Portal death

[Rock98Dog]

Been thinking about the impact of going heavy in the portal as Huff has done and have come to the conclusion it’s just a recipe for disaster.

My thesis is that great football teams are based on 11 guys on the field each knowing their role and having outstanding communication with their teammates. This is the basis for execution. This is just not something that can be built in one training cycle/off season.

When you look at our issues on defense it sticks out. We take so many time outs because guys don’t know what they are suppose to do. We have so many busted assignments and you can see the frustrations of the guys who have been here.

Bringing in “better players” doesn’t mean you will instantly have a better team. You may just be getting guys that get out of position faster and with more power than the guys you had. Maybe it’s why we end up with WRs in the wrong place, have missed blocking assignments, etc at such high rates.

We brought in 30 transfers. Those guys are all freshmen in our system. He’ll bring in 30 more and it will just repeat. The portal has its uses, but relying on it to build a team won’t work. It’s good for things like getting an edge rusher who will be a 3rd down specialist, guys that have a specific job and use.

My proof is to look at what has happened to college basketball as we get more immersed in the one and done era. The success level of smaller conference teams has increased because they hold on to a core group that plays together longer and can just add a piece.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

Been thinking about the impact of going heavy in the portal as Huff has done and have come to the conclusion it’s just a recipe for disaster.

My thesis is that great football teams are based on 11 guys on the field each knowing their role and having outstanding communication with their teammates. This is the basis for execution. This is just not something that can be built in one training cycle/off season.

When you look at our issues on defense it sticks out. We take so many time outs because guys don’t know what they are suppose to do. We have so many busted assignments and you can see the frustrations of the guys who have been here.

Bringing in “better players” doesn’t mean you will instantly have a better team. You may just be getting guys that get out of position faster and with more power than the guys you had. Maybe it’s why we end up with WRs in the wrong place, have missed blocking assignments, etc at such high rates.

We brought in 30 transfers. Those guys are all freshmen in our system. He’ll bring in 30 more and it will just repeat. The portal has its uses, but relying on it to build a team won’t work. It’s good for things like getting an edge rusher who will be a 3rd down specialist, guys that have a specific job and use.

My proof is to look at what has happened to college basketball as we get more immersed in the one and done era. The success level of smaller conference teams has increased because they hold on to a core group that plays together longer and can just add a piece.

Good point. I still think this staff may be the worst overall we have ever had. Least experienced, poor teachers of the game and certainly not good recruiters.
That doesn't help. Jmho

 

[MUMAN3419]

Been thinking about the impact of going heavy in the portal as Huff has done and have come to the conclusion it’s just a recipe for disaster.

My thesis is that great football teams are based on 11 guys on the field each knowing their role and having outstanding communication with their teammates. This is the basis for execution. This is just not something that can be built in one training cycle/off season.

When you look at our issues on defense it sticks out. We take so many time outs because guys don’t know what they are suppose to do. We have so many busted assignments and you can see the frustrations of the guys who have been here.

Bringing in “better players” doesn’t mean you will instantly have a better team. You may just be getting guys that get out of position faster and with more power than the guys you had. Maybe it’s why we end up with WRs in the wrong place, have missed blocking assignments, etc at such high rates.

We brought in 30 transfers. Those guys are all freshmen in our system. He’ll bring in 30 more and it will just repeat. The portal has its uses, but relying on it to build a team won’t work. It’s good for things like getting an edge rusher who will be a 3rd down specialist, guys that have a specific job and use.

My proof is to look at what has happened to college basketball as we get more immersed in the one and done era. The success level of smaller conference teams has increased because they hold on to a core group that plays together longer and can just add a piece.

I definitely agree that it causes issues. However every team is dealing with massive turnover on the roster. Heck Texas st has 53 new players this year and is bowl eligible for the first time in 9 years. Alot of it is whether or not you have the coaching ability to make it all mesh quickly imo.

 

[elginherd]

I definitely agree that it causes issues. However every team is dealing with massive turnover on the roster. Heck Texas st has 53 new players this year and is bowl eligible for the first time in 9 years. Alot of it is whether or not you have the coaching ability to make it all mesh quickly imo.

And the recruiting/scouting ability to make sure that the transfers have enough talent to elevate the program.

 

[ohio herd]

Been thinking about the impact of going heavy in the portal as Huff has done and have come to the conclusion it’s just a recipe for disaster.

My thesis is that great football teams are based on 11 guys on the field each knowing their role and having outstanding communication with their teammates. This is the basis for execution. This is just not something that can be built in one training cycle/off season.

When you look at our issues on defense it sticks out. We take so many time outs because guys don’t know what they are suppose to do. We have so many busted assignments and you can see the frustrations of the guys who have been here.

Bringing in “better players” doesn’t mean you will instantly have a better team. You may just be getting guys that get out of position faster and with more power than the guys you had. Maybe it’s why we end up with WRs in the wrong place, have missed blocking assignments, etc at such high rates.

We brought in 30 transfers. Those guys are all freshmen in our system. He’ll bring in 30 more and it will just repeat. The portal has its uses, but relying on it to build a team won’t work. It’s good for things like getting an edge rusher who will be a 3rd down specialist, guys that have a specific job and use.

My proof is to look at what has happened to college basketball as we get more immersed in the one and done era. The success level of smaller conference teams has increased because they hold on to a core group that plays together longer and can just add a piece.

I agree. The portal should be used much like the JUCO system in the past. Recruit the kids out of HS that fit your system, develop them and build continuity and a culture. Then fill in the gaps with portal players. What we have done is bring in a small army of kids from all over the place. Bottom line is this; not working

 

[BleedsGreen33]

I definitely agree that it causes issues. However every team is dealing with massive turnover on the roster. Heck Texas st has 53 new players this year and is bowl eligible for the first time in 9 years. Alot of it is whether or not you have the coaching ability to make it all mesh quickly imo.

Yea...maybe. However they really haven't beaten anyone either.

Baylor is 3-6 and has looked pretty awful all year.

Jackson State is an FCS team.
Nevada is 2-7
S.Miss is 2-7
ULM is 2-7
GaSouthern is 6-3

So their lone quality win is GaSouthern.

They also have a new HC in G.J. Kinne.

The vast majority of the transfer portal is a bunch of pine riders chasing PT and that why a vast majority of the portal ends up teamless.

Yes you should recruit from it to help fill gaps, but you cannot build your roster from it and expect to win consistently.

Also to your other point. TxSt did this and the just got bowl eligibile. Our goal is not to just make a bowl. Feeding off the portal might keept you in the 6-8 win range, but our goal is to win championships and winning championships comes from teams with cohesive units that know what they're doing.

Epecially at the G5 level where not pulling the top tier recruits.

 

[W-S HerdFan]

Yea...maybe. However they really haven't beaten anyone either.

Baylor is 3-6 and has looked pretty awful all year.

Jackson State is an FCS team.
Nevada is 2-7
S.Miss is 2-7
ULM is 2-7
GaSouthern is 6-3

So their lone quality win is GaSouthern.

They also have a new HC in G.J. Kinne.

The vast majority of the transfer portal is a bunch of pine riders chasing PT and that why a vast majority of the portal ends up teamless.

Yes you should recruit from it to help fill gaps, but you cannot build your roster from it and expect to win consistently.

Also to your other point. TxSt did this and the just got bowl eligibile. Our goal is not to just make a bowl. Feeding off the portal might keept you in the 6-8 win range, but our goal is to win championships and winning championships comes from teams with cohesive units that know what they're doing.

Epecially at the G5 level where not pulling the top tier recruits.

But - the exception to the rule, at least in the SBC, appears to be JMU.

 

[BleedsGreen33]

But - the exception to the rule, at least in the SBC, appears to be JMU.

They have a good coach. Also how many of their starters are actual portal guys?

 

[mlblack16.]

Many of us have speculated that Huff has tried to catch lightning in a bottle by nabbing up players like Colombi (and all the guys from the portal) in an attempt to get hired by a bigger program by his 2nd year, at the latest.

Since his strategy clearly didn't work, what does he do during the off season, assuming he will be out head coach in 2024? Does he reflect on where he's at career-wise and try a different route?

My fear is he doesn't have a clue on how to do this and so next season would be more like what he should have accomplished during his first two.

 

[Rock98Dog]

He’s says the right things but doesn’t do them. He talks about culture and having to recruit your own players every year. He talks about process and having to build a championship program. Then he goes out and tries to shortcut all that.

The only conclusion that can be logically drawn is that he understands what to do, he just doesn’t want to take the time to do it here. I really think he saw our roster in 2020 and knew he was inheriting enough to win, so no need to worry what it looked like in year 5 because he wasn’t going to be here.

 

[RhinoD]

I thought Harbaugh had a great comment about the portal last year... Basically he said you can't live in the portal. You just can't. You need to recruit the best players you can out of high school to build a sustainable foundation and then use the portal to supplement when holes arise (guys leave for the draft early, suffer major injuries, etc).

 

[herdftblfan]

I thought Harbaugh had a great comment about the portal last year... Basically he said you can't live in the portal. You just can't. You need to recruit the best players you can out of high school to build a sustainable foundation and then use the portal to supplement when holes arise (guys leave for the draft early, suffer major injuries, etc).

But also hire a guy to film your opponents ahead of time.

 

[GeauxHerd]

But also hire a guy to film your opponents ahead of time.

 

[riflearm2]

My thesis is that great football teams are based on 11 guys on the field each knowing their role and having outstanding communication with their teammates. This is the basis for execution. This is just not something that can be built in one training cycle/off season.

Having a great QB mitigates any of those concerns. It’s why a great QB can come in with the exact same supporting cast, know the offense less than the previous QB, but lead the team to more success.

It’s why you don’t skip taking at least one scholarship QB every year and a walk-on.

We brought in 30 transfers. Those guys are all freshmen in our system. He’ll bring in 30 more and it will just repeat. L

I don’t buy into that. They are freshman when it comes to doing things off the field specific to that particular program, but it’s not like that on the field.

It’s why you see kids perform and succeed even though they lose their HC or OC multiple years in a row. It’s why you see a QB (or any other position) transfer and be successful immediately. It’s why Josh Dobbs can get traded in the NFL, not have a full week or even a single practice rep with his new team, and still perform.

Bringing in “better players” doesn’t mean you will instantly have a better team.

It does the vast majority of the time. You hear coaches talk about “you have to trust that the guy next to you does his job.” No, not really. Football doesn’t work like that. If the guy next to me doesn’t do his job, that won’t impact if I still do my job. And if that guy doesn’t do his job enough, he gets replaced.

Basketball is a different animal in needing to know the athleticism of each player and what they can/can’t do if you get them the ball in certain situations. Football, outside of a QB/receiver needing to know what the other can/can’t do, isn’t like that.

 

[Rock98Dog]

Rifle, who would win between Georgia last year and an all star team made up of players from the rest of college football if the game was played 30 days after the national championship game and each team got 15 practices?

 

[PeytonwGill]

Rifle, who would win between Georgia last year and an all star team made up of players from the rest of college football if the game was played 30 days after the national championship game and each team got 15 practices?

The best players not on Georgia would win

 

[Rock98Dog]

The best players not on Georgia would win

I would put my money on Georgia. All day.

 

[PeytonwGill]

I would put my money on Georgia. All day.

We will have to agree to disagree. Caleb Williams throwing to MHJ is better than anyone carson beck is throwing to

 

[BleedsGreen33]

He’s says the right things but doesn’t do them. He talks about culture and having to recruit your own players every year. He talks about process and having to build a championship program. Then he goes out and tries to shortcut all that.

The only conclusion that can be logically drawn is that he understands what to do, he just doesn’t want to take the time to do it here. I really think he saw our roster in 2020 and knew he was inheriting enough to win, so no need to worry what it looked like in year 5 because he wasn’t going to be here.

One of two things are true.

1. His recruiting reputation was built off of riding coattails.

2. He never took this job serious enough and never recruited like he was building his team.

Either way it's clear that he's in over his head and doesn't have the connections to bring in a good staff to prop him up.

 

[W-S HerdFan]

One of two things are true.

1. His recruiting reputation was built off of riding coattails.

2. He never took this job serious enough and never recruited like he was building his team.

Either way it's clear that he's in over his head and doesn't have the connections to bring in a good staff to prop him up.

This. Unless we get a reprieve from Warden Smith, we’re all walking the green mile in ‘24….

 

[Rock98Dog]

We will have to agree to disagree. Caleb Williams throwing to MHJ is better than anyone carson beck is throwing to

Behind a line that’s never played together. Sandlot football won’t win against a NC team no matter who you got. Too many mistakes.

 

[MUMAN3419]

Yea...maybe. However they really haven't beaten anyone either.

Baylor is 3-6 and has looked pretty awful all year.

Jackson State is an FCS team.
Nevada is 2-7
S.Miss is 2-7
ULM is 2-7
GaSouthern is 6-3

So their lone quality win is GaSouthern.

They also have a new HC in G.J. Kinne.

The vast majority of the transfer portal is a bunch of pine riders chasing PT and that why a vast majority of the portal ends up teamless.

Yes you should recruit from it to help fill gaps, but you cannot build your roster from it and expect to win consistently.

Also to your other point. TxSt did this and the just got bowl eligibile. Our goal is not to just make a bowl. Feeding off the portal might keept you in the 6-8 win range, but our goal is to win championships and winning championships comes from teams with cohesive units that know what they're doing.

Epecially at the G5 level where not pulling the top tier recruits.

I understand what your saying, but a win is a win. You play who is on the schedule. Only reason I watch mu football is for championships, unfortunately they have been few and far between recently. Here are the teams that took the most transfers last year. Comparison of records.

Colorado:
1-11. 2022
4-5. 2023

AZ St:
3-9. 2022
2-7. 2023

SMU:
7-6. 2022
7-2. 2023

TX st:
2-6. 2022
6-3. 2023

Indiana:
2-7. 2022
3-6. 2023

Louisville:
8-5. 2022
8-1. 2023

Auburn:
5-7. 2022
5-4. 2023

Ole miss:
8-5. 2022
8-1. 2023

Umass:
1-11. 2022
3-7. 2023

So some programs are having success within the portal as seen above, most have already reached or beaten their total wins from last year.. Of course there are many other factors involved. But I do agree that MU should be building a solid base, developing hs talent and then capping it off with transfers. But it can be done if you want to win quickly with the portal, you just have to have an eye for talent and good coaching abilities.

 

[ThunderCat98]

I'm more concerned about next season. There is talent on this team, although most of it belongs to upperclassmen that will not be returning anyways. But what about the few freshman and sophomores that have shown signs of being proper players? Are they going to ride this thing out with these coaches, or are they hitting the portal and getting out of Huntington as soon as possible? If the latter happens, next year could be an absolute shitshow. I don't have faith that this staff can salvage anything at this point.

 

[RhinoD]

I'm more concerned about next season. There is talent on this team, although most of it belongs to upperclassmen that will not be returning anyways. But what about the few freshman and sophomores that have shown signs of being proper players? Are they going to ride this thing out with these coaches, or are they hitting the portal and getting out of Huntington as soon as possible? If the latter happens, next year could be an absolute shitshow. I don't have faith that this staff can salvage anything at this point.

That is why you have to get them on the field these last three weeks... You have to see what they've got, and you need to make clear that next year there will be ample playing time available. We should be playing a young QB, and rotating at pretty much every other position with guys who will be here next year and beyond.

The last thing we need is Ali, Porter, Abraham, Leggs, Neal, etc aging out and then the handful of kids we have to replace them also bouncing via the portal.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

One of two things are true.

1. His recruiting reputation was built off of riding coattails.

2. He never took this job serious enough and never recruited like he was building his team.

Either way it's clear that he's in over his head and doesn't have the connections to bring in a good staff to prop him up.

Anyone can recruit for Bama. The BOG and Gilbert likely failed to realize that. I believe your second point is more accurate. He thought he could win with what we had, what he could bring in and then bolt. Sadly, he was wrong and overestimated he and his staff's ability to coach up a team and win.

 

[PeytonwGill]

Anyone can recruit for Bama. The BOG and Gilbert likely failed to realize that. I believe your second point is more accurate. He thought he could win with what we had, what he could bring in and then bolt. Sadly, he was wrong and overestimated he and his staff's ability to coach up a team and win.

Without Lance Guidry, Huff would've been gone before this season

 

[Rock98Dog]

Maybe we should bring Guidry back. At least be good at one thing.

 

[riflearm2]

Maybe we should bring Guidry back. At least be good at one thing.

Getting arrested?

 

[i am herdman]

Getting arrested?

There are attorneys in Huntington.

 

[Rock98Dog]

Getting arrested?

He proved to be a good coach that got a heck of a lot more out of our players than the current DC.