Ash absolutely buries Flood regime

[LevaosLectures]

“I’m not here to judge what happened. I don’t really care. But I know this: I watched film on Rutgers last season, when I was sitting at Ohio State, and what I saw on film was a team that quit. When they were faced with adversity, they quit. That tells you there’s a problem. There’s a problem with the way they were trained, there’s a problem with the way they behaved, what they believe."

Damning.

 

[ClassOf02]

Just curious -- what's the source for this quote?

 

[RutgersUnion]

The source is another thread...

https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/threads/couple-good-ash-articles.78795/

 

[PSU_Nut]

“I’m not here to judge what happened. I don’t really care. But I know this: I watched film on Rutgers last season, when I was sitting at Ohio State, and what I saw on film was a team that quit. When they were faced with adversity, they quit. That tells you there’s a problem. There’s a problem with the way they were trained, there’s a problem with the way they behaved, what they believe."

Damning.

I would buy that if they hadn't had comebacks like Maryland and Indiana. I don't think they quit. They just were not good enough to keep up many times.

 

[ru8081]

What I saw in the games that I watch was a team not prepared after halftime. This quote I agree with "There’s a problem with the way they were trained".

 

[BuckRU]

That may explain the weird dilemma of why they could be pretty decent and respectable against teams with equal or similar talent (and even make great comebacks against IU and MD), but be so totally uncompetitive against Wisconsin, MSU 2 years ago and UM and PSU last year. (Not to mention the blowouts in 2013). Interesting.

 

[El Curioso Impertinente]

“I’m not here to judge what happened. I don’t really care. But I know this: I watched film on Rutgers last season, when I was sitting at Ohio State, and what I saw on film was a team that quit. When they were faced with adversity, they quit. That tells you there’s a problem. There’s a problem with the way they were trained, there’s a problem with the way they behaved, what they believe."

Damning.

+1

 

[patk89]

Didn't they make the great comeback against Maryland in 2014 and returned the favor by collapsing this past season allowing Maryland to win the game? The Indy game does serve as a counter-argument. Teams generally learn to expect to win close games by winning close games. Getting hammered frequently tends to cause players to questions schemes and themselves.

 

[CuredbywinningRU]

I like Ash's work ethic, reminds me of GS - hard work yields results in most cases. So in that regard, we couldn't ask for more in a new coach. However, I think bashing the prior regime (and, in essence his current team other than graduating seniors), no matter how accurate his statements are, is highly unproductive, shows questionable judgment and is something you don't often see from polished coaches. He did the same thing (albeit slightly less directly) in his opening speech and as I said at the time, I thought that was entirely inappropriate. I think he has a lot going for him, but these types of statements are simply unnecessary and reflect as poorly on him and his judgment as on the prior regime.

 

[El Curioso Impertinente]

Didn't they make the great comeback against Maryland in 2014 and returned the favor by collapsing this past season allowing Maryland to win the game? The Indy game does serve as a counter-argument. Teams generally learn to expect to win close games by winning close games. Getting hammered frequently tends to cause players to questions schemes and themselves.

Kids are putting everything on the line to play football. They didn't trust Flood nor his coaching staff.

 

[fbc1866]

I agree with Ash, the team was not prepared and the staff didn't make many successful adjustments in the second half. After the MS game the team did not play there best. Maryland game displayed that a change was needed.

 

[needmorecowbell]

I would buy that if they hadn't had comebacks like Maryland and Indiana. I don't think they quit. They just were not good enough to keep up many times.

I agree. I see this more as a motivational tactic to get guys fired up.

 

[Raritan83]

I would buy that if they hadn't had comebacks like Maryland and Indiana. I don't think they quit. They just were not good enough to keep up many times.

Except that the comeback this year was by Maryland against us. We had the large lead and then coughed it up in the finale.

 

[RUChoppin]

I would buy that if they hadn't had comebacks like Maryland and Indiana. I don't think they quit. They just were not good enough to keep up many times.

Neither of those Maryland or Indiana teams were any good. It's not quite like saying our basketball team pulled out a gutty win over Central Arkansas, but it's verging toward that territory.

 

[WhiteBus]

Many of us had been saying similar for years and got blasted by the Floodies as being negative.

 

[rubaseball78]

Players just need to prove him wrong on the field.

 

[albanyknight]

What I saw was as soon as the game started going south, was a collective; "Oh crap here we go again." Then we would fall apart.

That is quitting. It is so refreshing to see a coach or anybody in this politically correct world we live in speak the truth. Speaking the truth is always a good thing. The players still on the team who didn't quit will not be offended because they know better than anyone who quit and who didn't.

 

[RUchip]

I like Ash's work ethic, reminds me of GS - hard work yields results in most cases. So in that regard, we couldn't ask for more in a new coach. However, I think bashing the prior regime (and, in essence his current team other than graduating seniors), no matter how accurate his statements are, is highly unproductive, shows questionable judgment and is something you don't often see from polished coaches. He did the same thing (albeit slightly less directly) in his opening speech and as I said at the time, I thought that was entirely inappropriate. I think he has a lot going for him, but these types of statements are simply unnecessary and reflect as poorly on him and his judgment as on the prior regime.

What he is saying is 100% accurate. Enough with the Flood apologists. This is big tim football and what Ash saw wasn't. He is here to fix this mess and he's doing a heck of a job and will continue to get better.

 

[Ataylor1989x]

.... However, I think bashing the prior regime (and, in essence his current team other than graduating seniors), no matter how accurate his statements are, is highly unproductive, shows questionable judgment and is something you don't often see from polished coaches.

That's one way to look at it, but I'm thinking it's that complete refusal to lie or sugarcoat that will be what gives him the advantage in any recruiting battle.

If he's going to be that level of honest and frank 24/7, then the only people who are going to get their feelings hurt are people who aren't doing what is expected of them. I'm sure if a player is giving proper effort and being a good teammate, he will always be in good standing.

I would bet that will spread to how Ash deals with fan expectations and fan misbehavior.

 

[Dpgru]

The question isn't whether the team quit or not because it is obvious in the blow out losses that they did. The question is whether or not Ash should have said it out in public. Behind closed doors in a team meeting where he points it out and tells the team it will never happen again is one thing. That tells the team how he is going to do things and what he expects. That's fine. I am not sure if it accomplishes the same thing by going public. All it seems to accomplish initially to me anyway is to bash either or both the players and Flood. I could be wrong but if he is trying to motivate the team it seems this way is not the best way to do it.

 

[bac2therac]

I like Ash's work ethic, reminds me of GS - hard work yields results in most cases. So in that regard, we couldn't ask for more in a new coach. However, I think bashing the prior regime (and, in essence his current team other than graduating seniors), no matter how accurate his statements are, is highly unproductive, shows questionable judgment and is something you don't often see from polished coaches. He did the same thing (albeit slightly less directly) in his opening speech and as I said at the time, I thought that was entirely inappropriate. I think he has a lot going for him, but these types of statements are simply unnecessary and reflect as poorly on him and his judgment as on the prior regime.

disagree....we need a cultural shift, too much atta boys, good jobs, people here were throwing parades for Flood after the Indiana comeback as if it meant something. These statement are too show to the press, fanbase, and to his players that mediocrity isn't accepted. The two prior regime handled things differently and that was their right. Let Ash handle it how he wants

 

[Extra Point]

I don't think they consciously quit. But when police come to practice and arrest players, and the coach gets suspended and the press makes fun of the interim coach, and the star receiver gets arrested and rumors of the coach being fired and the AD out of touch and then the QB gets booed after an injury it is very hard to play 110% all of the time. The team played particularly flat in the Penn State game.

 

[RU-ROCS]

facts are facts

 

[KeithK7624]

I would buy that if they hadn't had comebacks like Maryland and Indiana. I don't think they quit. They just were not good enough to keep up many times.

We completely collapsed against maryland

 

[Knight Shift]

What he is saying is 100% accurate. Enough with the Flood apologists. This is big tim football and what Ash saw wasn't. He is here to fix this mess and he's doing a heck of a job and will continue to get better.

How do you know he is doing a "heck of a job"? By his own words, he has not done anything yet. Yes, he is revamping the weight room and the culture (all new coaches install their own culture) and strength and training has gotten more intense, and he is reaching out to local coaches (any new coach would have done this). I am not casting stones, but can we wait to see how the team does on the field? I am 100% behind what he is doing, but the proof will be on the field. I expect and hope to see better positioning and tackling on defense and a more varied offense.

 

[joshk ru03]

I am so tired of the pc bull. Stop crying! Man up or get out! He is only telling it as he sees it. People need to grow a back bone and take responsibility for their actions. If if hurts their feelings than they should not be involved in football. It should be used as motivation. He should absolutely say it in public. I want a team that wins not one that gets a trophy for participation.

 

[CranfordKnight]

He'd better be banking on vast improvement for the team this season, because these kinds of statements are going to come back to haunt him. NJ.com editorial board is probably salivating over this stuff.

I like Ash, I like his enthusiasm, and what seems to be a real strong work ethic. But he comes across as quite the egomaniac when in reality he hasn't coached nor won a game yet.

 

[_dave_]

Schiano arrived and said that the Ivy League was physically stronger.

That was a challenge to the returning players and it worked. They got much stronger.

Ash is similar in that he's challenging the returning players. This time to be more mentally tough.

Conversely, Shea arrived thinking it was strictly scheme that would win games. Opposing teams would be dazzled by the west coast offense. He didn't challenge the players and they responded in kind.

 

[CuredbywinningRU]

What he is saying is 100% accurate. Enough with the Flood apologists. This is big tim football and what Ash saw wasn't. He is here to fix this mess and he's doing a heck of a job and will continue to get better.

You need to go back and re-read my post. I agree it is 100% accurate, but so are a lot of things that smart managers want to say but don't. There are ways to point out flaws, but to publicly insult your team and the program isn't one of them. He has now done this on more than one occasion. Prett darn silly and bad personnel management in my view.

And to somehow call me a Flood apologist is beyond dumb. Maybe you just haven't seen my posts in the past.

 

[CuredbywinningRU]

That's one way to look at it, but I'm thinking it's that complete refusal to lie or sugarcoat that will be what gives him the advantage in any recruiting battle.

If he's going to be that level of honest and frank 24/7, then the only people who are going to get their feelings hurt are people who aren't doing what is expected of them. I'm sure if a player is giving proper effort and being a good teammate, he will always be in good standing.

I would bet that will spread to how Ash deals with fan expectations and fan misbehavior.

It's not a question of sugarcoating - I have no problem what he says to players privately, no matter how harsh, but you don't publicly insult your players. Period. There is nothing to be gained from it. Do it in the locker room to the team or to individuals in private. You don't publicly call out a group you have to work with. Just plain dumb.

 

[jakeknight]

A number of recruits have remarked one of Ash's major requirements going forward is toughness, no one can say we played to that standard in 2015 given the results and scores, any number of teams that were not greatly superior to us played some of the teams that blew us out far tougher and closer than we did. If you need to change the culture one can only assume the previous culture was lacking, 4-8 with a number of blow out and non competitive losses seems to say it all.

 

[lighty]

Did anyone ever see Flood get angry or act p*ssed off in the press conferences after the blow out losses? I didn't.

I saw a coach that was confident he wouldn't be fired who seemed to believe there were games that were winnable and games that were not. I think that attitude clearly found its way to the players as well.

 

[RUJMM78]

I just hope the words match the performance on the playing field.Blaming the previous coaches /players is the easy part based on last seasons record.What happens if this is another losing season?Accountability is at stake regardless who is the head coach.Winning league games will always be difficult because Ohio State,Michigan,Michigan State and Penn State are on the schedule every season.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I like Ash's work ethic, reminds me of GS - hard work yields results in most cases. So in that regard, we couldn't ask for more in a new coach. However, I think bashing the prior regime (and, in essence his current team other than graduating seniors), no matter how accurate his statements are, is highly unproductive, shows questionable judgment and is something you don't often see from polished coaches. He did the same thing (albeit slightly less directly) in his opening speech and as I said at the time, I thought that was entirely inappropriate. I think he has a lot going for him, but these types of statements are simply unnecessary and reflect as poorly on him and his judgment as on the prior regime.

lol when he turns this program around you're still gonna find something to complain about....the "prior regime" was a disaster and many of us realized this as far back as Oct 2013...most of the rest have realized it since...all Ash is doing is speaking the TRUTH and trying to LIGHT A FIRE under the belly of the current roster but you obviously don't understand that and feel the need to call him out because, well, we know how you truly feel about Coach Ash, right?

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I would buy that if they hadn't had comebacks like Maryland and Indiana. I don't think they quit. They just were not good enough to keep up many times.

Maybe they quit unless Carroo was on the field?

 

[kupuna133]

I read the article a little differently. He is now holding himself and the new staff accountable for not allowing the players to quit.The whole program is now accountable. They were not held accountable on/off the field that needs to change. He is not so subtly letting everyone associated with the program know that status quo is no longer acceptable. I have no problem with Ash saying what he saw on film.

 

[RUTBAY]

If they are honest with themselves the players know whether they quit or not. There may have been many reasons for them to do so and each may have his own excuse (injuries, fatigue, etc). There is however only one reason not to quit and that is that you trust that your coaches have put you and your team mates in the best position and you have a chance to win, even if you aren't as physically talented as your opposition.

If you don't think you have a shot then you will give up against the teams that come out and just kick your ass at the start. Maryland and Indiana were teams where our players likely said to themselves "They are not better than us" and decided that they had a shot and went out and did it. Also that those teams just required the players to execute better because they weren't a huge step up in talent and really didn't require additional leadership or game planning from the coaches. What I saw against the better teams was that they saw no such leadership from the coaches (lots of note writing) no new strategy or plan, and given the physical disadvantages they saw no hope.

Look at the end of the first half of some games where we sat on the clock. Look at all of the other games where we pissed away time at the end of the half. That's a game plan not to lose rather than to win. It tells your players that you aren't good enough and that maybe the other team will lose.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

It's not a question of sugarcoating - I have no problem what he says to players privately, no matter how harsh, but you don't publicly insult your players. Period. There is nothing to be gained from it. Do it in the locker room to the team or to individuals in private. You don't publicly call out a group you have to work with. Just plain dumb.

lol he's NOT insulting the kids.....

 

[rubaseball78]

I disagree with those that are saying Ash is bashing the players and/or previous staff. I have not seen him make it a point to do so. What I have seen is that when he is asked a direct question he answers it.

 

[Purple-Ed]

I agree with Ash, the team was not prepared and the staff didn't make many successful adjustments in the second half. After the MS game the team did not play there best. Maryland game displayed that a change was needed.

Second half adjustments? Silly me, I thought football teams make adjustments during the entire 60 minutes.