[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

If 8-5 is a coach's worst season, then I want him to coach for life.

Obviously I would not be happy if 8-5 was the ceiling for Stanford football, for exactly the reason you mentioned.  But I also think if 8-5 is considered a failure or even a disappointment we've completely lost perspective.  I'm all for raising the standard, but even during our extended run of 10-win seasons and back-to-back Rose Bowls, I savored every one because I knew it might be a decade before we would get back.

BC

8-5 is seen as something more dire than an aberration precisely for the reason I stated - Shaw has yet to prove he can build and sustain an elite program.  If Michigan State were to go 8-5 this year it would be seen as a disappointing hiccup, but nobody would be calling for Dantonio's head.

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

If 8-5 is a coach's worst season, then I want him to coach for life.

Obviously I would not be happy if 8-5 was the ceiling for Stanford football, for exactly the reason you mentioned.  But I also think if 8-5 is considered a failure or even a disappointment we've completely lost perspective.  I'm all for raising the standard, but even during our extended run of 10-win seasons and back-to-back Rose Bowls, I savored every one because I knew it might be a decade before we would get back.

BC

8-5 is seen as something more dire than an aberration precisely for the reason I stated - Shaw has yet to prove he can build and sustain an elite program.  If Michigan State were to go 8-5 this year it would be seen as a disappointing hiccup, but nobody would be calling for Dantonio's head.