Just finished the RB, heck of a game, but it's a game that reinforces to me why coaches like Whittingham are hard maddening and frustrating.
I know, he will likely for a very long time win 8-10 games every year and have his team in the conversation for conference titles, etc. But he is so blasted conservative that to me he will always leave wins on the table. He is that old school conservative coach who doesn't use the TO's well, is risk adverse to a fault, and doesn't make adjustments based on what's happening in front of him. He will punt in the 3rd quarter with a one score lead when it's 4th & 1 from his opponents 40 yard line. He won't go for 2 with 2 minutes to go against an opponent who has vastly better talent than his, won't adjust his defense when it's getting lit up like a Xmas tree for 3 quarters, cause bah gawd, this is what we do!
I genuinely believe he would rather win games by 3 points rather than 3 TD's. If his team is down a few scores he will coach them back into it, if his team is up a few scores he will coach the other team back into it.
Pete Carroll is the same way, only difference is PC has had runs with more talent than anybody else so he has won big, but as soon as the talent advantage goes away, they don't win at that level anymore. It goes back to win a lot, but never the truly big ones.
If I were a Utah fan tonight, this rose bowl game is a perfect illustration of why he is a really good head coach, but not a great one. I'd look at the last 5 minutes or so and just shake my head. Why do you not burn any time outs to save clock? Walk-on back up QB, why not go for 2 on the last TD and try to put that pressure on OSU? Why did the defense do nothing different and just allow OSU to move the ball at will the entire 2nd half?
I'm sure some will disagree, but it's just some random thoughts I've had on him for a while and watching this game, just makes me scratch my head. To me Leach was very much the same (albeit with the air raid), just did it by throwing the ball, but never would adjust and take a good season to a great season.
Anyway, happy new year.
I know, he will likely for a very long time win 8-10 games every year and have his team in the conversation for conference titles, etc. But he is so blasted conservative that to me he will always leave wins on the table. He is that old school conservative coach who doesn't use the TO's well, is risk adverse to a fault, and doesn't make adjustments based on what's happening in front of him. He will punt in the 3rd quarter with a one score lead when it's 4th & 1 from his opponents 40 yard line. He won't go for 2 with 2 minutes to go against an opponent who has vastly better talent than his, won't adjust his defense when it's getting lit up like a Xmas tree for 3 quarters, cause bah gawd, this is what we do!
I genuinely believe he would rather win games by 3 points rather than 3 TD's. If his team is down a few scores he will coach them back into it, if his team is up a few scores he will coach the other team back into it.
Pete Carroll is the same way, only difference is PC has had runs with more talent than anybody else so he has won big, but as soon as the talent advantage goes away, they don't win at that level anymore. It goes back to win a lot, but never the truly big ones.
If I were a Utah fan tonight, this rose bowl game is a perfect illustration of why he is a really good head coach, but not a great one. I'd look at the last 5 minutes or so and just shake my head. Why do you not burn any time outs to save clock? Walk-on back up QB, why not go for 2 on the last TD and try to put that pressure on OSU? Why did the defense do nothing different and just allow OSU to move the ball at will the entire 2nd half?
I'm sure some will disagree, but it's just some random thoughts I've had on him for a while and watching this game, just makes me scratch my head. To me Leach was very much the same (albeit with the air raid), just did it by throwing the ball, but never would adjust and take a good season to a great season.
Anyway, happy new year.