Serious Discussion: How do we fix a bad offense? Fans wanna know

[Turk]

With our offense struggling once again and in the 115th spot in the nation, what do we do in the off season to fix this glaring issue?

Our passing offense was 117th in the nation, slightly ahead of Navy and Army West point. Fans wanna know what needs to be done. I think we need a fresh start by having our Offensive Coordinator move on, but some fans think he is good and that the problem lies elsewhere.

Let's search for the answers and see what we can come up with.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

We'll also hear that there is no pattern of folding like lawn chairs in big games and that our coordinators had amazing game plans and that things just didn't go our way. How a play or two here and there would have made this a close game. Uh-huh. Heard that song before. It's a Top 40 hit around here...

But mostly what we'll hear are snarky cheap shots. There will be loads of those. Oh, and did I mention grammar and syntax corrections? And we'll be told about what bad fans we are and how we embarrass the school and all sorts of other deflection-mechanism nonsense that is basically designed to prevent discussion of the real problems with this staff. Plus, as an added bonus, somebody will tell us that we're hurting recruiting! That's always a personal favorite because it's basically an admission of how flimsy the recruiting is in the first place!

Lastly, but not least, let's not forget the scads of pending shoot-the-messenger name calling that will be coming our way...How silly of me to forget that... That's also a Top 40 hit around here...

 

[kaTNap]

I hope you meant a "serious" discussion, Turk, not a "serous" discussion. We had enough bloodletting yesterday.

McCall was our OC when we had some pretty good offenses between 2010 and 2012, so I'm not convinced he's the problem. It may not even be strictly a coaching problem, but more of a recruiting problem. We used to have some pretty good WRs who were converted HS QB's, but we stopped doing that. Why?

 

[Turk]

Well, I'll tell you what we come up with:

Petty grammatical corrections that make the corrector feel better and a bunch of party-line towing about how 10 wins is great and excuses about how the offense had to be bad because it's all part of some double-secret game plan to garner 10 wins, which by the way is 10 wins because 10 wins is great and, oh yeah, did you know we had 10 wins???

Well, that's what you'll hear from those who can figure out a way to dislodge their nose from Fitz's derrière long enough to take a few breaths of regular air that stinks (as opposed to Fitz's backside air, which everybody on this board seems to think doesn't stink).

The big ongoing problem, and I think all have recognized it, is the offensive struggles which render us uncompetitive when our defense is neutralized. Sorta like Indiana reversed. If Fitz still doesn't believe he needs to prune any coaches, then what does he tell his team??? I mean, we have been doing this same thing for years now and it's still not working. Actually, the offense is getting worse, even at a time when we have a fantastic RB. I put it all on McCall's shoulders since he is getting paid the big bucks, but that's just me. I've heard others say that Fitz limits McCall by putting the best recruits, i.e., Lancaster, Harris, etc., on the defense. And yet others who said that all the pieces are in place and that the players just need to execute better. Not sure if it can be reduced down to just execution as it seems to me that we have glaring issues on offense still. But I agree with you that the Pollyanna's will either make you a villain or me for asking the question, or suggest that the offense is actually pretty good.

What ever happened to the Ross Lane's? Eric Peterman's? Eberts's? Herbert's? Patrick's? Zeke's? You know, guys who weren't real big and fast but knew how to actually run a route?
Seems that we have morphed into searching for big wide outs who fit the size charts but can't catch the ball or do much of anything else. Very disappointed with Cam Dickerson, Prater, and how Jones ended up. Give me real wide outs. Guys who know the position. And let's review our talent evaluations as well. Only McCall would pass on offering McCaffrey a scholarship. Every smart school offered along with all the stud BIG ten teams except us. We have to have a better eye for talent.

 

[Turk]

I hope you meant a "serious" discussion, Turk, not a "serous" discussion. We had enough bloodletting yesterday.

McCall was our OC when we had some pretty good offenses between 2010 and 2012, so I'm not convinced he's the problem. It may not even be strictly a coaching problem, but more of a recruiting problem. We used to have some pretty good WRs who were converted HS QB's, but we stopped doing that. Why?

Riley Lees. Maybe he is the answer to your question, therefore we can't say Fitz stopped, unless he stopped but then restarted.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

With our offense struggling once again and in the 115th spot in the nation, what do we do in the off season to fix this glaring issue?

Our passing offense was 117th in the nation, slightly ahead of Navy and Army West point. Fans wanna know what needs to be done. I think we need a fresh start by having our Offensive Coordinator move on, but some fans think he is good and that the problem lies elsewhere.

Let's search for the answers and see what we can come up with.

Our offensive coordinator is a joke. Can him and hire the Stanford guy

 

[Mr. Stupor]

I hope you meant a "serious" discussion, Turk, not a "serous" discussion. We had enough bloodletting yesterday.

McCall was our OC when we had some pretty good offenses between 2010 and 2012, so I'm not convinced he's the problem. It may not even be strictly a coaching problem, but more of a recruiting problem. We used to have some pretty good WRs who were converted HS QB's, but we stopped doing that. Why?

I guess I'm batting .500

I got the grammar police thing right.

But I forgot the "we used to have decent offenses back when McCall wasn't stale and predictable" defense of the fact that Mccall's a one trick pony whose one trick doesn't work anymore. How silly of me.

 

[kaTNap]

Lees

Yes. Was Fuessel similar also? I hope Lees is as good as advertised. Even one really hot receiver will make life more difficult for defenses.

 

[phatcat]

With our offense struggling once again and in the 115th spot in the nation, what do we do in the off season to fix this glaring issue?

Our passing offense was 117th in the nation, slightly ahead of Navy and Army West point. Fans wanna know what needs to be done. I think we need a fresh start by having our Offensive Coordinator move on, but some fans think he is good and that the problem lies elsewhere.

Let's search for the answers and see what we can come up with.

When we went "mainstream" with the spread 15 years ago, it helped us equalize the disadvantage the larger programs have. In 2012, the highly effective read option did the same. Even as recent as this season, dOsu got untracked when they switched to a more versatile Barrett.

I am not sure if this offense or Thorson can provide that extra "weapon" to worry a DC

Look at 2 scenarios: 1. Who would have been most effective in this offense this year - Thorson, 2013 Trevor or 2012 Kain? Personally I think Kain and JJ would have been the best combo. So if we refuse to change the offense, is Thor the next Evan Watkins?

2. If we are committed to Thor, do we need to return to a Zak/DA2 attack to highlight his abilities?

I share everyone's disappointment with 2 years of lousy WR play, just not sure if "getting better WRs/coach"is a reasonable expectation. I do agree that poor WR play contributed to offensive anemia, but I also feel like there is a real possibility that Thor is the next Joel Stave - good enough that the coaches wont take his job, but not good enough to move the offense put of mediocrity

 

[kaTNap]

I guess I'm batting .500

I got the grammar police thing right.

But I forgot the "we used to have decent offenses back when McCall wasn't stale and predictable" defense of the fact that Mccall's a one trick pony whose one trick doesn't work anymore. How silly of me.

I'm not your Pollyanna foil, Stupor. I'm on your side, in fact.

As far as McCall, well, just go back to the last outback bowl. Didn't we set a passing yardage record or something? Or go back to the Gator. Offense that year was far from one-trick. But something changed between 2010 and 2012, and we're now seeing the results of that change. Two new position coaches were hired in that timeframe.

 

[Eurocat]

We are year one of a 4 year QB project that was supposed to go like this.

Rs Fresh - Suckage
Soph - Better. Good
Jr - Good/Great
Sr - Heisman!

So maybe (cue the Beatles) time, time, time is on our side.

And Fitz will never fire folks after a 10 win season.

If he gives me the surprise of my lifetime and actually does - my dream -

OC
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norm_Chow#University_of_Hawaii

OL - He is not unattainable, he has mostly been a (terrific) college coach. Might want to come on back. Worth a call and I can dream.
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/coaches/jeff-stoutland/0996ce67-3e54-4da0-803d-3c0def13c7a0

WR - Another failed attempt to hire a recruiter ended his HC reign at Akron but the giy is a terrific position coach and recruiter with ties right here and don't tell me we can't steal him away from Buffalo (the college team not the pro team).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Ianello

 

[Turk]

Yes. Was Fuessel similar also? I hope Lees is as good as advertised. Even one really hot receiver will make life more difficult for defenses.

regarding McCall, his offense in 2012 was ranked 60. The defense was ranked 58.
But even if we hang our hat on the 60th best offense, the trend suggest that something ought to be done. Consider the following:

2012: 60th ranked Offense
2013: 82nd ranked offense
2014: 111 ranked offense
2015: 117 ranked offense.

In my opinion, out of 120 teams, it does harm to justice if we don't recognize how bad this offense really is. And the problem magnifies when our defense is neutralized as we get thorough blowouts. If McCall can keep his job, and Fitz can impute the 10 wins on the offense by giving community credit, then why should any coach get fired? I mean if we total the last 24 months, we are actually the worst offense and finish #122 out of 122 teams. If we won't fire a coach over having the absolute WORST offense, as scientifically measured during a 2 year span, then that should tell us about why we are Northwestern. Right?

 

[Mr. Stupor]

"I'm not your Pollyanna foil, Stupor."

You are if I make you one...

 

[Mr. Stupor]

I'm not your Pollyanna foil, Stupor. I'm on your side, in fact.

As far as McCall, well, just go back to the last outback bowl. Didn't we set a passing yardage record or something? Or go back to the Gator. Offense that year was far from one-trick. But something changed between 2010 and 2012, and we're now seeing the results of that change. Two new position coaches were hired in that timeframe.

Fernando Valuenzuela was amazing for a couple of years until everybody figured him out. Mccall's one trick pony needs to be sent to the glue factory where it belongs.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

regarding McCall, his offense in 2012 was ranked 60. The defense was ranked 58.
But even if we hang our hat on the 60th best offense, the trend suggest that something ought to be done. Consider the following:

2012: 60th ranked Offense
2013: 82nd ranked offense
2014: 111 ranked offense
2015: 117 ranked offense.

In my opinion, out of 120 teams, it does harm to justice if we don't recognize how bad this offense really is. And the problem magnifies when our defense is neutralized as we get thorough blowouts. If McCall can keep his job, and Fitz can impute the 10 wins on the offense by giving community credit, then why should any coach get fired? I mean if we total the last 24 months, we are actually the worst offense and finish #122 out of 122 teams. If we won't fire a coach over having the absolute WORST offense, as scientifically measured during a 2 year span, then that should tell us about why we are Northwestern. Right?

Turk: are you sure the offensive stats don't include scores by the defense and special teams? I wonder what the numbers are when we speak only about offensive scoring?

 

[kaTNap]

Thanks for digging up the O ranking history. We're clearly going in the wrong direction, fast, and (in ranking terms) have basically hit bottom. What frosts me more than anything is that Fitz can look at those numbers and not want to make ANY staff changes AT ALL.

 

[Turk]

Turk: are you sure the offensive stats don't include scores by the defense and special teams? I wonder what the numbers are when we speak only about offensive scoring?

It's total offense. Yes. Over a 24 month period, we are #122. Are we not suppose to talk about this? For Fitz to imput the 10 wins to the offense by giving community credit at his presser after the bowl flop was a BIG concern for me. It is not scientific, it does nothing to address the objective problems of our offense and represents insanity. I mean, the math doesn't lie. for 24 months we have had the worst offense in college football. WORST. I'm not even talking really bad or worst in the BIG.....we are worst in the entire realm of football. #117 this year, #111 last year but over a 2 year period, WE ARE THE WORST! That can not be denied and for Fitz to give community credit to the offense is a serious lack of judgment. Last year, Michigan had the #114 WORST offense and fired its coaches. Fitz kept his and we did WORSE. I'm not saying that I'm always right and that the issues aren't more complex in other categories, but it seems to me that the problem we have is GLARING, so much so that it is truly frustrating when we have fans who say that the problem may not be McCall. Gosh I wish I was a coach, I'd apply at Northwestern and have tenure and job security after my first day, regardless if I'm the WORST statistical offensive coordinator in all of NCAA football. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though when I pointed out how Colby should have been fired after his defenses were finishing in similar fashion to McCall's offense. Thank God Colby wanted to be closer to home and finish off his career by coaching a Div 4 team closer to his family.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

I really hope Fitz at least considers pulling a Bob Stoops.

 

[IGNORE2]

And Fitz will never fire folks

This.

It would be great if a collective effort of the boosters and the media created enough of a stir that the AD forced the issue. Not sure that Phillips has the ball set to tell the Golden Child what to do.

All said and done, the Cats provided a better than expected season. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their games until yesterday. Sadly, unlike most programs that jump forward, my expectations drop for next year. Tougher schedule and HC loyalty which probably translates into no coaching changes or QB competition means the season I expected this year.

Interesting that some folks had circled next year to be the breakout year. I offer a prop bet - 9.5 wins - you taking the over or under?

 

[Turk]

This.

It would be great if a collective effort of the boosters and the media created enough of a stir that the AD forced the issue. Not sure that Phillips has the ball set to tell the Golden Child what to do.

All said and done, the Cats provided a better than expected season. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their games until yesterday. Sadly, unlike most programs that jump forward, my expectations drop for next year. Tougher schedule and HC loyalty which probably translates into no coaching changes or QB competition means the season I expected this year.

Interesting that some folks had circled next year to be the breakout year. I offer a prop bet - 9.5 wins - you taking the over or under?

Phillips does. 10 wins is good for recruiting, as a fan noted. But the 3 embarrassing losses kills ticket sales. But Phillips had a better chance to prune things last year and chose not to, thus, it is unlikely any changes are made even though we have the worst offense in college football over the past 24 months. If I'm a recruiter from another school, I hammer this home to any OL or WR thinking about coming here.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

Reading the other threads, it seems I've failed in capturing all the anemic defenses for this crap show we call an offense.

"Other teams sucked yesterday, too, so nothing is wrong". This is the "Johnny, why did you smoke drugs?" ... "Because everybody else is doing it, mom!" A classic. Shame on me for forgetting this one.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

This.

It would be great if a collective effort of the boosters and the media created enough of a stir that the AD forced the issue. Not sure that Phillips has the ball set to tell the Golden Child what to do.

All said and done, the Cats provided a better than expected season. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their games until yesterday. Sadly, unlike most programs that jump forward, my expectations drop for next year. Tougher schedule and HC loyalty which probably translates into no coaching changes or QB competition means the season I expected this year.

Interesting that some folks had circled next year to be the breakout year. I offer a prop bet - 9.5 wins - you taking the over or under?

I'll go under for 2016 -- too much work to do on offense and the conference schedule takes a pretty good step up. I know I don't have a great track record for circling seasons as The Year (2014 was a pretty phenomenal bust), but 2017 is much more likely to be our next breakout year if you ask me.

 

[Turk]

The really sad part is that Thorson could have a solid career if changes were made. McCall had 3 QB's on the roster this year, NONE of which he developed, including a 5th year recruit who was suppose to be solid. And it isn't like he has lousy recruits. He has 2 four star QB's on the roster, including a 3rd year player in Alviti, although a thorough lack of development. It's not getting better, it's getting worse. I told you guys last year after assessing the offense, but Fitz refused to acknowledge it. This year was worse. We have solid QB's and a solid RB but our offense is completely and thoroughly unimaginative. We don't move the pocket. We don't do anything, even very little play action. We simply stick Thorson back there to get eaten alive.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

Phillips does. 10 wins is good for recruiting, as a fan noted. But the 3 embarrassing losses kills ticket sales. But Phillips had a better chance to prune things last year and chose not to, thus, it is unlikely any changes are made even though we have the worst offense in college football over the past 24 months. If I'm a recruiter from another school, I hammer this home to any OL or WR thinking about coming here.

Watch season tickets again next year. Despite a WAY better schedule than this year, they will be flat or down. Our fans are NOT stupid. Even if they can't bring themselves to admit here what they know with their brains to be true, they KNOW this year was a mirage, all smoke and mirrors. We will get zero bump from this. Nobody wants to watch this crap all year. Nobody.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

The really sad part is that Thorson could have a solid career if changes were made. McCall had 3 QB's on the roster this year, NONE of which he developed, including a 5th year recruit who was suppose to be solid. And it isn't like he has lousy recruits. He has 2 four star QB's on the roster, including a 3rd year player in Alviti, although a thorough lack of development. It's not getting better, it's getting worse. I told you guys last year after assessing the offense, but Fitz refused to acknowledge it. This year was worse. We have solid QB's and a solid RB but our offense is completely and thoroughly unimaginative. We don't move the pocket. We don't do anything, even very little play action. We simply stick Thorson back there to get eaten alive.

You forgot the redshirt that will have to change positions (despite the dearth of people in front of him) because just the whiff of McCall has apparently made him incapable of playing QB anymore.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Watch season tickets again next year. Despite a WAY better schedule than this year, they will be flat or down. Our fans are NOT stupid. Even if they can't bring themselves to admit here what they know with their brains to be true, they KNOW this year was a mirage, all smoke and mirrors. We will get zero bump from this. Nobody wants to watch this crap all year. Nobody.

With Nebraska coming back to Evanston next year, I can virtually guarantee you that season ticket sales will go up. A season ticket in Evanston costs appreciably less than what a ticket would cost on the secondary market at most places. They buy the whole season, then look to dump all the other dates. Though it will really be "season tickets in name only," the number will go up.

 

[Turk]

Watch season tickets again next year. Despite a WAY better schedule than this year, they will be flat or down. Our fans are NOT stupid. Even if they can't bring themselves to admit here what they know with their brains to be true, they KNOW this year was a mirage, all smoke and mirrors. We will get zero bump from this. Nobody wants to watch this crap all year. Nobody.

I do think that Season Ticket sales will spike due to Nebraska. Endzone seats are reasonably priced again next year and are on sale now. The reason why they went on sale yesterday was to take advantage of the Nebraska win, hoping their fans would make purchases [smart move by Phillips]. Thus, the sea of red will be back in he endzone by gobbling up the tickets for $159 then selling the rest of the games on stubhub for $10 a piece.

 

[kaTNap]

But isn't player development more on the position coaches, while overall scheme and direction is on the OC? True, the position coaches more-or-less work for the OC; if they are poor, he takes some of the blame just like he takes some of the credit of they're good.

Metaphorically, I'm seeing a car with three flat tires, a burnt-out transmission, and a broken crankshaft, and we're blaming the driver because the car won't go. Put another way, our offensive execution sucks so bad at so many positions (RB being the main exception), how can you tell if McCall's scheme is imaginative, or stale, or good, or bad, or anything at all? I think about 60% of the plays we ran yesterday didn't work as designed because the execution stank. McCall isn't out there missing blocks or dropping passes, or (the one that continues to tick me off) picking up a fumbled snap and throwing it up for grabs.

 

[Turk]

You forgot the redshirt that will have to change positions (despite the dearth of people in front of him) because just the whiff of McCall has apparently made him incapable of playing QB anymore.

not sure who I missed?

 

[Turk]

But isn't player development more on the position coaches, while overall scheme and direction is on the OC? True, the position coaches more-or-less work for the OC; if they are poor, he takes some of the blame just like he takes some of the credit of they're good.

Metaphorically, I'm seeing a car with three flat tires, a burnt-out transmission, and a broken crankshaft, and we're blaming the driver because the car won't go. Put another way, our offensive execution sucks so bad at so many positions (RB being the main exception), how can you tell if McCall's scheme is imaginative, pr stale, or good, or bad, or anything at all? I think about 60% of the plays we ran yesterday didn't work as designed because the execution stank. McCall isn't out there missing blocks or dropping passes, or (the one that continues to tick me off) picking up a fumbled snap and throwing it up for grabs.

I don't know the answer to that. But the QB is on McCall.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

Nebraska fans understand football. Our offense is so offensive to watch, even THEY won't want to watch this crap.

Nice to know the only people who want to pay for this crap are the opponents fans. Like NSACAR fans who go for the crashes.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

But isn't player development more on the position coaches, while overall scheme and direction is on the OC? True, the position coaches more-or-less work for the OC; if they are poor, he takes some of the blame just like he takes some of the credit of they're good.

Metaphorically, I'm seeing a car with three flat tires, a burnt-out transmission, and a broken crankshaft, and we're blaming the driver because the car won't go. Put another way, our offensive execution sucks so bad at so many positions (RB being the main exception), how can you tell if McCall's scheme is imaginative, or stale, or good, or bad, or anything at all? I think about 60% of the plays we ran yesterday didn't work as designed because the execution stank. McCall isn't out there missing blocks or dropping passes, or (the one that continues to tick me off) picking up a fumbled snap and throwing it up for grabs.

He's our QB coach and we can't complete a pass and the offense is the worst in the nation - despite a great defense. The whole offensive side of the ball needs to go b

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Nebraska fans understand football. Our offense is so offensive to watch, even THEY won't want to watch this crap.

Nice to know the only people who want to pay for this crap are the opponents fans. Like NSACAR fans who go for the crashes.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and believe that this is all an act. But it's getting VERY old.

 

[Turk]

But isn't player development more on the position coaches, while overall scheme and direction is on the OC? True, the position coaches more-or-less work for the OC; if they are poor, he takes some of the blame just like he takes some of the credit of they're good.

Metaphorically, I'm seeing a car with three flat tires, a burnt-out transmission, and a broken crankshaft, and we're blaming the driver because the car won't go. Put another way, our offensive execution sucks so bad at so many positions (RB being the main exception), how can you tell if McCall's scheme is imaginative, or stale, or good, or bad, or anything at all? I think about 60% of the plays we ran yesterday didn't work as designed because the execution stank. McCall isn't out there missing blocks or dropping passes, or (the one that continues to tick me off) picking up a fumbled snap and throwing it up for grabs.

One can tell. A good offensive coordinator can still move the ball with other corrections. Go back and watch our PSU game this year. Our defense had Hackenburg locked down. He couldn't do anything and I believe he was 1 for 11 to start the game. Then the OC adjusted. Yes, he did that one little thing that McCall doesn't. He took Hackenburg out of the pocket. Not on boots, but he simply set the pocket up on the outside tackle. PSU proceeded to go the distance of the field and score. Our defense adjusted but it loosened up our defense and allowed equal chances. Same personnel. Same everything......just moved the pocket. Consider yesterday. Thorson was set up exactly where Tenn knew he would be. I don't know Thorson's plus's and minus's but for whatever reason, he can't move to his left. Sorta like a guard in basketball who only can dribble with one hand. I'm not sure if my assessment on Thorson is altogether accurate or if McCall just has it that way.
BUT, where did we see the exception?
Yep......Nebraska. They watched film on Thorson and had him pegged, except instead of "Go Right Young Man", Thorson went left.....twice....BIG BIG RESULTS!

Tendencies win games and lose games. And Thorson broke his tendency of going right, and instead went left. That loosened up the Nebraska defense mightedly and we had our best offensive showing.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and believe that this is all an act. But it's getting VERY old.

Then put me on ignore. You ignore everything else around you. Why not me, too?

 

[kaTNap]

He's our QB coach and we can't complete a pass and the offense is the worst in the nation - despite a great defense. The whole offensive side of the ball needs to go b

While we're at it, how about changing things so that the QB has a dedicated coach, or QBs/WRs share a position coach? Not crazy about the OC being the QB coach, just like I'm not crazy about the HC being the ST coach or coordinator or whatever.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Then put me on ignore. You ignore everything else around you. Why not me, too?

Because I think you often actually make some decent points. You (or your act at least) has just been particularly ornery the past couple of days.

 

[kaTNap]

"I'm not your Pollyanna foil, Stupor."

You are if I make you one...

As my kids like to say, "You aren't the boss of me!"

 

[Mr. Stupor]

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and believe that this is all an act. But it's getting VERY old.

Serious question: are you DENYING that our offense is a crap show? If not, and I assume not or else you're either an idiot or lying, why is it such a big deal to you that this TRUTH is actually told?

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Serious question: are you DENYING that our offense is a crap show? If not, and I assume not or else you're either an idiot or lying, why is it such a big deal to you that this TRUTH is actually told?

Nope. Working on a longer post with my thoughts on this year and going forward. Long story short: I still believe that Fitz basically went to bat for his current staff after the 2014 season, vouching that they deserved a break because they were capable of guiding the team to a bowl victory as much as they were the guys who guided the team to consecutive 5-7 win seasons. While I doubt we see any changes based on 10 wins and Fitz's track record, I don't think that's in the best interest of the program.