Ash Question

[RUwoz]

Clearly the board is split between the "Ash is bad" and the "Talent sucks" camps (I'm somewhere in the middle) and we all agree recruiting is super crucial (no more diamond in the rough BS) but I'm curious if anybody has actually been IMPRESSED with coach ash in the coaching sense this year. Not people who thinks there is nothing more he can do, but if people think he is actually doing more with less, if so why? Let's get some optimism on this board!

 

[mildone]

I have been moderately impressed with Ash. He's young and new to being a HC, so I adjusted my expectations for that reality, and he has met them. I'm also moderately impressed with the rest of the staff, except for special teams coaching, the performance of which has apparently declined quite a bit.

Putting aside the OSU/Michigan games, I have observed steady improvement throughout the season in most areas (except special teams). I predicted few wins for this season and didn't expect we'd be competitive against the big boys in this first season under a new, young, coaching staff.

But they have a plan in place, they are saying and doing the right things, and at the moment, the recruiting class is reasonably good for where we are at, perhaps better than I expected this year.

 

[NotInRHouse]

I'm also in the middle, and I don't understand how anyone can be either so confident or so dismissive yet.

Yes Flood left us in a lurch, 100%.

But anyone who left the Iowa game or yesterday in particular beaming with confidence- especially with the offense and special teams- is kidding themselves.

We don't have less talent, than say, Indiana, or reason to be down to Howard 14-0....recruiting is look good so far but there are some legit concerns.

 

[RUSJ73]

Do you think Western Michigan has that much more talent than RU. How about Navy, Temple? Coaching must mean something and the their system they use.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Do you think Western Michigan has that much more talent than RU. How about Navy, Temple? Coaching must mean something and the their system they use.

WMU's recruiting sucked prior to Fleck. The last 3 years, however, they've been the best recruiting team in the MAC. Obviously it has paid off and, throw in a very weak schedule, you see what you get. Temple's schedule last year, when they had their best season in 30 years, was rated around 90th IIRC. Navy? All about the system they run and having very smart kids, who are also football players, doing so. The schedule, as well, helps them out.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Clearly the board is split between the "Ash is bad" and the "Talent sucks" camps (I'm somewhere in the middle) and we all agree recruiting is super crucial (no more diamond in the rough BS) but I'm curious if anybody has actually been IMPRESSED with coach ash in the coaching sense this year. Not people who thinks there is nothing more he can do, but if people think he is actually doing more with less, if so why? Let's get some optimism on this board!

I hardly think this board is "split." At least no evenly "split." The vast majority have realized, for a few years now, that our roster's talent issues were going to catch up with us. Some, however, either refuse to believe it - despite ALL the obvious and factual signs - or simply haven't liked Ash since Day 1 and have chosen to put it all on him and his staff. Now...is there a lot of room for improvement...of course! Things are changing for the better, however and IMHO, just gotta have some patience and a couple of recruiting classes.

 

[Knight Shift]

Ash gets a pass this year. Yeah, there have been questionable calls and decisions, but there always are, and he is new and learning. Really can't judge his recruiting until signing day. By all accounts, he has solidified relationships with NJ coaches and high schools. The recruits seem to be willing to hang in this year even with the on-field results.
Want to see how we look in the last 3 games. Wonder if Gio is going to be OK. Two weeks rest, and his hammy was still bothering him. Don't think it is going to get better this year. Should he be rested for one of the next 2 games so we can spoil Maryland's season at the end of the year?

 

[cRURah]

There's nothing to go on so far to have an opinion on Ash. Clearly he has not made an impact on the football field He didn't come here with credibility as a successful head coach who had ever turned another program around. Right now it's all based on hope. Hope that he will recruit well and become a good coach.

 

[Blitz Pakage]

Ash has done all he could do from the time he has been hired. I'm impressed with his vision for the program. I'm impressed with his coaching ability (although not perfect) to even keep some of these games close with a chance to win with the talent we have on the field right now. He losses Grant, Lambert and now Martin (our best rusher) and we are still in these games. Imagine what he could do with his own recruits! I always said give him 2/3 recruiting classes to achieve his goals. I truly believe he gets us to the promised land.

 

[newwavedave1]

Adding one part new coaching staff, of many 1st timers at their positions, to non top tier talent on the field has shown to be a recipe for mediocrity.

 

[rufeelinit]

No one knows for sure at this point if Ash is the guy to get this done. All we have is hope since he is certainly not a proven commodity. I have not seen one phase other than the verbally committed recruits that gives me a good reason to be optimistic. If he can hold what he has and add a few more pieces then there is reason to be hopeful. While we are not going to be earning top 20 recruiting rankings, he needs to bring us in the top 35-40 range and then prove that he can develop that talent. Then he needs to prove he can coach on game day. We did not know whether Schiano would get it done here either until a year 3-4. He got the program to a certain level and then it flat lined mostly because of mediocre game day preparation and the annual WTF loss. We can debate all we want about how bad the talent is but my eyes have seen more opportunities than we have capitalized on and some evidence that this is a development year for the staff as well. We have to be all in on Ash at this point but that should not preclude rationale discussion of areas where it seems apparent that improvement is warranted.

 

[ScarletCrimson]

It has to be a combo of Ash is bad (doesn't always have to be bad) and the talent sucks.