Lucas on air commentary

[theRU]

Anyone hear him speak of his meeting with Cioffi (or his father) and it was said that for the first time in his career,Cioffi hated summer camp? Paraphrasing here but Lucas went on a little bit about how its been a long time since this team was pushed hard and how Ash will continue to push this team.

I think thats something that might be getting lost in the fanbase. I think we all look at things black and white when in fact there is a lot of grey. IMO we lack talent to compete with the top teams in the Big 10. We also are in a transition phase where the pieces that we do have don't necessarily fit the schemes we want to run that well. I understand that people want to be frustrated when we're not wining games we should but please lets try to remember a few things before we jump off a bridge at halftime:

1.this is the first year these players are playing in our systems. It takes time to gel.
2. We've heard about the last coaching staff, feedback from players seems to positive about the new direction. Lets have faith in the process.
3. Being "well" coached takes time. It can take years to get good habits, it can take longer to break bad ones. My perspective with this is the last staff didn't coach our team well. Rossi's prevent D habits-Flood didn't seem to have the team focused either based on his style of player management and this is why i like Cioffi's comments. God knows what else this team has been through.

 

[Knight Ed]

I honestly don't know if Ash is doing things right. Turning everything the players do and grading players on everything down to how they eat may be a bit much. In the end they are supposed to be college kids and enjoying this whole thing.

 

[ruthetiger]

You want a winner or a loser?

The last regime minus a few coaches ran a country club. This one was not camp. There's a ways to go, but at least we're setting them be competitive.

 

[newell138]

I honestly don't know if Ash is doing things right. Turning everything the players do and grading players on everything down to how they eat may be a bit much. In the end they are supposed to be college kids and enjoying this whole thing.

its enjoyable to win. Why put in all the work if your going to lose and do it half assed? The coaches I look back on the most fondly are the ones who pushed me to my limits, to be my best.

 

[RAA-1]

It was obvious yesterday in that extreme heat that Rutgers was very well conditioned and not just compared to Howard. In past years in that kind of heat, we lost many players prior to the end of the 3rd quarter to heat issues.

Our guys were in great shape yesterday.

 

[megadrone]

I honestly don't know if Ash is doing things right. Turning everything the players do and grading players on everything down to how they eat may be a bit much. In the end they are supposed to be college kids and enjoying this whole thing.

• This is 1A football, and it's a big business. The kids will and should be pressed. Otherwise play in a lower division
• These kids will be evaluated for the rest of their lives, and some supervisors will review everything, others won't. Life lesson.

 

[Knight Ed]

its enjoyable to win. Why put in all the work if your going to lose and do it half assed? The coaches I look back on the most fondly are the ones who pushed me to my limits, to be my best.

And some of Schiano's players hate him still even though they won games and played in the NFL. Schiano said he learned that he pushed too hard and would at least give the juniors and seniors more leeway at his next head coaching start. You can win without being an overbearing dictator. So you can win without every moment of your day being ruled by a tyrant or you can have some fun during your college years and win. What would be your choice?

 

[RUChoppin]

I ran into a player's parents on a the trip out to Seattle who said that Flood was much more of a "players coach". Said that their son certainly had undergone a physical transformation, though, and really liked Coach Parker and his position coach, but didn't have a whole lot of direct interaction with Ash so far.

 

[knightfan7]

I honestly don't know if Ash is doing things right. Turning everything the players do and grading players on everything down to how they eat may be a bit much. In the end they are supposed to be college kids and enjoying this whole thing.

For better or worse this is big time football. Where do you think Ash, Parker, etc learned this? It was at OSU, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Florida to name a few.

From everything we've heard, no one was tougher than Schiano yet he developed players, some of whom are playing today in the NFL. He also helped set up a program that developed good students who graduated while placing RU near the top of the APR. Players hated him from what we hear but in the end, he was doing them a favor.

Flood was the nice guy who supposedly was everyone's friend. Things were casual in many regards. How'd that work out?

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Coach Ash and this staff know what it takes to win at this level.

Once he gets the roster to be most of his players we will start seeing better on-field results.

 

[Knight Ed]

For better or worse this is big time football. Where do you think Ash, Parker, etc learned this? It was at OSU, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Florida to name a few.

From everything we've heard, no one was tougher than Schiano yet he developed players, some of whom are playing today in the NFL. He also helped set up a program that developed good students who graduated while placing RU near the top of the APR. Players hated him from what we hear but in the end, he was doing them a favor.

Flood was the nice guy who supposedly was everyone's friend. Things were casual in many regards. How'd that work out?

Ash is taking it s step further than those guys in my opinion. I think it will eventually bite him in the ass if he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Seriously, who wants to be graded every single day on everything they do? The assumption that you have to do this to win are really just you guys defending the home coach. It's actually not just unnecessary but also kind of silly. The funniest part was Ash saying that all this crap was required to see who the tough guys on the team were and who could play for him but he probably ended up with the same starting line up Flood would have had if he stayed. But go ahead andf think that the arm wrestling contests and tug of wars where everyone cheers the winner like he hit a walk off homer in the 7th game of the world series really will make a difference on the football field. It's just a lot of silliness from a coach who has a lot to learn.

 

[rufan107]

I honestly don't know if Ash is doing things right. Turning everything the players do and grading players on everything down to how they eat may be a bit much. In the end they are supposed to be college kids and enjoying this whole thing.

Look at Texas and Charlie strong. They have the brand it still took him to his 3rd year to get results. It takes time. Improvement each week is all I want to see.

 

[RUChoppin]

Ash is taking it s step further than those guys in my opinion. I think it will eventually bite him in the ass if he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Seriously, who wants to be graded every single day on everything they do? The assumption that you have to do this to win are really just you guys defending the home coach. It's actually not just unnecessary but also kind of silly. The funniest part was Ash saying that all this crap was required to see who the tough guys on the team were and who could play for him but he probably ended up with the same starting line up Flood would have had if he stayed. But go ahead andf think that the arm wrestling contests and tug of wars where everyone cheers the winner like he hit a walk off homer in the 7th game of the world series really will make a difference on the football field. It's just a lot of silliness from a coach who has a lot to learn.

It's also possible that this isn't the "going forward" plan for the program that will be an every-year thing, but more a means of rapidly changing the culture from a more lax one to a more regimented one. When I was teaching, we used to say "never smile until October" - it's always easier later on to lighten up than it is to tighten up.

That said, Ash definitely is in a learning process. He's seen many things that work in practice, and has said in interviews that he's read a lot of books on leadership/coaching to add some more philosophical/theoretical elements. This is a guy who has kept binders for years on things that he's seen/read that have worked, and things he's seen/read that don't work - I'm 100% sure that he's updating those binders constantly, based on what he's learning now through 1st hand experience.

I think the summer camp was a bit of "shock and awe" to try to rapidly reset the team's mentality and allow him to install a complete overhaul of the system. I don't think the second summer will be quite as intense, because the veterans will already have the culture ingrained to help the newcomes along.

 

[knightfan7]

Ash is taking it s step further than those guys in my opinion. I think it will eventually bite him in the ass if he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Seriously, who wants to be graded every single day on everything they do? The assumption that you have to do this to win are really just you guys defending the home coach. It's actually not just unnecessary but also kind of silly. The funniest part was Ash saying that all this crap was required to see who the tough guys on the team were and who could play for him but he probably ended up with the same starting line up Flood would have had if he stayed. But go ahead andf think that the arm wrestling contests and tug of wars where everyone cheers the winner like he hit a walk off homer in the 7th game of the world series really will make a difference on the football field. It's just a lot of silliness from a coach who has a lot to learn.

Ummm, ever watch 15 Days of Spring? Flood had the tug of wars too. Exact same set up. Who ya think he saw do that before him?

I don't know your back round Ed. Maybe you are a former player or coach at some level. I'll just repeat this. If he picked up this stuff while working under some of the most successful coaches in CFB why is it going to fail at RU? Is there something different here? Are Rutgers players somehow above doing what other programs do? Should they not have to work and compete just like other FBS schools?

 

[pmvon]

Two things I liked.

1. No one seemed tired
2. Low penalty total

 

[RU4Real]

I honestly don't know if Ash is doing things right. Turning everything the players do and grading players on everything down to how they eat may be a bit much. In the end they are supposed to be college kids and enjoying this whole thing.

I think that the caliber of player we're recruiting "enjoys" winning at a national level.

I also think that it may be a little naive to criticize a system that's been cribbed from a guy who has won several national championships.

 

[knightfan7]

Two things I liked.

1. No one seemed tired
2. Low penalty total

Agree #1

Last year RU avg'd 6.5 penalties for 52 yards. So far in '16 with a very small sample it's 5 for 48 yards.

 

[MikeR0102]

And some of Schiano's players hate him still even though they won games and played in the NFL. Schiano said he learned that he pushed too hard and would at least give the juniors and seniors more leeway at his next head coaching start. You can win without being an overbearing dictator. So you can win without every moment of your day being ruled by a tyrant or you can have some fun during your college years and win. What would be your choice?

It's a lot easier to give upper class men a break after you have been there a few years and instilled the work effort you want the team to have over multiple years. Ash doesn't have the luxury to treat players like Hamilton, JPO, Lambert, different then he does incoming freshmen.

 

[theRU]

And some of Schiano's players hate him still even though they won games and played in the NFL. Schiano said he learned that he pushed too hard and would at least give the juniors and seniors more leeway at his next head coaching start. You can win without being an overbearing dictator. So you can win without every moment of your day being ruled by a tyrant or you can have some fun during your college years and win. What would be your choice?

Well thats just it... they're pushed hard but they have fun doing it. We've seen alot of positive commentary.

 

[theRU]

Ash is taking it s step further than those guys in my opinion. I think it will eventually bite him in the ass if he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Seriously, who wants to be graded every single day on everything they do? The assumption that you have to do this to win are really just you guys defending the home coach. It's actually not just unnecessary but also kind of silly. The funniest part was Ash saying that all this crap was required to see who the tough guys on the team were and who could play for him but he probably ended up with the same starting line up Flood would have had if he stayed. But go ahead andf think that the arm wrestling contests and tug of wars where everyone cheers the winner like he hit a walk off homer in the 7th game of the world series really will make a difference on the football field. It's just a lot of silliness from a coach who has a lot to learn.

I'm in awe of you. And not in a good way. Hes pushing players but making things fun. How do you not see that? We're not talented enough to be lax with our approach. I want him to grade players on how much they sleep and piss if that makes us a better team. Schiano= Hard ass= some results, Flood= Cupcake= Arrests, players running the asylum= debacle.

Ash= Hard ass= TBD

 

[theRU]

I think that the caliber of player we're recruiting "enjoys" winning at a national level.

I also think that it may be a little naive to criticize a system that's been cribbed from a guy who has won several national championships.

We dont agree often but i'm 100% with you on this.

 

[FanuSanu52]

Ash is taking it s step further than those guys in my opinion. I think it will eventually bite him in the ass if he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Seriously, who wants to be graded every single day on everything they do? The assumption that you have to do this to win are really just you guys defending the home coach. It's actually not just unnecessary but also kind of silly. The funniest part was Ash saying that all this crap was required to see who the tough guys on the team were and who could play for him but he probably ended up with the same starting line up Flood would have had if he stayed. But go ahead andf think that the arm wrestling contests and tug of wars where everyone cheers the winner like he hit a walk off homer in the 7th game of the world series really will make a difference on the football field. It's just a lot of silliness from a coach who has a lot to learn.

And your assumptions, based on a few snippets ya heard on the Youtubez, are somehow more informed?

Okay, Bogie.

 

[knightfan7]

Also I'd imagine if necessary it's easier for a coach to be a real hard ass then dial it back a little than having to get tougher if needed. Opinions?

 

[Caliknight]

I honestly don't know if Ash is doing things right. Turning everything the players do and grading players on everything down to how they eat may be a bit much. In the end they are supposed to be college kids and enjoying this whole thing.

That's a D3 mentality.

 

[ecojew]

Schiano was a strict disciplinarian and his players benefited from that. During his final meeting with the team, when he announced that he was leaving, it was widely reported that the players gave him a standing ovation. Eric more than anyone knows how much GS cared about his players. I doubt that very many "hated" him.

 

[kapyoche]

CFB 1A is a semi professional league and the kids know that. They have their own channel. They get treated like royalty. No students has a professor that makes over $2M. They have to be pushed till they drop. If they can't handle it then kick them out.

Fans demand RU to be a top 20 program. Sell the Landing Lane bridge if we have to.

 

[RUChoppin]

Also I'd imagine if necessary it's easier for a coach to be a real hard ass then dial it back a little than having to get tougher if needed. Opinions?

As I said above - teachers have a rule of "never smile until October" (or some even say "never smile until Christmas"). Always easier to turn the dial down than to turn it up.

Even Machiavelli agreed... “It is far easier to begin strict and become kind than it is to begin kind and become strict.”

 

[knightfan7]

As I said above - teachers have a rule of "never smile until October" (or some even say "never smile until Christmas"). Always easier to turn the dial down than to turn it up.

Even Machiavelli agreed... “It is far easier to begin strict and become kind than it is to begin kind and become strict.”

Yeah, a lot of people confuse my quotes with those of Machiavelli.

Frank Machiavelli, the guy down the street.

 

[KevH]

Anyone hear him speak of his meeting with Cioffi (or his father) and it was said that for the first time in his career,Cioffi hated summer camp? Paraphrasing here but Lucas went on a little bit about how its been a long time since this team was pushed hard and how Ash will continue to push this team.

I think thats something that might be getting lost in the fanbase. I think we all look at things black and white when in fact there is a lot of grey. IMO we lack talent to compete with the top teams in the Big 10. We also are in a transition phase where the pieces that we do have don't necessarily fit the schemes we want to run that well. I understand that people want to be frustrated when we're not wining games we should but please lets try to remember a few things before we jump off a bridge at halftime:

1.this is the first year these players are playing in our systems. It takes time to gel.
2. We've heard about the last coaching staff, feedback from players seems to positive about the new direction. Lets have faith in the process.
3. Being "well" coached takes time. It can take years to get good habits, it can take longer to break bad ones. My perspective with this is the last staff didn't coach our team well. Rossi's prevent D habits-Flood didn't seem to have the team focused either based on his style of player management and this is why i like Cioffi's comments. God knows what else this team has been through.

What a mature and rational post.

 

[KevH]

I honestly don't know if Ash is doing things right. Turning everything the players do and grading players on everything down to how they eat may be a bit much. In the end they are supposed to be college kids and enjoying this whole thing.

People thought Schiano micromanaged too. Yet, on his watch, we reached the highest heights for RU in the modern era.

 

[Candiru]

And Nick Saban is a sweetheart....

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Flood was the nice guy who supposedly was everyone's friend. Things were casual in many regards. How'd that work out?

I'd like to add that as generations go on, it seems that kids are being more and more coddled as they grow up in any number of ways that your are all aware of. School buses that stop at every corner instead of having to walk a few blocks, multiple valedictorians, everyone gets a trophy.. you all know the list of things that have changed that reduce the self-reliance of kids.

It may be much, much harder to ask for personal sacrifices from the current and coming generations than in the past... even if the sacrifice is for their own benefit (and that of the team). The more the "system" can support that level of commitment, the better Rutgers Football will be in the long run... IMO, of course.

 

[megadrone]

People thought Schiano micromanaged too. Yet, on his watch, we reached the highest heights for RU in the modern era.

Different people have different management styles. Same with coaches.

There are micromanagers, there are people that need to know every detail of everyone in the chain, there are others that delegate, and there are some that are just concerned with results, not with the intermediate steps on how you get there.

Schiano was a micromanager. Flood, not so much from what I understand. Maybe Ash is -- he's running things differently from Flood. Change like this is also a good experience for the players on the team, they are bound to come across this at some other point in their lives.

 

[RUchip]

I honestly don't know if Ash is doing things right. Turning everything the players do and grading players on everything down to how they eat may be a bit much. In the end they are supposed to be college kids and enjoying this whole thing.

Ahhh ok let's go back to the way Flood did things. Nothing says more fun then getting arrested and having your coach secretly meeting professors.

 

[RM60]

I appreciate this OP...and I'll add: I've been reading a lot of comments from our friends on these board about how "slow" we are. And I'll say RU may not be the fastest as a group, but sometimes you'll see football players "play slow" because they are thinking too much, adjusting to new schemes, etc. Could be we're just slow, but I'm thinking there's some of both...

 

[BlockR]

People thought Schiano micromanaged too. Yet, on his watch, we reached the highest heights for RU in the modern era.

Yup ,Schiano micro managed RU into the B10!! ..
Flood allowed players to deal drugs, take part in street level robbery,tell coaches to F**ck off..,and turned the program into the mess it is now talent wise .It will take ASH a year and a half to change the culture and mindset here of the whole program.Will he be able to do this big job as a first time head coach?
We shall see..

 

[RU1993]

Ash is taking it s step further than those guys in my opinion. I think it will eventually bite him in the ass if he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Seriously, who wants to be graded every single day on everything they do? The assumption that you have to do this to win are really just you guys defending the home coach. It's actually not just unnecessary but also kind of silly. The funniest part was Ash saying that all this crap was required to see who the tough guys on the team were and who could play for him but he probably ended up with the same starting line up Flood would have had if he stayed. But go ahead andf think that the arm wrestling contests and tug of wars where everyone cheers the winner like he hit a walk off homer in the 7th game of the world series really will make a difference on the football field. It's just a lot of silliness from a coach who has a lot to learn.

Spoken like a true Flood fan.