Gophers Football

[Vanimal46]

I'm no Fleck fan but he probably needs 3 years before we'll know this for sure.

But if you're right, it's another lost decade of Gopher football.

This program doesn't have a choice but to give him 3 more years. Hopefully we just watched them hit rock bottom. The offense is miles away from being competitive until they find a QB.

[Badsmerf]

It wouldn't have been much different with any other coach. The players are just bad at every level. Winfield is a stud, and the rbs are studs. That's it. Hard to win games in the big ten with that. I think Croft and Rhoda are trash and would have liked to see if Green had anything, but others have said he looks terrible in practice.

 

Fleck needs to make adjustments for sure. I don't mind his shtick too much, and think high school kids will eat it up, but he needs more than energy to be successful.

[Mr. Brooks]

It wouldn't have been much different with any other coach. The players are just bad at every level. Winfield is a stud, and the rbs are studs. That's it. Hard to win games in the big ten with that. I think Croft and Rhoda are trash and would have liked to see if Green had anything, but others have said he looks terrible in practice.

 

Fleck needs to make adjustments for sure. I don't mind his shtick too much, and think high school kids will eat it up, but he needs more than energy to be successful.

If HS kids eat it up, then why hasn't he been able to recruit a single QB?

[Mr. Brooks]

It wouldn't have been much different with any other coach. The players are just bad at every level. Winfield is a stud, and the rbs are studs. That's it. Hard to win games in the big ten with that. I think Croft and Rhoda are trash and would have liked to see if Green had anything, but others have said he looks terrible in practice.

 

Fleck needs to make adjustments for sure. I don't mind his shtick too much, and think high school kids will eat it up, but he needs more than energy to be successful.

Another coach would have at least tried, instead of essentially taking a knee for 3 quarters, trying to keep the final score within 50. What message does that send the players? "When things get tough, we quit."

 

You guys can take as much time as you like, I don't need to. He's in way over his head, and has zero substance, which is why he needs his shtick.

[drjim]

Another coach would have at least tried, instead of essentially taking a knee for 3 quarters, trying to keep the final score within 50. What message does that send the players? "When things get tough, we quit."

 

You guys can take as much time as you like, I don't need to. He's in way over his head, and has zero substance, which is why he needs his shtick.

He did build something at his previous stop, so he does deserve a shot. But it's going to be a long three years before we find out whether is up to the job.

[Mr. Brooks]

He did build something at his previous stop, so he does deserve a shot. But it's going to be a long three years before we find out whether is up to the job.

Well there isn't much competition in the Conference he was in before. And he had 1 awful year, 2 mediocre years, then 1 good year which ended in a loss when they had to play a Big10 team in their bowl, so it's not like he built a dynasty, or a sustained run of sucess.

 

Sometimes a first date is enough to know it's never going to work. I don't need to see 3 years, though no disrespect to anyone who does.

[Badsmerf]

Well there isn't much competition in the Conference he was in before. And he had 1 awful year, 2 mediocre years, then 1 good year which ended in a loss when they had to play a Big10 team in their bowl, so it's not like he built a dynasty, or a sustained run of sucess.

 

Sometimes a first date is enough to know it's never going to work. I don't need to see 3 years, though no disrespect to anyone who does.

That is a valid take. I can't fault you for not wanting to see more of a coach that showed to be completely over his head and a scared. The media should be roasting him (not in mpls so don't follow the general opinion). I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, considering the team he took over wouldn't even compete for the mountain west. That isn't his fault. There were plenty of things on him though, so I hope to see adjustments next season.

[Mr. Brooks]

That is a valid take. I can't fault you for not wanting to see more of a coach that showed to be completely over his head and a scared. The media should be roasting him (not in mpls so don't follow the general opinion). I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, considering the team he took over wouldn't even compete for the mountain west. That isn't his fault. There were plenty of things on him though, so I hope to see adjustments next season.

Ruesse is the only one not falling head over heels for his shtick, as far as local media goes. Well, Common Man too, if you consider him media.

[biggentleben]

In chatting around, people who know of his system say it'll work in Minnesota long-term, but it's a 2-3 year process.

 

I guess coming into the season, I enjoyed the energy, but I had no assumption that he would be coaching even a .500 team, let alone a conference contender.

[Mr. Brooks]

In chatting around, people who know of his system say it'll work in Minnesota long-term, but it's a 2-3 year process.

 

I guess coming into the season, I enjoyed the energy, but I had no assumption that he would be coaching even a .500 team, let alone a conference contender.

For the record, I could care less about the record. For me it's players looking like they've never even played football before, his lack of addressing the most important position, and the absurd gobbledygook that comes out of his mouth.

[drjim]

For the record, I could care less about the record. For me it's players looking like they've never even played football before, his lack of addressing the most important position, and the absurd gobbledygook that comes out of his mouth.

I'd emphasize the absurd gobbledygook. The argument is it works in recruiting, I'm a little skeptical.

 

But I will agree it is a 3 year process to see if it works. Going to be a rough next 2 years.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

You guys can take as much time as you like, I don't need to. He's in way over his head, and has zero substance, which is why he needs his shtick.

+1

[snepp]

We walked out of the game at the start of the 4th after seeing the exact same ineffective draw called for like the 35th time.

 

Then there was throwing in the towel at the end of the first half. Instead of taking a shot in the endzone on 2nd down, they ran that same worthless draw play, gained no yards, ran the clock down and attempted a long field goal on 3rd down that wasn't even close.

[Badsmerf]

I guess Croft didn't show up at the banquet. Must be some bad blood. Really could care less about Croft, prefer he never plays another down in a gopher jersey. The message it sends is a little less than inspiring. I'd argue Kill took over a better team in 2011.

[Vanimal46]

 

I guess Croft didn't show up at the banquet. Must be some bad blood. Really could care less about Croft, prefer he never plays another down in a gopher jersey. The message it sends is a little less than inspiring. I'd argue Kill took over a better team in 2011.

 

Looking back, I'm guessing Fleck wished he wouldn't have taken back Croft. Clearly there were issues all year long with him. Even if Green looked terrible in practice, it's not like Croft looked any better during a game. The offense led by him became an immovable object. 

 

There's no room for players like Croft on a rebuilding team. 

[Vanimal46]

 

In chatting around, people who know of his system say it'll work in Minnesota long-term, but it's a 2-3 year process.

 

I guess coming into the season, I enjoyed the energy, but I had no assumption that he would be coaching even a .500 team, let alone a conference contender.

 

Coaches live or die by their systems, I get that. How is his system so difficult that it takes 2-3 years to implement? And why couldn't he call more complicated plays in this "system" other than a draw play for 0 yards? 

[Vanimal46]

 

I guess Croft didn't show up at the banquet. Must be some bad blood. Really could care less about Croft, prefer he never plays another down in a gopher jersey. The message it sends is a little less than inspiring. I'd argue Kill took over a better team in 2011.

 

Your wish is the U's command. Croft will be granted his release from the program. He also says he was unfairly suspended by Fleck earlier this season. He will not be missed. 

[nicksaviking]

 

Coaches live or die by their systems, I get that. How is his system so difficult that it takes 2-3 years to implement? And why couldn't he call more complicated plays in this "system" other than a draw play for 0 yards? 

 

It would be more about having his type of players as opposed to Kill/Claeys' types of players. Either you have to field a team of mostly underclassmen that you recruited, or you have to field a team of recruits that don't necessarily posses the skill set and body types you are looking for.

[Badsmerf]

Your wish is the U's command. Croft will be granted his release from the program. He also says he was unfairly suspended by Fleck earlier this season. He will not be missed.

Good luck? My question is, why play this kid at all? Then, with the writing on the wall, why keep playing him! What a disaster of a year.

[biggentleben]

 

Coaches live or die by their systems, I get that. How is his system so difficult that it takes 2-3 years to implement? And why couldn't he call more complicated plays in this "system" other than a draw play for 0 yards? 

 

I think with Fleck it's more what was in the cupboard already being so far from what he wants to have available that it's going to take that long. A similar case would be having an Alex Gibb running game system and going to a Wisconsin style system. You're going to require a whole different type of running back and lineman for each system and they really don't work in both systems outside of the rare freaks.

[Hollywood42]

I'm willing to give Fleck a few years and see what he can do. Yeah, the taglines and whatnot are cheesy, but listening to him in interviews, specifically postgame interviews, I like what he has to say. He hasn't had hardly any time to put his touch on the team yet (in terms of recruiting and getting the players he wants). So let's give him the benefit of the doubt and see what he can do

 

The Gophers have never been a good football team in modern times. You could bit Bill Belichick or whoever you want as coach and it'll take them more than 2 years to turn this program around. Calling for this guy to be fired before he even gets a chance to do anything with the team is only going to perpetuate the cycle- New guy comes in, isn't given enough time to do his thing, doesn't get results, fired, and so on. Maybe Fleck won't be the guy that finally turns this team around, but you have to at least give him the chance to do it

[Badsmerf]

Some nice recruits committing. Looks like the o line could be completely new next year. Juco qb that has some skill. This class is solid. At least fleck is getting talent already.

[drjim]

All indications are that the Gophs secured a solid recruiting class.

 

I can't stand listening to Fleck, I thought the university did Claeys and co wrong, and I thought the coaching/performance this year was garbage - but there is a fair chance he solidifies the progran in a couple years. I wonder about the upside. Is it Mason/Kill or can he actually go higher. Will always be tough with the limited (and likely shrinking) talent base in the state.

[Badsmerf]

I think he can go higher. Wisconsin is obviously the best comparison. That level of competitiveness is the goal. I'd like to be better, but I think the stadium and fan support will hold them back. Once they are competitive, sell out tcf consistently, maybe they can add 20k seats.

 

Head coach football iq is inconsequential imo. Head coach needs to evaluate talent, evaluate coaches, and be somebody kids want to play for. I think kids want to play for fleck, I'm not convinced of the other facets. Both coordinators should be fired.

[Vanimal46]

Fleck held up his end of the bargain by recruiting the highest ranked incoming class since Brewster in 2008. 28th ranked class, 6th in the Big 10, 1st in the west division. This program desperately needs talent all around, so good for Fleck.

 

As we learned with Brewster, recruiting is half the battle. Hopefully Fleck coaches up the talent; something Brewster had no idea how to do.

 

https://www.twincities.com/2017/12/19/gophers-2018-recruiting-class-ranked-us-highest-since-2008/

Edited December 20, 2017 by Vanimal46

[Vanimal46]

For those that listened to Fleck on the radio today...

 

"(Insert recruit name here) is a connector."

 

"You're going to fall in love with his smile."

[Vanimal46]

What was your favorite Vic Viramontes moment? Mine was learning he was a JUCO QB transfer who packed up and left the program.

[Badsmerf]

My favorite moment was before I watched any film of him...

[USAFChief]

 

What was your favorite Vic Viramontes moment? Mine was learning he was a JUCO QB transfer who packed up and left the program.

Probably when he declared he's now a linebacker.

[Vanimal46]

Probably when he declared he's now a linebacker.

Probably a smart call if he can't beat out 3 redshirt freshman on a bottom feeding D1 team.