SIU

[bobo]

Oct 28, 2019 10:01:01 GMT -6 nccyote said:

Our players' performance Saturday was a representation of our entire program in a nutshell. Zero student body presence(presumably partying in Brookings), weak tailgating area compared to previous home games this season, hell my '05 team was being recognized and I think there was maybe 10 of us in attendance, that was more embarrassing than the players' performance to me. Our whole program reeks of apathy, from fans all the way down to the players.

That being said, as a player, it has to mean more to you than anybody else. I don't see that with this group right now. You have to give fans a reason to show up and cheer.  Show some fight, give them hope. Offense just keeps giving the ball away.  Defense can't stop a nose bleed.  It means a lot to some (Greenfield, Whitcomb, Cochrane/ Vander Esch, Case) but not enough from the naked eye.  It's hard to follow a Sr. QB that continuously makes bone headed decisions, even when he makes a lot of great plays as well.

Heard Scott Frost summarize Nebraska's situation and it fits well with us too. "We have a lot of guys that love being football players, but not a lot of guys who love playing football."

[bobo]

We need to be very careful when painting a picture with such a wide brush. Stating that all players, except for an obvious handful, as no caring or having pride in their performance is a pretty harsh statement. There are plenty of kids on this roster who are tough minded, competitive, and would do anything to be out on that field at all times. What we need more than anything is those leaders (?) and coaches to hold others accountable for anything less than balls out all the time. From what I see, there’s too much complacency in the effort and tenacious desire to make plays especially on the defensive side of the ball (it’s not just good enough to be there) you got to make plays. Cochran and Greenfield need to be that guys that says something cuz they play the right way all the time. Simmons isn’t trying to make mistakes, but he does try to make plays that aren’t there when under major pressure.

[yote18]

Oct 28, 2019 13:22:13 GMT -6 usdtator said:

I have to believe that the coaching staff is flustered and nervous (as they should be) as well and also wondering how much longer they will have a job. Coach Nielson, since he isn't going anywhere, needs to make some changes. I am hoping that his decades of experience will allow him to identify where those changes need to be made and make the right ones. There is football athletic ability on this campus of the likes which I have never seen before... however, they seem to be without leadership, discipline, and focus. Much of that comes from the coaches.

My kids brought friends along to the game on Saturday that were not committed to supporting any college football teams. I was thinking today would be the day we bring three new Coyote fans into family... While they did all say they had a good time, it's hard to imagine they will want to become fans after Saturday. My oldest boy said to me during the game, "Dad, this is embarrassing. I've been bragging to these guys how much fun Coyote games are and then we lose like this?" I didn't know what to tell him...

I have to think Nielson is starting to feel the hot seat. Herbster is a smart guy and I’m sure there are clauses in the contract, especially after seeing what NDSU went through with their WBB coach and it’s 5 year contract fiasco.

[announcerbob]

I will admit that I am a novice when it comes to football, but I have watched every game the last few years and I have a couple of observations.

It is my opinion that even though we manage to score points during the game, I think offensive scheme changes could be made in 3rd and short situations. In 4 and 5 receiver sets rarely do we run slant routes that would be glorified runs and allow our quarterback to get the ball out quickly. Secondly, I think the ball fakes are not executed well and does not fool anyone. The only thing they do is force the o-line to hold the blocks longer and make Simmons jumpy in the pocket. If they would line up the receivers closer to the line and use a 3 receiver bunches they may get the ball out quicker and allow the athletic abilities to make people miss.

It may be the QB choosing to throw 20 yards down the sidelines versus a 6 yard slant on a 3rd down and 4 but that is my observations.

[Yotes]

Oct 28, 2019 19:34:17 GMT -6 yote18 said:

Oct 28, 2019 13:22:13 GMT -6 usdtator said:

I have to believe that the coaching staff is flustered and nervous (as they should be) as well and also wondering how much longer they will have a job. Coach Nielson, since he isn't going anywhere, needs to make some changes. I am hoping that his decades of experience will allow him to identify where those changes need to be made and make the right ones. There is football athletic ability on this campus of the likes which I have never seen before... however, they seem to be without leadership, discipline, and focus. Much of that comes from the coaches.

My kids brought friends along to the game on Saturday that were not committed to supporting any college football teams. I was thinking today would be the day we bring three new Coyote fans into family... While they did all say they had a good time, it's hard to imagine they will want to become fans after Saturday. My oldest boy said to me during the game, "Dad, this is embarrassing. I've been bragging to these guys how much fun Coyote games are and then we lose like this?" I didn't know what to tell him...

I have to think Nielson is starting to feel the hot seat. Herbster is a smart guy and I’m sure there are clauses in the contract, especially after seeing what NDSU went through with their WBB coach and it’s 5 year contract fiasco.

Anything short of credible misconduct allegations and we are looking at a buyout or waiting this one out.

(Bob isn't going anywhere)

[yote18]

Oct 28, 2019 21:34:44 GMT -6 Yotes said:

Oct 28, 2019 19:34:17 GMT -6 yote18 said:

I have to think Nielson is starting to feel the hot seat. Herbster is a smart guy and I’m sure there are clauses in the contract, especially after seeing what NDSU went through with their WBB coach and it’s 5 year contract fiasco.

Anything short of credible misconduct allegations and we are looking at a buyout or waiting this one out.

(Bob isn't going anywhere)

You’re probably right, but if not Bob then there has to be changes on his staff. Instead of reinventing the way football is played let’s try and emulate what worked for the XDSU’s. Starting with a solid defense.

[Yote 53]

I don't think there is any question changes need to be made.

I don't like that Scott Frost quote and I don't like it being used here either. Frost has thrown his players under the bus this season blaming the losses on them and how they need to get better. He defends himself and his staff and says how his systems work, they worked at UCF and they worked at Oregon. Says the players need to be all in. He says he needs players that can compete in the Big Ten. Now, if you are a player in that locker room how do you feel about your head coach? Do you have any confidence in that staff? Are you going to go through the brick wall for them? Heck no, especially when anyone with half a brain can see that Frost's systems won't work in the Big Ten. The conference is physical, teams play defense, and you have to win the LOS if you are going to be successful. Frost's brand of football addresses none of that. This isn't UCF, this isn't Oregon, this is Nebraska and the Big Ten Conference. The coach needs to adjust to that fact. Does any of this sound familiar?

What many of you are seeing as a lack of motivation or effort I see as a lack in confidence in what we are doing, especially on defense. If the players look like they are beat before the game starts it's because deep down they know the system and what we are doing is a wasted effort. Defense is being physical on the LOS, flying around to the football, and making plays. I see a defense that is soft, timid, and unsure of themselves.

Many of us have been following the recruiting the last several years and we know that we are getting bigger, faster, better, more talented athletes across the board. IMO, it's not the players. We have the Jimmy's and Joe's to compete. At this point it is about the X's & O's and coaching. Coaching and player development matter greatly in college football, more than most can imagine. It's up to Bob to address the issues and make changes where necessary.

[coffeedrinker]

An observation: We hired a new Defensive Coordinator starting this year. We also hired a new outside linebacker coach, I'm not close enough to the program to know if he was the DC's choice or not. The other three defensive coaches were here prior to our new DC who have ties to Nielson. Buy-in has to come from the players but a major contributor to that is buy-in from the assistants. It's my belief that it's wrong to hold the new DC accountable without giving him the tools (read assistants) that he needs/wants to be successful.

[nccyote]

Oct 29, 2019 8:12:46 GMT -6 Yote 53 said:

I don't think there is any question changes need to be made.

I don't like that Scott Frost quote and I don't like it being used here either. Frost has thrown his players under the bus this season blaming the losses on them and how they need to get better. He defends himself and his staff and says how his systems work, they worked at UCF and they worked at Oregon. Says the players need to be all in. He says he needs players that can compete in the Big Ten. Now, if you are a player in that locker room how do you feel about your head coach? Do you have any confidence in that staff? Are you going to go through the brick wall for them? Heck no, especially when anyone with half a brain can see that Frost's systems won't work in the Big Ten. The conference is physical, teams play defense, and you have to win the LOS if you are going to be successful. Frost's brand of football addresses none of that. This isn't UCF, this isn't Oregon, this is Nebraska and the Big Ten Conference. The coach needs to adjust to that fact. Does any of this sound familiar?

What many of you are seeing as a lack of motivation or effort I see as a lack in confidence in what we are doing, especially on defense. If the players look like they are beat before the game starts it's because deep down they know the system and what we are doing is a wasted effort. Defense is being physical on the LOS, flying around to the football, and making plays. I see a defense that is soft, timid, and unsure of themselves.

Many of us have been following the recruiting the last several years and we know that we are getting bigger, faster, better, more talented athletes across the board. IMO, it's not the players. We have the Jimmy's and Joe's to compete. At this point it is about the X's & O's and coaching. Coaching and player development matter greatly in college football, more than most can imagine. It's up to Bob to address the issues and make changes where necessary.

I don't think that quote is throwing anyone under the bus.  Scheme doesn't determine how hard you play.  Scheme doesn't determine whether you are "soft" or not.  Scheme doesn't dictate getting to the ball on D and executing on O.  Players dictate those things.  I agree that coaching, development, culture and preparedness are all very important to that as well.  But at some point it comes down to attitude.  If it's the coaches that are failing to develop or bring out that attitude, then we have a staff problem.  

I feel like the Frost quote applies pretty well to our situation right now.  Our players want for nothing.  Like it was stated above, they have the best weight room in FCS, adidas gear coming out of their ears, stadium renovation, new locker rooms and player lounge, new meeting rooms, FCOA, the list goes on.  To have all of that and not show up at game time and play with the desire and heart to be competitive makes me question whether they love the game itself, or just the benefits that come from playing it.   

Is this an overreaction by me, yep.  But right now I am just venting frustration about how we look on field.  I don't know what needs to be done. But i do hope that change occurs in some form or fashion, the most important change needs to occur in W/L.

[easmus]

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I’m hesitant to see Bob make a bunch of changes to his staff in the offseason. Why? Because I think we need some continuity in our staff for a couple reasons. We need it for recruiting. We can’t be having recruits not knowing who is going to be here from year to year. Plus, if you’re habitually firing assistants, it’s going to make it hard to hire new ones since they’re not going to want to move their family only to be fired and move again. I think we’ve been hurt by Tyler Yelk’s professional progression. That’s the way to lose coaches. I’d give TJ a little more time. I’ve also been frustrated with OL play under Prevost, but they were very limited in healthy bodies in 2018 and have been extremely young in 2019. So might be hard to judge his performance thus far.

[bobo]

I said it before and I’ll say it one more time, many of your points are valid and maybe even spot on, but be extremely careful when stating that ALL players need to be thrown under the bus for lack of effort, desire, passion, etc.... we have some terrific players who play the right way ALL THE TIME. May not make every play that come to them (but for those that played, who did), but at the end of the day there are a bunch of guys that we all would go to battle with on this team. The issue is weeding out the wannabes. You’re either a football player or just playing football. Do you show up to lifting, do you show up to meetings on time, do you go to study hours, do you eat right and take care of your body, do you talk about transferring out all the time cuz you’re not playing. It goes on and has to dealt with from inside. If not, it pollutes the good guys over time. Those guys who don’t do those things are the ones that won’t be there on 4th and 1 with the game on the line. That’s the major issue.

[nccyote]

Oct 29, 2019 12:54:48 GMT -6 easmus said:

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I’m hesitant to see Bob make a bunch of changes to his staff in the offseason. Why? Because I think we need some continuity in our staff for a couple reasons. We need it for recruiting. We can’t be having recruits not knowing who is going to be here from year to year. Plus, if you’re habitually firing assistants, it’s going to make it hard to hire new ones since they’re not going to want to move their family only to be fired and move again. I think we’ve been hurt by Tyler Yelk’s professional progression. That’s the way to lose coaches. I’d give TJ a little more time. I’ve also been frustrated with OL play under Prevost, but they were very limited in healthy bodies in 2018 and have been extremely young in 2019. So might be hard to judge his performance thus far.

I agree.  We do need continuity.  I don't think wholesale staff changes is whats needed.  Losing Yelk hurt worse than I think we ever imagined it could.  Losing OB, Middleton, Moose hurt as well. We need stability.  When I was referring to changes, I guess I was speaking more about seeing some urgency from staff and players, some sort of spark.

[nccyote]

Oct 29, 2019 13:02:25 GMT -6 bobo said:

I said it before and I’ll say it one more time, many of your points are valid and maybe even spot on, but be extremely careful when stating that ALL players need to be thrown under the bus for lack of effort, desire, passion, etc.... we have some terrific players who play the right way ALL THE TIME. May not make every play that come to them (but for those that played, who did), but at the end of the day there are a bunch of guys that we all would go to battle with on this team. The issue is weeding out the wannabes. You’re either a football player or just playing football. Do you show up to lifting, do you show up to meetings on time, do you go to study hours, do you eat right and take care of your body, do you talk about transferring out all the time cuz you’re not playing. It goes on and has to dealt with from inside. If not, it pollutes the good guys over time. Those guys who don’t do those things are the ones that won’t be there on 4th and 1 with the game on the line. That’s the major issue.

So we agree, then.  I never said that ALL of the players are guilty of not givng effort or having desire.  I said, too that we have guys that are doing it the right way.  Guys that show up when they are needed.  Guys that bust their tails every day, every play, no matter the situation.  We just need more of them.  

We're saying the same thing, just using different words.  Like you said "You're either a football player or just playing football", I agree, "you can't just love being a football player, you have to love playing football."  

Listen, I love the Yotes.  I lose when they lose.  I will continue to support this team no matter what.  i just want them to play like they are capable of, to be proud of what they do, and represent all of Coyote Nation the way that they can.  It starts by playing your guts out for the guy next to you, and then expect him to do the same for you.

SIU week is over and I think we need to move on.  Get back to the One Game at a Time mantra and get some positivity back into this place.

Go Yotes!