Hamza Abdullah on WSU football...

[britton ransford]

Former Washington State safety Hamza Abdullah took to Twitter today to share some passionate thoughts on the state of the Cougar football program and what he thinks needs to happen to turn things around.

@HamzaAbdullah21's on WSU football

"The problem with Washington State football is a lack of pride," Abdullah tweeted. "I'm not in the building or around the team on a daily basis but I'm just saying from what I see on the outside and how we play. I wonder if the team even knows what Cougar pride is.

"How would they know? Who would show them and school them on what it means to have Cougar Pride? I thought Jason Gesser coming back to Pullman would help in that, but it seems like we're not using him at all. That doesn't make any sense.

"Gesser needs to have an expanded role with the team and we need more COUGS in the building. I'm not a proponent of firing people because I don't see how you can get better by subtraction. We need additions. We need people around the team who the players respect and trust.

"Watching the Apple Cup made me sick to my stomach. It's like we didn't even care. It was just another game. [Senior year], I didn't go [to] a bowl game, so we treated the Apple Cup like like our bowl game. We banded together and laid it on the line for our teammates.

"We understood what it meant to put that gray helmet on, to wear the Cougar logo and to represent for everyone who's ever worn the Cougar logo. I'm saying this because I care, just as everyone else does. I'm not a guy to sit back and complain, I want to help in any way I can.

"I think we need to get more Cougs involved and allow Jason Gesser to be a leader and show the team what Cougar Pride is. We need Cougar Pride to be a staple in our program. Here's to the ascension of our program."

Link: https://twitter.com/HamzaAbdullah21

This post was edited on 12/9 1:34 PM by Britton Ransford

 

[Coug95man2]

Interesting thought. Wish he wouldn't have brought this up during recruiting period but whatever. I look to how they've really brought so many older alumni in, more so than I can ever remember in the past, and thought this aspect was improving. While he says he's is only looking from the outside, I'd think he has a better perspective than I.

Still, I don't know if it's "Cougar Pride", as much as it's the same 'ol issue we've always had for over a decade, just slightly better. When we got behind by 1 or 2 TD's, we'd stop playing… CML's first year as example and the zombies and Bassett Hounds, let alone further back.

Mr. Abdullah is right!!! I'm just seeing it as "improvement". While in the past, we wouldn't have pride for a whole season but bring it for the non-con patsies and the AC, we brought it for the season, and DIDN'T for the AC. Just not good to have any of this behavior in the program, at all. The whole season there were issues but I always thought pride was there… Then the AC.

Years past… 8 games without pride. Now… 1 game without pride. I'll take it as long as I see improvement next year. I see our "culture" changing, it'll just take a little time to bury this issue.

 

[BiggsCoug]

Leaders lead from the front. They don't lead from the sideline or the pressbox. While I agree it would be good to add some Coug greats into the fold, they aren't going to put on pads on Saturday.

Part of the problem in a young program is lack of leadership. Then you have young guys beat out young guys and leadership takes a step backward. Or kids transfer or flunk out or get injured and retire etc. WSU needs to get guys that come in, stay in and grow up in the program. Put out a two deep of 4th and 5th year guys, then you'll have leadership. Asking a kid that's only been on campus since August to lead? Or asking a kid that's coming off a redshirt to lead? Probably not gonna work out well.

 

[CougSinceBirth]

The team looked flat on Apple Cup, I don't know why or what was the reason, but it was a huge bummer. Just Steve Gleason being there had me fired up as a fan.

 

[CougEd]

Probably my biggest disagreement with Leach is on this issue...

I get where Leach comes from. He is a cowboy. He is rugged and from Montana. When people are working they aren't sick or injured. Lop off a finger, you have four other ones to "man the shovel". I understand that is his personality.

What I have observed in Pullman is people need to make plays. Where he views it as being weak mentality, and maybe he is right, but don't throw gasoline on the fire. CU game in 2012 really paved the way for the entire season. You win that game, you make just enough plays to win and the confidence grows. No different in handing falk a playbook that is pared down and you help him become successful.

Leach demands toughness. I get it, But more than toughness they need confidence. Sometimes it is simply a block (Shawn McWashington) a defensive stop, Leon Bender. Sometimes it is simple luck-frew Dunnings game tying fg against USC.

This I believe will be a great adjustment for Leach. If the win is there, don't make it more difficult on the team. The CU game is one example. The bowl game is another. While they need to be emotionally tougher, get them some wins when they have it won and the confidence then the toughness will come. You can roll them, scream at them, make them listen to Tony robbins tapes all you want, but until they have an on field leader, until they make a play, this problem will continue to exist.

The fact that Gleason was there, and went through all the obstacle he must have gone through to get there, and not carry than mans attitude throughout the game and play as they did makes me speechless.

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

I think that was the first AC I've ever seen where we were flat. To me, this indicates a team that is beaten down. I hope new coaches infuse some new attitude. However, attitude starts at the top.

 

[Coug95man2]

I get what your saying, but I think most people have it right… CML's ego is pretty big. I don't think lack of confidence at the top is the problem.

 

[BiggsCoug]

Re: Probably my biggest disagreement with Leach is on this issue...

Ed I think Steve is probably too long removed from the team. Not that his story isn't inspirational and moving... he just doesn't know the kids. He wasn't their teammate.

You wanna see kids play inspired football and crush a team? Imagine the uw locker room before the Rose Bowl when Curtis Williams rolled in in his wheelchair. Those kids were on a mission. I can only imagine the emotion there. I bet you had half the room in tears and the other half (Larry Triplett) so angry they could pull someone arms off.

 

[CougEd]

Unless you are the tin man and have no heart-Gleason didn't even need to

be a former player. The fact he lives life to the fullest, and he is willing to come out in 19 degree weather should have moved everyone of those players.

 

[BiggsCoug]

Re: Unless you are the tin man and have no heart-Gleason didn't even need to

How many 18-22 year old boys do you know of that have great perspective?

 

[dick kim]

I agree. Get this guy for a pep talk. Dick Kim

 

[Coug95man2]

Re: Unless you are the tin man and have no heart-Gleason didn't even need to

Uhmmm… I KNOW ONE! No wait. He's 41. Just acts like a 19 year old.

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

The Gray W is non-existent at WSU anymore. Once Tony moved on, its just been floundering.

All the talk was that Moos was going to make a big push to get former athletes more involved in building our program, but all I've seen are the usual suspects: JT, Mayes, Brink, JG, and an occasional Bledsoe sighting.

I LOVE the fire from Hamza. FREAKING LOVE IT. What I would love more is for him to put his money where his mouth is and show up for us every once and a while. He could make a spring practice, or a fund raiser, or maybe the sideline of a game on his bye week. How about rallying some of your old team mates who may not be playing anymore to get involved?

Of course none of this is the one secret key to winning, but he is right about building a culture. We have... ummm, what? Zero winning seasons in 11 years since 2003 (no, going .500 isn't winning, in my book. But for all you Nancys, there were 2 .500 seasons in that time.) That is a culture of losing, plain and simple. While Price definitely had stinker years of 3-8, he never lost enough years in a row to instill a losing culture.

So how do you fix it? Well, I don't think Leach can or knows how to. He's a x's and o's guy. Despite Biggs insistence that leaders lead from the front (whatever that means...), Leach is not a leader. He doesn't build leaders. Fat little girlfriend speeches to not inspire kids to greatness, especially millenials. Leach needs to hire coaches who ARE leaders and who can build leaders.

Anyway, I got distracted while typing this and lost my steam, so I guess thats my $.02

 

[Coug95man2]

I'd probably lean to your way of thinking… with only a slight clarification from my perspective.

You comment on CML's leadership, x's and o's, he needs to hire coaches that will lead, thing. I gotta say, I think CML is a massive leader. He doesn't accept anything but 100% in anything. The coaches, especially Papa Joe, Wilson and Simmon's are known commodities in this. I haven't heard as much but Yost, McGuire and Loscalzo seem to be of the same fabric.

But I think what you are seeing is, CML doesn't "keep on them", either. Either you are going to find an element of self-motivation, or you aren't. If you aren't, you can ride the pine. We've always called it, "Peddling" around here. To keep the bike moving, you have to keep peddling. I HATE having to "peddle" people, friends or employees. Either you're motivated, or you aren't but I'm not going to peddle you. I think CML is of the same mind-set. There's an element of "coaching them up" but not all day, every day. And I think longterm, this is good for the program. You find self-motivated players, that can only be a good thing. Gotta babysit the players every day, not good. IMHO, it just seems like he's a little less patient with those that have to be peddled. Complete conjecture but my view.

 

[chinookpirate]

You've never even met any of these men yet you know who has work ethic and who doesn't?

 

[wulffui]

Pedantic grammar alert-

We "pedal" our bikes.
We "peddle" goods and services.

 

[Coug95man2]

Ouch. Got me.

 

[BiggsCoug]

Originally posted by BleedCrimsonandGray:
The Gray W is non-existent at WSU anymore. Once Tony moved on, its just been floundering.

All the talk was that Moos was going to make a big push to get former athletes more involved in building our program, but all I've seen are the usual suspects: JT, Mayes, Brink, JG, and an occasional Bledsoe sighting.

I LOVE the fire from Hamza. FREAKING LOVE IT. What I would love more is for him to put his money where his mouth is and show up for us every once and a while. He could make a spring practice, or a fund raiser, or maybe the sideline of a game on his bye week. How about rallying some of your old team mates who may not be playing anymore to get involved?

Of course none of this is the one secret key to winning, but he is right about building a culture. We have... ummm, what? Zero winning seasons in 11 years since 2003 (no, going .500 isn't winning, in my book. But for all you Nancys, there were 2 .500 seasons in that time.) That is a culture of losing, plain and simple. While Price definitely had stinker years of 3-8, he never lost enough years in a row to instill a losing culture.

So how do you fix it? Well, I don't think Leach can or knows how to. He's a x's and o's guy. Despite Biggs insistence that leaders lead from the front (whatever that means...), Leach is not a leader. He doesn't build leaders. Fat little girlfriend speeches to not inspire kids to greatness, especially millenials. Leach needs to hire coaches who ARE leaders and who can build leaders.

Anyway, I got distracted while typing this and lost my steam, so I guess thats my $.02

Your 2 cents isn't worth that much. But since you choose not to understand what I wrote and instead would rather take shots at me from the cheap seats, here's a link for you to read. Maybe it will enlighten you about why I say what I do about players that play and players that don't. Im not holding my breath though.

How many alums/fans at Texas Tech would like to have Leach and his fat little girlfriends back now? They just got their arses handed to them this year. I think they'd disagree with what you think of the coach.

This post was edited on 12/10 11:59 AM by BiggsCoug

Leadership

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

Originally posted by BiggsCoug:

Originally posted by BleedCrimsonandGray:
The Gray W is non-existent at WSU anymore. Once Tony moved on, its just been floundering.

All the talk was that Moos was going to make a big push to get former athletes more involved in building our program, but all I've seen are the usual suspects: JT, Mayes, Brink, JG, and an occasional Bledsoe sighting.

I LOVE the fire from Hamza. FREAKING LOVE IT. What I would love more is for him to put his money where his mouth is and show up for us every once and a while. He could make a spring practice, or a fund raiser, or maybe the sideline of a game on his bye week. How about rallying some of your old team mates who may not be playing anymore to get involved?

Of course none of this is the one secret key to winning, but he is right about building a culture. We have... ummm, what? Zero winning seasons in 11 years since 2003 (no, going .500 isn't winning, in my book. But for all you Nancys, there were 2 .500 seasons in that time.) That is a culture of losing, plain and simple. While Price definitely had stinker years of 3-8, he never lost enough years in a row to instill a losing culture.

So how do you fix it? Well, I don't think Leach can or knows how to. He's a x's and o's guy. Despite Biggs insistence that leaders lead from the front (whatever that means...), Leach is not a leader. He doesn't build leaders. Fat little girlfriend speeches to not inspire kids to greatness, especially millenials. Leach needs to hire coaches who ARE leaders and who can build leaders.

Anyway, I got distracted while typing this and lost my steam, so I guess thats my $.02

Your 2 cents isn't worth that much. But since you choose not to understand what I wrote and instead would rather take shots at me from the cheap seats, here's a link for you to read. Maybe it will enlighten you about why I say what I do about players that play and players that don't. Im not holding my breath though.

How many alums/fans at Texas Tech would like to have Leach and his fat little girlfriends back now? They just got their arses handed to them this year. I think they'd disagree with what you think of the coach.

This post was edited on 12/10 11:59 AM by BiggsCoug

Biggs,
(*deleted childish retaliatory insults upon review. sorry, I'm human...)

I've given my resume on here before; I won't be bothered to do it again. I think its childish and unnecessary. If you/ we can't respect each others opinions in a civil way, then what is the point? The point of my "cheap shot" was that you continue to say "lead from the front" with zero context. Further, imho, you are just wrong; there is more to leadership than that. Leaders lead, but also inspire others to lead. They teach them to lead, for the benefit of the organization/ team. Believe it or not, other people may have read about leadership too. I bet some people have a degree in it! Imagine that!

According to you, unless you are first string you are not a leader. While this may be true when applied to the team in general, there are many subsets of players on the team. Last I checked, 63 players won't be starting on a regular basis. We need leaders on the 2nd team leading the second team, so that when they get the chance to play they will have lead and know how to do it. Further, if our recruiting plays out how we need it too, these kids will be underclassmen, who will be gaining the respect of their classmates and incoming future incoming underclassmen.

As for Leach, any good leader knows that not all people that you lead are the same. Not all will receive the message in the same way, or will be immediately swayed by the message. Part of leadership is learning how to reach these people and adjusting the message accordingly. IMHO, our team is not in a position to run off every player because they don't immediately buy in. Despite your insistence that the guy is just a POS loser who couldn't make a D1 team, I still contend that we need the Monroes of the world to maintain continuity and to help show the incoming class the ropes. Even though he would not contribute on the field, that "leadership" is invaluable in instilling a culture in an organization. (*side note - I too assumed he was a kid that was pissed he got benched, but his dad's specific use of the word 'maligned' has me wondering if the coaching staff was using Monroe as an example, public humiliation style. Without specifics its hard to know and hearsay, so I digress)

Millenials are a different breed. A simple google search will bring up multiple studies of how this generation think and work differently than we do. They respond to leadership differently. Leach and his staff need to be able to reach out to these kids and keep them on board, because they are literally the "fvck it" generation. It would be great if we could recruit 85 Buchannons who are all incredibly self motivated, but as 95 said, some of these kids you are going to have to pedal.