STOP BLAMING ASH!

[letterhead6]

I wrote the same headline 12 years ago (in caps) about a guy named Shiano after a game just like this...and things turned out pretty good.

It's not Ash's fault that in only 13 of the top 140 players from the last 4 NJ recruiting classes are on our roster...and none from any top 10 class. The only superb talent on this team is Hamilton and JPO. That's it! Do we have a few other good ones...Miller, Nelson..yes. Our nickname should "under the radar."

The MVP of the team X 10 was Grant. We would have won 2 more games with him.

Could Ash employ a different look so we lose by 35 instead 50, probably. But why? He's building a program with his system. Could Ash make better in game decisions? Sure, but that's what you get with a 40 year old coach, so stop expecting him to be perfect. In fact, I would say that he's done pretty well with what he's got.

MOST IMPORTANT - He needs our support right now to land this recruiting class and begin the process. So, go to the game. Support our kids. Take the long view.

 

[ddsmugs]

For a minute think about our players who are working to be better.... and run on to a half empty stadium during home games. Start with getting to your seat before teams exit tunnel then you can piss and moan on message boards.

 

[BoroKnight]

I don't think anyone is "blaming" Ash for the state of the program. But you have to admit this season has been even worse than anticipated.

A lot of people said the only sign of progress they expected wasn't in the record but in reducing the horrific margins of defeat against the better teams. Instead, we get 78-0 and a 49-point drubbing by a team that was winless in the Big Ten. That's just not acceptable.

So you have to wonder: Do we have a Schiano situation, where we actually are as bad if not worse before we see progress? Or do we have a Craig Littlepage situation, who inherited a program that was in awful shape but clearly was not the person to make it any better? We won't know that for a couple of years, and we won't know how truly good he is for a couple of more after that.

I have no issue with criticizing him for how poor the team looks. The only problem I do have is already speculating on how long he gets "if things don't improve." There's no reason to do that now.

And no, he doesn't need our "support" to land this recruiting class. We don't have coaches coming to our games and into our homes, and we don't conduct official visits. If our program is a mess, no amount of "support" here is going to matter. And if kids see Ash has a plan and want to be part of it, no amount of bitching about the embarrassing scores is going to matter, either.

I don't think any coach should get fewer than four years. But that does not mean he is above criticism during that time. The performance to this point merits it.

 

[letterhead6]

And I might add, bring in Meringer is like bring in a 4 star recruit. He's make contributions, but he's still a freshmen with tremendous potential. I would rather have him, than the retreads we normally get. so STOP BLAMING HIM too!

 

[RUChoppin]

But you have to admit this season has been even worse than anticipated.

That depends entirely on what was anticipated. A lot of people tried to temper expectations before the season... and have tried to do the same for basketball.

Don't anticipate things being markedly better next year, and the 2017 season won't be worse than anticipated.

 

[RC1978]

There is no choice but to support him for the next two years. But, IMO he and his coaches are lost.

Those same players you just said are not that great should have beat Iowa who just beat UM. We also could have beaten IU and Ill, but they went out and beat MSU, we lose by embarrassing numbers. Heck Furman played them close. What does RU do? Goes down 35 in the first half and get smoked the rest of the way. That is coaching. We might have the worst first half football team in history.

Schiano inherited a team with D2 talent and started winning when he had some 3 star talent. If you go back and read this board our D-line was going to be awesome and our O-line was going to be good. Our running backs were going to be some of the best They are not getting any pressure at all, that is coaching. Yes we lost Carroo, but does anyone remember what how our other receivers stepped up in the IU game and we had a great comeback. Grant was not even part of that group.

I forget what announcer during the Minn, game said the following. When the other announcer said Ash is having a tough year because of his new system and he does not have the players he needs the other announcer went off on him. He said you have to play with the hand you are dealt with until you get a new hand. He went on to say that Ash will lose recruits with his stubbornness.

 

[zappaa]

That depends entirely on what was anticipated. A lot of people tried to temper expectations before the season... and have tried to do the same for basketball.

Don't anticipate things being markedly better next year, and the 2017 season won't be worse than anticipated.

Telling us to endure is one thing, impressing recruits in NJ is another

 

[RUChoppin]

Telling us to endure is one thing, impressing recruits in NJ is another

That's fair - but we haven't seen the results of this year's recruiting efforts, yet. How many of the current class will still be here on signing day, and how many new faces will we see? If Ash holds together a couple of strong recruiting classes in the face of on-field struggles during the rebuild, then he'll look a lot better in 2018 and beyond. If the classes fall apart, he won't.

Until we see the final signed classes, we won't know what effect the on field beatings had.

 

[RUinPAC10land]

There is no choice but to support him for the next two years. But, IMO he and his coaches are lost.

I forget what announcer during the Minn, game said the following. When the other announcer said Ash is having a tough year because of his new system and he does not have the players he needs the other announcer went off on him. He said you have to play with the hand you are dealt with until you get a new hand. He went on to say that Ash will lose recruits with his stubbornness.

I agree that we have to support him. The football program is pretty much married to him now. He either succeeds or we'll be bad for a really long time.

As for this year, his stubborness really reminds me of the former coach. It really made me sick this year. The current players are simply not meant to play the spread. (This is why Russo decided to decommit last year.) Unfortunately, this nature has also prevented him from finding ways to find the greatest success. With this team, the greatest success would have meant 2-3 more wins and fewer embarrassing blow outs.

I am hoping that he finds the players within the next three years and achieve bowl eligibility afterwards.

 

[RURod]

Ash deserves more time, of course. But yesterday was a brutal set back. And Penn St.'s recovery and Pitt's rise are a concern from a recruiting standpoint.

 

[Jim_from_RU]

I don't think anyone is "blaming" Ash for the state of the program. But you have to admit this season has been even worse than anticipated.

A lot of people said the only sign of progress they expected wasn't in the record but in reducing the horrific margins of defeat against the better teams. Instead, we get 78-0 and a 49-point drubbing by a team that was winless in the Big Ten. That's just not acceptable.

So you have to wonder: Do we have a Schiano situation, where we actually are as bad if not worse before we see progress? Or do we have a Craig Littlepage situation, who inherited a program that was in awful shape but clearly was not the person to make it any better? We won't know that for a couple of years, and we won't know how truly good he is for a couple of more after that.

I have no issue with criticizing him for how poor the team looks. The only problem I do have is already speculating on how long he gets "if things don't improve." There's no reason to do that now.

And no, he doesn't need our "support" to land this recruiting class. We don't have coaches coming to our games and into our homes, and we don't conduct official visits. If our program is a mess, no amount of "support" here is going to matter. And if kids see Ash has a plan and want to be part of it, no amount of bitching about the embarrassing scores is going to matter, either.

I don't think any coach should get fewer than four years. But that does not mean he is above criticism during that time. The performance to this point merits it.

It's about what I expected, to be honest with you.

 

[cRURah]

Ash is the head coach. He is accountable for the performance of the team. This is the most poorly coached team I have ever seen in 50 years of watching almost every play of Rutgers football. Ash as shown no ability as a head coach thus far. To not hold him responsible for the most horrific performances and national embarrassments in 146 years of RU football is insane.

 

[RUJMM78]

I don't blame the current coaching staff for the lack of talent.They are,however, to blame for the team being unprepared to play at the start of games as shown by Rutgers not leading after the first quarter in any game this season.The lack of player development also can't be blamed on Flood .Its now two straight seasons with different coaching staffs where the football program is heading in the wrong direction.This turn of events has to adversely impact the perception of the program.Playing in a power conference doesn't allow for time to build a program because the competition isn't sitting still.

 

[TonyLieske]

 

[letterhead6]

As I said, Ash and Meringher are freshman coaches. They are going to make mistakes. They should be judged this year on one main this...can they pull in a good recruiting class.

 

[RUReady76]

As I said, Ash and Meringher are freshman coaches. They are going to make mistakes. They should be judged this year on one main this...can they pull in a good recruiting class.

So, let's make sure I understand this. We won four games last year, and should have won two others with a so-called incompetent coach. This year with a new coach, we have won two games (one against a D2 team) and have been competitive with one other. Pretty much with the same players that are now a year older.
Your not making much sense my friend.

 

[waretown]

And I might add, bring in Meringer is like bring in a 4 star recruit. He's make contributions, but he's still a freshmen with tremendous potential. I would rather have him, than the retreads we normally get. so STOP BLAMING HIM too!

OMG!

 

[waretown]

As I said, Ash and Meringher are freshman coaches. They are going to make mistakes. They should be judged this year on one main this...can they pull in a good recruiting class.

why hire freshmen (no experience) is this the best we could get? we are in sad shape with this staff. hobbs has to have a long talk with them, they are actually stealing money from us with their piss poor performance

 

[RUforlife]

I agree, stop blaming Ash, start blaming the kids, the band, the fans, the media, Donald Trump, etc.

 

[Rokodesh]

As I said, Ash and Meringher are freshman coaches. They are going to make mistakes. They should be judged this year on one main this...can they pull in a good recruiting class.

If that's all that matters the make them recruiting coordinator.

mistakes are fine, not having a pulse is not

 

[letterhead6]

Take out the Schiano recruits (Hamilton, JPO, Lambert) and the last four years of dline recruits has a cumulative 7 power 5 offers (including 4 from BC and NO big ten offers). These are players that otherwise would be at AAC or D2 schools...not playing against teams deep in 3,4 and 5 star lineman.

 

[RU#1fan]

And I might add, bring in Meringer is like bring in a 4 star recruit. He's make contributions, but he's still a freshmen with tremendous potential. I would rather have him, than the retreads we normally get. so STOP BLAMING HIM too!

Retreads ????
Like Fridge and McNulty ????
Meringer is no way shape or form a FBS level Offensive Coordinator.
Ash is paying the price now for this bad hire along with other questionable hires on the staff.
Let's see what he does in 2-3 months.

 

[RUMcMahon]

Ash is the head coach. He is accountable for the performance of the team. This is the most poorly coached team I have ever seen in 50 years of watching almost every play of Rutgers football. Ash as shown no ability as a head coach thus far. To not hold him responsible for the most horrific performances and national embarrassments in 146 years of RU football is insane.

Apparently you missed the Terry Shea years.

 

[RU31trap]

Ash won't be hear after his third year.

 

[RUBand]

There is no choice but to support him for the next two years. But, IMO he and his coaches are lost.

Those same players you just said are not that great should have beat Iowa who just beat UM. We also could have beaten IU and Ill, but they went out and beat MSU, we lose by embarrassing numbers. Heck Furman played them close. What does RU do? Goes down 35 in the first half and get smoked the rest of the way. That is coaching. We might have the worst first half football team in history.

Schiano inherited a team with D2 talent and started winning when he had some 3 star talent. If you go back and read this board our D-line was going to be awesome and our O-line was going to be good. Our running backs were going to be some of the best They are not getting any pressure at all, that is coaching. Yes we lost Carroo, but does anyone remember what how our other receivers stepped up in the IU game and we had a great comeback. Grant was not even part of that group.

I forget what announcer during the Minn, game said the following. When the other announcer said Ash is having a tough year because of his new system and he does not have the players he needs the other announcer went off on him. He said you have to play with the hand you are dealt with until you get a new hand. He went on to say that Ash will lose recruits with his stubbornness.

GS's teams did not play anywhere near as difficult a schedule as we have this year, AND after losing the best player on offense.

 

[ArminRU]

Probably the same people who called for Schiano's head early on. You always gotta take some complainers along, kicking and screaming the entire time.

 

[letterhead6]

Ash won't be hear after his third year.

You should hope that's not the case...unless we are planning on hiring UrbanMeyer.

 

[IL Lusciato]

And I might add, bring in Meringer is like bring in a 4 star recruit. He's make contributions, but he's still a freshmen with tremendous potential. I would rather have him, than the retreads we normally get. so STOP BLAMING HIM too!

If he has potential make him a QB Coach. I have seen no talent from him though to be honest. No innovation, no identity.

 

[Dpgru]

First of all, being critical of a coach does not mean you are not supporting the team. There are legitimate reasons for criticism that have nothing to do with the lack of talent. Every week there are examples of teams with significantly less latent playing elite or better teams well. Even Howard came out and played us well in the first quarter. Giving them a game and sometimes even winning. This team this year has not come out of the gate ready to play. They have been the worst first quarter team in college football. Why are we not ready to play? And don't say it is talent. The lack of talent usually shows up over the course of the game when the less talented team just can't keep up. This team is never ready to start the game. Even the games in which we have been competitive, including the two wins, we had to come from behind. That is, IMHO, all on this years staff.

 

[RUTGERZ_R00LZ]

Meringer is no way shape or form a FBS level Offensive Coordinator.
Ash is paying the price now for this bad hire along with other questionable hires on the staff.
Let's see what he does in 2-3 months.

Is Mehringer on a 2-year contract? If so, count on him to be retained. If a 1-year deal, he might be let go or retained at a lesser position.

 

[RUMcMahon]

OP- 2004 GS team had already been showing progress and making strides , really don't remember many calling out Greg during that time.

2016 Ash is equivalent to 2001 GS with a tougher schedule.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

The teams that have hammered us - OSU, Mich, Wash, and MSU - are not only more talented but athletically - strength, speed, etc - blow us away. I mean it's not even close. Even IU was a lot faster, stronger, and more athletic. We were in that game due to TO's (just like I truly believe Illinois was NOT more athletic than us; they pulled away do to the awful timing and field placement of our TO's...). Iowa and Minny, 2 games we could/should have won, were much more in line with us in terms of overall athleticism and team speed.

Bottom line: as more strength, speed, athleticism, and overall talent come into this program, things will get better. Until then, unfortunately, we're at a major disadvantage REGARDLESS of any coaching issues or advantages.

Take a deep breath, nobody said it was going to be an easy ride, and let Ash build this thing. Just like we let Greg do the same.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

OP- 2004 GS team had already been showing progress and making strides , really don't remember many calling out Greg during that time.

2016 Ash is equivalent to 2001 GS with a tougher schedule.

Yup. Season 4 for Greg. 2004 is when we started seeing "signs" that the future was bright.

 

[ru8081]

So, let's make sure I understand this. We won four games last year, and should have won two others with a so-called incompetent coach. This year with a new coach, we have won two games (one against a D2 team) and have been competitive with one other. Pretty much with the same players that are now a year older.
Your not making much sense my friend.

Howard is not DII, they are FCS. There is a difference!

 

[AreYouNUTS]

So, let's make sure I understand this. We won four games last year, and should have won two others with a so-called incompetent coach. This year with a new coach, we have won two games (one against a D2 team) and have been competitive with one other. Pretty much with the same players that are now a year older.
Your not making much sense my friend.

1) we should not "have won" 2 more games last year. We COULD have won 1 more (Wazzou), however, we didn't. MSU absolutely dominated us that night. We were in it because they left about 20 points on the field. People keep forgetting that little fact.

2) Just like we COULD have won 2 (Iowa/Minny), not 1, more games this year, however...

3) We lost Grant early, which absolutely killed us and probably cost us the aforementioned Iowa/Minny games, and the quality depth issues - or lack of any in almost every position group not named "RB" - started to rear its ugly head. As many of us expected, and have been calling, for a couple of years now.

...add to new systems, and not having the horses for the system on O, plus arguably THE hardest schedule we've ever faced, and this is what happens.

 

[nirrad]

Patience people patience!

 

[ru8081]

This was the recruiting class in 2011 after the 4-8 2010 season. Flood never came close to matching this. We are where we are due to that terrible shortsided mistake our administration made on or around signing time for the 2012 class. These are some of the offers these recruits had.

1 Miami, Illinois
2 Florida State
3 Akron
4 UNC, Maryland
5 Pitt
6 Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin
7 Washingon State
8 Temple
9 Rutgers (kicker)
10 Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska
11 Illinois, UNC, Wisconsin
12 Louisville
13 Miami, Minnesota, Nebraska, UNC, Purdue
14 Miami
15 Marshall
16 Temple
17 Michigan, Iowa, Maryland
18 Northwestern, WV
19 Indiana
20 Louisville
21 Louisville
22 Iowa, WV
23 Maryland

 

[yellowlot]

Who else do you blame? He is the coach. We got shut out 3 times and 4 games we lost by 50. By his own admission he is not happy with this. It has been a bad start to Ash era, that is a fact. Will it turn? We all hope.

 

[Dpgru]

This was the recruiting class in 2011 after the 4-8 2010 season. Flood never came close to matching this. We are where we are due to that terrible shortsided mistake our administration made on or around signing time for the 2012 class. These are some of the offers these recruits had.
1 Miami, Illinois
2 Florida State
3 Akron
4 UNC, Maryland
5 Pitt
6 Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin
7 Washingon State
8 Temple
9 Rutgers (kicker)
10 Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska
11 Illinois, UNC, Wisconsin
12 Louisville
13 Miami, Minnesota, Nebraska, UNC, Purdue
14 Miami
15 Marshall
16 Temple
17 Michigan, Iowa, Marylan
18 Northwestern, WV
19 Indiana
20 Louisville
21 Louisville
22 Iowa, WV
23 Maryland

Okay, what's your point? Flood was a bad recruiter and the fact that we are at a talent deficiency is not Ash's fault? We know
that. That does not change the fact that there have been many issues this year with this team for which this staff can be criticized. The OP says don't blame Ash - for what? The talent level is clearly not his fault, he wasn't here. But play calling, preparedness for the start of the game, and game planning are all things that are on him.

 

[letterhead6]

So, let's make sure I understand this. We won four games last year, and should have won two others with a so-called incompetent coach. This year with a new coach, we have won two games (one against a D2 team) and have been competitive with one other. Pretty much with the same players that are now a year older.
Your not making much sense my friend.

it's not "pretty much the same players." Caroo and Grant are light years better than talent we have on the field. Our linebackers were much better. All that said, just like we could have won two more last year, we could have lost two as well...so what's the point? Ash would have lost more games last year?