Can Sperbeck Deliver Success??

[OldHornet]

I am starting this thread for thoughtful dialogue on whether Coach Sperbeck can deliver a BSC Championship or even the playoffs (my definition of success). There is no doubt Marshall has improved the program, we've gone from a cellar dweller under Moosh to mid-level team under Sperbeck. But after five years, we’re not even close to where we need to be.

1. Record. The stats reflect an impact, although it's not very significant. Under Moosh we averaged a 2-5 record in the BSC - Sperbeck is averaging slightly under 4 wins per year. Moosh was 8-21 in four seasons in the BSC and Marshall will most likely finish this season with an 18-22 BSC record (assuming 3-5 with loss as PSU and win against ISU). Yes, Marshall did have the win at OSU but how long did that goodwill last, one week?

2. Recruiting. I know Marshall gets a lot of credit for his solid recruiting classes, but when we look back are the high school recruits really that successful compared to Moosh or Volek? It seems many of the impact players are transfers, JC or University. Other than Nash or Hilliard, who are the other “high impact” players that were high school recruits? The other thing that bothers me is the number of recruits that either leave or never show up. There’s a lot more to discuss here but I’ll leave that for your comments.

3. Coaching Staff. I get that there will be turn over with coaches moving to higher profile programs, but I don’t think we’ve had a consistent approach to the staff. The on and off again OC role has been a disaster, as has defensive approach.

4. Game plans/game adjustments. I don’t think there are many situations where we can say Marshall out coached the opponents. I’m not saying he’s done a bad job but I am saying he’s just been OK. Kicking game anyone?

The net is we’re an average BSC team with an average BSC program. If that’s what the administration wants then things will continue this way for the next five years. I for one hope there are higher aspirations!!

 

[Kadeezy]

I am starting this thread for thoughtful dialogue on whether Coach Sperbeck can deliver a BSC Championship or even the playoffs (my definition of success). There is no doubt Marshall has improved the program, we've gone from a cellar dweller under Moosh to mid-level team under Sperbeck. But after five years, we’re not even close to where we need to be.

1. Record. The stats reflect an impact, although it's not very significant. Under Moosh we averaged a 2-5 record in the BSC - Sperbeck is averaging slightly under 4 wins per year. Moosh was 8-21 in four seasons in the BSC and Marshall will most likely finish this season with an 18-22 BSC record (assuming 3-5 with loss as PSU and win against ISU). Yes, Marshall did have the win at OSU but how long did that goodwill last, one week?


I think the improvement in BSC record is marked and noteworthy. Coach Sperbeck notched 10 more wins than mooshagian before he hit the same number of losses. We're no longer the punching bag of the BSC.


2. Recruiting. I know Marshall gets a lot of credit for his solid recruiting classes, but when we look back are the high school recruits really that successful compared to Moosh or Volek? It seems many of the impact players are transfers, JC or University. Other than Nash or Hilliard, who are the other “high impact” players that were high school recruits? The other thing that bothers me is the number of recruits that either leave or never show up. There’s a lot more to discuss here but I’ll leave that for your comments.

The Sperbeck era recruit are the best this program has seen IMO. Just from this year... Coleman, Carter, Wilkins, Croxdale, Badger, Safron, Norrise, McCowan, Williams, Odiase, Hilliard, Davis, Doverspike, Worthly, ......

3. Coaching Staff. I get that there will be turn over with coaches moving to higher profile programs, but I don’t think we’ve had a consistent approach to the staff. The on and off again OC role has been a disaster, as has defensive approach.


I sort of agree with you on this, but I don't think Sperbeck had too many other options after the way the changes went down last year...

4. Game plans/game adjustments. I don’t think there are many situations where we can say Marshall out coached the opponents. I’m not saying he’s done a bad job but I am saying he’s just been OK. Kicking game anyone?

Any option is a better option than Jason Diniz at this point. To me, Sperbeck has two choices at this point. Go for two and try on every 4th down. Or burn a RS for a kicker he thinks has more promise with only 3 games left.

The net is we’re an average BSC team with an average BSC program. If that’s what the administration wants then things will continue this way for the next five years. I for one hope there are higher aspirations!!

We are indeed a middle of the pack BSC school. Things will only get more interesting next year with CP and UCD in our conference.

 

[SDHornet]

I am starting this thread for thoughtful dialogue on whether Coach Sperbeck can deliver a BSC Championship or even the playoffs (my definition of success). There is no doubt Marshall has improved the program, we've gone from a cellar dweller under Moosh to mid-level team under Sperbeck. But after five years, we’re not even close to where we need to be.

Overall good post OH. My thoughts:

1. Record. The stats reflect an impact, although it's not very significant. Under Moosh we averaged a 2-5 record in the BSC - Sperbeck is averaging slightly under 4 wins per year. Moosh was 8-21 in four seasons in the BSC and Marshall will most likely finish this season with an 18-22 BSC record (assuming 3-5 with loss as PSU and win against ISU). Yes, Marshall did have the win at OSU but how long did that goodwill last, one week?

I think you are missing a year of Moosh’s losing. 4 years of Moosh incompetence should be closer to 40 games and not 30. If I recall correctly his best season was his last in which he lead the Hornets to a 4-7 record. 1-2 wins in the BSC was the norm for him and I don’t think he broke that until his “breakthrough” season in year 4. Also ( I haven’t and won’t look this up) but in my mind we took a lot of lopsided beatings duringr the Moosh era. The last couple of years under Sperbeck have encompassed a lot of close losses. Yes a loss is a loss and a win is a win, but lopsided beat downs are embarrassing, and yes Sperbeck has endured some of those as well. Sperbeck does have 2 of the most prolific wins as a Hornet coach on his resume’ (OSU & Montana), something no other Hornet coach can attribute to, but Sperbeck has also beaten the farm extension and that’s something Moosh never was able to accomplish.

2. Recruiting. I know Marshall gets a lot of credit for his solid recruiting classes, but when we look back are the high school recruits really that successful compared to Moosh or Volek? It seems many of the impact players are transfers, JC or University. Other than Nash or Hilliard, who are the other “high impact” players that were high school recruits? The other thing that bothers me is the number of recruits that either leave or never show up. There’s a lot more to discuss here but I’ll leave that for your comments.

This is the norm in the FCS. Very few (if any) top notch FCS programs are solely developed with homegrown talent. The coaches need to get the best talent from where ever that comes from. If that so happens to be JC transfers and FBS drop downs then so be it. Hornet competition will go after these players so there is no reason this Hornet program should pass on such talent (assuming they fit into the Hornet system both on and off the field). To better gage the increased talent level on the Hornets roster, we just lost our starting QB 2 weeks ago and still should have won both of those games (EWU & NAU). Bottom line is if this program doesn’t have the better talent the coaches have brought here, this team wouldn’t have had a chance in either of those games. The talent level between the Moosh era and Sperbeck era is night and day. Also every program has some level of turnover no matter what. Some programs more than others.

3. Coaching Staff. I get that there will be turn over with coaches moving to higher profile programs, but I don’t think we’ve had a consistent approach to the staff. The on and off again OC role has been a disaster, as has defensive approach.

I agree an OC is needed and we had one coming into the season but he was hired away to FBS SJSU. This absolutely needs to be addressed in the offseason. We haven’t had a consistent approach to the coaching staff because Sperbeck is trying to find what works to push us to the next level. He felt what we had wasn’t going to do that so he made moves. We talk about complacency and how Sperbeck is accepting mediocrity, yet he made changes to the staff to try and propel this program to the next level. I’d rather have a merry-go-round of coaches that might push this program to the next level rather than stick will a bunch of tenured coaches who may be complacent and may not be striving for this program to reach the next level. (No this is not a swipe at the coaches who were changed after last season.)

4. Game plans/game adjustments. I don’t think there are many situations where we can say Marshall out coached the opponents. I’m not saying he’s done a bad job but I am saying he’s just been OK. Kicking game anyone?

Agree here. Coaches need to stay on top of things during a game and make adjustments as needed. Offensively, having an OC will help here.

The net is we’re an average BSC team with an average BSC program. If that’s what the administration wants then things will continue this way for the next five years. I for one hope there are higher aspirations!!

Agree. We were banging on the door last season and this season we took a step back. Having said that, being an average BSC program is a far cry from where we were during the Moosh era. I believe Sperbeck is contracted through next season and IMO deserved an extension even with the disappointment of this season.

If everyone is that upset about the status of this program, then open up your wallets and join in (or continue) to support this program, or make a six figure donation to the AD so they can afford to put together a committee to hire a new coach. If you are not willing to do either of those, then sit down and STFU.

 

[OldHornet]

If everyone is that upset about the status of this program, then open up your wallets and join in (or continue) to support this program, or make a six figure donation to the AD so they can afford to put together a committee to hire a new coach. If you are not willing to do either of those, then sit down and STFU.

I hope you're not saying that you can't have an opinion about Hornet football unless you're a booster? I beleive the people that buy tickets every week, the students and the alumni have earned the right to speak their peace. I want people to talk about the program, I want them to be passionate about moving things forward. I would argue that this passion is needed before most people become boosters!! But since I do write a check every year I won't STFU!

Has our program been down so long that most people will accept being middle of the road? I want a title and I havent seen us come close. This is year 5, and unfortunately it looks like it's going to be another losing record. So for anyone keeping score, Sperbeck will have 1 winning record (6-5), 1 year at .500 (6-6) and 3 losing records. Do you think people in Montana or Alabama would stand for this? No because they expect more. Don't give me the execuse that they have more resources - isn't Sperbeck among the highest paid coaches in the BSC? I think everyone on this board felt this team had the talent to make the playoffs and contend for the BSC title. Instead we laid an egg - while Portland St shows huge improvement in their coaches second season.

The Sperbeck era recruit are the best this program has seen IMO. Just from this year... Coleman, Carter, Wilkins, Croxdale, Badger, Safron, Norrise, McCowan, Williams, Odiase, Hilliard, Davis, Doverspike, Worthly, ......

These guys are all solid players but where are the First Team BSC players? Nash was the only first team guy last year. If his recruiting is so special why are we not getting any more recognition at that level?

I think it's time we put down the kool-aid and start raising our expectation.

"Championships are not common so they won't be enjoyed by the common man"!

 

[SDHornet]

I hope you're not saying that you can't have an opinion about Hornet football unless you're a booster? I beleive the people that buy tickets every week, the students and the alumni have earned the right to speak their peace. I want people to talk about the program, I want them to be passionate about moving things forward. I would argue that this passion is needed before most people become boosters!! But since I do write a check every year I won't STFU!

People are entitled to their opinions, but in my brief life experiences the loudest folks tend to be the one's who contribute nothing. There are many ways to support this program, one of which is buying tickets and attending games along with the obvious such as being a booster, putting a student through school, being an alumnus, helping out at games, etc. Many people fall into this category and it wasn't aimed at you specifically. My statement was aimed at the folks with the hidden agenda of posting stupid stuff to tear down this program (see the Parker thread as an example). I want people to be passionate about it and there are obviously lots of folks on this board who are passionate, but sometimes being passionate results in emotional off the cuff posts that have no sense of reason or logic to them.

Has our program been down so long that most people will accept being middle of the road? I want a title and I havent seen us come close. This is year 5, and unfortunately it looks like it's going to be another losing record. So for anyone keeping score, Sperbeck will have 1 winning record (6-5), 1 year at .500 (6-6) and 3 losing records. Do you think people in Montana or Alabama would stand for this? No because they expect more. Don't give me the execuse that they have more resources - isn't Sperbeck among the highest paid coaches in the BSC? I think everyone on this board felt this team had the talent to make the playoffs and contend for the BSC title. Instead we laid an egg - while Portland St shows huge improvement in their coaches second season.

No one is accepting middle of the road, I certainly am not. However the knee jerk reaction of clearing out all of the current coaches right now isn't going to get this program anywhere. We are all disappointed and we all want this program to succeed but from my viewpoint I don't see what cleaning house will gain anyone at this time. The fact is we have a coach who has steadily built this program up and he wasn't able to take it to the next level yet. Sperbeck has another year guaranteed and imo deserves an extension but we will see what happens there. Hell given our AD admin, I doubt Wanless has any intention of going through the cost and effort of hiring a new coach so odds are he works out an extension for Sperbeck regardless of what us posters think and say.

Also PSU has gotten a lot better, they stand at 5-3 (3-2 BSC) with 2 of those wins against non D-1 opponents. Burton is in his second year so there is plenty of time to see where their program is headed. On the other hand, Collins at UNC is in his first year and they have yet to post a win even with a non D-1 program on their schedule. My point is things can be a lot worse at this point and things could get a lot worse if a knee jerk reaction is taken. I agree Sperbeck has been here a while and we all want improvement in the win column. Ultimately he should be shown the door if improvement is not see, but imo that time has not yet come.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

If everyone is that upset about the status of this program, then open up your wallets and join in (or continue) to support this program, or make a six figure donation to the AD so they can afford to put together a committee to hire a new coach. If you are not willing to do either of those, then sit down and STFU.

I hope you're not saying that you can't have an opinion about Hornet football unless you're a booster? I beleive the people that buy tickets every week, the students and the alumni have earned the right to speak their peace. I want people to talk about the program, I want them to be passionate about moving things forward. I would argue that this passion is needed before most people become boosters!! But since I do write a check every year I won't STFU!

Has our program been down so long that most people will accept being middle of the road? I want a title and I havent seen us come close. This is year 5, and unfortunately it looks like it's going to be another losing record. So for anyone keeping score, Sperbeck will have 1 winning record (6-5), 1 year at .500 (6-6) and 3 losing records. Do you think people in Montana or Alabama would stand for this? No because they expect more. Don't give me the execuse that they have more resources - isn't Sperbeck among the highest paid coaches in the BSC? I think everyone on this board felt this team had the talent to make the playoffs and contend for the BSC title. Instead we laid an egg - while Portland St shows huge improvement in their coaches second season.

The Sperbeck era recruit are the best this program has seen IMO. Just from this year... Coleman, Carter, Wilkins, Croxdale, Badger, Safron, Norrise, McCowan, Williams, Odiase, Hilliard, Davis, Doverspike, Worthly, ......

These guys are all solid players but where are the First Team BSC players? Nash was the only first team guy last year. If his recruiting is so special why are we not getting any more recognition at that level?

I think it's time we put down the kool-aid and start raising our expectation.

"Championships are not common so they won't be enjoyed by the common man"!

This.

 

[Hornet25]

I'm just glad we can have this kind of conversation about our program. We've gone from hoping to be good to expecting to be good in 2 short seasons.

It is extremely hard to turn a perennial losing program into a winning program, because there is so much culture to turn around. It is inbedded in the psyche of the school and it's not easy to overcome. That absolutely has to be factored in when evaluating Sperbeck. I don't know if Sperbeck is the guy to deliver us to the promised land. However, sometimes you need that one guy to be the bridge between losers and winners. Perhaps Sperbeck will be the guy who puts Sac State on the map enough for another good coach out there to give our program a shot, who otherwise would not have given us a second look. Same with recruits. If that is what he delivers for us, then I'll take it.

No matter how frustrated I am this season, I'm trying to have a little perspective. And I have season tickets so I can put in my two cents. :thumb:

 

[VikThunder]

As an outsider, I see Sac State as extremely improved under Sperbeck. You'd be crazy to get rid of him. There is something to be said for maintaining stability in a program. The team is competitive and making strides. Beating OSU and Montana is huge. There have been some bad breaks in other games but don't burn the house down by firing the coach!

PSU has made big strides this year but we may struggle a little next year when we lose our QB to graduation.

 

[HornetHope]

Yep,

Definitely think 7th or 8th place in the Sky is a real big improvement and this team is heading in the right direction.

Is it me or did I miss something between going from tied for 3rd to 7th place at best?

 

[superhornet]

I think you're forgetting about our injuries at key positions this year, HH. That's hardly a coach's fault. Perhaps he could do a better job about getting PT for backups, but the point remains that a coach is NOT at fault when a player gets hurt and the backups are not as good.

 

[OldHornet]

Using injuries as a reason for a poor year is an excuse - a common one from teams that don't win. The bottom line is you either win or lose, period.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Using injuries as a reason for a poor year is an excuse - a common one from teams that don't win. The bottom line is you either win or lose, period.

110% this.

To use this excuse is taking a page right out of Moosh Football. To say 2-3 guys effect a season is a very shallow excuse.

We didnt have any injuries at SUU or Weber. They beat the snot out of us, what is the excuse there?

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Using injuries as a reason for a poor year is an excuse - a common one from teams that don't win. The bottom line is you either win or lose, period.

110% this.

To use this excuse is taking a page right out of Moosh Football. To say 2-3 guys effect a season is a very shallow excuse.

We didnt have any injuries at SUU or Weber. They beat the snot out of us, what is the excuse there?

PSU HC and SUU HC are winning big after only two years on the job, Sperbeck now has five and has done really no better than Volek. Volek had a 7-4 season and exciting players Ray, Roberts and did it all with a trailer for a locker room and $1M less funding.

No extension for Sperbeck. Wish I wasn't so realistic, but people have got to come out of the clouds.

 

[OldHornet]

PSU HC and SUU HC are winning big after only two years on the job, Sperbeck now has five and has done really no better than Volek. Volek had a 7-4 season and exciting players Ray, Roberts and did it all with a trailer for a locker room and $1M less funding.

No extension for Sperbeck. Wish I wasn't so realistic, but people have got to come out of the clouds.

It's clear that there needs to be significant changes moving forward. I'm not stating that Sperbeck must be replaced, but the status quo is not acceptable. It's time that both Sperbeck and Wanless develop plans. Sperbecks plan needs to focus on what he'll specifically need to change to create a successful season (playoffs). Then Wanless needs to develop his plan to address the coaching situation if Sperbeck can't deliver success. If I were Wanless I would be very clear with Sperbeck, he has two years to deliver the following:

1. Must have a winning record next year (6-5 overall and 5-3 in BSC)
2. In 2013 he MUST reach the playoffs

Failure to deliver this will result in a coaching change.

For all those people claiming we're much better off than we we're with Mosh - I say one good season (and four bad ones) is not evidence that this program moving in the right direction. Ok, so we don't lose as much as we did when Moosh was in charge. Hey,that can be our marketing slogan for next year - "Come out and watch the Hornets, they don't lose as much as they used to"!!

 

[SDHornet]

Can’t say I disagree with what is being said after the piss poor performance this past week. However: Sperbeck>>>>>>>Moosh.

Sperbeck hasn’t gotten it done in a put up or shut up season. I wasn’t going to buy any excuses offered up for a failed season and still won’t (injuries, turf, schedule, etc.). This one is all on him.

 

[VikThunder]

What are the thoughts about Sperbeck after he beat another PAC 12 team?

 

[SDHornet]

What are the thoughts about Sperbeck after he beat another PAC 12 team?

Means nothing if he doesn’t follow it up with more wins (see 2011). I think everyone is glad to see him hand over the keys to the offense to someone with a clue (Peterson), so far it is looking like one of Sperbeck's best decisions yet.

How about your Vikes? I figured they would be in a good position to challenge for a BSC championship this year, but things haven’t started out so hot. Burton taking over the defensive play calling duties is a big move.

 

[VikThunder]

What are the thoughts about Sperbeck after he beat another PAC 12 team?

Means nothing if he doesn’t follow it up with more wins (see 2011). I think everyone is glad to see him hand over the keys to the offense to someone with a clue (Peterson), so far it is looking like one of Sperbeck's best decisions yet.

How about your Vikes? I figured they would be in a good position to challenge for a BSC championship this year, but things haven’t started out so hot. Burton taking over the defensive play calling duties is a big move.

The North Dakota game was ugly. Unless Burton can fix the defense, it will be a forgettable season.

 

[SDHornet]

The North Dakota game was ugly. Unless Burton can fix the defense, it will be a forgettable season.

That’s too bad; it looked like PSU was turning the corner. I’m also not happy PSU isn’t on the schedule, for whatever reason I like playing PSU. I need an excuse to check out Portland and a Viking-Hornet game in a revamped Jeld-Wen Field provides such a reason.

 

[OldHornet]

What are the thoughts about Sperbeck after he beat another PAC 12 team?

I think Sperbeck should get a ton of credit for the win. Especially when you see how much of an impact the OC and the kicker had in the game - those were two of the biggest issues in 2011. To me, hiring a productive OC shows a tremendous amount of growth as a head coach! :clap:

But as last year showed, it's only one win. If the Hornets are going to take a couple of steps forward, then Sperbeck is going to need to have the boys ready to play every week. They need to be prepared and motivated to win.

The next few weeks will show a lot!