[JohnR34231]

I vacillated between 1 and 3, but ultimately went for 3 (one more year to get back to at least 6-6 and a bowl game).  Option 2 was not a choice for me, even though many have selected it.  Why?  The way I assess the situation, Shaw will not get back to a winning or break-even season if he does not make major changes, so it makes sense to put the onus on him without requiring changes upfront.  Tell him what's expected, then let him work.  If he stays the course and fails, he is gone.  If he makes changes and fails, he is gone.  If he makes changes or stays the course and succeeds, he has survived to fight another day.  

However, I have a hard time believing he will make the changes, and that briefly tilted me toward 1, because any other option, in my view, just prolongs the current trough we are in.  But though I agree Stanford doesn't "owe" Shaw anything, he should be given that one grace year to right the ship.  Also, I would like to see Shaw with his back to the wall for once and see whether there is a fighter element in his make-up that we just haven't seen yet.  Some people rise to the challenge thrown at them: win or die might just be the gantlet Shaw needs.  

Of course, I don't expect 1, 2 or 3 to happen in any realistic scenario.  Muir will continue to give Shaw a very long leash, at least another two seasons.  If these come in at between 1-11 and 4-8, then Shaw will probably be asked to resign, but maybe by a new AD.

I would tend to agree. Shaw will probably get two more seasons to right the ship, and if those are still 4-8, 3-9 types he will be asked to resign.
By somebody influential.

[JohnR34231]

I vacillated between 1 and 3, but ultimately went for 3 (one more year to get back to at least 6-6 and a bowl game).  Option 2 was not a choice for me, even though many have selected it.  Why?  The way I assess the situation, Shaw will not get back to a winning or break-even season if he does not make major changes, so it makes sense to put the onus on him without requiring changes upfront.  Tell him what's expected, then let him work.  If he stays the course and fails, he is gone.  If he makes changes and fails, he is gone.  If he makes changes or stays the course and succeeds, he has survived to fight another day.  

However, I have a hard time believing he will make the changes, and that briefly tilted me toward 1, because any other option, in my view, just prolongs the current trough we are in.  But though I agree Stanford doesn't "owe" Shaw anything, he should be given that one grace year to right the ship.  Also, I would like to see Shaw with his back to the wall for once and see whether there is a fighter element in his make-up that we just haven't seen yet.  Some people rise to the challenge thrown at them: win or die might just be the gantlet Shaw needs.  

Of course, I don't expect 1, 2 or 3 to happen in any realistic scenario.  Muir will continue to give Shaw a very long leash, at least another two seasons.  If these come in at between 1-11 and 4-8, then Shaw will probably be asked to resign, but maybe by a new AD.

I would tend to agree. Shaw will probably get two more seasons to right the ship, and if those are still 4-8, 3-9 types he will be asked to resign.
By somebody influential.