Locker room culture

[redsfan5590]

It doesn’t take an expert in human behavior to understand what’s going on… for years Doc ran a program and increasingly became more lax on discipline. This was seen by pretty much everyone. Whether or not there was a fight last year something was wrong with that team. Doc was not the disciplinarian we thought he’d be.

Enter Huff, a guy coming from probably the biggest disciplinarian in the college game and someone who expects perfection and discipline.

these are not robots. These are college kids, and college kids who haven’t necessarily been held accountable at a high level for several years. Now a new coach comes in and the players aren’t going to like that. They’re going to buck against it. I’m sure a lot of them want Doc back. Especially after a couple of losses.

bottom line, anytime you go from lax to strict you will have pushback and that’s probably what we’re seeing. Let Huff get his guys in there and coach his way. He will be fine. And maybe he won’t, but give him a chance.

 

[BleedsGreen33]

Or maybe he made terrible staff hires. Every single aspect of this team has gotten worse. At times the players have absolutely no clue where they're supposed to be on the field. Some of these players have been here been here 5 years and been good players.

All three of our coordinators are complete garbage. That cannot be debated. There is no evidence to them being good or being held back by the lack of talent on the field.

Cramsey has drawn criticism for 4 years now and EVERYONE wanted him gone. I think Doc could have bought one more season had he fired Cramsey.

Guidry is horrible. On an important 3rd down in the 4th today he calls a defensive alignment that left the entire right side of the LoS open. Who calls that crap.

Springer is horrible. His name should be Jerry because our STs has far too much unnecessary drama now.

The WRs are lost out there. Constantly lined up wrong and I lost count how many times the WRs ended up in the same area and they couldn't run a scramble drill to save their lives. Then there's the running backwards crap after just about every catch.

I can keep going, but you should get the point by now. Changing players will not solve our issues.

 

[Rock98Dog]

How unaware and disinterested do you have to be for your entire kick off group to not know which way they are supposed to be kicking?

 

[redsfan5590]

Or maybe he made terrible staff hires. Every single aspect of this team has gotten worse. At times the players have absolutely no clue where they're supposed to be on the field. Some of these players have been here been here 5 years and been good players.

All three of our coordinators are complete garbage. That cannot be debated. There is no evidence to them being good or being held back by the lack of talent on the field.

Cramsey has drawn criticism for 4 years now and EVERYONE wanted him gone. I think Doc could have bought one more season had he fired Cramsey.

Guidry is horrible. On an important 3rd down in the 4th today he calls a defensive alignment that left the entire right side of the LoS open. Who calls that crap.

Springer is horrible. His name should be Jerry because our STs has far too much unnecessary drama now.

The WRs are lost out there. Constantly lined up wrong and I lost count how many times the WRs ended up in the same area and they couldn't run a scramble drill to save their lives. Then there's the running backwards crap after just about every catch.

I can keep going, but you should get the point by now. Changing players will not solve our issues.

So our players who were good under doc forgot how to run a scramble drill? They forgot to not run backwards? Also, what part of our special teams have you not been satisfied with. Just out of curiosity.

you forgot to mention the QB by the way in your tirade. He locks on receivers and can’t read a defense.

 

[BleedsGreen33]

So our players who were good under doc forgot how to run a scramble drill? They forgot to not run backwards? Also, what part of our special teams have you not been satisfied with. Just out of curiosity.

you forgot to mention the QB by the way in your tirade. He locks on receivers and can’t read a defense.

A lot of those "locks on plays" that people keep screaming about are designed quick throws. Like the 4th&2 to Keaton against ECU. Huff has talked about that over and over again.

You also assume Grant isn't surveying the field only to find no one open because the WRs are running to the same darn spot bringing their defenders with them. Or the genius OC that will call a downfield throw and when it's incomplete he follows that call with a throw to the sideline and even when completed puts us in a 3rd and long.

There is constant confusion pre play, players running on and off the field late, calls coming with under 5 on the play clock, and horrible timeout management.

Also how could anyone view special teams over the whole of the season and be remotely satisfied.

Lol at calling my reply a tirade after you post four paragraphs about how bad you assume our lockerroom is. That our players are just "pushing back" on discipline. Please Sigmund Freud. Opine some more.

 

[redsfan5590]

So with Grant Wells what was the problem at the end of last year?
Because it seemed that the second half of last year he had the same issues he’s having right now and that was with Docs coaching staff. We’re receivers doing the same things? Same confusion? Receivers dropping passes?

if your point is the offensive problems fall at the feet of Cramsey, ok. But that also isn’t a new hire which was supposedly the problem.

 

[Dallasherdguy]

So our players who were good under doc forgot how to run a scramble drill? They forgot to not run backwards? Also, what part of our special teams have you not been satisfied with. Just out of curiosity.

you forgot to mention the QB by the way in your tirade. He locks on receivers and can’t read a defense.

I understand the post. It is not that the players are not good. It is about culture. go from an anything goes do what you want culture to a you gotta toe the line culture, many/most will rebel. They don't like the change, which affects performance(like it or not it is human nature). This shows up in practice and play. In some ways Huffs assistant coaches seem to have issues, but some lies with the players.

I understand the culture thing. As an industrial safety professional, I have been in positions where I had to come in and change a culture. It is not easy and is painful. With a sports team is much more difficult as the change is a snap a finger type change as opposed to what I have done in my career that is much more subtle and slow.

This year will be painful, next year may be too. Anyone who thought the change from a freewheeling atmosphere to a disciplinarian style would be a smooth transition is fooling themselves.

I have thought give others a chance and see where it goes (Wells vs Zban). Not in practices to know what the difference is in the QBs. Trust the choice of Coach Huff for now.

 

[redsfan5590]

Also how could anyone view special teams over the whole of the season and be remotely

I’m not saying our special teams has been amazing… but 3 blocked kicks, a blocked punt, 38th in the nation in KR yards and a KR TD 5 games in.

again, I’m not saying we’re amazing there have been mistakes. But, to say its been awful… I just don’t get that.

 

[JudgeDD]

I’m not saying our special teams has been amazing… but 3 blocked kicks, a blocked punt, 38th in the nation in KR yards and a KR TD 5 games in.

again, I’m not saying we’re amazing there have been mistakes. But, to say its been awful… I just don’t get that.

Not sure KR Yards are a good stat to brag about here. You generally don't lead this category by having the longest KRs, but by having the most. Not a particularly desirable accomplishment.

 

[redsfan5590]

Not sure KR Yards are a good stat to brag about here. You generally don't lead this category by having the longest KRs, but by having the most. Not a particularly desirable accomplishment.

Sorry I should’ve been more clear in my post. That KR stat is KR average.

 

[raleighherdfan]

I understand the post. It is not that the players are not good. It is about culture. go from an anything goes do what you want culture to a you gotta toe the line culture, many/most will rebel. They don't like the change, which affects performance(like it or not it is human nature). This shows up in practice and play. In some ways Huffs assistant coaches seem to have issues, but some lies with the players.

I understand the culture thing.

ehhh. You’re not driving 40 miles to watch a team and cheer a team on. You’re not part of the culture of change. No one really cares what you think.

 

[marshallisqbu]

The fact that we are arguing which part of the team is the crappiest says a lot.

 

[mlblack16.]

So our players who were good under doc forgot how to run a scramble drill? They forgot to not run backwards? Also, what part of our special teams have you not been satisfied with. Just out of curiosity.

you forgot to mention the QB by the way in your tirade. He locks on receivers and can’t read a defense.

I don't think they forgot how to play. The issue is they're being taught a different way, using different game strategies, etc. The locker room hypothesis is a stretch. It's ok to say the coaching staff appears clueless, so long as it's true (which it most definitely is).

 

[The Real SamC]

All is see is a lot of excuse making for a team that was picked to win its division and now seems unlikely to win another game.

 

[redsfan5590]

I don't think they forgot how to play. The issue is they're being taught a different way, using different game strategies, etc. The locker room hypothesis is a stretch. It's ok to say the coaching staff appears clueless, so long as it's true (which it most definitely is).

it’s a stretch to say that a group of college kids would negatively react to going from a laissez faire style to a strict style?

 

[riflearm2]

All is see is a lot of excuse making for a team that was picked to win its division and now seems unlikely to win another game.

That happened quite a bit under John, but you constantly defended him. Now, after just six games and still in control of their own destiny, you’re singing a different tune under Huff.

 

[The Real SamC]

it’s a stretch to say that a group of college kids would negatively react to going from a laissez faire style to a strict style?

No, it just excuse making.

Excuse making for a team that was picked to win its division and stands, half way through the season at 3-3, 2-3 in I-A games, with the opponents' records being 13-21.

A bad team.

 

[herdfan429]

No, it just excuse making.

Excuse making for a team that was picked to win its division and stands, half way through the season at 3-3, 2-3 in I-A games, with the opponents' records being 13-21.

A bad team.

We’re you saying this the last few years under doc? And wasn’t docs record atrocious against teams with a winning record?

 

[W-S HerdFan]

We’re you saying this the last few years under doc? And wasn’t docs record atrocious against teams with a winning record?

Careful there, 429…..you’re awfully close to the Sam quicksand!!! Once you step in, it can be very hard to get out…
I have what I think is a good example to counter Sam’s Eoyre gloominess:
My Dad learned to play the ukulele as a teen. Then he picked up the guitar. Both instruments used the same chording/finger positions to play the notes. A few years later, he decided to learn how to play a tenor banjo. The banjo requires completely different chording/finger positions! He went to a fella who knew tenor banjo. He asked if the gentleman would teach him how to play, but my Dad said he wanted the older man to teach him using the chording/finger patterns for the uke & guitar. The man said “Nope. If I teach you, you’re going to learn it right.” My Dad relented, practiced a bunch & became a pretty accomplished banjo man.
My long point is: Maybe Huff is the old man teaching the team to play it right - his way.
Culture is rocked by change; it either reflects it or adapts to it.
WS

 

[DBS429]

We will finish 6-6 with maybe shit bowl and Huff will make changes this off season. That's a guarantee. I hope it works out.

 

[mlblack16.]

We will finish 6-6 with maybe shit bowl and Huff will make changes this off season. That's a guarantee. I hope it works out.

I like your confidence

 

[The Real SamC]

We’re you saying this the last few years under doc? And wasn’t docs record atrocious against teams with a winning record?

All this talk about this "Doc" ?

Coach's name is Huff. Charles Huff.

 

[GeauxHerd]

I don't think they forgot how to play. The issue is they're being taught a different way, using different game strategies, etc. The locker room hypothesis is a stretch. It's ok to say the coaching staff appears clueless, so long as it's true (which it most definitely is).

Bleeds is an expert in locker rooms

 

[herdfan429]

All this talk about this "Doc" ?

Coach's name is Huff. Charles Huff.

Yet you were blowing doc like a crack whore on 14 1/2 alley and we were getting the same results but you were mysteriously silent.

 

[W-S HerdFan]

Yet you were blowing doc like a crack whore on 14 1/2 alley and we were getting the same results but you were mysteriously silent.

Speaking of alleys (Huntington seems to have many more than average), there is a bar called The Stonewall......I've never been in, but I understand it is a colorful place.....

 

[The Real SamC]

I was never silent. I was pointing out how rotten super fans ruin programs.

And I was right.

Doc is gone. Have the courtesy and adult behavior to discuss THIS season.

So far?

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

Careful there, 429…..you’re awfully close to the Sam quicksand!!! Once you step in, it can be very hard to get out…
I have what I think is a good example to counter Sam’s Eoyre gloominess:
My Dad learned to play the ukulele as a teen. Then he picked up the guitar. Both instruments used the same chording/finger positions to play the notes. A few years later, he decided to learn how to play a tenor banjo. The banjo requires completely different chording/finger positions! He went to a fella who knew tenor banjo. He asked if the gentleman would teach him how to play, but my Dad said he wanted the older man to teach him using the chording/finger patterns for the uke & guitar. The man said “Nope. If I teach you, you’re going to learn it right.” My Dad relented, practiced a bunch & became a pretty accomplished banjo man.
My long point is: Maybe Huff is the old man teaching the team to play it right - his way.
Culture is rocked by change; it either reflects it or adapts to it.
WS

You're trying waaay too hard.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

I don't think they forgot how to play. The issue is they're being taught a different way, using different game strategies, etc. The locker room hypothesis is a stretch. It's ok to say the coaching staff appears clueless, so long as it's true (which it most definitely is).

I agree about the staff.
Not sure why people are acting so shocked this coaching staff is having problems.
Doc was never a HC, it was one of the first criticisms against the hire.
Huff was never a HC either, but he got a pass based purely on being from Alabama's program and NOT being Doc.

People are complaining at how MU loses their games which is fair, but MU doesn't have the luxury of being completely picked apart at this time, they just need to take all the wins they can get. Easy as one against Navy or as ugly as the one against ODU.

 

[The Real SamC]

We will finish 6-6 with maybe shit bowl and Huff will make changes this off season. That's a guarantee. I hope it works out.

Every bowl prediction column I could find today has us either missing bowl season altogether or in the Bahamas vs a 6th place MAC team.

 

[W-S HerdFan]

Every bowl prediction column I could find today has us either missing bowl season altogether or in the Bahamas vs a 6th place MAC team.

.....................and you put stock in these guess columnists predictions before Halloween because??

 

[The Real SamC]

.....................and you put stock in these guess columnists predictions before Halloween because

Its a good indicator of where we are.

I also read CBS Jerry Palm and USA Today's 1-130 rankings every week.

USAT 80th.
CBS Palm 91st.

 

[W-S HerdFan]

Its a good indicator of where we are.

I also read CBS Jerry Palm and USA Today's 1-130 rankings every week.

USAT 80th.
CBS Palm 91st.

yeah, right. That and $5.00 will get you a Starbucks.....

 

[The Real SamC]

yeah, right. That and $5.00 will get you a Starbucks.....

So you are saying these are wrong. You therefore disagree with your former amen chorus which has now switched on the language of losing, deciding that the silliness they were posting, not two weeks ago, was just wrong.

Good to know.

 

[ekal]

Every college football season has surprises. No one would have predicted Alabama would have a defeat during the regular season. Or that Clemson would have two already. Marshall may lose several more games, or it could regroup and win most of its remaining games. Time will tell. I will save my critique and evaluation of the team and coaching staff until the season ends. At this point, there have been more disappointments than thrills.

 

[herdfan429]

Every college football season has surprises. No one would have predicted Alabama would have a defeat during the regular season. Or that Clemson would have two already. Marshall may lose several more games, or it could regroup and win most of its remaining games. Time will tell. I will save my critique and evaluation of the team and coaching staff until the season ends. At this point, there have been more disappointments than thrills.

True on most parts but a lot of people that pay attention down in Greenville knew Clemson was going to be way down.