Beware The Clones
This is where we mention that Pete Carroll cronies Greg Robinson (Syracuse), Ed Orgeron (Ole Miss) and Lane Kiffin (Raiders) are a combined 1-7 right now.
No wonder Steve Sarkisian did not want to take a coaching position this season.
Hard to see anyone leading Ole Miss to an SEC title.
They are guaranteed 3-4 losses in the SEC before the ink in the media guides is dry. Kiffin has had the hapless Raiders in both games so far, including comebacks in both. Shanahan just outfoxed Sea Bass yesterday or Lane would be 1-1.
Kiff wins that game if the kicker doesn't clank one off the upright...he was not outfoxed. The Raiders are not the worse team in the NFL this season. I believe Kiffin is responsible for that--he is working those guys hard and they will reap the rewards next season. Coach O is not D I-A head coach material and Syracuse is in so deep over its head in the Big East, it's not even funny.
Sea Bass is the nickname of the Raiders' kicker, Sebastian Janikowski (sp?).
I do believe Shanahan "froze" the kicker with the late timeout call thus outfoxing or outratting Sea Bass. Kiffin was going toe to toe with Shanahan-no question.
makes sense. my apologies.
Throw in Nick Holt (5 and 18) with the Idaho Vandals.
It does make you wonder what the differences are from assistant coaches and Carroll, why he remains so successful and others struggle outside of his sphere.
In Kiffin's case, it's too early to tell, but you see other coaches like Coach O and Holt try to build a Carroll model of competitiveness, but they don't get the same results.
It's also interesting how tough-guy coaches like O and Holt struggled in implementing a competition system, but without the looseness and laid back quality Carroll brings to temper the intensity.
Makes you wonder what Chow would be able to accomplish as well if he ever got a head coaching job.
That ubiquitous Barry Switzer quote may be the best explanation:
"A USC Coach drives by more D1 football players on his way to work than (insert state here) has in the whole state." paraphrasing
HI T&T BUT SO DOES A UCLA COACH--HA HA
AND RE KIFF, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE GUY THAT COST US THE TEXAS AND UCLA GAMES?
I felt bad for Kif.
I actually felt bad for Kiffin also, really strange because I love it when Al Davis hurts.
Holt while at Idaho, Coach O, and Robinson would never get the horses at those institutions, to be nationally competitive. Regardless of their HC skills. If PC were to take over the Idaho job next season he'd become a failure there also.
Someone explain how Schiano is succeeding at Rutgers. They were a long-time doormat for the likes of Syracuse and the rest of the Big East. Couldn't even keep 3-star talent in-state, much less Jarrett, Cushing and all the guys that played at NOTre damned over the years.
The individual coaching personality can make a HUGE difference. Pete's got it; the others not so much.
Guys I think I have part of the explanation you're seeking for:
Charisma that simple!
Both PC and Mike Schiano are very charismatic. Their personalities enable them to lead and recruit NOT to mention being themselves. Do you guys remember that pretty song by Sting Englishman In New York? Part of the words had a line:
"be yourself no matter what they say". That is WHY PC is made for CFB and NOT for the NFL.
Thanks