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Coaches philosophy

G

goviksgo

Active member
It was an eye opening article from the Ducks Head Coach: When his players didn't perform to the level of expectation he took the full blame. He said while he new x's and o's what he didn't do was get to know each kid individually and understand how to motivate them to perform at the highest level possible. He went on to talk about his inability to get the job done and that he has to do a better job at understanding each and every player and giving them what they need to be successful.

This is a far cry from Lester Towns telling his players that he doesn't give a crap about them and that he is tired of being yelled at by other coaches for their inability to perform on the field. He went on to tell them his only concern is his job and that he could care less if they were all gone next year.

he was not the only coach that had these types of conversations with the players but this was the conversation that sent Zach Whalen over the edge to USD.

This is A FAR CRY from Division One coaching and preparing kids to do their best. I know these kids had the heart and the talent to do much better than they did this year but were rarely put in a position to win walking away. They were constantly put in a position to have to fight for every inch and they gave it their best shot.

How does a division one team not go out and get a kicker when they obviously don't have one. I think if we had a decent high school level kicker we were 8 and 4 this year easily. We are also in the talk for a playoff spot. That alone is insane coaching.

All I can say is "WOW". This was a blown season and not by the DB's or the Lineman and not even by the penalties and turnovers. This was wasted season because the kids know it was the coaching issues, no kicker and some bad choices on play calling and situational football that cost them their chance at the playoffs......as they say at Portland State...oh well we'll get them next year but the sad part is next year never seems to come.
 
yes, we need a kicker. After Zach Brown left we all knew there would be some drop off but WOW. Zero kicking game, that really hurt. Play calling, etc. probably does need some work but Monday morning coaching is way easier than the real thing.

Truthfully, there was a lot of confusion on defense and I think mostly caused by poor communication among the coaches with the DC saying one thing and NB saying another. Hence the blow up in Utah. That being said, those coaches are overworked, underpaid, and completely lacking in support from both the university and fans. A tough job that I'm sure you wouldn't want.
 
Gee! goviksgo. thot u were going to go south to the ducks and nutria. please don't say u were the cause of those teams going into the tank. who knows? tho, some of what u claim seems to be true.
 
I don't read goviksgo. He's a would-be couch coach, and for whatever reason doesn't like Burton, who according to him doesn't do anything right. His hearsay has Burton loosing his temper. Golly. Is there a coach that doesn't? Especially young ones. I have no idea what Burton's "philosophy" is, but he seems on the whole a nice enough guy. I figured we'd win 5 this year and we won 6. I'm happy, and looking forward to winning 7-8 next year.
 
The actual yard stick should be conference record. We were 3-5. Not acceptable for a coach in his fourth year. I believe this program is underperforming and a complete failure in a number of statistical categories: penalties, turnovers, red zone scoring offense, ad nauseum. Losses at home and the way the team loses at home are just killing attendance. At big schools, the coaches are held accountable for poor attendance.
 
Our conference wins were against a 2 win UND, a 1 win Weber, and a 1 win Idaho State team.

We did beat UCD. It was non-conf. UCD has a first year coach and they went 5-3 in the conference.
 
VikThunderous said:
Our conference wins were against a 2 win UND, a 1 win Weber, and a 1 win Idaho State team.

We did beat UCD. It was non-conf. UCD has a first year coach and they went 5-3 in the conference.
Click to expand...

True, however, we lost three of our conference games by a total of six points.

A decent kicker and we're a 9 win team and 6-2 in conference and talking about playoffs.

Grumble grumble.
 
Am glad to see some discussion and discourse on the coaching on here finally.
Have had many "football guys" -not affiliated with PSU - but with other schools, including other Big Sky schools, say that they believe the coaching was PSU's biggest issue this year. From the DC and head coach arguing (and nearly coming to blows) on the sideline, to the constant shuffling of personnell - including QB - to the point that players were not comfortable and didn't trust each other or the coaches when it came to making plays and calls during a game. Even GuyChamp had to admit the communication was/is a problem.

I have been told by more than a few Big Sky affiliated people, including several EWU parents last weekend that PSU clearly has the talent, just not producing wins. That falls squarely on the coaches. Coming close and being 9 or 13 or however many points away form a winning/playoff season is still not a winning or playoff season
VikThunderous got it right. WINS is what college football is about. These are Nigel's guys and we are not winning. In fact too many of "Nigel's guys" are leaving the program (Halverson, Whalen....)
As Al Davis used to say "Just Win Baby"
 
PDXFAN,

You constantly attack me but you never show any facts that dispute that what I'm saying is wrong. I don't hate anyone but what I do hate is losing for no apparent reason other than poor decision making by our coaching staff.

Respect and trust from players starts at the top. When coaches are telling each other in meetings to shut the fuck up and speaking to players in an unprofessional manner it tells the players they should feel free to treat each other the same way. This does not lead to a cohesive team. You want to WIN then it has to be 75 people fighting the world and pulling the oars of the boat in the same direction. The players have to trust that coaches are making decisions based on what is best for the team and not based on who they like and don't like....that is baby ball and not D1 football.

Players can't hear coaches fighting or see them fighting on the sideline. When I get aggravated or frustrated I don't tell my wife and kids to fuck off. That is a sign of someone out of control and letting their emotions take over. That is why we had so many personal fouls. Like coach like player. If coaches act like this on the field and in meetings what would you expect from players on the field?

You can attack me personally all you want but believe me this isn't an attack on this coaching staff but what it should be is a wake up call. We all get to make decisions and the coaching staff can decide to approach next season in a different way. Their way isn't working. Change can occur if they want it to and if they can show discipline maybe our players would do the same.

We are still going to be one of the most talented teams in the FCS next year and with the proper leadership we can be fighting for a national title. I don't think you can dispute this and I know several coaches in the Big Sky agree with this assessment. I was told by several players that the atmosphere and togetherness they felt at the EWU game had been missing all season and the desire they had to win that game was overwhelming. They are hoping that it was a turning point in the program. They are hoping their coaches recognized what bringing this team together as players and staff can do for PSU.

We need a kicker, discipline from players and coaches on and off the field, respect for each other, and to speak to each other as though we actually care, we need to build a real team environment...all for one and one for all. Can it be done...YES....will it be done....that is up to the head coach of the Division 1 Portland State Vikings.

The talent is there and it is our time what the coach does is up to him.
 
I agree with VikBaker, regarding finally having a discussion on coaching. With all the talent on the team the problem with not finishing games with a win definitely rests at the feet of Burton. Burton may be a good recruiter but in my opinion not a very good head coach. Personally I would like to see him leave for the good of the team and program. The football team needs a coach that will unite the team and staff, Burton seems to be having a problem in that area.

At first, I was pleased with the hiring of Burton, giving a young high energy coach a shot at being a HC and turning the PSU program around. I was excited for the program for the first few years understanding it takes a while to build a program. I even excused Burton's poor record last year because of a young team. But this year, there is no excuse. To lose so many games in the last minute(s) is absolutely Coach Burton fault. Even the Big Sky forum talks about PSU talent but how they manage to lose games that should have been won.

I understand that Burton has 2 years left on his contract and with the university having to make major budget cuts to all programs at the school, buying him out of his contract is very unlikely. I guess, the best scenario for the football program would be that Burton gets a new coaching position somewhere else. I would be the first to wish him luck. Feel a HC change is needed in order for the team to move forward.
 
Heard that after Burton's successful second year, the school & boosters were afraid Burton might leave for a larger program with a bigger salary. AD was advice to renegotiate Burton's contact in order to keep him. They thought they had a winner with the new coach, wonder what those individuals think now.
I believe the standard contract is usually 4 years, so they must have extended it by 2 year. But I could be wrong.
I can understand why, if Burton's 2011 success had continued into 2012 & 2013 then the extension of his contract would have been a wise choice. I'm sure they would like to take back those 2 years now. We can just hope that Burton reads the writing on the wall and starts looking for a new job. It would be better for him to leave on his own than get fired.
 
Step one - Recognize your approach isn't building a cohesive team
Step two - Realize your players don't respect you or your staff because of the way you treat them and each other
Step three - Think of how you'd expect someone to treat your child on and off a football field
Step four - Make sure you have the best players on the field regardless of who you like and don't like and stop with the "I'll show you who is the boss coaching"
Step five - Make your staff act the same way as you act or get rid of them
Step six - Meet with your players and admit you blew this season for them because your a young coach and tell them next year will be different. be in it with them and they will be in it with you.
Step six - stop swearing at each other in front of players
step seven - Tell your coaches to stop telling the players they don't give a crap about them. Who gives it everything they have every second for coaches that don't give a crap about them? No one does!
Step eight - Get a legitimate Kicker
Step nine - Never Lie to a player again
Step ten - Have open and fruitful discussions with your players. They have been doing this since they were 6 or 7 years old and can have some insights during a game.
Step eleven - Treat each other with the dignity and respect you want to be treated with and a team will start to form right before your very eyes.
Step twelve - Learn to make half time adjustments - the other teams do this every game
ETC.....ETC.....ETC.....

This would be a decent start to TEAM BUILDING.
 
In four years, Nigel Burton has beat only one FCS team with a winning record. That was in 2011 vs. a 6-5, 5-3 EWU team. All of his other FCS wins have been against losing teams.
 
VikThunderous hit the nail on the head and has said all that needs be said on this topic.

ONE win versus a winning program in four years doesn't keep a good high school job let alone at a D-1 program.
You think the AD is even aware of this? If so he should be beating the bushes looking for the money to make something happen. Gotta believe that Mr. Hersh and his group are aware!!!
 
Winning teams or losing teams, we're still in the middle of the pack. That's a far cry from last year. They'll give him one more year.
 
VikBacker said:
VikThunderous hit the nail on the head and has said all that needs be said on this topic.

ONE win versus a winning program in four years doesn't keep a good high school job let alone at a D-1 program.
You think the AD is even aware of this? If so he should be beating the bushes looking for the money to make something happen. Gotta believe that Mr. Hersh and his group are aware!!!
Click to expand...

Maybe Hersh will give the AD a little nudge. The Timbers on the other hand are rooting for Burton to stay. Can you say Hillsboro stadium anyone?
 
OK, had to jump in and take the plunge. Been following this for quite awhile. I have been encouraged by some of the thoughtful discussions and discouraged when character is attacked. As a current Dad and past coach at the HS level I REALLY want this team to be successful for my son's sake. I must say he does not see the level of coach infighting that has been discussed this year. He has seen the tension that comes from losing.
He has found the coaches to be men of pretty good character who seem to care for the team and have a desire to win. However, I will be the first to admit a desire to win is different than having the skills necessary to win. This team has a ton of potential. We have great kids, very good athletes, and good coaches. Let's trust the skills we lacked to improve discipline and to improve decision making will be acquired in the off season.
The team bond has to be strengthened. You can't go to war wondering if everyone is all in and wondering if the generals have your back. My son believes the best is yet to come. I will trust his discernment. But as Regan famously said; I will trust but I will also do what I can to verify.
Thanks for all of you invested in the future success of this program. I sure hope leadership reads these forums...
 
The view from outside is always different than the view from within, and somewhere between the two the reality lies. I do believe that the coaches have the best interests of the kids at heart. There are 80 different personalities on a football team, dealing with the fragile ego's of a college athlete/students has got to be a daily challenge. I also believe that coach Burton and his staff believe in their process.

Where I part ways with the staff is that I'm not sure they aren't in a little over their heads when it comes to knowing how to win close games. I'm not saying I do, but I don't spend 10 hours a day studying film and planning games either. Somewhere, there seems to be a disconnect between the fired up team that often showed up in the first half (Cal and Cal Poly) the fired up team that showed up for the EWU game and the PSU team that showed up for the opportunities squandered. I will say at some point the players have some responsibility for being ready to play and keeping themselves at top performance, maybe it's a trust issue, maybe they need more rah rah type guys to rally the troops, I don't know what the answer is especially looking from the outside in. At some point the coach has to be able to look at his players and say, you have to get me one foot and we win, if you don't, we lose; and the players have to will themselves for that yardage.

I hope that coach Burton spends at least some time this off season deciding where he can improve. He can blame staff (not saying that's the case) but ultimately it's his responsibility to deliver. He'll get all the glory when and if he does, so he needs to be prepared for the heat if he doesn't.
 
martymoose said:
VikThunderous said:
Our conference wins were against a 2 win UND, a 1 win Weber, and a 1 win Idaho State team.

We did beat UCD. It was non-conf. UCD has a first year coach and they went 5-3 in the conference.
Click to expand...

True, however, we lost three of our conference games by a total of six points.

A decent kicker and we're a 9 win team and 6-2 in conference and talking about playoffs.

Grumble grumble.
Click to expand...

Thanks Marty for stepping back and putting things in perspective, and welcome aboard Faith - it's always a pleasure to have a read on things from some of the current players/family members.

This was an enormously frustrating season for probably everyone involved - players, coaches, admin, and fans, precisely because we were in almost every game. And yes, making a couple of field goals would have changed the complexion of the season enormously. But after a few weeks of allowing my angst to subside, I have to admit that the kicking game is a work in progress, not a failure by the coaches to bring in a kicker. If you watched our kids before games and at halftime line up and kick, they consistently make 40, 45+ goals. Keeping that focus and composure during the heat of battle is learned. Our freshman has the leg & technique to be a fine asset to this team. Let's hope his focus and composure matures as he enters next year. This is not a position that offers itself up to playing a series or two here and there to develop your game. You just have to go in and make that one performance count.

The coaching staff continued to allow the kickers the opportunity to succeed, rather than showing a lack of confidence in them. That's the first step in the player developing that composure needed to ultimately flourish.

So many little things could have made this season different.
 
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