Joe Football
Active member
Angus McClure
-
Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts, upgrade to remove ads and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your BigSkyFans.com experience today!
Head Coach Situation
- Thread starter Joe Football
- Start date
Green Laser
Active member
The problem is that this program has very low expectations. They are big on talk but little on actually demanding performance on the field to meet their stated goals. Several years ago the goal of the program was to average 12,000 for home games. How can people be expected to turn out excited to see a unprepared underperforming football team stumble through 2-9 (or worse seasons)? How can the Causeway Classic between two schools located in a the BSC's largest Metropolitan Area and one of the nation's hotbeds for high school football have turned into a contest of who finishes last and second to last in the Conference? It's hard to believe that along with our "friends" across the Causeway we have become cannon fodder to teams from areas better known for producing fly fishermen, shepherds or wheat farmers than for producing football players.
Coach Sears is currently 10-18 and that includes his first 7-4 year with Coach Sperbeck's team after his sudden departure. I thought that Coach Sears did a great job keeping the program together after the late departure, that could have been a disaster. Last year we were down to our 4th QB I knew that would hurt, my concern was how flat and unprepared the team looked especially in the Causeway a game we clearly had the talent advantage and should have won. I saw more "sleepwalking" in the opening loss to Western Oregon. I rarely leave games early but by the middle of the third quarter I couldn't take anymore.
I don't know President Nelsen or Coach Sears they both seem like nice sincere and decent men. I do know AD Bill Macriss and he is a very nice guy. I don't know if the AD or President have the stones to fire Coach Sears if things don't improve quickly.
I found Coach Sears' contract below there seems to be some outs based on The Annual Performance Evaluation;
Regular Season Conference Finish/ Win Loss Percentage/ Computed National Ranking/ Computed Strength of Schedule.
https://hkm.com/football/contracts/jody-sears/
Let's hope for the best. If there is a change there needs to be a National Search. The last thing we want is for the University to just throw the keys to the next guy standing there. This position is about competition, we need to compete for the best coach available!
Coach Sears is currently 10-18 and that includes his first 7-4 year with Coach Sperbeck's team after his sudden departure. I thought that Coach Sears did a great job keeping the program together after the late departure, that could have been a disaster. Last year we were down to our 4th QB I knew that would hurt, my concern was how flat and unprepared the team looked especially in the Causeway a game we clearly had the talent advantage and should have won. I saw more "sleepwalking" in the opening loss to Western Oregon. I rarely leave games early but by the middle of the third quarter I couldn't take anymore.
I don't know President Nelsen or Coach Sears they both seem like nice sincere and decent men. I do know AD Bill Macriss and he is a very nice guy. I don't know if the AD or President have the stones to fire Coach Sears if things don't improve quickly.
I found Coach Sears' contract below there seems to be some outs based on The Annual Performance Evaluation;
Regular Season Conference Finish/ Win Loss Percentage/ Computed National Ranking/ Computed Strength of Schedule.
https://hkm.com/football/contracts/jody-sears/
Let's hope for the best. If there is a change there needs to be a National Search. The last thing we want is for the University to just throw the keys to the next guy standing there. This position is about competition, we need to compete for the best coach available!
My fear is Macriss takes action and Wulff is presto-chango the new HC. Without the benefit of a serious national search (not just fly people in for show and then hire the water boy). I think by having Wulff on staff as Co-HC is waving a red flag as to the backup plan. Sears will remain on staff as DC until his contract expires (ala Parker) because I don't think his specialty, defense, is very good.
What I have witnessed is a clear absence of of player motivation, correct schemes and choice of play.
I still say scrap the Pistol or whatever it is and focus on being a running oriented team like CP or NoDak.
CP will score 60 and amass 600 rushing yds. on this team.
I am over the nice guy, good person in describing the Hornet HC. We need someone who wins and graduates his players. Being nice for a football HC is great........for church service.
What I have witnessed is a clear absence of of player motivation, correct schemes and choice of play.
I still say scrap the Pistol or whatever it is and focus on being a running oriented team like CP or NoDak.
CP will score 60 and amass 600 rushing yds. on this team.
I am over the nice guy, good person in describing the Hornet HC. We need someone who wins and graduates his players. Being nice for a football HC is great........for church service.
I agree with GL and GCM. At this point this program is facing a lot of no-win scenarios regarding the HC situation. To “do it right” next year will cost this program about $500k in additional funds (Sears salary + hiring a firm to conduct a nation wide search + next HC salary). That is assuming Macriss even knows how or has the stones to “do it right”, and it also assumes Macriss can find the money (doubtful).
Macriss can also make this worse by half-assing the next HC hire by handing the keys to whoever "the next guy" is or dumpster diving for a HC at the JC level. We’ve seen how well either of these options work out (and so has Macriss) so it will say a lot about Macriss’ ability as AD if he goes either of these routes.
If we are not going to invest to “do it right”, I’d rather Macriss do nothing and let Sears dig this program into a slightly deeper hole than having him bring in another unqualified HC on the cheap. Seriously, at this point what difference does another sub 3-win season make? It’s not like Hornet fans aren’t use to this type of garbage by now. We are looking at shitty and shittier scenarios if Macriss makes a move during or at the end of this season. This program is completely fvcked for the next 2-4 years.
Macriss can also make this worse by half-assing the next HC hire by handing the keys to whoever "the next guy" is or dumpster diving for a HC at the JC level. We’ve seen how well either of these options work out (and so has Macriss) so it will say a lot about Macriss’ ability as AD if he goes either of these routes.
If we are not going to invest to “do it right”, I’d rather Macriss do nothing and let Sears dig this program into a slightly deeper hole than having him bring in another unqualified HC on the cheap. Seriously, at this point what difference does another sub 3-win season make? It’s not like Hornet fans aren’t use to this type of garbage by now. We are looking at shitty and shittier scenarios if Macriss makes a move during or at the end of this season. This program is completely fvcked for the next 2-4 years.
Green Laser
Active member
It looks like Sears contract runs through December of 2017. There is the provision that he can be reassigned to another position at the school. Maybe he is more valuable elsewhere, at least it would take some of the sting out of paying the last year of his contract. At Weber, there was a provision that he needed to win at least 4 games the second year or he was gone, no obligations.
I'm not sure where Volek and Mooshagian were in their contracts when they were let go. My biggest concern is that there is simply not enough will at the school to make changes based on athletic performance alone. Administrative control, graduation rates, kids staying out of trouble seem to be the only red flags to get a coach fired. Coaches Sperbeck and Sears have done a great job recruiting quality student athletes. They have been successful in the classroom, stayed out of trouble and represented themselves and the University well.
They have not progressed on the athletic field, that part of the of the package belongs to the coaches. Many of these athletes have far more ability than we've seen. I have never been a fan of handing the keys to the next guy in line, but it seems to be the Sac State standard operating procedure these days. I can't recall where it's worked out well except for baseball. We have regressed with every other hire.
We will see if Bill Macriss can be another exception and has the vision, will and strength to do his job.
I don't know how much a search costs but it will be worth it if we can find a coach to bring the whole package and put the wheels back on this program!
I'm not sure where Volek and Mooshagian were in their contracts when they were let go. My biggest concern is that there is simply not enough will at the school to make changes based on athletic performance alone. Administrative control, graduation rates, kids staying out of trouble seem to be the only red flags to get a coach fired. Coaches Sperbeck and Sears have done a great job recruiting quality student athletes. They have been successful in the classroom, stayed out of trouble and represented themselves and the University well.
They have not progressed on the athletic field, that part of the of the package belongs to the coaches. Many of these athletes have far more ability than we've seen. I have never been a fan of handing the keys to the next guy in line, but it seems to be the Sac State standard operating procedure these days. I can't recall where it's worked out well except for baseball. We have regressed with every other hire.
We will see if Bill Macriss can be another exception and has the vision, will and strength to do his job.
I don't know how much a search costs but it will be worth it if we can find a coach to bring the whole package and put the wheels back on this program!
Oldhornet23
Active member
Volek and Mooshagian finished out there contracts. So no buyouts. Looking at the contract I would say we have another year of Sears. He does well with kids being retained, GPA and APR. no recruiting violations that we know of Donni grounds to fire without paying him. If the school had 200k to pay him out, I would say they put it towards a basketball arena for our team.
superhornet
Active member
Green Cookie Monster said:
Would you have a problem with dumping Sears and naming Wulff INTERIM HC while a national search is made?
Super Hornet said:
Haha, that is what is happening now. I think Wulff is the de facto HC, hence the lack of motivation as you can only have one HC.
Maybe Wulff is the guy we have been looking for if given the chance to be Alpha? He did ok at EWU and is local. I think having Sears designated as HC limits Wulff's involvement overall.
Oldhornet23
Active member
Wulff was brought in by Sears, they are former teammates at Washington State and Sears was Wulff D.C. At EWU and Washington State. Wulff was not hired by Macriss. For Wulff to take over as the HC after his buddy gets fired would be nuts to me... Chances are Wulfff will be out of here at a FBS school.
The Wulff “interim” idea is eerily similar to the Sears situation just a couple seasons ago in that it gives him the inside track to the gig. I’m not saying Wulff would be a bad coach, but he may not be the best guy interested/available for the job. Only a coaching search would determine that.
Here is an article on coaching search costs. 2016 FBS coaching searches ranged from $25k-$125k. Given our morbid situation I think this investment somewhere on the smaller side of this range would be well worth it.
Macriss is also going to have to get the HC salary to be more competitive with the other CA FCS programs if he intends to bring in qualified applicants. As shown by Sears’ below market salary, you get what you pay for. The base salary needs to exceed $200k with incentives and perks to make the earning potential even higher.
Gould (dungpile) – 2014 Salary $231k + benefits and other pay
Walsh (CP) – 2015 Salary $221k + benefits and other pay
Sears – 2015 Salary $174k + benefits and other pay
This quote from the Comstock Magazine article on Macriss is what concerns me the most about our situation:
Macriss is also going to have to get the HC salary to be more competitive with the other CA FCS programs if he intends to bring in qualified applicants. As shown by Sears’ below market salary, you get what you pay for. The base salary needs to exceed $200k with incentives and perks to make the earning potential even higher.
Gould (dungpile) – 2014 Salary $231k + benefits and other pay
Walsh (CP) – 2015 Salary $221k + benefits and other pay
Sears – 2015 Salary $174k + benefits and other pay
This quote from the Comstock Magazine article on Macriss is what concerns me the most about our situation:
From this quote I get the impression that Macriss is approaching it from a small minded, small town, small budget perspective. Sac State spent almost $3.5M on football for the ’14 season and the overall athletics budget exceeded $22M in FY15. It’s time to start acting like we belong in D1, especially as it pertains to football. Do it right Bill.
Green Laser
Active member
I don't think what Sears is paid is below what is normal for an FCS initial contract. Walsh started after and was making less than Sperbeck. I think that Sperbeck started around $150,000 and ended up around $200,000.
Seems they get a increase every extension. Gould spent 16? years in the UC System at Cal maybe that was considered a lateral move by the system.
The BSC coaching base range is below. Most have a opportunity to earn bonuses for academic, athletic and behavior achievements.
UM $175.00
Weber $150,000
Poly $205,000
MSU $174,000
ISU $135,000
SUU $103,000
UCD $235,000
NC $117,000
NAU $185,000
UND $150,000
EWU $212,000
Macriss' "vision" is clueless and troubling. He makes us sound like the Rivercats, like our best hope is to help develop coaches to excel elsewhere. I really can't get into supporting a program that as soon as we start winning the coach jumps ship and we have to start from square one again. I think if done right we can attract a coach that would be interested in settling in and developing the program long term. Think of a coach like Baldwin at EWU. He surely has had opportunities to move up but he stays put and keeps winning.
He was only making $167,000 before given a raise and an extension in 2015 when he was being pursued by other schools. Sac State has a lot more potential in terms of market, talent pool and facilities than someplace like EWU. Not all coaches are looking to leap frog to FBS.
Seems they get a increase every extension. Gould spent 16? years in the UC System at Cal maybe that was considered a lateral move by the system.
The BSC coaching base range is below. Most have a opportunity to earn bonuses for academic, athletic and behavior achievements.
UM $175.00
Weber $150,000
Poly $205,000
MSU $174,000
ISU $135,000
SUU $103,000
UCD $235,000
NC $117,000
NAU $185,000
UND $150,000
EWU $212,000
Macriss' "vision" is clueless and troubling. He makes us sound like the Rivercats, like our best hope is to help develop coaches to excel elsewhere. I really can't get into supporting a program that as soon as we start winning the coach jumps ship and we have to start from square one again. I think if done right we can attract a coach that would be interested in settling in and developing the program long term. Think of a coach like Baldwin at EWU. He surely has had opportunities to move up but he stays put and keeps winning.
He was only making $167,000 before given a raise and an extension in 2015 when he was being pursued by other schools. Sac State has a lot more potential in terms of market, talent pool and facilities than someplace like EWU. Not all coaches are looking to leap frog to FBS.
Disagree about Sears’ contract value but whatever is offered has to be enough to attract qualified candidates. If $175k does that then so be it. Another component of the contract is the incentives…and they need to be upped dramatically if we are going to under pay on the base salary. Currently the annual incentives are:
Lump sum bonus of 5% of base salary for FCS playoff appearance
Lump sum bonus of 5% of base salary for BSC title
Lump sum bonus of 10% of base salary for FCS title
$5k bonus for exceeding APR rate of 940
So our admin is only going to reward a guy with a $8,750 bonus (that’s 350 general admin tickets) for getting a playoff appearance and/or a BSC title, none of which have ever happened during our D1 existence. An FCS title is only worth $17.5k (that’s 700 general admin tickets) to this athletic department. These incentives are a joke. Sit back and think about that for a second and then correlate that to why we seem to always have our wheels stuck in the mud. Winning is just not valued here. We’re just happy to field a team based off of these lackluster incentives.
Those other BSC salaries don’t mean much to me. The Sac area cost of living is much higher than those backwater places, as is the state income tax. That alone will push the base salary a good clip above what places around the BSC are paying their HC. Also if you don’t want a successful HC to bail for greener pastures then you have to pay him to stay put. While we are competing with fellow BSC folks for coaching talent, we are also competing with the regional bottom tier FBS programs as well (Nevada, FSU, SJSU).
EWU has a solid program, but keep in mind their enrollment requirements are a 2.0 and pulse (also no state income tax in WA). They can literally recruit anyone with a HS diploma. While they have built a great program over the years, they don’t have the obstacle of requiring scholastic excellence from their recruits.
Lump sum bonus of 5% of base salary for FCS playoff appearance
Lump sum bonus of 5% of base salary for BSC title
Lump sum bonus of 10% of base salary for FCS title
$5k bonus for exceeding APR rate of 940
So our admin is only going to reward a guy with a $8,750 bonus (that’s 350 general admin tickets) for getting a playoff appearance and/or a BSC title, none of which have ever happened during our D1 existence. An FCS title is only worth $17.5k (that’s 700 general admin tickets) to this athletic department. These incentives are a joke. Sit back and think about that for a second and then correlate that to why we seem to always have our wheels stuck in the mud. Winning is just not valued here. We’re just happy to field a team based off of these lackluster incentives.
Those other BSC salaries don’t mean much to me. The Sac area cost of living is much higher than those backwater places, as is the state income tax. That alone will push the base salary a good clip above what places around the BSC are paying their HC. Also if you don’t want a successful HC to bail for greener pastures then you have to pay him to stay put. While we are competing with fellow BSC folks for coaching talent, we are also competing with the regional bottom tier FBS programs as well (Nevada, FSU, SJSU).
EWU has a solid program, but keep in mind their enrollment requirements are a 2.0 and pulse (also no state income tax in WA). They can literally recruit anyone with a HS diploma. While they have built a great program over the years, they don’t have the obstacle of requiring scholastic excellence from their recruits.
Green Laser
Active member
I would rather see a lower end base pay with higher bonuses for desired results. If the coach is ambitious and confident in their abilities the opportunity to make more than maybe a higher base elsewhere would be attractive. If they are just after the base pay the couldn't help us anyway.
I realize that once a coach has proven his ability he deserves an increase in pay to recognize his contributions to the program, wins, increased attendance etc. and his opportunities to go elsewhere. I just don't want any more 5 year experiments.
I think that there are many good coaches out there that would welcome the opportunity to build a program and stay long term at Sac State. There is lot more to life for most people (even coaches) than just leapfrogging around the country chasing a higher paycheck. Debby Colberg for example, do you really think with her record that she didn't have the opportunity to move and make more money elsewhere? How about Coach Katz, with his long record of success as a JC coach. I'm sure he had opportunities to get University jobs before Sac State, he chose to stay close to home in Northern California. I would be surprised even if he was to build the Hornets into a powerhouse he would leave before he retires. If things had worked out differently with Coach Sperbeck with his roots in the area I doubt that he would have left before retirement even if he had better opportunities. There are far worse places than Sacramento to live, raise a family and build a career.
Even if you aren't from here it's a pretty attractive area offering a good lifestyle.
I realize that once a coach has proven his ability he deserves an increase in pay to recognize his contributions to the program, wins, increased attendance etc. and his opportunities to go elsewhere. I just don't want any more 5 year experiments.
I think that there are many good coaches out there that would welcome the opportunity to build a program and stay long term at Sac State. There is lot more to life for most people (even coaches) than just leapfrogging around the country chasing a higher paycheck. Debby Colberg for example, do you really think with her record that she didn't have the opportunity to move and make more money elsewhere? How about Coach Katz, with his long record of success as a JC coach. I'm sure he had opportunities to get University jobs before Sac State, he chose to stay close to home in Northern California. I would be surprised even if he was to build the Hornets into a powerhouse he would leave before he retires. If things had worked out differently with Coach Sperbeck with his roots in the area I doubt that he would have left before retirement even if he had better opportunities. There are far worse places than Sacramento to live, raise a family and build a career.
Even if you aren't from here it's a pretty attractive area offering a good lifestyle.
Not according to EWU's website:EWURanger said:
Like I said, a 2.0 and a pulse. Now maybe your coaching staff doesn't go after low academic achievers, but they certainly could if they wanted to without making exceptions from the standard enrollment requirements at EWU.
Joe Football
Active member
Coach Angus is the Answer.
Ask anyone who is involved with high end, successful High School Football, JC and high end FBS programs.
He is 47 years old, the complete package and will make the Hornets a program we will all be proud of for the next 20 years.
Players want to play for him... Parents want their kids to play for him... Coaches want their players to play for him.
He can hand pick his Coaching Staff from a long list of very talented coaches that want to be in his camp.
He will make a huge impact on the program and the Sacramento community, immediately, and come "signing day" will blow your minds on recruiting.
Joe Davidson, from the Sac Bee, is a huge fan of Angus' and will bring much needed attention to the program.
Program sponsorships will come and many will return.
Coach Angus should be the face of this program.
Let's make it happen!
Ask anyone who is involved with high end, successful High School Football, JC and high end FBS programs.
He is 47 years old, the complete package and will make the Hornets a program we will all be proud of for the next 20 years.
Players want to play for him... Parents want their kids to play for him... Coaches want their players to play for him.
He can hand pick his Coaching Staff from a long list of very talented coaches that want to be in his camp.
He will make a huge impact on the program and the Sacramento community, immediately, and come "signing day" will blow your minds on recruiting.
Joe Davidson, from the Sac Bee, is a huge fan of Angus' and will bring much needed attention to the program.
Program sponsorships will come and many will return.
Coach Angus should be the face of this program.
Let's make it happen!
Hornet Fever
Active member
Any coach that has a pulse would be a better situation than what we have right now..I just don't understand how a coach can lose to a Division II school and get blown out against conference opponents and still have a job. Shoot,Les Miles won a national championship and was competitive year in and year out and still got fired 3 games into the season. Jody Sears has won 3 games in the last 18 games which is pathetic and is not close to Les Miles resume. It is time to get off this sinking ship and move on!!
Green Laser
Active member
Wow 68-7! That's the 3rd most points ever given up. It is also the 2nd largest margin of loss in the 62 year history of Hornet Football. Only inept Coach Glen Brady's 1977 75-0 loss to Nevada tops it!
Apparently Coach Wulff's defense isn't quite as improved as we thought. I'm also starting to question if Coach Peterson is quite the offensive genius we have made him out to be. Funny how the homer Montana announcers on Big Sky TV kept saying how good coaches Sears and Wulff are and that they and were "rebuilding" the team after NCAA sanctions. Didn't we just lose just a couple of scholarships and some practice time? Nothing like what was imposed on the Montana School for Felons. Their thugs were even featured on Dateline and other national programs. Anyway if we have to rely on Sears and company to "rebuild" the program we might as well pull the plug now. Sears and company have proven to be "good coaches"... for our opponents!
Some positives; I enjoyed seeing Nolan Merker and Ernie Timoteo, Quincy Jountti etc. get a chance to play.
In the few times I have seen Merker at QB he always seems to add a little more speed, spirit and confidence. He did well under a lot of pressure and had some nice throws, he got the team moving. Even though it was late Montana still had a lot of defensive starters in to try and preserve the shutout. Great to see a big back like Timoteo rumbling through again, it's been a long time! We have a lot of young talent on this team why not use the rest of season seeing what they can do? My biggest fear is that if disasters like Saturday continue some of these young guys are going to jump ship and it's going to hurt our recruiting. Unless changes are made fast we will "Ride the Brand" right into the ditch.
Apparently Coach Wulff's defense isn't quite as improved as we thought. I'm also starting to question if Coach Peterson is quite the offensive genius we have made him out to be. Funny how the homer Montana announcers on Big Sky TV kept saying how good coaches Sears and Wulff are and that they and were "rebuilding" the team after NCAA sanctions. Didn't we just lose just a couple of scholarships and some practice time? Nothing like what was imposed on the Montana School for Felons. Their thugs were even featured on Dateline and other national programs. Anyway if we have to rely on Sears and company to "rebuild" the program we might as well pull the plug now. Sears and company have proven to be "good coaches"... for our opponents!
Some positives; I enjoyed seeing Nolan Merker and Ernie Timoteo, Quincy Jountti etc. get a chance to play.
In the few times I have seen Merker at QB he always seems to add a little more speed, spirit and confidence. He did well under a lot of pressure and had some nice throws, he got the team moving. Even though it was late Montana still had a lot of defensive starters in to try and preserve the shutout. Great to see a big back like Timoteo rumbling through again, it's been a long time! We have a lot of young talent on this team why not use the rest of season seeing what they can do? My biggest fear is that if disasters like Saturday continue some of these young guys are going to jump ship and it's going to hurt our recruiting. Unless changes are made fast we will "Ride the Brand" right into the ditch.
