To build this program from the dumps, the following is required: a HC who can
- schematically innovate in two ways: to leverage the kids we have access to and who other major programs are not targeting (think speed and attitude), and to present challenges to the style of play most major programs are running (think speed and spread in this climate);
- who can build a strong staff;
- who can leverage our local strengths;
- who can evaluate very well;
- and who can sell, sell, sell.
To maintain it when it is running solidly, the following is required: a HC who can
- evaluate and sell well;
- who has a credible schematic expertise;
- and who can maintain a talented staff.
Things that are sure signs a coach will not succeed at UM:
- Weak staff;
- mediocre evaluations;
- weak selling ability;
- ‘ceo’ who isn’t a football mind;
- guys whose system doesn’t fit what we can recruit locally;
- guys who won’t work with the type of kids that are our primary advantage (inner city, rough backgrounds)
Observations:
- Richt was an obvious fail, because he was hired based on some belief in CEO ability, but he signed up to be his own OC. That tension should have been an obvious disqualifier from the get go. No one would hire him as an offensive innovator or mind, and yet he couldn’t be hired for CEO ability (even if he has it) because his own stated intent was to double down on play calling, not program building. This entire experiment made no sense and is an indictment of the AD’s decision-making.
- None of our HCs since Butch were credible fits, not just in retrospect but going in. Golden’s approach didn’t fit our kids. Shannon couldnt and wouldn't recruit. Richt has ‘his way,’ and it ain’t Miami’s way. Clappy was Clappy and recruited off lists. None were schematically innovative. None build strng coaching trees / attracted top young staff.
