The poor condition of the program that Chizik took over (despite what some say), and the 4 year rebuild, makes more sense to me now.
Being removed from it, I never understood how we went 2-10 in Macs 9th year and easily could have gone winless his last year.
I would have based the decline on two facts.
1. The deterioration of the offensive line. I could go on about this for quite a while, but the hiring of Marty Fine was a disaster, as was recruiting. Mac had grown accustomed to Steve Loney taking odds and ends, bits and pieces and making them into a competent unit (immobile Bandhauer was sacked like three times one season). So instead of recruiting quality o-linemen, he decided to concentrate his efforts on improving the team elsewhere--like on defense. And disaster ensued.
2. Every kicker Mac signed over the last eight years or so failed to produce, largely due to injury (both Mahoski and the kid from West Branch, not to mention Yelk's psychological placekicking difficulties). Remember, Mac once had Nate Kaeding committed. That lack directly cost close games at multiple junctures that still could have swung Mac's career (and recruiting) to the positive. Oh yeah--and too often Mac went for it, or pooch punted because the placekicking wasn't reliable, wither. Don't underestimate that factor.
Of course, a third factor is the horrendous recruiting class, loaded with jucos immediately after the Phoenix bowl, but that's just spoiled icing on the cake. That class could have been a turning point, had Mac not gone for the quick fix, and brought in talented and qualified) high schoolers instead. He was just never able to recover.
That's why I like how GC is building this team--with talented high school athletes like Tiller. (back on topic)
