ISU Football & Unrealistic Expectations

[norcalcy]

Rhoads has a .370 winning %, Leach .400 at WSU. Not too far off. I am not sure if we should fire Rhoads or not but others have produced results after a long poor stretch of bad beginning. All I know is bend don't break doesn't work.

Leach is trending up at WSU and has an all-time winning percentage of .585 at T Tech and Wazzu. He's a proven recruiter and he knows how to assemble a staff.

 

[Al_4_State]

If the AD cares more about winning than money, than why is Rhoads still our coach? Why was McDermott going to be our coach in 2010?

Its not rhetorical. Answer it if you're going to take that position.

 

[gregniowa]

If it can be done in Manhattan, KS, if it can be done in Iowa City, it can be done in Ames. It just takes a good coach.

It's not in any way that simple. Changes in programs that will take them to regularly ranked status take time and many changes. A "good coach" would not make our present players into a ranked team (and I am proud of them and their present level of effort). How good the Hawkeyes are this year remains to be seen, but this level of schedule success is not normative for them either.

We have challenges being in Iowa that the Texas teams do not have recruiting-wise. Although I would prefer more w's in the schedule thus far, the team is way better than it has been in previous years. Unfortunately, so is the conference.

Regardless of what coach was in place, they would have to deal with our recruiting challenges. While Urban Meyer might be able to pull a few upper level ones on the basis of who he is, in the end, we are going to likely have to work our way up quality-wise - and coaching changes do not necessarily lend themselves to that. I remember this kind of magic coach talk in this light about Chizek. How did that work out? (and the conference was not as highly ranked)

The last five minutes of the Oklahoma St. game showed some team and coaching weakness. So be it. Personally, I think our team played a fabulous game that should make us as fans proud. The coaching and play calling was great too, with a few exceptions. In the end, it was a couple stellar plays in the clutch by Oklahoma State that were executed so well, that they were close to undefendable, that won the game.

While I would have been much happier to send the Cowboys packing home with a loss, what I saw on the field wearing Cardinal and Gold was a team giving full effort, playing some great football - and I loved watching the game.

 

[CycloneErik]

Here's my take on how specific names will be responded to by the Rhoads family/supporters:
1. We can't get Nick Saban or (now) Urban Meyer. Doesn't matter if they're mentioned or not.
2. "They aren't any better than Rhoads." Some selective stat will be used, and then some reference to Saban or Meyer.
3. "They would never come here. They're looking for someplace higher in the food chain. Might as well ask for Nick Saban or Urban Meyer."

Prove me wrong, kids. Prove me wrong.

 

[tsirnickesqcy]

Yes, ISU fans have unrealistic expectations. No, this is not in basketball, I am talking about football. Why you say? Well let me explain.

We are not unrealistic in the way some fanbases are. We know 12-0 is not going to happen. We are unrealistic in an opposite way.

Many of my fellow ISU fans take any little shred of hope or moral victory and extrapolate that to 'turning the corner.' I think the Athletic Department knows that and feeds that with the pathetic shirts they used to put out and also the way Pollard was talking up the first half of the OU game on today's pregame show. So many of our fans just eat this crap up.

Why do many of us do this? We have had nothing to write home about regarding football. I know this is nothing to joke about but is this like battered wife syndrome? We keep getting promises of change or that it will get better and it never does. Every year there is a new excuse whether it is injuries, young guys or kicking players off.

If so many in our fanbase continue with this belief we will never be successful. Our fans and AD staff seem to have fear mentality with every decision. There are posters here who do not want a change because because 'who would want to coach here?' Well as has been rehashed several times good coaches have WANTED to coach here. We also hear that there are too many other openings, this is also loser talk. What about our recruits leaving? Who cares, we are not exactly a highly ranked recruiting class. But our schedule is so tough. Well it is kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy, if we continue to suck our schedule will always be tough. Get better and magically the schedule is not as tough.

There needs to be a wholesale change within the fanbase if we ever want to win. Let's take our basketball mentality and bring it to football. Our support is great, just not demanding enough on the win side for football.

Sadly I think after today's performance Rhoads will be back next year. These moral victories are just eaten up by many in our fanbase. Many almost beat their chest with pride saying how close we were with this tough schedule. This garbage needs to stop....

Well put. Used up the moral victory card with me 2 years ago. Had plenty of chances. Time for a change. Same crap, different game for 3 1/4 years now.

 

[tsirnickesqcy]

It's not in any way that simple. Changes in programs that will take them to regularly ranked status take time and many changes. A "good coach" would not make our present players into a ranked team (and I am proud of them and their present level of effort). How good the Hawkeyes are this year remains to be seen, but this level of schedule success is not normative for them either.

We have challenges being in Iowa that the Texas teams do not have recruiting-wise. Although I would prefer more w's in the schedule thus far, the team is way better than it has been in previous years. Unfortunately, so is the conference.

Regardless of what coach was in place, they would have to deal with our recruiting challenges. While Urban Meyer might be able to pull a few upper level ones on the basis of who he is, in the end, we are going to likely have to work our way up quality-wise - and coaching changes do not necessarily lend themselves to that. I remember this kind of magic coach talk in this light about Chizek. How did that work out? (and the conference was not as highly ranked)

The last five minutes of the Oklahoma St. game showed some team and coaching weakness. So be it. Personally, I think our team played a fabulous game that should make us as fans proud. The coaching and play calling was great too, with a few exceptions. In the end, it was a couple stellar plays in the clutch by Oklahoma State that were executed so well, that they were close to undefendable, that won the game.

While I would have been much happier to send the Cowboys packing home with a loss, what I saw on the field wearing Cardinal and Gold was a team giving full effort, playing some great football - and I loved watching the game.

Thanks for the insight Paul.

 

[cytown]

I've been extremely critical of this entire coaching staff all year. But they played toe to toe vs OSU. If they carry that forward in the next 2 games, we will be 5-7 and may have a shot at a bowl. I was really impressed with how physical our o and d lines were.

 

[SpokaneCY]

We just almost beat the number 5 team in the nation (and for a couple of calls, we might have done so) with a team made up of leftover recruits (no offense to the players, who just showed what sort of real men they were) that have somehow been crafted and molded into a dangerous team that has the ability to beat top teams.

Which top teams have we beaten again? Because we didn't almost win, we lost. Again and again this season, last season the season before. The team IS playing better but the rest of the league outside of Kansas (and maybe KSU) has consistently exceeded our performance. We don't play in a vacuum and CPR should be judged by his success against our league - not our almost success against the league.

 

[awd4cy]

Big 12 North Division. Does not exist anymore. Rhoads actually did pretty well when we had a Big 12 North Division.

Looking forward to the qualified exciting new head football coach at Iowa State. Who do you think it is?

You're gonna use 1 year of data? That's neat.

 

[Stormin]

You're gonna use 1 year of data? That's neat.

First 2 years that CPR was here we were in the Big 12 North Division.

On a side note, who do you think might be named to replace CPR as head coach?? You should have some potential prospects that we might be able to get.

 

[clonedude]

First 2 years that CPR was here we were in the Big 12 North Division.

On a side note, who do you think might be named to replace CPR as head coach?? You should have some potential prospects that we might be able to get.

I don't want to come across that we can't win here and everything is hopeless, but I also wonder if we can get a better coaching staff than what we currently have?

If you think we can, who would they be? And don't say people like Memphis' head coach. He'll have 5-10 better offers on the table than us. I want to know the names of guys we could actually expect to take the job.

 

[NetflixAndClone]

First 2 years that CPR was here we were in the Big 12 North Division.

On a side note, who do you think might be named to replace CPR as head coach?? You should have some potential prospects that we might be able to get.

I honestly think we have a shot with Dino babers. ESPN has him coming to us and he seems to be flying under the radar for the top programs.

 

[cycloneworld]

As for Rhodes, I think he is doing a fantastic job, and I am proud to have him as our coach. You will get no better outcomes through a coaching change - only discontinuity. We are the underdog in many ways and that can't be fixed simply by an attitude change on the part of anyone, fans, coaches, or administration. We have a lot working against our success in a conference of mostly top tier teams. But I would rather play the best, being in the Big 12, but lose more and allow that experience to drive our excellence, than romp around playfully in something like CUSA, with a great win/loss record, rarely playing anyone truly excellent. And that is our real option if we want to rapidly change our win/loss ratio quickly.

Serious question: What have you seen from Paul Rhoads that shows he is "doing a fantastic job"?? He's won 8 games in 3 years.

And how can you say we will get "no better outcomes from a coaching change"?? I would guess that almost anyone could get better outcomes over the past 3 years.

Im all for your opinion that we should keep Rhoads but when you say these things it makes me wonder if you understand the game of football or have actually watched the product ISU has put on the field recently.

 

[rochclone]

agree, hate the losers mentality some on this board possess. If Kansas St. can do it there's a coach out there who can at ISU.

Is Kansas State doing it this year? Last time I check they were 0-6 in the conference.
insanity
Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

 

[Stormin]

I honestly think we have a shot with Dino babers. ESPN has him coming to us and he seems to be flying under the radar for the top programs.

Babers looks pretty good. IMO, he is more likely to end up at Illinois if he wants that job.

 

[rochclone]

Here's my take on how specific names will be responded to by the Rhoads family/supporters:
1. We can't get Nick Saban or (now) Urban Meyer. Doesn't matter if they're mentioned or not.
2. "They aren't any better than Rhoads." Some selective stat will be used, and then some reference to Saban or Meyer.
3. "They would never come here. They're looking for someplace higher in the food chain. Might as well ask for Nick Saban or Urban Meyer."

Prove me wrong, kids. Prove me wrong.

I think any replacement will need heading coaching experience and will be coming from CUSA, MAC or Sun Belt level. My personal opinion is if you have a chance at Brohm (Western Kentucky), P.J. Fleck (Western Michigan), or Willie Fritz (Georgia Southern) then you make that change. Any other move seems less likely to bring results then sticking with this staff for another year. The defense returns 9 starters next year and the offense has some young pieces in place.

 

[acody]

I've been extremely critical of this entire coaching staff all year. But they played toe to toe vs OSU. If they carry that forward in the next 2 games, we will be 5-7 and may have a shot at a bowl. I was really impressed with how physical our o and d lines were.

A default 5-7 bowl. No thanks.

 

[clonedude]

I honestly think we have a shot with Dino babers. ESPN has him coming to us and he seems to be flying under the radar for the top programs.

I could buy into Babers. I see Missouri might be interested in him to replace Pinkel though. If that's the case, then he won't come here most likely.

 

[CyForPresident]

Matt Rhule - Temple
Ken Niumataolo - Navy
Jeff Brohm - Western Kentucky
Doc Holiday - Marshall
Skip Holtz - LA Tech
Todd Monken - Southern Miss
Dino Barbers - Bowling Green
Matt Campbell - Toledo
Rod Carey - Northern Illinois
PJ Fleck - Western Michigan
Lance Leipold - Buffalo
Troy Calhoun - Air Force
Bryan Harsin - Boise State
Matt Wells - Utah State
Mike Bobo - Colorado State
Rocky Long - SDSU
Brian Polian - Nevada
Scott Satterfield - App State
Blake Anderson - Arkansas State
Willie Fritz - Georgia Southern
Tom Herman - Houston (Wont happen but you ask anyway)
Justin Fuente - Memphis (Wont happen but you ask anyway)

That took me 5 minutes and all of them are better options than CPR. And that's just D1-A and doesn't include assistants or D1-AA coaches. So can we please stop this "to many open jobs" ********

 

[RoseClone]

We were in a similar situation at the start of this year and I honestly thought I'd miss it more. It wasn't about sending a message for me, it was about cost/benefit analysis. The games were no longer fun and we were paying to tailgate.

Exactly the same for us 4 or 5 years ago.