Gold
Well-Known Member
Let's stop the 2 years is too early campaign right now. I see the plot developing, and it's total b.s. The results were not a product of circumstance and situation (i.e., look what Hawk left me), they were a product of poor coaching, decision making, and failed strategy. He has no one to blame but himself. Here's a recap on why exactly Embree deserved to be fired after 2 painful years:
1. Opening the season with a no-huddle offense
LOL doesn't properly express the absurdity of this decision. Before the season started, Embree stated CU has the personnel to finally run it. Then proceeded to display the embarrassment of unprepared, uncoordinated no-huddle Buffs in front of national audiences. Delays of game, problems getting plays in, predicable play calls. Hallmarks of a team improperly trained to run whatever offense is being asked of them. But not only that, we really did not have the talent to execute this, so what was Embree smoking to believe we were capable of it before the season started?
2. Lettting Webb transfer/giving Webb the starting CU QB job
In less than 2 weeks no less! Of all the possible QB's that were on the market in the offseason, whether it's JC transfers, regular transfers, freshmen, or guys on the roster that he recruited to CU, he picked the worst possible quarterback to run a pro style option. In no way whatsoever did Webb have experience running a pro style offense, and I have no idea how they came to the conclusion he would be successful at it. This was just dumb decision making by the coaches.
3. Running the pro-style offense
There's a reason why it's called the pro-style, it's run by professionals! Unless you have the intelligence and athleticism of Stanford players, then don't bother running a pro-style. Again, poor decision making by the coaching staff. Not the administration. Not Bohn, not Benson, not Hawk, etc. This was a failed strategic decision by Embree. Telling us in the offseason you're going to look at the spread does us no good. You made us sit through a season of painful games as the offense was bumbling around left and right.
4. Openly trashing the players talent in the media/not being accountable
One of the reasons I was looking forward to the Hawk era ending had to do with accountability. The dude blamed everyone but the coaching staff. I though Embree was different, but he was exactly the same if not worse. I have never seen a coach get a free pass in the media like Embree did openly trashing the talent level of his team. Mind you, this is the same team he told us is going to a bowl game, and finally ready to start a no-huddle.
5. Exhibiting the least inspiring sideline confidence in the history of coaching
I have never seen a coach openly sulk on the sidelines for extended periods of time like Embree. This was unprecedented behavior by a head coach. I get that he wears his emotions on his sleeve, but the aura of depression he exuded just compounded the problem. Maybe his mind is somewhere else and not sulking, but put on a brave face for once and act like a confident, positive influence. Not a whiny cry baby. As the HC, you're the public spokesperson for the team, brand, program, company, etc. If you are trudging off to the side because you are mad at your team, know that you're not lifting the spirits of the team, the fans, anyone.
6. Not making defensive coaching changes mid-season
If you've seen the thrashing that was 55-0 at halftime of Fresno State, you'd think defensive changes were guaranteed immediately after. Nope. We continued to run the same ragged, ineffective defensive schemes that were getting torched in ways only sports movies can conjure up. The slowness in which Embree responded to dire situation told me 1. he banked on his 3rd year, so riding out the string of embarrassing games was fine by him, and 2. he didn't have an answer on what to do. Here's a hint, keeping Brown as the DC - not the right thing to do.
7. Not teaching these guys to tackle
All of a sudden, the team can't tackle. I have no idea what practice looked like, but this was a seriously disturbing trend that continued throughout the season. Tackling is a fundamental of football, not being able to do it is kind of a mega catastrophe. Either this was Blacken's strength and conditioning effect, or Brown's in ability to coach up this aspect, but this was intolerable. Why they were massively unprepared to tackle on Saturday is on the coaches.
8. Picking inexperienced OC/DC to run your show
Embree hand picked his staff. And he picked 2 coordinators without any prior experience in those positions. How he was able to do this is just absurd. I do partially blame Bohn for this, but ultimately, we were set up for failure by the decisions of the head coach.
9. Riding out the season with Jordan Webb
This was the white flag that made the season so unbearable. If there was ever a sign that said "don't bother watching till next year", it was this. Similar to not making changes, a trademark of the Embree era, but we should have seen Hirchsman starting much earlier. Say, to start the season! The excuses we heard were endless - Webb practices better, can't start a guy on the road, can't start a guy against this team, give me a break! Most of our games were over by the 1st quarter. We were running out the clock in the 2nd quarter! Not making changes lead to the firing, and the stubbornness to keep Webb in there is the prime example of the bunch.
If I were Bohn, I would print this out and read it over and over when making the next coaching decision. This is exactly the kind of inept coaching we have to avoid this time around. The decision to fire Embree is the right one, and I'm relieved it happened. The thought of seeing CU get waxed in the first few games under Embree then have to ride out the 2013 running out the clock in the 2nd quarter is chilling. I am thrilled at the opportunity. Go get the Tad Boyle of CU football. Let's bring in someone who is smart and strategic.
1. Opening the season with a no-huddle offense
LOL doesn't properly express the absurdity of this decision. Before the season started, Embree stated CU has the personnel to finally run it. Then proceeded to display the embarrassment of unprepared, uncoordinated no-huddle Buffs in front of national audiences. Delays of game, problems getting plays in, predicable play calls. Hallmarks of a team improperly trained to run whatever offense is being asked of them. But not only that, we really did not have the talent to execute this, so what was Embree smoking to believe we were capable of it before the season started?
2. Lettting Webb transfer/giving Webb the starting CU QB job
In less than 2 weeks no less! Of all the possible QB's that were on the market in the offseason, whether it's JC transfers, regular transfers, freshmen, or guys on the roster that he recruited to CU, he picked the worst possible quarterback to run a pro style option. In no way whatsoever did Webb have experience running a pro style offense, and I have no idea how they came to the conclusion he would be successful at it. This was just dumb decision making by the coaches.
3. Running the pro-style offense
There's a reason why it's called the pro-style, it's run by professionals! Unless you have the intelligence and athleticism of Stanford players, then don't bother running a pro-style. Again, poor decision making by the coaching staff. Not the administration. Not Bohn, not Benson, not Hawk, etc. This was a failed strategic decision by Embree. Telling us in the offseason you're going to look at the spread does us no good. You made us sit through a season of painful games as the offense was bumbling around left and right.
4. Openly trashing the players talent in the media/not being accountable
One of the reasons I was looking forward to the Hawk era ending had to do with accountability. The dude blamed everyone but the coaching staff. I though Embree was different, but he was exactly the same if not worse. I have never seen a coach get a free pass in the media like Embree did openly trashing the talent level of his team. Mind you, this is the same team he told us is going to a bowl game, and finally ready to start a no-huddle.
5. Exhibiting the least inspiring sideline confidence in the history of coaching
I have never seen a coach openly sulk on the sidelines for extended periods of time like Embree. This was unprecedented behavior by a head coach. I get that he wears his emotions on his sleeve, but the aura of depression he exuded just compounded the problem. Maybe his mind is somewhere else and not sulking, but put on a brave face for once and act like a confident, positive influence. Not a whiny cry baby. As the HC, you're the public spokesperson for the team, brand, program, company, etc. If you are trudging off to the side because you are mad at your team, know that you're not lifting the spirits of the team, the fans, anyone.
6. Not making defensive coaching changes mid-season
If you've seen the thrashing that was 55-0 at halftime of Fresno State, you'd think defensive changes were guaranteed immediately after. Nope. We continued to run the same ragged, ineffective defensive schemes that were getting torched in ways only sports movies can conjure up. The slowness in which Embree responded to dire situation told me 1. he banked on his 3rd year, so riding out the string of embarrassing games was fine by him, and 2. he didn't have an answer on what to do. Here's a hint, keeping Brown as the DC - not the right thing to do.
7. Not teaching these guys to tackle
All of a sudden, the team can't tackle. I have no idea what practice looked like, but this was a seriously disturbing trend that continued throughout the season. Tackling is a fundamental of football, not being able to do it is kind of a mega catastrophe. Either this was Blacken's strength and conditioning effect, or Brown's in ability to coach up this aspect, but this was intolerable. Why they were massively unprepared to tackle on Saturday is on the coaches.
8. Picking inexperienced OC/DC to run your show
Embree hand picked his staff. And he picked 2 coordinators without any prior experience in those positions. How he was able to do this is just absurd. I do partially blame Bohn for this, but ultimately, we were set up for failure by the decisions of the head coach.
9. Riding out the season with Jordan Webb
This was the white flag that made the season so unbearable. If there was ever a sign that said "don't bother watching till next year", it was this. Similar to not making changes, a trademark of the Embree era, but we should have seen Hirchsman starting much earlier. Say, to start the season! The excuses we heard were endless - Webb practices better, can't start a guy on the road, can't start a guy against this team, give me a break! Most of our games were over by the 1st quarter. We were running out the clock in the 2nd quarter! Not making changes lead to the firing, and the stubbornness to keep Webb in there is the prime example of the bunch.
If I were Bohn, I would print this out and read it over and over when making the next coaching decision. This is exactly the kind of inept coaching we have to avoid this time around. The decision to fire Embree is the right one, and I'm relieved it happened. The thought of seeing CU get waxed in the first few games under Embree then have to ride out the 2013 running out the clock in the 2nd quarter is chilling. I am thrilled at the opportunity. Go get the Tad Boyle of CU football. Let's bring in someone who is smart and strategic.
