to run a college football program?

Studwara is a wonderful position coach. I will never deny that. He's a mediocre Offensive Coordinator and that's being nice. So where's the hype for a head coaching job?

Option,

It was just a name thrown out there....basically because Stud has roots here at BG. Nothing more.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 5:39 pm

Schadenfreude wrote:
OptionQB wrote:He's a mediocre Offensive Coordinator and that's being nice.

Almost 44 points a game and 500+ yards of offense a game, with a brand new QB, is mediocre?

factman · Post by **factman** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 5:43 pm

Funny how all of the coaches that he has coached with want him on their staff. He is GREAT recruiter (best on our staff), VERY personable, obviously knows OL, has spent two years as an OC in one of the best offenses in the country (even if Option doesn't like it), he's an alumni, and well liked (by everyone except Option).Why wouldn't he make a good head coach?

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 5:53 pm

I love the guy, he's a hoot at alumni events.

I'm just not sure he has what it takes to lead BG to the next level.

He still needs to put on about 300 pounds if he is going to put us over the top with Little Detroit.

OptionQB · Post by **OptionQB** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 6:03 pm

Exposing your NCAA leading QB in a winged T formation b/c it looks cool to snap the ball to your running back is just plain stupid. I certainly don't want it to happen, but quite frankly, I'm quite surprised no DB has taken a shot at Omar out on the flank in such a stupid formation. And besides, if you're going to line up that way, give every other defense except Toledo something else to think about and have PJ throw the ball ONCE . . . just to give it a different look.

I would think that completely changing the offense at Ohio State and his playing calling against teams with records better than 3-8 have left doubts in most of our minds as well.

Again, the guy is a great asset as a tremendous position coach, but he is not the answer at Offensive Coordinator and he's certainly isn't a head coach . . . yet.

The point is . . . I firmly believe with the bowl money that will most likely be reinvested in the ENTIRE athletic department if not the U. as a whole and POTENTIALLY the $500,000 coming from our friends in Vegas, not to mention 9 returning defensive starters and one of the better QBs with two wonderful weapons and more on the way, we should be able to attract some names . . .

Schadenfreude · Post by **Schadenfreude** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 6:16 pm

OptionQB wrote:I firmly believe with the bowl money that will most likely be reinvested in the ENTIRE athletic department ...

This isn't going to be much of a windfall.

If the MAC nets more than $1 million from all these bowls combined after covering costs and unsold tickets, I'd be surprised. In fact, I'd be surprised if it was that much... especially if Akron is invited to Hawaii.

But let's say $1 million. Split 12 ways, that's $83,000 or so.

It isn't chump change. But it's not going to transform us into Notre Dame.

OptionQB · Post by **OptionQB** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 6:20 pm

The payout from the Independence Bowl alone is $1.1 million dollars. I'm not so sure there is a clause that says we have to buy unsold tickets either?

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 6:21 pm

Schadenfreude wrote: But let's say $1 million. Split 12 ways, that's $83,000 or so.

It isn't chump change. But it's not going to transform us into Notre Dame.

Which is why I say we take this potential $500,000 check from UNLV, stop off at the Bellagio and throw it down on 20 black and get ourselves a top flight coach AND the SAC, all in one weekend!!!

Warthog · Post by **Warthog** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 6:29 pm

OptionQB wrote:Exposing your NCAA leading QB in a winged T formation b/c it looks cool to snap the ball to your running back is just plain stupid. I certainly don't want it to happen, but quite frankly, I'm quite surprised no DB has taken a shot at Omar out on the flank in such a stupid formation. And besides, if you're going to line up that way, give every other defense except Toledo something else to think about and have PJ throw the ball ONCE . . . just to give it a different look..

You know, I was never too thrilled with that formation, but they explained it pretty good during the UT game. By splitting out the QB, you take one defensive player out of the situtation as you force him to at least guard Jacobs. Plus, you eliminate the chance of a fumble during a handoff by snapping directly to Pope. When you line it up, you have nine offensive players on the line to block what is usually eight in the box, so it is a good matchup. And it your are gonna run the ball anyway, why not take advantage of the defense?

OptionQB wrote: not to mention 9 returning defensive starters and one of the better QBs with two wonderful weapons and more on the way, we should be able to attract some names . . .

That is what makes us extremely attractive to a new potential coach. What young offensive thinking coach would not jump at the chance to come and coach a sophomore QB that was just named offensive player of the year in his conference?

OptionQB · Post by **OptionQB** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 6:34 pm

Warthog,

I understand the "scheme" of the Winged T formation. What I question is the strategy . . .

Again, as a DB why wouldn't you take a free shot at this QB who has been throwing on you all night . . .

Secondly, they do the same thing everytime . . . Just mess with D-Coordinators ONCE and throw the ball . . . In the UT game . . . the DB constantly stood up on the snap and just tapped Omar b/c he knew there was no threat. Pull out the old NYJ play on the Bengals . . . Fake a sweep, Omar lays out a unsuspecting DB and throw it! It's not that imagnitive!!!

And it makes the play more believable. Or better yet . . . put in somebody besides your star QB and really mess with their minds . . . The play has potential, but I don't like having Omar exposed like that

rc_ziggy84 · Post by **rc_ziggy84** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 6:44 pm

While I agree exposing Omar is a bad idea, UT didn't stop the run out of that formation all night. When we did it in the 3rd driving the ball I was upset when we stopped. It was eating clock and keeping their offense off the field. Either way we needed the ball in Pope's hands more but that's another story.