November 20, 2007
Penn State fans: Angry, disappointed, lost
Mike at Black Shoe Diaries bears his sole in the wake of another less than memorable Penn State season.
I think all of us have felt this way about the direction of our team at times, but Mike's entire post is a must read for Penn State fans, in particular.
Another Year Wasted ... Seasons come and go, but some things never change. Penn State is once again 8-4.We started this season with such high hopes. Our senior quarterback and running back were going to be unstoppable. Our secondary was going to blanket the field like snow in Antarctica. But our senior quarterback played like a freshman. Our senior running back got kicked off the team. The only thing our secondary covered was our eyes as we couldn't bare to watch them get torched.
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I guess we should have known this was going to be a disappointing year back in April. The apartment fight was an early warning that this team lacked leadership and discipline. The problems carried on and the troubles with the law continued. Andrew Quarless and Willie Harriot were caught underage drinking at 3 AM in the middle of preseason practice. Joe Suhey and Ryan Breen were also caught drinking underage during the season. The players were involved in a second fight on campus at the HUB. Many of the same players were involved in the April incident as well. And of course Austin Scott's trouble are well documented.
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After the Ohio State game he threw his coaches under the bus publicly questioning the play calling saying "It's all on (Paterno), not us." When your team captain points fingers after some losses and refuses to talk about his own mistakes, you have a leadership problem.
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So yeah, I'm angry. I'm disappointed. I have to live through the next three quarters of a year with this empty feeling in my chest. But mostly I'm bothered because I don't know if we can fix it. I honestly believe we have the talent to compete with anyone in the country. But I'm not sure we have the coaching staff to do it. The problems with this team suggest to me that Paterno doesn't know how to relate to 18 year old kids anymore. And that is something that isn't easily fixed.
I think there are a lot of really honest, really fair issues being addressed in Mike's post.
- How does Penn State address the discipline problems going forward?
- Does Paterno's silent, internal discipline create a culture that signals to players that they are above the consequences of the 'civilians'?
- Does the PSU coaching staff have the answers to the problems facing the Nittany Lions? If so, why didn't they fix them this year? If not, then what?
- What - if anything - did PSU do this year that makes you feel good about next year?
- Has the entitlement culture mentality of the current 18-year old player passed Joe Paterno by? Can he relate to this team? Is Paterno just sticking around for a shot at the record?
Comments:
Zac said:
posted on November 20, 2007 3:14 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
Ho, Hum, another 8-4 record, gee wiz, what’ll we do now? BALDERDASH!!! That’s the one thing I hate about a fan base that isn’t used to appreciating a team having lost a bunch. They expect an NC from the HC every year. If they don’t get it, off with his head.
Now, I can understand it, if a coach is earning $4,000,000.00/yr, has a dream-team coaching staff, has inherited a passel of 3, 4, & 5 star recruits, not to mention picks up everyone’s Top Recruiting class, only to go 8-4. Maybe, that’s under-achieving a bit. But, lets face it; that hasn’t happened in recent years at PA St. Despite that, Joe Pa still churns out business-like 8-4 teams + annual bowl wins.
I don’t know about the discipline thing. While it’s no excuse, the Head Coach can’t watch em all, and every team in the country has their problem children, some more than others. So, I don’t see PA St in the Top-10 in that category.
As for maybe he’s sticking around for the record, the man has done everything a head coach can do. Why not stick around for one more record???
I don’t know. Call me old fashion or sentimental. Joe Pa, finger and all, has paid his dues. AND, he’s not winding down to retirement by slacking off on the job; he works hard; he IS a winner. I would like to see him go out that way and on his own terms. Just a thought.
gOSU27 said:
posted on November 20, 2007 3:32 PM — 207.74.25.36 — link — abuse?
i agree with that #2, he should go his own way after countless years of hard work and loyalty. he only has one more year on his contract also, so i would say give him this last one, if not more.
he has done a great job and 8-4 isnt that bad. i know penn state expects a lot but are 8-4 seasons really that bad that you need a new coach? i think michigan is taking a gamble as well. lloyd carr was decent, he just couldnt beat ohio state. if they were to get les miles though, i would say they are in a good position.
i sure am glad that tress isnt going anywhere anytime soon, hes a great coach and leader
goodolnuma5 said:
posted on November 20, 2007 5:39 PM — 24.208.153.234 — link — abuse?
Well, well, well,.....
Coaches always profess loyalty. (Yeah, yeah, I know, he was already fired after App St) but when you get right down to it, very few will fall on their sword to protect the program the way Lloyd did.
Pure class.
Joepa exhibits what every 80 yr old guy does, my selfish way is right, even when its woefully wrong.
posted on November 20, 2007 5:48 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta
said:
Of course JoPa is sticking around for the record, and it looks like he'll have to stick around for at least another year with Bowdon not giving up any ground.
A quick glance at some actuarial tables shows that JoPa will kick the bucket before Bobby, the only question will be if the fans will wait that long.
I used to have respect for JoPa, but now I think he's behaving selfishly. It's time to go, Joe. Just let it go...
gOSU27 said:
posted on November 20, 2007 8:12 PM — 207.74.25.36 — link — abuse?
he seems to be doing fine for an 80 year old but its time for him to go
i would say one season more, two tops
i mean, no one has been consistantly winning throughout their career as JoePa. who would be on the list to come to penn state??
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jonsey said:
posted on November 20, 2007 2:50 PM — 167.197.127.130 — link — abuse?YES!!!
he is around only because of that record.
At least Bowden has assistant coaches.
Does Paterno still do the play calling???
Maybe he should have a drill sgt. for an assistant coach to restore order. He has lost respect. if the Team Cap. is calling his own coach out, yea- something is DEF wrong. maybe PSU will be added to the list of Schools looking for a new coach. This year is the Upset/ Everybody gets a new coach year.