Is Gustard finally cratering at one of the few things he did well?
I mean really, let's look at the qualities that make a great head coach beyond the obvious W/L record:
1) Players improve - both athletically and as men (D- on players, our guys are good guys)
2) Hires a quality staff (F-)
3) Develops a consistent/cohesive game plan and utilizes players at their strength (F---)
4) Recruits well (Up to now a Bish grade, maybe closer to an A given the cheating he's up against)
5) Energizes and motivates the fanbase (C-)
6) Communicates well with media and alumni (D+)
7) Wins/Losses - it's less important the number but more the value. Does he win the majority of the games he "should" win, does he occasionally win games he shouldn't (due to a superior game plan, preparation, etc.), does he limit WTF losses to inferior teams, does the team look unified and capable even in defeat? (F. Freaking F)
Gus Malzahn DOES NOT KNOW how to be a head coach. *Commence beating horse that is pulverized already * He doesn't have the background. He doesn't have the connections. He didn't learn under anyone who he can look to as an example. He's the great fry cook at McDonalds who got promoted to manager and then to district manager without any training. It's not his fault. He doesn't know how to hire. He doesn't know how to manage his time. He doesn't know how to problem solve. High school coach, a disastrous year working with Houston Nutt, a short stint at Tulsa, Cam Newton magic at Auburn, a year at Arkansas State and then one of the biggest jobs in the most powerful conference in the country.
Given the dearth of experience and the complete lack of a real support system (who's he going to call for help? Nutt hates him. Chizik? Todd freaking Graham who was run out of the game and sat idle for two years before he took a lifeline job at Hawaii last January?) and given the insane amount of wealth that was dumped in his lap, the reality is that Gus has probably done about as well as he possibly could. He didn't go Terry Bowden and drink/drug/whore himself into oblivion when he fell into a literal gold mine. The other reality is, though, is that without that support system, without that experience and with a moronic AU administration backing him THIS is as good as Gus is ever going to be. Nothing is going to change.
And this is why I'm out.
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