WT Football

[WT_TKW]

I went to practice today (after 7 yr old grandson's WT soccer camp). Saw the last hour of practice. Light years ahead of practices same time last year. The team looks like a real "football team" this year. They were in shoulder pads and shells. Full pads begin tomorrow. Returning starter Kannon Gibson and Kearney transfer Sean Johnson were getting more reps than the other QB's. One of the freshmen QB's (not sure who) nailed a couple mid-level passes in tight coverage, while running to his right. Impressive. Johnson looked good on several short passes. Man, give him an inch of daylight and he's gone. Slips thru a crack so so so quick. Several times the D had great coverage.

The mood of the practice was very business-like, determined, organized. None of that "new coaches, new players" trying to figure it out like this time last year. I'm going to go again tomorrow after soccer camp next door.

I always appreciate your optimistic reports, Chip! Keep them coming.

[ASUPops]

Good point. They should fire every first-year head coach that doesn't go 10-2. Problem solved.

Funny.....but they need to show improvement over the previous coach their FIRST year.

It's a fact. Winners win. From coaches to athletes.

[BuffaloChip]

Lynn's UNK teams were tough, physical, and more than a little dirty.

The entire OL returns. Some new big bodies on the DL. Several new cover guys. Better speed in the backfield. It felt (and looked) a lot better than last year.

[Predatory Primates]

I went to practice today (after 7 yr old grandson's WT soccer camp). Saw the last hour of practice. Light years ahead of practices same time last year. The team looks like a real "football team" this year. They were in shoulder pads and shells. Full pads begin tomorrow. Returning starter Kannon Gibson and Kearney transfer Sean Johnson were getting more reps than the other QB's. One of the freshmen QB's (not sure who) nailed a couple mid-level passes in tight coverage, while running to his right. Impressive. Johnson looked good on several short passes. Man, give him an inch of daylight and he's gone. Slips thru a crack so so so quick. Several times the D had great coverage.

The mood of the practice was very business-like, determined, organized. None of that "new coaches, new players" trying to figure it out like this time last year. I'm going to go again tomorrow after soccer camp next door.

Lynn's UNK teams were tough, physical, and more than a little dirty.

[BuffaloChip]

I went to practice today (after 7 yr old grandson's WT soccer camp). Saw the last hour of practice. Light years ahead of practices same time last year. The team looks like a real "football team" this year. They were in shoulder pads and shells. Full pads begin tomorrow. Returning starter Kannon Gibson and Kearney transfer Sean Johnson were getting more reps than the other QB's. One of the freshmen QB's (not sure who) nailed a couple mid-level passes in tight coverage, while running to his right. Impressive. Johnson looked good on several short passes. Man, give him an inch of daylight and he's gone. Slips thru a crack so so so quick. Several times the D had great coverage.

The mood of the practice was very business-like, determined, organized. None of that "new coaches, new players" trying to figure it out like this time last year. I'm going to go again tomorrow after soccer camp next door.

[WT_TKW]

Kelley Lee was the ENMU coach back then. How the losses happened were shocking.

Up 27-3 on Tarleton, lost 31-27
Up 38-17 on ENMU, lost 39-38 on a 2 point conversion
Up 28-14 on Grand Valley, lose 35-28

He couldnt answer second half adjustments.

I remembered the Grand Valley second half. I always thought that was the official beginning of the Nesbitt era. McBroom removed the interim tag within a day or two of that loss.

Then there was Spanishgate, and even though the reporting player fingered Nesbitt, he was given a pass.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

Yes, it is true about 2013 but it was with Don's team. Don was fired just before the season began so Nesbitt basically just clapped that season. His loss to ENMU was shocking - wasn't Lynn the coach there then? I will admit Lynn is a much better coach than Nesbitt.

Kelley Lee was the ENMU coach back then. How the losses happened were shocking.

Up 27-3 on Tarleton, lost 31-27
Up 38-17 on ENMU, lost 39-38 on a 2 point conversion
Up 28-14 on Grand Valley, lose 35-28

He couldnt answer second half adjustments.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

Apparently, some donors are now giving because Michael is gone, and some aren't going to give anymore because he's gone. Typical WT.

When will folks figure out you're supporting a program, not a person?

Might be because Wendler is still there on the non giving part of it.

[WT_TKW]

To be fair Nesbitt did make the NCAA quarterfinals in 2013 and had Grand Valley on the ropes in that game.

You saw the cracks in his coaching.

That 2013 team should have been 14-0 meeting NW in the national semi finals.

Carthel would have never blown those 3 losses when there were big leads in all 3 games.

Once Carthel's players graduated or transferred he was dead man walking trying to coach and win with his players.

Yes, it is true about 2013 but it was with Don's team. Don was fired just before the season began so Nesbitt basically just clapped that season. His loss to ENMU was shocking - wasn't Lynn the coach there then? I will admit Lynn is a much better coach than Nesbitt.

[MooseLodge]

Apparently, some donors are now giving because Michael is gone, and some aren't going to give anymore because he's gone. Typical WT.

When will folks figure out you're supporting a program, not a person?

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

[QUOTE=WT_TKW;n835497]

Fixed your post.

It's early and want to be wrong long term with Lynn but McBroom wasn't good at hiring football coaches.

2011 - Mike Nesbitt (now head coach at NAIA OUAZ) over some decent coach. Mike dismantled a great team just a year after taking over as interim coach. He did defeat McMurry twice though to go 6-5!.

2016 - Hunter Hughes (now Idaho sam nickels coach) over Tremaine Jackson (Head coach at national powerhouse Valdosta State going 12-2 and final 8 last year).

2023 - Josh Lynn over Kris McCollough (Wins LSC with an undefeated conference record first year).

/QUOTE]

Great comments on Hughes and Lynn though.

To be fair Nesbitt did make the NCAA quarterfinals in 2013 and had Grand Valley on the ropes in that game.

You saw the cracks in his coaching.

That 2013 team should have been 14-0 meeting NW in the national semi finals.

Carthel would have never blown those 3 losses when there were big leads in all 3 games.

Once Carthel's players graduated or transferred he was dead man walking trying to coach and win with his players.

[WT_TKW]

[QUOTE=Buffalo/Islander Alum;n835472]

Fixed your post.

It's early and want to be wrong long term with Lynn but McBroom wasn't good at hiring football coaches.

2011 - Mike Nesbitt (now head coach at NAIA OUAZ) over some decent coach. Mike dismantled a great team just a year after taking over as interim coach. He did defeat McMurry twice though to go 6-5!.

2016 - Hunter Hughes (now Idaho sam nickels coach) over Tremaine Jackson (Head coach at national powerhouse Valdosta State going 12-2 and final 8 last year).

2023 - Josh Lynn over Kris McCollough (Wins LSC with an undefeated conference record first year).

/QUOTE]

Great comments on Hughes and Lynn though.

[WT_TKW]

Lynn wasnt hired to go 6-5 every year.

If that is the standard they might as well kept Hughes.

4 years then rinse, repeat, and try again if it doesnt work out (again).

Were Nesbitt and Hughes hired to go 6-5 every year? Hughes would probably had at least 1 more year had it not been for our friends at Simon Fraser.

11 years after Don Carthel was fired, I am ready for some quality football. I would like it will be this season, but I don't think there is a chance of > .500. I really DO like the fact that Lynn isn't scheduling NAIA teams to make his record look better.

Speaking of Carthel, did you know he was invited to the "meet the new AD get together"? I thought that was a classy move. It was good to see him on campus again.

[MooseLodge]

If you read my post I said 4 years and then re-evaluate and get someone else if 6 wins is the standard.

It's early and want to be wrong long term with Lynn but WT hasn't exactly been a great judge of football coaching success the last 8 years.

2016 - Hunter Hughes (now Idaho sam nickels coach) over Tremaine Jackson (Head coach at national powerhouse Valdosta State going 12-2 and final 8 last year).

2023 - Josh Lynn over Kris McCollough (Wins LSC with an undefeated conference record first year).

So yeah I expect a winning playoff caliber team within 4 years.

duly noted

[MooseLodge]

Why?

Two words - Don Carthel. Took a horrible 2-8 WT team in 2004 to 10-2 in 2005 (his first year), and never looked back.

A winner WINS. Period.

Good point. They should fire every first-year head coach that doesn't go 10-2. Problem solved.