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April 1, 2007

You know, if you want to recycle the same theme, at least do everyone the courtesy of waiting at least 6 months. Joe Starkey barely makes it 4 months with out the recycling of defending Paul Rhoads. I don’t pretend to be unbiased about this. My ego is such, that I will even assume that posts here and ongoing snark to Rhoads have caught Starkey’s attention — along with plenty on the message boards — to recycle his defense of Rhoads. At least this time he gets Rhoads to go on the record with him. At least Starkey is willing to concede part of reality.

For the record, Pitt’s rushing defense under Rhoads has gone from 17th in the country in 2000 to 26th in 2001 to 24th, 87th, 48th, 94th and 107th.

That kind of a dip will produce a lot of unhappy people. Rhoads knows dealing with harsh criticism is part of the job description for every coach and always has been.

Rhoads, however, is allowed to lie without penalty.

This year’s defense reminds Rhoads of the 2000 unit, which wasn’t overly talented but fought like crazy and finished with a No. 29 overall ranking.

Pardon?

Compared to the roster the last couple years it sure was talented — Bryan Knight, Ramon Walker, Gerald Hayes, Torrie Cox, Shawntee Spencer and Mark Ponko were all starters for that defense. Maybe in time, the players Pitt has on the defense this year will match that. Still, those were all kids that were brought in before Rhoads. What does he have to show on the defensive side besides Darrelle Revis in his tenure?
I mean, this is just a total recycle of his themes from his late November defense of Rhoads (that I fisked).

To repeat:

  • Dip in talent on the defense and not recruiting well on that side, not Rhoads’ fault. Check.
  • Rhoads has to be judged based on the Wannstedt timetable of 2008 and 4 years, not his own entire tenure despite the fact that the defense has dropped each year now going on year 8. Check.
  • If Wannstedt wants him, then all deference to the head coach (at least on this issue). Check.
  • Ignoring the issues of poor fundamentals and the repetition of the same mistakes every year. Check.

Oh, but he adds a new one. Rhoads is enthusiastic and fired-up kind of coach. Yeah, that makes a difference.

Look, I get that Paul Rhoads is a very personable guy. He is enthusiastic, and people like him and want him to succeed. Clearly he’s got some charms on a personal level to keep the job this long with the results he’s generated.

That doesn’t change the fact that there is nothing about his actual job performance says he should stay.

Starkey is already excusing what happens this year by saying he can’t be judged until 2008. That’s great. I will repeat my question. How does the Defensive Coordinator get more time to fail then the head coach? 





I can’t think of anywhere in the Corporate world where this type of drop in production would be tolerated. I can’t think of the last time I saw things go this bad without a change in sports on any level other then T Ball. I don’t understand how the guy looks in the mirror every morning and thinks that he earns and deserves his paycheck. If Rhodes where an honorable man he would just walk away.

Comment by Tony In Harrisburg 04.01.07 @ 11:41 pm

Fire Rhoads!

Comment by Patrick 04.02.07 @ 10:36 am

how about FireRhoads.com works for me….so did anyone notice that ticket prices went up again…?

Comment by Marco 04.02.07 @ 11:16 am

Tony is right, and even more emphasis given the salary he makes

Comment by Jon C 04.02.07 @ 9:26 pm

[…] One of the infuriating things about the whole Paul Rhoads thing, has been the complete lack of blame he has gotten from the media. From Starkey saying Rhoads should get as much time as Wannstedt, to excuses for the talent, and no blame for the lack of same talent from a supposed good recruiter. There has been a tacit acceptance that Rhoads is under some pressure with making him responsible for the linebackers rather than the secondary in addition to the Defensive Coordinator duties, but it is almost thought of as unfair. Finally, though, a Pittsburgh media member acknowledges that Rhoads is not just on the hot seat, but he should be on the hot seat. Q: Since it has been made clear that Dave Wannstedt is not on the hot seat, is Paul Rhoads at least on the hot seat? I mean, if the defense were to fail again, would the university at least force some sort of a shake up? […]


[…] Trib columnist Joe Starkey — who spent such effort into defending ex-DC Paul Rhoads by saying wait until 2008 to judge him, Wannstedt and PItt — is now seeking to limit expectations for the goal year. Eight is […]


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