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?
Zeise: Yes Rhoads is on the hot seat, as is the rest of the coaching staff. That is how these things happen — the first step towards making a wholesale head coach change is to force a guy to change his staff. Wannstedt is clearly nowhere close to the danger zone, but if the defense doesn’t show some signs of marked improvement someone on that staff will have to go and Rhoads would be the obvious choice. There is no way you could justify keeping him around, particularly if you are going to try and make the pitch to your fans that they must have patience with Wannstedt.
…I think it is very telling that Rhoads got handed over the keys to the linebackers this year and thus it is all riding on his shoulders with nobody else to pass the buck to now since that group is a part of the run and pass defense. The linebackers, to a man, say they loved the move because they all think very highly of coach Rhoads. Frankly, he is very well respected and regarded as a good football coach but at some point he must produce results.
There’s a Schiano comparison which is often made. Now I wouldn’t be surprised if Wannstedt did make that move at some point, but I am not totally sold on the Schiano comparison. The defense was improving under the old DC, but not quickly enough by what Schiano expected. I’m not sure Coach Wannstedt would be willing to pull the trigger, even if he felt that way.
Statistically, I expect the numbers to improve on the run defense simply because they were so bad last year. The actual effect is what I will be watching.
I threw up all over my pride at the end of that UCONN game last year. Go through that again? No thank you. I hope things work out for him, I really do because his family deserves to be loved and respected in the community. The players do like him and you want him to succeed. But If EMU and Grambling rack up around 120ish yards rushing each then let grandma know that you need a place to stay. Little advice…don’t make any plans on a new breakfast nook just yet, make sure those LB’s are chewing on their lead tablets before the game. …… 1 Day and 19 Hours to go…………. Breath people.
Plus, for arguments purposes, who would you like to see us get for D?
I don’t, really…
geez Panthoor, no offense but I think you got a little carried away there; if he screws up the defense this year I hope that he and his family are as miserable and disgusted as I’ve become watching him “coordinate” a perennial nightmare — the man’s almost single handedly responsible for nearly the nations least productive defense(S); one of the worst in all D-1A, heinous.
Who said anything about deserve, anyway? Don’t we (you and me) ‘deserve’ to have another winning season without getting wiped clean out of a bowl game; Fiesta Bowl, a sad, sad time to be associated with a once-proud football program.
I’m not apologizing for the DC anymore than Wannstedt will be if the line gives and the backers can’t tackle.
Again, just a rant, Panthoor. Nothing personal — I needed to get that off my chest. All things aside, I just do not respect the man, and I don’t remotely trust him with our D.
I’m with you though, last season was a complete heartache and he’s probably on his way out if this misery continues. The point of these blogs are to vent frustrations and exchange ideas so your words are very welcomed. Yes we all deserve a winning season because we suffer. It’s this dedication in the fans that will eventually seal the fate of coaches and players.
