One thing that stands out is that he "coaches" from the press box during games. Grantham, despite not being perfect, was on the field. He was firey, intense, he actually led his unit. Meanwhile, Pete's up in the air conditioned press box while his guys are getting killed and humiliated out there. He's completely worthless.
I'm trying to process how Sirmon is so bad at his job.
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So is this the start of a rehire-Grantham crusade?
Not specifically intended for you, X, but do some of you guys realize what a "bad look" means in a program or fanbase?
Also keep in mind that football for the time being is the only revenue sport we have with any stability or expectations. ANY...
Not specifically intended for you, X, but do some of you guys realize what a "bad look" means in a program or fanbase?
Also keep in mind that football for the time being is the only revenue sport we have with any stability or expectations. ANY...
Not at all. It's common practice to compare new guy to previous guy. They have two different styles. I can appreciate Grantham's "rah, rah" shtick. I do not appreciate Sirmon's "eye in the sky" approach to coaching his defense.
Personnel vs. Sirmon? Both?
I think it may be a combination of both but am convinced there is enough talent on the defensive side to design better schemes. Any decent opponent is going to take advantage or should take advantage of that weak defense.
It's just hard to believe that the overall talent is that bad. Maybe it is.
I think it may be a combination of both but am convinced there is enough talent on the defensive side to design better schemes. Any decent opponent is going to take advantage or should take advantage of that weak defense.
It's just hard to believe that the overall talent is that bad. Maybe it is.
Part of it is scheme. Grantham was a believer in the 3-4 and recruited for it. However, Grantham relied heavily on blitzing packages. When teams realized this, they were able to adapt blocking schemes and found ways to exploit one on one coverages. Sirmon does line up 4 guys usually but usually the fourth guy is a 258 lb linebacker who tries to rush against a 300+ OL and these are not your fat, slow lineman of years past. No pressure on the QB makes everyone a Tom Brady.
That possibility explains part of it but, what’s the excuse for getting consistently gashed by simple handoffs to the tailback?
It all starts with the D-line where we aren’t big enough or deep enough to play 4-3. As you said the lack of depth puts a linebacker as one of the 4 meaning someone like London I - all 220 lbs of him - in at outside LB. He was recruited to play SS or the star position that JHC played - not LB for chrissakes.
I can’t even fathom how screwed we will be if Stacy Thomas is gone for the year.
I'm tired of hearing about thin on talent or being young.. I want to talk about effort, or lack thereof.
This defense (Offense too for the most part) plays with NO heart, NO intensity, NO physicality, and NO extra effort. All the above are coaching issues plain and simple..
This defense (Offense too for the most part) plays with NO heart, NO intensity, NO physicality, and NO extra effort. All the above are coaching issues plain and simple..
Well consider this, we started Richardson at 326, Robinson at 302 and Young at 254. That was our DL. Bailey and Dorsey are subs that have size, otherwise we use Hearns at 249 or Greenard at 257. Those guys are LBs not lineman. When the OL have 5 guys plus a TE, we are overmatched.
It seems like it’s always a weekly drama when it comes to Petrino’s Defensive coordinators.
Even during the so called ‘salad days’ of BP’s first stint. Mike Cassity was a favorite whipping boy for fans and BP himself, ie: 2005 South Florida debacle, 2005 WVU 2nd half, 2004 Memphis hanging a half a hundred on us etc...
Then the love hate relationship with Grantham and now the small 6 game small sample of Sirmon.
I’m not going to knock Sirmon’s coaching philosophy yet because there’s more ways than one to coach a successful defense (anyone remember Belichick’s defense in his first Super Bowl against the Rams rushing only 2 and dropping 9 into coverage for a lot of the game). Belichick learned not to blitz Kurt Warner and co from an earlier regular season game.
That’s what I’d like to see is in game adjustments to what the offense is doing and will somebody please wrap up and make a damn tackle (also a complaint by fans about Grantham’s guys over the years). Football is still a game of emotion so It would be nice to see a defense show up and play with passion for 60 minutes minus the fake juice. That part, is on Petrino as much as anyone.
Even during the so called ‘salad days’ of BP’s first stint. Mike Cassity was a favorite whipping boy for fans and BP himself, ie: 2005 South Florida debacle, 2005 WVU 2nd half, 2004 Memphis hanging a half a hundred on us etc...
Then the love hate relationship with Grantham and now the small 6 game small sample of Sirmon.
I’m not going to knock Sirmon’s coaching philosophy yet because there’s more ways than one to coach a successful defense (anyone remember Belichick’s defense in his first Super Bowl against the Rams rushing only 2 and dropping 9 into coverage for a lot of the game). Belichick learned not to blitz Kurt Warner and co from an earlier regular season game.
That’s what I’d like to see is in game adjustments to what the offense is doing and will somebody please wrap up and make a damn tackle (also a complaint by fans about Grantham’s guys over the years). Football is still a game of emotion so It would be nice to see a defense show up and play with passion for 60 minutes minus the fake juice. That part, is on Petrino as much as anyone.
Sorry Nole. Bill Sirman was fired a long time ago. Now Pete Sirmon, he's still the DC for now. Couldn't pass that up.
It is to some extent. It's not that they are bad. They just aren't physically imposing enough when it comes to a really big offensive line, really big receivers, or something like that. NC State has a pretty good line, and the guys up front more or less can't beat them one on one. If you can't be disruptive up front, then there isn't much else you can do to stop a team. Especially if that team also has some 6'3-4" receivers to chunk the ball to.
This is going to be a long year. The defense is in a really tough spot personnel wise which completely limits what can be done scheme wise. They have tried to play soft and tight coverage no one, excluding Alexander, can stay with any receiver. The have no one on the Dline that is putting pressure on the QB. Bottom line they are going to have to blitz to put pressure which means the secondary has to cover which they can't do. I am not real sure they will get pressure if they blitz. I am sorry the personnel is not good.
I agree with this especially on defense. I think we can all agree that Charlie left us short on the O line. But he didn’t when it comes to the defense. So riddle me this Robin? Why were we able to compete with Clemson years 1-3 of CBP era, but not year 4. Either CBP staff isn’t coaching their players or we’re not recruiting the players we need. So we have an issue. I personally think the defense has slipped each year CBP has been here so it’s probably a little of both.
He is now but formerly he was the DC at the University of South Carolina, so he probably has more experience than Sirmon.
He is now but formerly he was the DC at the University of South Carolina, so he probably has more experience than Sirmon.
He is now but formerly he was the DC at the University of South Carolina, so he probably has more experience than Sirmon.
He is now but formerly he was the DC at the University of South Carolina, so he probably has more experience than Sirmon.
Anytime Captain Obvious Jr. shows up here with his 6th grade Pop Warner lessons it’s always appreciated by us basketball folks.
Everyone understands that.. That doesn't excuse the lack of effort, piss poor arm tackling, and lack of physicality our LB' s and secondary play with, every time our secondary gets beats they look like they're looking for someone to blame, hands on hips like they're defeated.. NO swagger NO confidence.. I can't see how anyone could defend the schemes, techniques, and lack of effort this defense plays with. Injuries happen, thats part of football, theres never an excuse for not playing hard..
That’s what I thought.
True but man our secondary sucks; maybe he can at least call a game.
If Petrino fires Sirmon after this year, he's grasping at straws, clueless how to find a good D coordinator, and doomed to repeat his mistakes. It will be in all likelihood the beginning of HIS end...
How about trying to get VANCE BEDFORD. Our defense under strong obviously was pretty good and I understand strong was a defensive coach but BEDFORD. Was the one calling most of the defensive plays. Maybe not big third downs but he took most of it off of Charlie's hands so he could try to run the whole team. I think BEDFORD would be a good hire, obviouslyit couldn't get much worse than it is now
I don't defend the schemes, I hate the 3-4 concept. But if you are recruiting more LB and WR than lineman, it's hard to fix the situation for the next game. I agree there are poor fundamentals in tackling. Everyone seems to want to throw their shoulder instead of wrapping their arms, but I don't equate that with a lack of effort.
Until CBP takes more pride in defense we are not getting a Vance Bedford. And even if we did, we won't keep him. See Grantham.
A strong willed D.C., mixed with CBP = one too many roosters in the hen house.
Sirmon maybe awful, but it is impossible to tell if he is awful because he can't coach or he doesn't have talent or it is combination of the two. The sample size is too small. They were terrible at Miss St well Miss St isn't exactly wearing it out against good teams either with Louisville's old coach.
Recruiting matters. Louisville is starting a true freshman at middle linebacker, at corner, and occasionally at free safety. The truth is they aren't ready. They are going to be good, but they aren't there yet. They have no legit backup for Stacey Thomas, Avery another true freshman will play a bunch and he is 210 pounds as a true freshman. FYI a position he has never played. If Grantham was so good why is Louisville having to rely on true freshman? They have no legit pass rushers after 3 years of recruiting. All the comments talking about how talent is an excuse, it directly impacts what a coach can do defensively.
The complaints about tackling, poor execution within the system, not being a physical defense and lack of effort are a legit concerns. That is on Sirmon and his staff. I am not convinced you can coach defense without someone on staff providing energy on the sidelines. Defensive is about energy, emotion, and playing fast I don't see that kind of energy with this staff. You need a Grantham, Bedford, or someone in that mold to keep the energy going.
That is an overall concern for the entire program. Petrino said it if you need me to get you going that isn't him. I think that is a very pro approach, but he has to have someone on staff providing that energy. His brother was that guy the first go around.
Recruiting matters. Louisville is starting a true freshman at middle linebacker, at corner, and occasionally at free safety. The truth is they aren't ready. They are going to be good, but they aren't there yet. They have no legit backup for Stacey Thomas, Avery another true freshman will play a bunch and he is 210 pounds as a true freshman. FYI a position he has never played. If Grantham was so good why is Louisville having to rely on true freshman? They have no legit pass rushers after 3 years of recruiting. All the comments talking about how talent is an excuse, it directly impacts what a coach can do defensively.
The complaints about tackling, poor execution within the system, not being a physical defense and lack of effort are a legit concerns. That is on Sirmon and his staff. I am not convinced you can coach defense without someone on staff providing energy on the sidelines. Defensive is about energy, emotion, and playing fast I don't see that kind of energy with this staff. You need a Grantham, Bedford, or someone in that mold to keep the energy going.
That is an overall concern for the entire program. Petrino said it if you need me to get you going that isn't him. I think that is a very pro approach, but he has to have someone on staff providing that energy. His brother was that guy the first go around.
They had no sacks and 1 QB knockdown against NC State. You can't let the QB sit back there all day.
Some coaches believe that where ever they are located it is the best place to be. With that said I believe the problem with Pete is that is not very creative. NC St ran the QB on every short yardage play because we left the center uncovered, even I recognized it but Pete did not adjust. I could go on but that would not be fair to him, he just one sweat individual who is having a great time but I am not. He may be the most unqualified DC in the last 30 years.