really. At least team had a unique style and personality...one that worked. Under NB the Mountaineers are a team without a personality...like the coach.
I know Ed Pastilong personally, and have spoken to him about Rich Rod. He doesnt blame Rich at all. There was a lot going on, and you have Joe Manchin getting involved and forcing the Marshall series that Rich never wanted. Pastilong was too old school to invest the kind of money in facility upgrades Rich wanted to make WVU more competitive recruiting players. It was a lot more than "just" Rich Rod leaving for more money at a bigger school. Behind the scenes, it wasnt moving in the direction Rich wanted at all, and yes the good old boy network is a lot to blame for that.Blame Pastilong and other WVU old-heads/Nehlen fanatics for running Goat Rod out of town.
Fat Joe Manchin ruins everything he touches.I know Ed Pastilong personally, and have spoken to him about Rich Rod. He doesnt blame Rich at all. There was a lot going on, and you have Joe Manchin getting involved and forcing the Marshall series that Rich never wanted. Pastilong was too old school to invest the kind of money in facility upgrades Rich wanted to make WVU more competitive recruiting players. It was a lot more than "just" Rich Rod leaving for more money at a bigger school. Behind the scenes, it wasnt moving in the direction Rich wanted at all, and yes the good old boy network is a lot to blame for that.
So yeah losing that game against Pitt made it a lot easier to hate Rich Rod, but little do most people know the ******** that was happening behind the scenes. He was checked out by then. Joe Manchin even has a hand in the Pitt game, because he stuck his nose way too far into WVU football biz and Richy didnt like it at all.
Bring back Rich Rod? Hmm, I dont know about that, but if he will ever revive his career, I think it almost has to be here or it will never happen. Just karma imo. Even with his track record after us, its not like Michigan has done jack **** since he left there either. Arizona is a no mans land. He didnt fit at either place at all. Some systems fit and some dont. His spread option was perfect for WVU at the time and we caught lightening in a bottle with White and Slaton.
Considering he hasn't posted in this thread....you aren't looking much more than a high school drop out.WVU Allen is really dumb
At least they're "woke."Rod's time has come and gone. You never see a coach lose his momentum and then just suddenly "get it back."
The all time greats constantly learn and adjust. Rod likely was not capable of that. He was hoping to make Terrell Pryor his new Pat White and keep the momentum going. It would have worked for a while. He did do two things that no one after him has done at WVU since he left...he coached up players and his teams played angry.
Lord, how I miss watching an angry WVU team take the field.
Neal is a good coach, but he will never field a team that will play with that kind of edge. It's 1000% true that a team takes on the personality of its coach. Neal doesn't have that in him and likely never will.
Agree with the lack of identity. Neal Brown's team is a emotionless white bread, turkey-loaf production that really doesn't stand out in any way. slogan like "trust the climb" isn't exactly going to make anyone set their hair on fire. Reminds me of what someone wrote about the Bill Stewart hire, about hiring a house painter instead of an architect, but at least we all knew Stew had his heart and soul in the task. Neal Brown? Just not sure....no emotion at all.One thing Rootmaster mentioned is spot on. This team has no identity. What are we: a running team, a passing-happy team, a defense-first team, a speed team? Apparently it's none of the above. Three years into HCNB and you can't tell what we're trying to be.
I can answer that question it is NO team at all.One thing Rootmaster mentioned is spot on. This team has no identity. What are we: a running team, a passing-happy team, a defense-first team, a speed team? Apparently it's none of the above. Three years into HCNB and you can't tell what we're trying to be.
The videos from summer workouts were disappointing to watch, Brown laughing and joking with his players, directing them with questions, Can you run this? Can you do that? Joke...laughing...joke...big smiles, good bus. SICKENING. I assume they all did each others hair after the shower and painted their toe nails together, before settling in to watch Netflix in a group cuddle.Players also feared and respected their position coaches. Trickett turned out and raised some monsters up front. McGee had the RBs under control, Herb Hand had the TEs developed, Kirelawich had the dL, Butch Jones had the WRs who could actually catch the ball and block when needed, etc. These coaches were not budd-buddy/best friends with the players like WVU coaches nowadays are.
The videos from summer workouts were disappointing to watch, Brown laughing and joking with his players, directing them with questions, Can you run this? Can you do that? Joke...laughing...joke...big smiles, good bus. SICKENING. I assume they all did each others hair after the shower and painted their toe nails together, before settling in to watch Netflix in a group cuddle.
Brown is trying to play Tressel ball without Ohio States talent level overall.
Keep the score down and eke out wins with vanilla offense.
problem is he cant keep the score down against anyone with a pulse and cant score pts to win against P5 level opposition.
Dang.Players also feared and respected their position coaches. Trickett turned out and raised some monsters up front. McGee had the RBs under control, Herb Hand had the TEs developed, Kirelawich had the dL, Butch Jones had the WRs who could actually catch the ball and block when needed, etc. These coaches were not budd-buddy/best friends with the players like WVU coaches nowadays are.
Agree with the lack of identity. Neal Brown's team is a emotionless white bread, turkey-loaf production that really doesn't stand out in any way. slogan like "trust the climb" isn't exactly going to make anyone set their hair on fire. Reminds me of what someone wrote about the Bill Stewart hire, about hiring a house painter instead of an architect, but at least we all knew Stew had his heart and soul in the task. Neal Brown? Just not sure....no emotion at all.
That combo of Trickett and Barwis may never be touched again. Trickett was old school and had OL that would knock the hell out of you no matter what size they were. They were pit bulls. Barwis had everyone in shape, even the OL and DL where we would out last everyone and it allowed us to speed up everything. Never took a play off.Dang.
Again some great insight. Am I still on the free board? I'm confused.
Trickett and Barwis would never survive in CFB in 2021. Their methods made men. They would have every guy on this team crying by the end of the first week of practice.
The videos from summer workouts were disappointing to watch, Brown laughing and joking with his players, directing them with questions, Can you run this? Can you do that? Joke...laughing...joke...big smiles, good bus. SICKENING. I assume they all did each others hair after the shower and painted their toe nails together, before settling in to watch Netflix in a group cuddle.
But you can punish players or hold them responsible by benching or taking away amenities that they give them. There is no fear of punishment anymore. Rod scared the hell out of the whole team because he was as crazy as they were, and he had McAfee, PacMan, etc.You can't constantly beat a horse or eventually it won't respond, but it just seems like he never lays into a player.
Agreed.But you can punish players or hold them responsible by benching or taking away amenities that they give them. There is no fear of punishment anymore. Rod scared the hell out of the whole team because he was as crazy as they were, and he had McAfee, PacMan, etc.
This transfer portal is a nuisance. It is accelerating turnover. The rich can just poach players from the wvu's of the world.Scaring players is NOT the answer to WVUs situation. Solid coaching and getting more players to remain at WVU is--neither one is going to be easy to achieve.