Middle of the Defense

[djcubby]

I love how everyone is blaming the coaches, calling for peoples heads to roll. Does anyone even stop to realize the reason that our defense was so bad this year has nothing to do with Wally, Shane, or Paul...or any other coach for that matter?

Take a look at the depth chart for the WVU game and you can figure out why our defense was so bad this year. How many upper classmen do you see in the middle of the defense, including DT, NG, Mike LB, and safeties?

Two. Two frickin' upper classmen on the 2 deeps up the middle, and both are at safety.

Oh wait, here is where all of the "arm chair coaches" chime in and say "It's the coaches' fault because they didn't recruit well enough." Is it the coaches' fault that Coe couldn't show up to a meeting on time, and that Irving got busted during Veishea? Is it the coaches' fault that Krick left the team and didn't want to play anymore? Rhoads made call to Jensen to get him back on the team. What if that call was never made? How bad would we look?


I know I'll probably get flamed for this, but I am not blaming the coaches for what went down on the field with that much inexperience up the middle on defense.

 

[Luth4Cy]

If we had a legitimate front seven everything would be different. If Cousins, Jensen, and Miller would have all stayed healthy that might have made a big difference too. Unfortunately, that did not happen. I might be in the minority on this but I really don't think development is the issue on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Bret44]

I love how everyone is blaming the coaches, calling for peoples heads to roll. Does anyone even stop to realize the reason that our defense was so bad this year has nothing to do with Wally, Shane, or Paul...or any other coach for that matter?

Take a look at the depth chart for the WVU game and you can figure out why our defense was so bad this year. How many upper classmen do you see in the middle of the defense, including DT, NG, Mike LB, and safeties?

Two. Two frickin' upper classmen on the 2 deeps up the middle, and both are at safety.

Oh wait, here is where all of the "arm chair coaches" chime in and say "It's the coaches' fault because they didn't recruit well enough." Is it the coaches' fault that Coe couldn't show up to a meeting on time, and that Irving got busted during Veishea? Is it the coaches' fault that Krick left the team and didn't want to play anymore? Rhoads made call to Jensen to get him back on the team. What if that call was never made? How bad would be look?


I know I'll probably get flamed for this, but I am not blaming the coaches for what went down in the field with that much inexperience up the middle on defense.

Not saying you are wrong, but being constantly out of position/looking unprepared IS a coaching issue. You can make up for the lack of talent with fundamentals, and Paul himself has talked about the lack of fundementals.

 

[isufbcurt]

If we had a legitimate front seven everything would be different. If Cousins, Jensen, and Miller would have all stayed healthy that might have made a big difference too. Unfortunately, that did not happen. I might be in the minority on this but I really don't think development is the issue on the defensive side of the ball.

I agree. The upperclassmen who stayed on campus (didn't quit or get kicked off the team) developed into some decent players unfortunately they then got injured and younger guys who are not yet developed had to step in.

 

[InAWord]

5 straight losing seasons is nothing but bad luck? Rhoads just can't catch a break...

 

[VeloClone]

Is it the coaches' fault that Coe couldn't show up to a meeting on time, and that Irving got busted during Veishea?

It sounded to me like it was much, much more than failing to show up for one meeting on time. Just like Mike Taylor, it hurts but it was the right move to make. Too bad Coe didn't wake up from it and recognize that it was exactly what he needed at the time.

 

[djcubby]

Not saying you are wrong, but being constantly out of position/looking unprepared IS a coaching issue. You can make up for the lack of talent with fundamentals, and Paul himself has talked about the lack of fundementals.

It took 3 years for "the light to come on" for Jeremiah George. Are you expecting guys like Sealy and Meeks to pick up in basically year 1 what took 3 years for George? Maybe the only reason these guys are playing is because holes were opened by quitters/injuries that needed to be filled and these guys are the best option. I'm sure none of these guys are where the coaches wanted them to be before they had to start playing them.

 

[norcalcy]

Two. Two frickin' upper classmen on the 2 deeps up the middle, and both are at safety.

Oh wait, here is where all of the "arm chair coaches" chime in and say "It's the coaches' fault because they didn't recruit well enough." Is it the coaches' fault that Coe couldn't show up to a meeting on time, and that Irving got busted during Veishea? Is it the coaches' fault that Krick left the team and didn't want to play anymore? Rhoads made call to Jensen to get him back on the team. What if that call was never made? How bad would we look?

I come in peace. No flame intended, but I strongly disagree. Player recruitment and retention has been a big negative for this Head Coach (can't blame the staff as a whole because so many are new). You can add Charlie Rodgers and Q Pompei to the list of people who should have been on the field this year. Too much attrition. With so many people going, you have to start asking if it's more than just bad luck.

 

[Spam]

Now I feel even worse about the program after your post. We need so many things to fall into place just to have a chance to beat NDSU.

 

[CTTB78]

...Oh wait, here is where all of the "arm chair coaches" chime in and say "It's the coaches' fault because they didn't recruit well enough." Is it the coaches' fault that Coe couldn't show up to a meeting on time, and that Irving got busted during Veishea? Is it the coaches' fault that Krick left the team and didn't want to play anymore? .....

Reminds me of the 30 for 30 episode on Miami football and the win over Texas. "It's not my fault they built that stadium with a tunnel".

 

[cmjh10]

Most of our players are MAC level talent at best and they are playing in the Big 12. Outside of the players signing up for this mess, how isnt that the coaches fault?

 

[djcubby]

5 straight losing seasons is nothing but bad luck? Rhoads just can't catch a break...

That's not what I'm saying. A few of those losing seasons were due to a lame duck offensive staff...which he fixed this spring. That was his mistake, but he atoned for it by hiring Mangino and crew. I'm just saying that I don't feel the need to hang the inexperience of our defense around the coaches necks and use it as a noose.

 

[cycloneworld]

We can make excuses all we want...injuries, talent, lack of talent, people getting kicked off. But ultimately the coaches are responsible for the product they put on the field. And Wally, Shane, and Paul Rhoads should be responsible for two straight years of the product on the field.

So far this year, there are 5 worse defenses in all of college football than Iowa State giving up yards.

1. New Mexico - 519 ypg
2. SMU - 516 ypg
3. UNLV - 513 ypg
4. Texas Tech - 513 ypg
5. Cal - 512 ypg
6. Iowa State - 511 ypg

We have given up the 14th most points in college football. Last year we have up the 17th most points.

There really is no way to spin how awful our defense has been this year.

 

[VeloClone]

5 straight losing seasons is nothing but bad luck? Rhoads just can't catch a break...

Last ISU coach (before Rhoads) to have 4 consecutive seasons of at least 5 wins? Clay Stapleton 1959-62.

 

[Cyclonin]

Last ISU coach to have 4 consecutive seasons of at least 5 wins? Clay Stapleton 1959-62.

#BringBackClay

 

[VeloClone]

#BringBackClay

Unfortunately, you are about a month too late.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I can think of a list of people responsible for recruiting and player development. And it sure isn't me, or anybody on CF :twitcy:

 

[CyCloned]

While I will agree that ISU has had bad luck with retention and injuries, the issue goes beyond that. CPR and his staff have over recruited offensive skill players for the last 4 years, and now, with all the misses and losses in the ranks on defense there is a huge hole to fill. Just look down the roster to see how many serviceable DL, and Lbers there actually are on this team. (I am not talking about walkons or guys currently redshirting.) Now go look at someone elses roster and see how much more balanced their defense is in terms of classes.

 

[19210]

An additional issue is at the end of the day we are still in Ames, IA. We all love it, but it's not necessarily a hot spot for entertainment, warm weather, and what ever else recruits are looking for.

Shoot most coaches are looking to get out of town and use ISU for a stepping stone. Any good ones are anyway.

There are a lot of things broke and not sure we can fix them all. We have one of the lowest budgets, we are the most northern school in the big 12, and the list goes on and on.

I'm indifferent on whether the coaches should stay or go. I would love to CPR be successful as he would probably be here until he retires and you need that continuity for a place like ISU to be successful.

 

[Alcyclone]

While I will agree that ISU has had bad luck with retention and injuries, the issue goes beyond that. CPR and his staff have over recruited offensive skill players for the last 4 years, and now, with all the misses and losses in the ranks on defense there is a huge hole to fill. Just look down the roster to see how many serviceable DL, and Lbers there actually are on this team. (I am not talking about walkons or guys currently redshirting.) Now go look at someone elses roster and see how much more balanced their defense is in terms of classes.

There were plenty of injuries at wide receiver this year and if we wouldn't have had the depth we had we would have complained about why we didn't have more of them. I know we need more lineman on both sides of the ball. Can anyone tell me how we attract those players to Ames with or without CPR. If We offer and Alabama or Texas or Oklahoma etc. offer who is going to win that battle. I am more concerned about player development because that is the area that we have the best chance, not in bringing in 5 star linemen.