WT Football

[loper legionnaire]

I could be wrong but Kearney really didnt have much of a history in the MIAA or RMAC so the expectations were probably far less than WT fans and alumni so he had the time to build and improve.

Kearney was one of the better teams in the RMAC. In 16 seasons, they only had a losing record twice and never finished below .500 in conference play. They also had 4 playoff appearances.

But you're right about the MIAA. Things have largely been rough for us. We entered the conference underfunded and had losing seasons our first seven seasons, including an 0-11 and 1-10 season under Josh Lamberson - I wonder what happened to that guy? :) and a combined 8-14 record in Lynn's first 2 seasons. But the scholarship count was going up and the team was improving so they stuck with him. And it paid off, with the Lopers stringing together 4 straight winning seasons (if you count the covid year), including a bowl win and a playoff win.

[MooseLodge]

Is there any meaningful NIL going on in D2 football. I'd just be happy if our scholarships are fully funded.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

So.....the big question is: if WT goes 3-8 again, does Lipinski cut his losses and hire a new coach?

If I'm the new AD, I would have to seriously consider it. I've only had a chance to ask Lipinski about FB twice. Both times he indicated FB was at the top of his list as a concern/necessity. Hiring a new coach would put HIS imprint on the program. If he's gonna do it, do it at the end of the season ASAP. That's pre-supposing WT goes 3-8. They could easily go 2-9. Then what?

I mean you would have to, yeah?

I could be wrong but Kearney really didnt have much of a history in the MIAA or RMAC so the expectations were probably far less than WT fans and alumni so he had the time to build and improve.

ENMU there is rarely any expectations so didnt really matter there.

The LSC is weak sauce compared to previous years so there shouldnt be any reason to not win more than 3 games,

Second year should be 5+ wins barring injuries.

Third Year 7-9 wins and flirt with a playoff spot.

Fourth year get those LSC championships and do some work in the playoffs.

WT looks light years behind those goals.

I feel bad for Lynn but he looks like Dabo Swinney in terms of being lost in the build it fast NIL transfer world.

[WT_TKW]

So.....the big question is: if WT goes 3-8 again, does Lipinski cut his losses and hire a new coach?

If I'm the new AD, I would have to seriously consider it. I've only had a chance to ask Lipinski about FB twice. Both times he indicated FB was at the top of his list as a concern/necessity. Hiring a new coach would put HIS imprint on the program. If he's gonna do it, do it at the end of the season ASAP. That's pre-supposing WT goes 3-8. They could easily go 2-9. Then what?

I’m so glad to hear he’s truly football oriented. If so Lynn will be toast if he doesn’t turn things around quickly. The bye week should help them work on all 27 things the team is bad at.

I said when Lynn was hired that he was a safe choice, not a great one. Maybe McBroom would have given him 5 years but I don’t think he’s shown anything good this year other than proving Johnson is a good athlete. Personally I wouldn’t have him back if he wins fewer that 4 games and that’s very unlikely at this point.

[BuffaloChip]

So.....the big question is: if WT goes 3-8 again, does Lipinski cut his losses and hire a new coach?

If I'm the new AD, I would have to seriously consider it. I've only had a chance to ask Lipinski about FB twice. Both times he indicated FB was at the top of his list as a concern/necessity. Hiring a new coach would put HIS imprint on the program. If he's gonna do it, do it at the end of the season ASAP. That's pre-supposing WT goes 3-8. They could easily go 2-9. Then what?

[Predatory Primates]

The OC that did great things at UNK was Drew Thatcher. He's back in the D2 ranks at New Mexico Highlands after a year as the OC at Army. His gun option attack didn't work as well in D1 as the traditional under the center option approach. He was demoted after the season but offered the chance to stay on as a position coach, but he elected to leave.

Your DC has been with Lynn for a long time and spent a couple seasons as our DC. I thought he did fine. Our defenses were never elite but they weren't bad either.

They were always solid up front. The back end seemed hit and miss.

[Buff90]

The OC that did great things at UNK was Drew Thatcher. He's back in the D2 ranks at New Mexico Highlands after a year as the OC at Army. His gun option attack didn't work as well in D1 as the traditional under the center option approach. He was demoted after the season but offered the chance to stay on as a position coach, but he elected to leave.

Your DC has been with Lynn for a long time and spent a couple seasons as our DC. I thought he did fine. Our defenses were never elite but they weren't bad either.

Thatchers offense would not do well given two years to recruit for it, its kinda unique for WT. The curent OC and the DC (even though he was once not bad either) needed to step up their game as recruiters and coaches. Lynn has a vision but the off field philosophy ( recruiting, portal and connections within the area and state) by he and his assembled staff are below average. Which is harsh to say considering the competition WT has been up against this first month. Because its been pretty solid. Heck the spring game they scrimmaged Pueblo and that bunch may make a lot of noise this year.

[loper legionnaire]

I agree I think the identity of his teams was ball control and tough defense. This current OC is not good, simply put. I'm not very much higher on the DC either, no sure if he is also new to the picture

The OC that did great things at UNK was Drew Thatcher. He's back in the D2 ranks at New Mexico Highlands after a year as the OC at Army. His gun option attack didn't work as well in D1 as the traditional under the center option approach. He was demoted after the season but offered the chance to stay on as a position coach, but he elected to leave.

Your DC has been with Lynn for a long time and spent a couple seasons as our DC. I thought he did fine. Our defenses were never elite but they weren't bad either.

[Buff Fan 05]

It seems like maybe Lynn's success was tuned to running the option with one of the better modern option OC's on staff.

The lossof that OC seems to be the big staff change from Kearney to WT.

I agree I think the identity of his teams was ball control and tough defense. This current OC is not good, simply put. I'm not very much higher on the DC either, no sure if he is also new to the picture

[Predatory Primates]

It seems like maybe Lynn's success was tuned to running the option with one of the better modern option OC's on staff.

The lossof that OC seems to be the big staff change from Kearney to WT.

[WT_TKW]

I couldn't agree more. Our QB has a hard time throwing an accurate pass, and the play call is horrendous. I cannot understand why we haven't seen Gibson come in. Is he hurt? Why would you continue to do the same thing all of the time when it's not working?

You know what Einstein said about that…

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

These conversation makes my head hurt 10 years later.

I felt that Nesbitt could take the wheel and at least recruit like Carthel but he was over his head as a D2 head coach. Glad he found his niche in NAIA.

Next I wanted Tremaine Jackson because of his defense in Sioux Falls. I was happy with Hughes at the start and showed promise. He could never adapt in game and collapsed.

Next I wanted Kris McCollough but was not disappointed with Lynn at the start. Not sure why he cant parlay MIAA success with the Buffs in the LSC.

My fear is WT is becoming the old Southwestern Oklahoma of the LSC.

Hopefully the new AD is football serious and gets WT football what they need in all aspects sooner than later.

Hopefully that means a big name with a multi year contract which seems to be one of the reasons why WT couldnt land the other two coaches.

[Roaming Buff]

WT has some issues for sure

QB - QB play is not good. He is not comfortable in the pocket. Consistently misses easy throws over the middle and turns the offense into school yard football every 3rd play. A lot of designed QB run plays that don't yield much. It seems like all of his long runs are just scrambles. I keep expecting to see Gibson when Johnson is struggling
OLine- Oline play in not good. Very slow and get beat off the snap a lot. RB's do not have much room to work and QB is under pressure far too often.
RB- RB group lacks speed. Henderson hasn't shown that he can run behind the Buffs Oline as effectively as he did at CWU
WR's- Who knows? Cant get them the ball
DLine-Slow and get tired as the game goes on. Pass rush is non existent
LB- Lber group is solid
DB's- Liability in man coverage. I am honestly surprised more teams haven't tried to exploit them with the deep ball

I still think they will beat WNMU because WNMU has no Offense at all, but it might be one of those 17-7 type games

I couldn't agree more. Our QB has a hard time throwing an accurate pass, and the play call is horrendous. I cannot understand why we haven't seen Gibson come in. Is he hurt? Why would you continue to do the same thing all of the time when it's not working?

[huntnfish]

WT has some issues for sure

QB - QB play is not good. He is not comfortable in the pocket. Consistently misses easy throws over the middle and turns the offense into school yard football every 3rd play. A lot of designed QB run plays that don't yield much. It seems like all of his long runs are just scrambles. I keep expecting to see Gibson when Johnson is struggling
OLine- Oline play in not good. Very slow and get beat off the snap a lot. RB's do not have much room to work and QB is under pressure far too often.
RB- RB group lacks speed. Henderson hasn't shown that he can run behind the Buffs Oline as effectively as he did at CWU
WR's- Who knows? Cant get them the ball
DLine-Slow and get tired as the game goes on. Pass rush is non existent
LB- Lber group is solid
DB's- Liability in man coverage. I am honestly surprised more teams haven't tried to exploit them with the deep ball

I still think they will beat WNMU because WNMU has no Offense at all, but it might be one of those 17-7 type games

[Buffan78]

With a new AD from a school with a big-time football program, I think Lynn was on the hot seat from day 1. Unless the team shows lots of improvement and possibly even a winning season, you may see a new coach next year.

A winning season this year. Pie in sky. Will be time to move on and build with diff Coach.