calumnus said:MrGPAC said:Big C said:MrGPAC said:
Immediately bringing in consultants for OL and play calling would go a long way. Our OL looks extremely lost and I refuse to believe that is entirely on the athletes...something is missing in the coaching, and Greatwood is a known asset with familiarity with the program. As a stop gap measure mid season this is about as good as we could hope for to address OL issues... THIS YEAR.
For next year a bigger chance will be required, and I would hope JW has already started making calls / making a list of targets.
Play calling has to improve as well. I don't know if Greatwood would be asked to assist in that regard, or if another option is being pursued for that. Personally, I'd take whoever called the third quarter of the Arizona game, as there is no way that is the same person who called every game since, unless Musgrave has mutliple personalities and the competent one somehow only beat out the others for that one quarter.
But again...JW has to get working on his short list now for a new OC next year. My biggest ask is that it be a high energy motivator kind of coach. Wilcox has the calm stoic vibe going, we need something to balance it out and infuse energy into the team.
The most disappointing thing about all of this is it was obvious these changes were needed after WSU (if not sooner), and we had a full bye week to implement any changes, get kids coached up, get perspective / practice going under a new play caller...but we waited until after we had no choice to make the move. Its better late than never, but Wilcox has got to figure out how to step up the urgency.
This. I guess two weeks ago, Wilcox did not yet feel quite enough pressure to where he thought he had to make some sort of move. I love the way he chose a move within his comfort zone: Nobody gets fired; he brings in another of his old Oregon buddies.
Actually, the one thing I like about this move is that it's so incremental that it makes me feel like it was done more for the steak than the sizzle. I wasn't too big on doing something for optics-sake. First off, most people aren't paying attention and/or don't care. Second, it's only going to really appeal to people who fall for optics.
There isn't a whole lot they could do to make things better *this year*. Bringing in a coach that is not only familiar with the staff, but familiar with at least some of the personnel is about the best you could ask for for immediate improvement. Better coaches are already employed elsewhere and what we really needed was a technician to come in and coach our guys up...so this is about as good as we could have asked for for immediate improvement on the OL.
There is still more that could be done for the offensive coordinator position right now, and I hope that our play calling is at least being addressed behind the scenes.
The real litmus test will be what we do in the off season. If Wilcox can make a splashy hire, either with Cal connections (like Troy Taylor), or a well regarded coach (preferably in a more modern offense) that is a slam dunk, then there is some hope for him. If he reaches out to some old coaches for advice/help in the search that would be even better. That's a lot of if's though.
Three time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Tarik Glenn is already on the Cal staff in an admin position.
154 starts, 3 Pro Bowls.