What coaches will be facing HIGH expectations in the upcoming season...

[WizardHawk]

That's not how USC works. usually its the game you never see coming that they lose. Cal or Oregon State

True, but he's an example of fans thinking with their hearts over their heads/history. Might want to fire a guy that takes that talent and loses 5 games, but I really seriously doubt it would happen in year 2 with everything else he's doing well.

 

[4down20]

Ed O is a great recruiter and a great motivator. Everyone loves the guy too. Heck, even with things ending badly at USC, it's virtually impossible to find anyone who will say anything negative about him. USC would bring him back in a heartbeat (I think Sark actually tried) as just about anything other than HC.

But, he struggles with X's and O's and in game adjustments. When he was interim at USC and turned the team around, everyone (myself included) jumped on the "Hire Ed O" bandwagon. However, as the season went on, his deficiencies became pretty clear, ending with him being badly out coached by Mora in the UCLA game.

If he has top notch assistants who can cover his weaknesses, he and LSU will be fine. If not, they will win their games against lower tier teams and the middle/bottom of the SEC. But they will come up short against top teams with good coaches.

I think he's basically set up to fail because of the unrealistic expectations of the LSU fan base.

The LSU fans we have around here are generally good fans, but it seems like most LSU fans elsewhere expect and demand to beat Alabama. Meanwhile, the LSU AD is someone who appears to react to every knee jerk reaction of the fan base. In 2015 they were going to fire Les, then he wins the last game(A&M I think it was) and everyone loves Miles again, so he doesn't fire him. Then last year early in the year everyone is upset over the early loss and the offense and out the door he goes ridiculously early in the year.

Orgeron didn't fare any better, maybe even worse. But the AD looked like a fool after they missed on Herman and it seemed like they hired Orgeron quickly just to act like it was on purpose when clearly it was another knee-jerk reaction to the notion they had to find a coach quickly. I cringe at the thought of Mal Moore doing that in 2006/7 when Rich Rod chose Michigan over us, instead of keeping the search going in what ended up being Saban.

LSU basically hired down trying to meet unrealistic expectations. LSU fans are extremely butthurt about losing 6 in a row to Alabama and how they keep losing big time in state recruits to Saban.

 

[USCDoom]

True, but he's an example of fans thinking with their hearts over their heads/history. Might want to fire a guy that takes that talent and loses 5 games, but I really seriously doubt it would happen in year 2 with everything else he's doing well.

Wow...

USC has not lost to Cal since 2003.
USC has not lost to Oregon State in LA since 1960.

 

[WizardHawk]

Wow...

USC has not lost to Cal since 2003.
USC has not lost to Oregon State in LA since 1960.

How is that a wow?

I see no real way USC loses 5, but if they did (to exercise the question of this thread) I really doubt he would be fired. That's my opinion.

 

[Olyduck]

Wow...

USC has not lost to Cal since 2003.
USC has not lost to Oregon State in LA since 1960.

And Oregon hadnt lost to Washington since 2003 and then last year happened. streaks end

 

[RegentDenali]

USC - With the classes they pull in, they lose a single game and they act like it's the apocalypse and throw veruca tantrums to fire everyone.

Bama - They lose to even Florida St. and they'll be acting like it's the apocalypse as usual.

Penn St. - Franklin saved his ass for now, but Penn St. fans are expecting Big10 champ game bids every year. Their continuous worship of pedo enabler Paterno is disgusting, and if Franklin doesn't win at least 9 games in 2017, they'll probably call for his head.

 

[wazzu31]

Clay Helton is REALLY safe IMO. USC doesn't want to change head coaches again (how many have they had the past 5-6 seasons?). Plus, with Oregon having trouble getting back to the Chip Kelly success, and Stanford taking a step back recently, the Pac 12 is pretty weak. On top of that, I don't think USC meets Washington unless both teams make it to the Pac 12 championship game? (I could be wrong on that)

Clay Helton would have to SERIOUSLY drop the ball next season in order to be in any danger of getting on the hot seat in next 2 seasons IMO. I just don't see it happening.

The Pac 12 comes through Pullman not the crack capital that $C is located on.

 

[Olyduck]

The Pac 12 comes through Pullman not the crack capital that $C is located on.

WSU only has 4 home conference games next year and the reigning champs UW in Seattle so no it doesn't

 

[trojanfan12]

What are high expectations if there is no penalty for not achieving it? IMO, if there is no penalty for not achieving those high expectations, are they really high expectations?

Just because there may not be immediate consequences for not achieving high expectations, doesn't mean the expectations aren't high.

For example, looking at USC's schedule, I think most would agree that we should go no worse than 10-2 (and that won't be good enough for some Trojan fans) and could possibly finish unbeaten. Those are pretty high expectations.

If we were to finish say, 9-3 or 8-4, I don't think Helton would be fired, but I think his seat would become very, very warm and his leash would be much shorter. If there wasn't a huge improvement the following season, I think he'd be fired at the end of that season.

 

[socaljim242]

Just because there may not be immediate consequences for not achieving high expectations, doesn't mean the expectations aren't high.

For example, looking at USC's schedule, I think most would agree that we should go no worse than 10-2 (and that won't be good enough for some Trojan fans) and could possibly finish unbeaten. Those are pretty high expectations.

If we were to finish say, 9-3 or 8-4, I don't think Helton would be fired, but I think his seat would become very, very warm and his leash would be much shorter. If there wasn't a huge improvement the following season, I think he'd be fired at the end of that season.

Agree. For the regular season anything more than one loss will be disappointing for me. The team should be significantly better on both sides of the ball and the schedule is very favorable. Going to Notre Dame might be a tough game if they play up to their talent but playing Stanford at home helps , hopefully Mora still has his head up his ass no Washington till the CCG (if they both get there).

 

[umichgradfan]

Definitely Jim Harbaugh. Time to get Michigan into the playoffs. They miss it this year he's going to be let go I think.

Not a chance.

 

[outofyourmind]

Isn't the off season the time when EVERY Coach is facing high expectations??

Natty on a Platter

 

[4down20]

Bama - They lose to even Florida St. and they'll be acting like it's the apocalypse as usual.

The great thing about Saban is his expectations are just as high as the fans.

I doubt anyone could handle the expectations at Alabama right now otherwise.

 

[7Samurai13]

The great thing about Saban is his expectations are just as high as the fans.

I doubt anyone could handle the expectations at Alabama right now otherwise.

But are they as "high" as his players?

 

[Wamu]

I doubt anyone could handle the expectations at Alabama right now otherwise.

Jim Harbaugh could.

 

[BamaDude]

1. Gus Malzahn (has two top-notch RB's returning, plus Stidham coming in at QB. If Auburn doesn't do better than 8-4 this year, the bus might get firebombed!)

2. Butch Jones (he's had plenty of time, but hasn't made a ton of progress, other than finally beating Florida. Gonna be hard to improve on 8 wins with many of his top players gone.)

3. Kirby Smart would be on this list if this was his third year, but it's only his second; so, Jim McElwain, the Florida coach is the one that needs to step up, find some offense, and win at least 10 games.

Harbaugh won't get much static as long as he wins 10 games again (unless one of his losses is a blowout to Ohio St. or MSU). He could win 8 games & beat OSU and he would be the darling of Ann Arbor.

People are used to being on the cusp - but not over the top - at Oklahoma. As long as they win 8 or 9 games & don't lose to Texas & Oklahoma St. in the same season, I don't think the grumblings get too loud.

Clay Helton is in like Flint unless the Trojans show a serious reversal from last year. USC may be over-rated to start the season - which could lead to some unreasonable expectations - but as long as they are in contention for the Pac-12 title, even if they miss the playoffs, nine or 10 wins keeps the wolves off his back.

 

[belcherboy]

Clay Helton is in like Flint unless the Trojans show a serious reversal from last year. USC may be over-rated to start the season - which could lead to some unreasonable expectations - but as long as they are in contention for the Pac-12 title, even if they miss the playoffs, nine or 10 wins keeps the wolves off his back.

That has been my contention all along. I'm not sure anyone in leadership at USC wants to hit the reset button again anytime soon. Get the team to the Pac12 championship game, even if it doesn't result in a playoff bid, and he's good to go IMO. Now in 2-3 years, those expectations will likely be MUCH different.

 

[socaljim242]

That has been my contention all along. I'm not sure anyone in leadership at USC wants to hit the reset button again anytime soon. Get the team to the Pac12 championship game, even if it doesn't result in a playoff bid, and he's good to go IMO. Now in 2-3 years, those expectations will likely be MUCH different.

So winning the PAC and being in contention for a playoff spot isn't high expectations? LOL. Yeah ok.

 

[douggie]

 

[belcherboy]

So winning the PAC and being in contention for a playoff spot isn't high expectations? LOL. Yeah ok.

Being in the championship game does not equate to winning it.