October 23, 2006
When bad coaching attacks!
After watching a few games this weekend, I was surprised at how many really, really poor decisions were being made - many by "coaching geniuses". Let's take a look:
- Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weiss called a QB sneak in a drive against UCLA to gain a first down. Later in that same drive, Weiss called another sneak on fourth-and-1+. Well, UCLA wasn't surprised and stopped it. Another sneak? Really? Seriously? Ugh.
- On the other side of the ball, UCLA --holding the lead & trying to finish off the Irish late-- went away from pressuring QB Brady Quinn to play more DBs in coverage. While it wasn't the dreaded prevent defense, Head Coach Karl Dorrell was obviously playing "to not lose". On the other side, the Irish were playing fearlessly. Dorrell's choice snatched a defeat from the jaws of victory. Amazing.
- Florida State Head Coach Bobby Bowden (well, Bobby doesn't coach anymore, so FSU OC Jeff Bowden) opted to attack the Boston College defense from deep in his own territory in the waning seconds of the first half. This was the complete opposite of the 'Noles strategy a few games prior, when FSU took a knee closer to midfield against Clemson. With his QB throwing to the far sideline, Bowden gave BC an easy INT, a quick seven points, and a dominating end to the half that basically ruined FSU for the rest of the game.
- Leading by seven, Boston College Head Coach Tom O'Brien elected to take a safety on fourth down with under a minute to play, rather than punt to FSU and surrender the ball at (approx) midfield. While the game ended up in his favor, BC lead by only five and gave the 'Noles the ball with enough time to run three to four plays. The "plan" nearly backfired, with FSU throwing into the end zone to try to win the game - rather than a potential tie.
- With the lead and a chance to knock off the defending champs, Nebraska Head Coach Bill Callahan made a critical personnel decision that cost his team the game: Callahan elected to leave the very fumble-prone Terrence Nunn in the game against the Longhorns. Nunn has already earned a place in Husker fumble infamy by giving the ball away to Missouri last year, plus costly fumbles against Southern Cal and K-State this year. With the game on the line, it was a mistake to leave Nunn in the game. And -- as fate would have it -- Nunn caught a pass in open field and and was quickly stripped by the Texas defense. Texas got the ball, drove to within field goal range, and sealed the win with a FG.
Some of these are little, nit-picky things. Others cost their teams the game, which is amazing when you think about these coaches being at the highest level of college football.
What bad coaching decisions did you see this weekend? And how do coaches at big-time BCS schools make errors like these?
Comments:
M GO BLUE said:
posted on October 23, 2006 3:00 PM — 216.46.212.4 — link — abuse?
HOW DO YOU GIVE UP A 38-3 LEAD WITH LESS THAN TWO QUARTERS LEFT??????????? I don't know,but if you would like to know,just ask the northwestern coaching staff =)
I do have to say,coach tressel of the Buckeyes is the best coach in college football. He knows how to finish teams off,while Michigan plays defend the lead every time they lead by one point or less.... ...EEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRR JUST PUT MORE POINTS ON THE BOARD!!!!!!!!!!!! They could'nt put up 47 points on Notre Dame again! Unless ofcourse the Michigan DEFENSE scores half!
posted on October 23, 2006 3:25 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
Jon - You're mistaken. Nunn fumbled in the USC game - check the drive charts. Sorry, champ.
Yes, players play & players have to make plays. (Yawn) Isn't it the coach's job to put the right players in the right place?!
Because of the way he secures the ball and positions the ball when running, Nunn is suspect to getting popped and fumbling. I don't know that much about Husker football, but I know that all you NU fans know about Nunn's fumble-itis.
Putting the ball in his hands was a poor decision.
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on October 23, 2006 4:47 PM — 206.135.38.217 — link — abuse?
I think alot of it has to do with "Big Game" experience. I don't know if coaches trust their own players sometimes. Or, they sometimes seem to rely too much on the defense. We've seen it a million times. Team gets a good lead, they change the offense to something too conservative, and rely on the defense to try and win the game. You just can't do that when the other team has great players on offense. I don't know how many times I've seen great offensive players pull games out in the whaning moment. UCLA giving the ball back to Notre Dame is a prime example. UCLA's defense had played pretty well all game long. But, Notre Dame still had rolled up 380+ yards of total offense for the game. They were not stopping them cold. It was just a matter of time before Notre Dame got the big play and put it in the end zone. You have to know that you are probably not gonna hold Notre Dame to 13 points? Shouldn't you know that? Especially, if you want to give them one more shot at it? Amazingly, Notre Dame was moving the ball with all that pressure on Quinn. So, what do you think is gonna happen when you quit applying the pressure? Lesson learned I hope. When you get a team on the ropes - don't change from what was being successful.
Tommie T
posted on October 23, 2006 5:08 PM — link — abuse?
gatorhippy - Well, FSU nearly blocked a kick (got a roughing flag for their trouble), so there may be something to that. I think TOB figured that he could impact the clock & cut down the number of plays FSU could run. Still, I don't think the risk was worth the reward. Giving a talented team like FSU the ball & the opportunity to beat you... I don't like that call.
Tommie Trojan - Same goes for Northwestern. They laid back a little & MSU grabbed the mojo.S.C.U.M. said:
posted on October 23, 2006 5:18 PM — 209.168.248.130 — link — abuse?
I agree with Kevin D - The Eagles safety was pretty strange. If you screw up the punt, the worst it could be is overtime. If you take the safety and they successfully pass it into the endzone (as they nearly did), you lose. Also, to put it in coaching terms, your punt is blocked, they blame your special teams. You voluntarily take a safety then lose, everyone's pointing the finger at you.
gatorhippy said:
posted on October 23, 2006 5:36 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse?
Of course Bobby Bowden wasn't sure the Noles were even trying to block the punt on the RTK call?
Just kidding...
Couldn't resist the the jab at FSU...
S.C.U.M. - so maybe he was tryin to put the team in a situation where TOB takes the blame instead of his team?
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on October 23, 2006 6:25 PM — 206.135.38.217 — link — abuse?
Kevin,
That was a game I quit watching. I think it was 24-3 Northwestern when I went to something else. I saw the ticker go up to 38-3. It was a real yawner by then and they quit even reporting on it. We knew there were problems at Michigan State - so, I guess everybody figured that one was over. It was too long later that it became the greatest comeback ever - and it had to happen like real fast. I think they got more than a "little mojo" goin' there. But, again, you got one of the greatest QB's in the NCAA over there at Michigan State. What did Northwestern do? Did they do the "three straight runs up the middle" thing in order to kill clock? Did they run that five series in a row? I don't know how you can even begin to blow a 38-3 lead. That coaching staff had to really put their heads together to figure that one out.
Tommie T
So Cal USMC said:
posted on October 23, 2006 9:41 PM — 204.62.68.23 — link — abuse?
UCLA-vs-Notre Dame was a good game to watch. But it was the Time-outs/Clock management late in the game that was the main problem with UCLA's sideline (Dorrell).
On the other side, thats what Notre Dame/Brady Quin Does! Quarterback Sneak. And it 'seems' to work pleanty of times for them to have tried it That Time - not a big issue there.
That was a pretty good game, I gotta admit. But it was a bit strange watching Those Two, from a USC fan's perspective... who do you root for?
HuskerFaithful said:
posted on October 23, 2006 9:53 PM — 69.81.171.218 — link — abuse?
Terrence Nunn and his fumble-itis? His fumble against USC was recovered by Nebraska. Passing the ball was still the right call. Callahan was playing to win the game, as opposed to what he always gets criticized for...playing not to lose. Aaron Ross is an All-American for a reason. He nailed Nunn at the right moment, before he had a chance to secure the ball. Is that a bad play call because a guy fumbles? I'm going to bet that our running backs have more fumbles on the season than does Nunn. Who's to say they couldn't have been stripped? If you want to second guess a call, and I haven't seen many do this one, look at Mack Brown's decision to throw a jump ball to the corner of the endzone with 30 seconds left and the Longhorns already in field goal position. The Huskers just about intercepted the ball. The difference in the Monday morning quarterbacking is that Nebraska failed to make a play in this case and Texas made a play against Nunn.
Notre Dame Irish said:
posted on October 23, 2006 11:38 PM — 66.146.198.117 — link — abuse?
CHARLIE WEIS,
is arrogant. I don't think that anyone woould argue that, whether they are media, coaches, players, etc. It shows in his coaching and his playcalling at times. His good decisions outweigh his bad, and I would say by far, at least record wise and stats wise. But gets cocky about playcalling and at times it gets predictable. His lack on a rush game, that can be attribited to playing from behind at times as he has said, but nonetheless, he abandons it at times in favor of a pass happy offense that has allowed teams to tee off on Quinn whose line is not as advertised. Starting a fresh right tackle, that can't be good.
Love the Irish, was just more realistic than the "experts". All new LBs and a returning bad secondary was gonna be tough to overcome.
But, the pieces may still fall together for an excellent season. Keep the green uni's away for it though.
michael said:
posted on October 24, 2006 5:17 AM — 72.26.145.72 — link — abuse?
Good assessments on the coaching blunders. I would add a set of three more: Texas' offense decisions inside Nebraska's 20 that yielded a made field goal and two missed field goals.
Not a good game plan for the fifth best team in the country.
Fred said:
posted on October 24, 2006 1:52 PM — 165.176.19.2 — link — abuse?
ND Irish, I agree with everything you have said about the Irish. I love the team, am an alum, but Charlie is the right coach for us. I think it will show when his recruits have an impact. The Defense is weak again and I agree that our linebackers are less than advertised. I believe that the DB s are an upgrade from last year, but still give up too many long plays. The O line was supposed to be one of the best in the country, but have had problems picking up the blitzs that everyone is throwing against us. It started in the OSU game, and eveyone else has followed suite. Aldridge should get more work at running back soon and hopefully will have an impact later in the year. Charlie may be arrogant but he is what we needed.
IrishJT said:
posted on October 24, 2006 2:04 PM — 65.83.54.4 — link — abuse?
If you're a Blue Chip athlete wanting to play on Sundays, why WOULDN'T you play for Charlie Weis? He knows a thing or two or FOUR about getting to the Super Bowl and winning the BIG GAME.
I love it when folks say ND can't win the big game. OOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!
M GO BLUE said:
posted on October 24, 2006 2:15 PM — 216.46.213.249 — link — abuse?
ND can't win the "big game".
There,I said it,now are you happy?
I am not sure the Notre Dame team is all that great,but I do think Charlie is a big part of their success.
As far as last year's USC game,I will say this,I think Notre Dame beat USC on the field,but not on the scoreboard. But the latter is what counts. I think if Notre Dame turn's their game on,Notre Dame will beat USC,unless of course USC turns their game on..........DUHHHHHHH I am really looking forward to the Ohio State-Michigan game! Michigan is the underdog! And Notre Dame-USC! Two great games!
GO BLUE!
GO IRISH!Raider Power said:
posted on October 24, 2006 3:03 PM — 199.43.32.26 — link — abuse?
How about Callahan's clock management in the final minute? With Texas clearly in field goal range with about a minute & a half left & three timeouts, Nebraska let the clock run. But here's the kicker, UT gets a third down & Nebraska calls a timeout w/ ~ 30 seconds??? This gives UT time to call a play (which was brutal, a fade route that could have been picked-off). This is not to say that if he conserved time by calling the timeouts earlier the Cornhuskers would have won, but having a minute on the clock versus 20 seconds could have changed the outcome of the game if Nebraska could have gotten into field goal range.
LB said:
posted on October 24, 2006 7:44 PM — 65.96.69.89 — link — abuse?
I think O'Brien's call to take the safety was a good call even though it reduced the lead to 5. They gained about 30 yards in field position and took away the risk of punt return for a TD. BC would have been at a disadvantage in OT with a kicker who had only kicked in one game before.
Jeremy said:
posted on October 24, 2006 8:01 PM — 71.34.198.231 — link — abuse?
Bad call, pfft. If Nunn doesn't fumble, it's the best call ever; completely caught them off gaurd as he was wide open, and had the first down. Saying this was a bad call is just like saying that Tom Osborne shouldn't have gone for 2 in the '84 Orange, because it lost us the game. You know, Lucky fumbled at a critical juncture vs. USC, too; so by your logic, we definitely shouldn't give him the ball...pfft. If you actually watched the game, you would've seen Nunn was catching balls everywhere the whole game, and that one was caught, too. Crap happens, and we move on.
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on October 25, 2006 10:32 AM — 206.135.38.217 — link — abuse?
I think that bad scheduling counts as some form of bad coaching. Notre Dame will play Navy, North Carolina, Air Force and Army leading into their game against USC on November 25th. Meanwhile, USC will be playing against Oregon and California in the two weeks leading into that game. Who do you think is gonna be more prepared for that type of game? It will have been many weeks since Notre Dame had played Michigan (the only team they face that could be compared to a USC type caliber of a team). Notre Dame will be unprepared for what happens in this game. Meanwhile, USC will have already played several teams that of Notre Dame's caliber (Arkansas, Nebraska, Washington, Washington State, Arizona State, Oregon, California and even Oregon State). All of these teams are better than any of the teams that Notre Dame is gonna play before they have to meet USC in the Memorial Coliseum. This is why Notre Dame will get spanked.
Tommie T
Sack said:
posted on October 28, 2006 7:37 AM — 214.13.147.10 — link — abuse?
Some of you Husker fans don't read so good. Kevin didn't say the play call was bad, he said the personnel decision to have Nunn catch the ball was bad. And guess what, he was right. Why not have Peterson or Swift in that spot? You don't need breakaway speed to get clear for 3 yards on a quick hitter. If you don't think Nunn has bad hands you are kidding youself. Yes he made some great plays, but he also puts his share of balls on the ground. Also, if you watched the replay of the first hail mary the ball went right through his hands and hit him in the shoulder pads. So he had 2 chances to win the game for us in the final 2 minutes and blew them both. Good thing he is banging a Playmate or I would be worried about him.
Fred said:
posted on October 30, 2006 9:40 AM — 165.176.19.2 — link — abuse?
Tommie T you can talk all that crap about the upcoming teams that we play, I must admit the schedule makers at ND did drop the ball with this years schedule instead of staring against six good teams we should of put the cupcakes in the schedule earlier like SC, by the way what happened against UNRANKED Oregon State, see you in November we settle it on the field.
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on October 30, 2006 1:48 PM — 206.135.38.217 — link — abuse?
Fred:
I know about scheduling. I know that it wasn't intended to be that way this year. I think that is what has Weis upset. I'm sure that he would have liked a little tougher schedule down the stretch.
That said, "I'm glad that USC did not win that game. If they had pulled it off - the lackadaisical attitude may have continued. I'm glad they played with the intensity that they needed to win - but still lost. That is the best thing that could have happened to this group. All those records were not the responsibility of this team. They have been playing as if they were afraid to lose. When they got down 33-10 - then, I believe that this team finally grew up. A win may have further kept the pressure on from teams that were from before. Now, they can be themselves and go out and just have fun. If we can finish 12-1, with a Rose Bowl win, that will be a great season for this team. I don't think this team could have played Ohio State this year anyway. They'll be better off with the loss.
Tommie T
Jon Sevenker said:
posted on October 23, 2006 2:45 PM — 206.222.213.66 — link — abuse?As to Kevin's comments on the Nebraska game and Coach Callahan's play call on 3rd &3, it was the right call. An All-American DB from Texas made an All-American hit, getting his helmet on the ball (not a strip), and forcing Terrence Nunn to cough it up. In defense of Nunn, he didn't fumble at USC this year...that was Marlon Lucky. At some point, the players need to make plays. You can fault the coaches only so much. The play call worked. It got a first down, just as it was designed to do. If Bill Callahan would have fumbled the ball, then blame him. As a coach, you can only put your players in position to succeed. You can't prevent them from making errors. Hindsight is 20-20 and the world already has too many Monday morning quarterbacks.