cambodia36

Thank you. 

To think that Taggart suddenly "got it" or that his master plan finally took shape is a bit preposterous. My biggest complaint about Taggart was that I did not think his system was working (correct) and that I figured he was too stubborn or too stupid to admit this to himself or the world and change (incorrect) I'm glad he's finally shifted course and (likely) let his assistants have more input on offense. That's smart on his part. I still don't think he's a great coach, but I didn't really think Leavitt was either. If you can recruit well, develop that talent, and designate responsibility among yourself and the asst coaches, that is smart and can be successful. I have seen lots of coaches do this and enjoy considerable success. Only absolute geniuses at head coach can have a heavy hand in every aspect of the program, like a Belichek or (college) Chip Kelly. He didn't wake up after the Memphis game and say "Okay I think NOW I will start to try scoring" his smash mouth, grind it out offense wasn't working, and it will never work at any high level unless you are a school up north where 6'8 330 lb linemen grow on trees in your area. 

And again, this was smart of him to realize, and I applaud him for it. It was also smart in that it saved his job. He could have gone to his grave trying to win "his way" and several other coaches in this world have, instead of being humble/smart enough to recognize their way won't work. If you coach at USF, you are likely going to have better, faster athletes than your opponent in conference most days, and to play a more "old school" style of play just negates this advantage. 

For this, yeah maybe you tack on a year, or 2, to his contract if he finishes the year strong, if the price is still right. My only concern long term would be if his assistants get poached by bigger schools, and we're back to Willie deciding he's the best guy for the job calling O, and just makes some bargain basement hire to replace those assistants with cheap "yes men". That's on the AD too to retain those guys, and try to keep them here instead of letting them walk. Part of me believes that's why Leavitt's program plateaued, other schools would constantly come in and pick up these underpaid assistants, and they never were able to replace them adequately with the limited budget on assistants. 

I never really give 2 ishts about those factoids like "Team X has never won a night game in California on artificial turf" or anything like that, but yeah, at the same time, there's never really been a team here that was "complete" enough to every really take care of business without some 'letdown' games here and there. Leavitt was great at getting his teams fired up for WV, or FSU, but not so much keeping them up for a sneaky loss to UConn or Rutgers. Perhaps this team has already gotten their letdown games out of the way. 

More often to me, it was a reflection of the team's coach, not of the players themselves going "Well USF is 0-3 overall against Ga Southern" or some BS. Leavitt's teams would play up and down, Holtz team's just played down. Tags teams before the 2nd half of this season would generally come out fired up, then mentally check out around the first sight of adversity. Now,,, well I really don't know- they've been playing great but it's a small sample size. I do however think that even if they don't bring their A game Thursday they can still get the job done without it turning into a nail biter. 

Yeah, I kind of feel like in the history of USF football, the moment I expect something great from them is the moment they let me down. 

That said, I was half expecting that Friday, and oh boy was that not the case. 

I can't really argue with MikeD's list. I mean maybe I'd flip a team or 2 in the middle but that's fairly dead on. 

100% man.. I really, really would rather have been wrong about Tags than had to go thru another bad season, new coach, etc. He turned it around. The whole team did. They are finally playing aggressive, loose, and it's fun to watch. I'm still peeved at the way USF handled their 'grandfathered' season ticket base, but that has nothing to do w the team. For once I just can't get enough of watching them play. I was as giddy as a kid at Disney last night. 

I still don't know if he's the best game manager on earth, but if he's continuing to learn, maybe that can come with the territory as well. 

I'm just concerned with winning out and getting a bowl win. Not saying "bring on Clemson!" just yet.

(though USF did beat them last time...haha)

Reading some posts tonight from Houston fans on another board, they are pulling hard for Temple tomorrow. They want NO part of USF right now

I think Willie would leave for the right job, but,,, while yes, I have changed my opinion on WT this season, those jobs probably still won't consider him yet. (The UGA/Texas type jobs that may come open) 

I don't think he'd bail for an NC State, Kentucky, Minnesota type job, unless the money was just obscenely more than what USF would pay him. 

True.. They aren't a hated rival, plus I'd root for UCF if I had to to get into a CCG

Yeah Cmon Paxton- you've already exacted your revenge once on USF for spurning you.. no need for more

Terrence Mitchell tossed my wife his after a game.. Wasnt really any kids in the section, and she kinda looks 17.. (Jared comments go here)

That was always a fun tradition the guys high fiving the crowd after a win.. I felt BJ Daniels finger jam after fiving me though and felt kinda guilty on the ride home, it was his throwing hand.

That.. If they wanted to keep throwing deep, I don't think USF should take their foot off the gas. Plus it was fun for those kids. Sure Cincy didn't like it, but whatever. 

OK maybe ONE more drive.. they need some first downs before this gets a bit tense

Edit: nvm

Get them out! Mack got his 100

No need there and got QF drilled... 

Yeah their players can come out with pro Isis statements on their helmets and it wouldn't bother me if I were at the game.. 51 at half says all that needs to be said

I'd have the 1st team come out with their pads off in the 2nd half. Rest up/ no injuries for the semi-short week ahead. The first team has done more than enough

Let Bench and the guys get some reps, as you never know when they'll be needed, might as well get them some work to keep them sharp

This is great stuff from CBS- 'we're bored, lets show you this guy wearing a GoPro!'

I was fearing a wet night ala USF-UConn last year. Plus I would have had to go find some scalped tix and wasn't sure I wanted to walk around looking for and dealing with those guys. 

I regret everything. 

And... I don't know how it just seemed to click mid season.. you really don't see that happen often. 

I don;t know what Willie is doing, whether he's finally figured things out, or if these new coordinators are making a huge difference, or what.. But no, I do NOT want Taggart fired, absent UCF beating them 89-0. 

This is 1 of the most fun teams I've seen here since maybe 08-09

Although now, and I never thought I'd say this either, they are going to miss this veteran OL next season. The Nordic guys finally seem to be playing well

Yeah crowd looks about the same as usual.

I regret not going tonight. 

Send me directions. 

They've made an amazing turnaround. I don't get on to comment because I'm busy enjoying the game for once. 

Wish I'd gone tonight, thought the weather might be too wet.

They should now and forever use Bulls on Parade..that song/video intro could even get me fired up for Holtz games, until 3 plays in when Justin Brickhouse Kahn would come airball a 25 yard punt after a 3 and out. 

But yeah, you do need some stuff that the "young whipper snappers" will get up and dance/make noise to, as the rest of the crowd tends to feed off the student section. Make it fun for them, and win, and even if the music isn't quite your bag, you'll still enjoy it.

Says guy who still has"Party llike a rock star" on his Spotify playlist under "pump up songs" (and Bulls on Parade!)

That they didn't try to just sit on the lead after halftime. Yeah they didn't go aerial assault but they did make attempts to score. The reason the defense sat back was mostly that Temple quit running. I, for once,  had zero complaints. Great game, and despite my somewhat continued doubt about WT long term here, they are playing well, and I was not very shocked they won. (A bit surprised at by how much) 

I mean, hey- I don't know if Willie is just staying out of the way, or finally coming to grips that his semi-pro style offense wasn't going to cut it, but they actually are pretty interesting to watch on both sides of the ball now. 

Flowers has come a long way too- he's now like a poor man's Grothe, can make some big plays with his arm and legs, still has a lot of trouble just setting up and throwing, especially intermediate, but at the same time, unless Woulard is just dynamic in practices/ next season, I'd be hard pressed to take that job away from QF at this point. 

Now let's see if they don't suffer a letdown next week, because they should be favored the rest of the way. For once I was not surprised at all that they won this game tonight, and had I been in town, might have actually tried to purchase a couple cheepie tickets and likely just sat wherever, as there were still plenty of seats 

Yet another reason the big east idiots should have signed the da*n deal with ESPN.