[cardcrimson]

The storyline:  Covid decimated the program, so we are rebuilding from the ground up.  We have top 10 recruiting classes now, so by 2025 the team will be in the top 10.  No need for coaching changes, or scheme changes, or a new philosophy.   I coached in the NFL and am the winningest coach in Stanford history.  Stay the course. Pay no attention to back-to-back-to-back losing seasons.  We'll be good soon.  Wait and see.  



I sincerely hope it's true, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Row80Critic, when you say "back-to-back losing seasons," are you already projecting a losing season in 2022? Stanford has not had back-to-back losing seasons since 2007 and 2008. I might say, "Pay no attention to the current 7 game losing streak. Pay no attention to the 6 game losing streak in 2019-20. Pay no attention to 2 last place finishes in the P12 North in the prior 3 years. Pay no attention to the declining game attendance (35,684 per game in 2021, down from 37,018 in 2019 and 47,398 in 2017)."

To my observation, Shaw has made changes to the offensive scheme over the last 4-5 years or so. The problem is that none of those changes have worked.

One possible action would be to bring in new thinking and give someone else a chance to re-engineer the offense since Shaw's efforts have not been successful. There is no assurance that they would do better. But as fans we are excited by whatever is shiny and new.

Another approach would be to take advantage of the opponent coaches who have left recently. Stanford (or a trusted 3rd party) could reach out to and interview Brian Kelly, Clay Helton, Jimmy Lake, Mario Cristobal, Nick Rolovich and their defensive coordinators. Ask them about preparing to defend Stanford. Learn if there are things Stanford does that help opponents be successful in stopping them. Incorporate that into a revised schema. Of course this step can be done even with a new OC. And it can yield positive results only if you accept the findings and take action even if they contradict your belief about what you are doing. My biggest concern is that week in and week out (with a few notable exceptions), David Shaw and his staff look to be outcoached by the opposition. That's a hard truth to accept. Maybe Shaw's peers can deliver messages to help him be a better head coach.

Gee I wonder if Shaw walked over to John Lynch and Andrew Luck when they were standing on the sidelines chatting to ask them of their respective options, prior to the start of the domer game? Those two may know a thing or two about football.

I think you mean opinions, but as an option, how about Andrew Luck as the Andrew Luck Director of Offense, with perhaps Kevin Hogan as the Kevin Hogan Quarterbacks Coach?

[cardcrimson]

The storyline:  Covid decimated the program, so we are rebuilding from the ground up.  We have top 10 recruiting classes now, so by 2025 the team will be in the top 10.  No need for coaching changes, or scheme changes, or a new philosophy.   I coached in the NFL and am the winningest coach in Stanford history.  Stay the course. Pay no attention to back-to-back-to-back losing seasons.  We'll be good soon.  Wait and see.  



I sincerely hope it's true, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Row80Critic, when you say "back-to-back losing seasons," are you already projecting a losing season in 2022? Stanford has not had back-to-back losing seasons since 2007 and 2008. I might say, "Pay no attention to the current 7 game losing streak. Pay no attention to the 6 game losing streak in 2019-20. Pay no attention to 2 last place finishes in the P12 North in the prior 3 years. Pay no attention to the declining game attendance (35,684 per game in 2021, down from 37,018 in 2019 and 47,398 in 2017)."

To my observation, Shaw has made changes to the offensive scheme over the last 4-5 years or so. The problem is that none of those changes have worked.

One possible action would be to bring in new thinking and give someone else a chance to re-engineer the offense since Shaw's efforts have not been successful. There is no assurance that they would do better. But as fans we are excited by whatever is shiny and new.

Another approach would be to take advantage of the opponent coaches who have left recently. Stanford (or a trusted 3rd party) could reach out to and interview Brian Kelly, Clay Helton, Jimmy Lake, Mario Cristobal, Nick Rolovich and their defensive coordinators. Ask them about preparing to defend Stanford. Learn if there are things Stanford does that help opponents be successful in stopping them. Incorporate that into a revised schema. Of course this step can be done even with a new OC. And it can yield positive results only if you accept the findings and take action even if they contradict your belief about what you are doing. My biggest concern is that week in and week out (with a few notable exceptions), David Shaw and his staff look to be outcoached by the opposition. That's a hard truth to accept. Maybe Shaw's peers can deliver messages to help him be a better head coach.

Gee I wonder if Shaw walked over to John Lynch and Andrew Luck when they were standing on the sidelines chatting to ask them of their respective options, prior to the start of the domer game? Those two may know a thing or two about football.

I think you mean opinions, but as an option, how about Andrew Luck as the Andrew Luck Director of Offense, with perhaps Kevin Hogan as the Kevin Hogan Quarterbacks Coach?