End of the Year Q&A w/ Sperbeck

[Phantom Hornet]

The Bee had a good article with Sperbeck in today's paper...http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/23/4074788/brief-view-from-top-a-motivating.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The most interesting part for me was the section on recruiting. For those who think he's going to rely on Saffron, he pretty much shoots that down. I think Kadeezy is right, in that Saffron will be moved to WR next year, with either a Juco or dropdown starting and Gehringer learning. I actually expect to see a ton of JCs and dropdowns, especially at WR, where we've had some success the last few years with Washington and Reed.

What are some of the biggest needs you have for next year?

We've got to replace some (wide) receivers. We've got a good bunch of receivers that we lost. We need to replace some defensive linemen. We lost Zack Nash, Maika Maumau and David Coleman – three pretty good seniors there. We need to replace receivers (Chase) Deadder, (John) Hendershott, (Brandyn) Reed and Kenonte Howard, all seniors. Those would be the two biggest areas. We probably need to bring in an older quarterback, a kid with some experience.

Meaning the junior college route?

JC or transfer.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/23/4074788/brief-view-from-top-a-motivating.html#ixzz1eYLJnDdH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[SacHornet]

nice find, it is good to know that the coaches are actively looking for an older more experienced qb

 

[jj2319]

So two years ago, the Sperbeck excuse was "we're young." Last year, the Sperbeck excuse was "we're almost there" and this year it was "we had injuries and now the 'good players are gone'." Does that mean next year we are going to back at "we're young" since all the "good" players are gone?

Sperbeck made $192,000 this year, ($48,000 per win) not including the money he made as a consultant. I think he has a little more explaining to do and less excuses to make at this point.

 

[SDHornet]

Sperbeck quotes from the article:

The team did not meet the expectations you had at the beginning of the season. Ultimately, why did the team come up short?

There were some things earlier in the season that we were proud of – the win at Oregon State, the win here against Montana – two milestone victories that showed the potential of the team we had. Unfortunately, we came back the second half of the season off the bye week and we did not play (well) and win the games we expected to win – specifically on offense, which I take full responsibility for. I thought our defense played very well the last half of the season. We had some struggles in some of the other phases of the game – the kicking game and our offense – that showed up in those games.

You don't want to use injuries as an excuse because every team has them. But you had a pretty good share of injuries. How much of a factor did that play?

I think that factors into it, there's no doubt. Some of the players we were playing with early in the season, we weren't playing with later in the season. That certainly took a toll on our team, probably the offense. But you've got to make adjustments and you've got to be able to go out there and compete and win games. Every team faces that.

Now that the season is over, what's on your plate for the next month or two?

Recruiting, getting out and addressing some needs that we have. We're losing a lot of good seniors, and we've got to be able to replace those kids. And get going and get ready for next year.

Based on players returning next year, what are potential strengths for the 2012 season?

We have a good nucleus of our offensive line back. We have a good nucleus of our defense back, with our linebackers and secondary intact.

These quotes don't really sound like a person trying to pass the buck. He clearly knows he is responsible for the outcome of this program (win or lose). As poorly as this season ended, at least Sperbeck is manning up, showing some leadership and not railing off a bunch of excuses. He is also acknowledging that the cupboard isn't bare moving into next season. This program just needs to win and I think he and every Hornet fans knows this.

 

[Hornut]

Sperbeck sucks and his play calling is pitiful. Next year's losing record will be blamed on "rebuilding." I will never forget the FBS and Montana wins and not closing the other winnable games.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Wish he was asked point blank what it will take to win.

I would like to hear where the program is deficient according to him. Then fix it.

Injuries are an excuse, lame one at that. Not playing Hilliard the last game of his career against our biggest rival was inexcusable.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

So two years ago, the Sperbeck excuse was "we're young." Last year, the Sperbeck excuse was "we're almost there" and this year it was "we had injuries and now the 'good players are gone'." Does that mean next year we are going to back at "we're young" since all the "good" players are gone?

Sperbeck made $192,000 this year, ($48,000 per win) not including the money he made as a consultant. I think he has a little more explaining to do and less excuses to make at this point.

Who/what was he consulting?

Run off tackle right, run off tackle left? Fade pass. 15yd. punt.

I have slowly lost confidence in his ability and am no longer an advocate of him as HC.

 

[jj2319]

Wish he was asked point blank what it will take to win.

I would like to hear where the program is deficient according to him. Then fix it.

Injuries are an excuse, lame one at that. Not playing Hilliard the last game of his career against our biggest rival was inexcusable.

Couldn't agree with you more. I was devastated to read about Hilliard being benched after everything he did during his tenure - the guy was a stud and should have played. What bothered me about the Q&A was that the injuries excuse was even dignified. Sperbeck - who was injured in the Utah games? Who was injured during Causeway other than Fleming (who never played anyways and his scholly should have been pulled.) The correct response would have been "injuries are no excuse for me or my program" not leaving the door open.

As to the "cupboard not being bare" - I sure as f#$%# hope its not bare. Sperbeck - you are five years into your term man. If I showed up to work 40% of the time and made $200,000 a year, I would have some serious splainin' to do at this point. As a head coach, he has one job during the season - prepare guys to play on Saturday. He failed.

 

[Phantom Hornet]

When did his salary bump up to 200K? I always thought he was in the 140-150 range.

Also, I didn't realize that it was a definite fact that Hilliard was benched and all the facts were known. I guess you guys do? I just find it hard to believe that a HC that is on the hot seat decided to sit his most productive guy against a rival for nothing more than petty reasons. There is always two sides to a story.

And I'm not making excuses for Sperbeck. This year is all on him, it's make or break next season, and he needs an OC, because he's dreadfull at play calling. I just deplore the mob mentality that react instead of thinking things through...reminds me of Griz fans who wanted to can Pfhlugrad after their loss to us, all he has done is win out.

I mean, for JJ2319 to say Fleming never played and we should have pulled his schollie? Are you kidding me? One of the most asinine things I've ever read on here. Our season was over the minute he effed his ankle in that stupid activity with the basketball team.

One thing that many of you don't realize about Sperbeck is the amount of money he brings into the program via donations and sponsorships. That is going to be a factor in keeping him for the administration, beyond wins and losses, whether we like it or not.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

When did his salary bump up to 200K? I always thought he was in the 140-150 range.

Also, I didn't realize that it was a definite fact that Hilliard was benched and all the facts were known. I guess you guys do? I just find it hard to believe that a HC that is on the hot seat decided to sit his most productive guy against a rival for nothing more than petty reasons. There is always two sides to a story.

And I'm not making excuses for Sperbeck. This year is all on him, it's make or break next season, and he needs an OC, because he's dreadfull at play calling. I just deplore the mob mentality that react instead of thinking things through...reminds me of Griz fans who wanted to can Pfhlugrad after their loss to us, all he has done is win out.

I mean, for JJ2319 to say Fleming never played and we should have pulled his schollie? Are you kidding me? One of the most asinine things I've ever read on here. Our season was over the minute he effed his ankle in that stupid activity with the basketball team.

One thing that many of you don't realize about Sperbeck is the amount of money he brings into the program via donations and sponsorships. That is going to be a factor in keeping him for the administration, beyond wins and losses, whether we like it or not.

If he wasn't benched, why did he not start? He wasn't listed on any injury report. He was a non-factor in that game.

Volek brought in money too, but he was mediocre in the W/L record. Do we want a .400 program with a little money the coach brings in, supposedly, or do we want a program that averages 14,000 a game which will bring in more money? If the reason we have a program is for university outreach and goodwill, how far will a 4-7 record bring you? Or 6-5?

I'd rather have a winning program that pays for itself through increased gate receipts. That is done by having a product people want to watch, support and become a part of.

We beat two bottom dweller programs and a UM team that over looked us, that is not a positive. Against OSU we had eight months to prepare, last time I checked there are 11 games in a season.

I don't think there is a mob mentality against Sperbeck, unless everyone is satisfied with being sub medicore.

 

[SDHornet]

The correct response would have been "injuries are no excuse for me or my program" not leaving the door open.

I'll repost this from above with larger font, maybe it'll sink in the second time around:

You don't want to use injuries as an excuse because every team has them. But you had a pretty good share of injuries. How much of a factor did that play?

I think that factors into it, there's no doubt. Some of the players we were playing with early in the season, we weren't playing with later in the season. That certainly took a toll on our team, probably the offense. But you've got to make adjustments and you've got to be able to go out there and compete and win games. Every team faces that.

The way I read it, it doesn't sound like Sperbeck is hiding behind the injury excuse. :twocents:

 

[SDHornet]

I agree with Phantom on this one. Sperbeck takes full responsibility for the lack of failure, but he is not stupid enough to bench Hilliard if he was in full health. jj2319 is going off of what BLEEDGREEN posted on the Causeway thread about Sperbeck holding a grudge or something against Hilliard and that is why he didn’t play. I call BS on that. BG also went on to say Sperbeck is sticking with Safron going forward. Well that’s BS because in the interviews in the link above Sperbeck is clearly open to finding another QB.

No one is happy with the way the season ended but Sperbeck is contracted for one more year and if he doesn’t produce a winning season he is probably gone. 7 wins or more and he more than likely stays. 6 wins and it’s a coin flip between Gonzo/Wanless wanting to put in the money and effort to find a new HC or sticking with what we have. 5 wins or less and Sperbeck is more than likely gone. He’s got one more year to breakthrough so let’s see what he does. People just need to calm down.

 

[SactoHornetAlum]

If I recall Sperbeck has at least 2-3 years left on his contract. Say he bombs next year, are we going to have money to pay two coaches for 1-2 years?

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Obviously he is with us next year, what I am advocating for is do not extend the contract. Let it ride out and maybe a little heat will improve W/L.

 

[superhornet]

Don't ask for SH's short list to replace Sperbeck.

:mrgreen:

 

[SDHornet]

If I recall Sperbeck has at least 2-3 years left on his contract. Say he bombs next year, are we going to have money to pay two coaches for 1-2 years?

I thought he got a 2 year extension on top of his original 4 year contract? Either way it doesn’t matter, we don’t have the money to buy out any contract especially with the second round of budget cuts coming. If Sperbeck can’t get it done, he’ll be here until his contract expires.