[Red80]

I've got a question for the collective memory of the 'board. Has David Shaw ever removed an assistant? 

A few have moved on for other opportunities, but I don't recall any being dismissed. I agree with what most people are saying here regarding Shaw's future -- I can't imagine him going to the NFL, and I can't imagine him being fired. The only way we're going to see anything different, particularly with the offense, is if we see changes on the staff. Right now I can't imagine there are any teams looking to hire anyone away from the Stanford staff, so only a complete meltdown this season or strong urging from Bernard Muir might convince Shaw to make some changes. That's the hope.

---

One more thing -- Prince's best album is Sign O' the Times.

I'd say his best was "1999".

[Red80]

I've got a question for the collective memory of the 'board. Has David Shaw ever removed an assistant? 

A few have moved on for other opportunities, but I don't recall any being dismissed. I agree with what most people are saying here regarding Shaw's future -- I can't imagine him going to the NFL, and I can't imagine him being fired. The only way we're going to see anything different, particularly with the offense, is if we see changes on the staff. Right now I can't imagine there are any teams looking to hire anyone away from the Stanford staff, so only a complete meltdown this season or strong urging from Bernard Muir might convince Shaw to make some changes. That's the hope.

---

One more thing -- Prince's best album is Sign O' the Times.

I'd say his best was "1999".

[martyup]

Coach Shaw has announced that he will be implementing sideline flash signs to help simplify play calling and avoid delay of game penalties.

[martyup]

Coach Shaw has announced that he will be implementing sideline flash signs to help simplify play calling and avoid delay of game penalties.

[newguy]

Coach Shaw has announced that he will be implementing sideline flash signs to help simplify play calling and avoid delay of game penalties.

i needed that.  
a little humor never hurt anyone.

[newguy]

Coach Shaw has announced that he will be implementing sideline flash signs to help simplify play calling and avoid delay of game penalties.

i needed that.  
a little humor never hurt anyone.

[Phogge]

Prince used to supervise the editing of his music videos at a post house in the production ghetto on Townsend St. in The City. The reason? He was comfortable sitting in the suite’s sofa. According to the house he was a great and gracious client.

[Phogge]

Prince used to supervise the editing of his music videos at a post house in the production ghetto on Townsend St. in The City. The reason? He was comfortable sitting in the suite’s sofa. According to the house he was a great and gracious client.

[winflop]

I've got a question for the collective memory of the 'board. Has David Shaw ever removed an assistant? 

A few have moved on for other opportunities, but I don't recall any being dismissed. I agree with what most people are saying here regarding Shaw's future -- I can't imagine him going to the NFL, and I can't imagine him being fired. The only way we're going to see anything different, particularly with the offense, is if we see changes on the staff. Right now I can't imagine there are any teams looking to hire anyone away from the Stanford staff, so only a complete meltdown this season or strong urging from Bernard Muir might convince Shaw to make some changes. That's the hope.

---

One more thing -- Prince's best album is Sign O' the Times.

I can imagine Shaw being fired, but not by Muir. As for "strong urging" I don't see that coming from Muir either. But I have to believe that Muir is on the hot seat right now. He's really screwed things up in major ways the last few years.

I can't remember any of Shaw's assistants leaving without taking another job, but they could have been told to go find something else.

[winflop]

I've got a question for the collective memory of the 'board. Has David Shaw ever removed an assistant? 

A few have moved on for other opportunities, but I don't recall any being dismissed. I agree with what most people are saying here regarding Shaw's future -- I can't imagine him going to the NFL, and I can't imagine him being fired. The only way we're going to see anything different, particularly with the offense, is if we see changes on the staff. Right now I can't imagine there are any teams looking to hire anyone away from the Stanford staff, so only a complete meltdown this season or strong urging from Bernard Muir might convince Shaw to make some changes. That's the hope.

---

One more thing -- Prince's best album is Sign O' the Times.

I can imagine Shaw being fired, but not by Muir. As for "strong urging" I don't see that coming from Muir either. But I have to believe that Muir is on the hot seat right now. He's really screwed things up in major ways the last few years.

I can't remember any of Shaw's assistants leaving without taking another job, but they could have been told to go find something else.

[baycommuter]

Just back from Dallas and wanted to address the posts about lack of fan support yesterday. We did have a few thousand in red at the game and my  fights contained Stanford fans. This was not a neutral site game--it was run as a Kansas State home game. The scoreboard promotion was the same as it would have been in Manhattan and their 300-person band provided the entertainment. (I missed the Cowboys' modern drums corps they sprinkle around the stadium). Our main section was tucked in the corner and with no cheerleaders or other support, it was hard to put up any kind of roar.

[baycommuter]

Just back from Dallas and wanted to address the posts about lack of fan support yesterday. We did have a few thousand in red at the game and my  fights contained Stanford fans. This was not a neutral site game--it was run as a Kansas State home game. The scoreboard promotion was the same as it would have been in Manhattan and their 300-person band provided the entertainment. (I missed the Cowboys' modern drums corps they sprinkle around the stadium). Our main section was tucked in the corner and with no cheerleaders or other support, it was hard to put up any kind of roar.

[martyup]

. . . We did have a few thousand in red at the game and my  fights contained Stanford fans. . . 

Did you get in any good licks?

[martyup]

. . . We did have a few thousand in red at the game and my  fights contained Stanford fans. . . 

Did you get in any good licks?

[Snorlax94]

---

One more thing -- Prince's best album is Sign O' the Times.

I'd say his best was "1999".

Sigh, I kind of walked into that one. Even as I hit post, I was trying to think of a less subjective metaphor, or thinking I should at least restrict the example to be about commercial success, but I rushed it.

And as for all the comments on coaching hires, Shaw hired Coach Alamar, Coach Akina and Coach Carberry, and becoming the Ram's O-Line coach is clearly a promotion. Shaw also hired Coach Kennedy, and the receivers have been making spectacular catches that would be the envy of many teams, and Shaw promoted Morgan Turner into a Tight Ends coach, who has gone on to send a ton of players to the NFL. So I disagree with the false narrative that somehow all the great hires were by Harbaugh. If it's so easy, why aren't all teams 15-0? If Harbaugh is such a hiring magician, why is he on the hot seat at Michigan? And I would remind you that one of Harbaugh's best hires -- Vic Fangio -- came by reference from his brother. 

I think many of Shaw's hires have been decent and some (Akina, possibly Alamar and Carberry) have been great, though I agree there are a few areas that should be improved.

[Snorlax94]

---

One more thing -- Prince's best album is Sign O' the Times.

I'd say his best was "1999".

Sigh, I kind of walked into that one. Even as I hit post, I was trying to think of a less subjective metaphor, or thinking I should at least restrict the example to be about commercial success, but I rushed it.

And as for all the comments on coaching hires, Shaw hired Coach Alamar, Coach Akina and Coach Carberry, and becoming the Ram's O-Line coach is clearly a promotion. Shaw also hired Coach Kennedy, and the receivers have been making spectacular catches that would be the envy of many teams, and Shaw promoted Morgan Turner into a Tight Ends coach, who has gone on to send a ton of players to the NFL. So I disagree with the false narrative that somehow all the great hires were by Harbaugh. If it's so easy, why aren't all teams 15-0? If Harbaugh is such a hiring magician, why is he on the hot seat at Michigan? And I would remind you that one of Harbaugh's best hires -- Vic Fangio -- came by reference from his brother. 

I think many of Shaw's hires have been decent and some (Akina, possibly Alamar and Carberry) have been great, though I agree there are a few areas that should be improved.

[baycommuter]

. . . We did have a few thousand in red at the game and my  fights contained Stanford fans. . . 

Did you get in any good licks?

Fights, flights. Might say I beat the 'l' out of 'em.

[baycommuter]

. . . We did have a few thousand in red at the game and my  fights contained Stanford fans. . . 

Did you get in any good licks?

Fights, flights. Might say I beat the 'l' out of 'em.

[teejers1]

On the other hand, I am touched and flattered to have you recall and quote one of my insignificant little posts from days gone by. I hope you’ll continue to be such a faithful reader.

I read every post in these parts, irrespective of the chances of the post being insightful, illuminating, humorous, outrageous, idiotic or what have you.  I know some folks can't handle that approach, but I figure "ya never know" how you might be edified.  Plus, it doesn't take long to whip through the posts here and on TOS I read regularly.  Indeed, the two sites are my weakness/vices when it comes to wasting time on the Internet.

[teejers1]

On the other hand, I am touched and flattered to have you recall and quote one of my insignificant little posts from days gone by. I hope you’ll continue to be such a faithful reader.

I read every post in these parts, irrespective of the chances of the post being insightful, illuminating, humorous, outrageous, idiotic or what have you.  I know some folks can't handle that approach, but I figure "ya never know" how you might be edified.  Plus, it doesn't take long to whip through the posts here and on TOS I read regularly.  Indeed, the two sites are my weakness/vices when it comes to wasting time on the Internet.

[BostonCard]

Akina’s reputation has exceeded his unit’s performance.

BC

[BostonCard]

Akina’s reputation has exceeded his unit’s performance.

BC

[old spanish trail]

Akina’s reputation has exceeded his unit’s performance.

BC

Justin Reid liked him alot.

[old spanish trail]

Akina’s reputation has exceeded his unit’s performance.

BC

Justin Reid liked him alot.

[Austroturf]

---

One more thing -- Prince's best album is Sign O' the Times.

I'd say his best was "1999".

Sigh, I kind of walked into that one. Even as I hit post, I was trying to think of a less subjective metaphor, or thinking I should at least restrict the example to be about commercial success, but I rushed it.

And as for all the comments on coaching hires, Shaw hired Coach Alamar, Coach Akina and Coach Carberry, and becoming the Ram's O-Line coach is clearly a promotion. Shaw also hired Coach Kennedy, and the receivers have been making spectacular catches that would be the envy of many teams, and Shaw promoted Morgan Turner into a Tight Ends coach, who has gone on to send a ton of players to the NFL. So I disagree with the false narrative that somehow all the great hires were by Harbaugh. If it's so easy, why aren't all teams 15-0? If Harbaugh is such a hiring magician, why is he on the hot seat at Michigan? And I would remind you that one of Harbaugh's best hires -- Vic Fangio -- came by reference from his brother. 

I think many of Shaw's hires have been decent and some (Akina, possibly Alamar and Carberry) have been great, though I agree there are a few areas that should be improved.

Just a few additional comments on the coaching staff.  

1) Alamar has been steady and has produced some excellent talents.  Akina has been less steady, with some very good squads and some weak ones.  He will turn 65 next month, Alamar is 60, so they aren't going anywhere but perhaps retirement.
  
2) I do not consider Carberry's tenure at Stanford a success: O-Line performance under his aegis (2018-2020) was a clear downgrade from the squads under Bloomgren.  His accession to the O-Line coaching job at the LA Rams is technically a promotion (back with his pal, Sean McVay), but will he ever be offered an OC or head-coaching position?  I doubt it.

3) I am not claiming that Harbaugh is perfect at hiring coordinators and assistants.  But he did put together an excellent staff in his early years at Stanford, and they elevated the program to the heights we enjoyed in the first half of the last decade.  And if Fangio was a tip from Harbaugh's brother, all the better.  Use your network.  It's how all top leaders do their hiring.  

4) Shaw's coaching tree is essentially empty.  Excellent coaches with elite assistants are constantly losing these people to bigger opportunities.  Nobody is poaching Shaw's staff.

5) Finally, if Shaw has been so stellar at hiring, why are we seeing this steady degradation in performance, year by year?  Ultimately, every football program is the product of the head coach and his staff (and, yes, other factors such as facilities, fan base, financial resources, historic and recent reputation of program, etc.).  After the years 2009-2015, Stanford's reputation as a top-tier program was strong; but things began to go pear-shaped afterward; and ultimately, this all goes back to what the coach and his staff did or did not do.

[Austroturf]

---

One more thing -- Prince's best album is Sign O' the Times.

I'd say his best was "1999".

Sigh, I kind of walked into that one. Even as I hit post, I was trying to think of a less subjective metaphor, or thinking I should at least restrict the example to be about commercial success, but I rushed it.

And as for all the comments on coaching hires, Shaw hired Coach Alamar, Coach Akina and Coach Carberry, and becoming the Ram's O-Line coach is clearly a promotion. Shaw also hired Coach Kennedy, and the receivers have been making spectacular catches that would be the envy of many teams, and Shaw promoted Morgan Turner into a Tight Ends coach, who has gone on to send a ton of players to the NFL. So I disagree with the false narrative that somehow all the great hires were by Harbaugh. If it's so easy, why aren't all teams 15-0? If Harbaugh is such a hiring magician, why is he on the hot seat at Michigan? And I would remind you that one of Harbaugh's best hires -- Vic Fangio -- came by reference from his brother. 

I think many of Shaw's hires have been decent and some (Akina, possibly Alamar and Carberry) have been great, though I agree there are a few areas that should be improved.

Just a few additional comments on the coaching staff.  

1) Alamar has been steady and has produced some excellent talents.  Akina has been less steady, with some very good squads and some weak ones.  He will turn 65 next month, Alamar is 60, so they aren't going anywhere but perhaps retirement.
  
2) I do not consider Carberry's tenure at Stanford a success: O-Line performance under his aegis (2018-2020) was a clear downgrade from the squads under Bloomgren.  His accession to the O-Line coaching job at the LA Rams is technically a promotion (back with his pal, Sean McVay), but will he ever be offered an OC or head-coaching position?  I doubt it.

3) I am not claiming that Harbaugh is perfect at hiring coordinators and assistants.  But he did put together an excellent staff in his early years at Stanford, and they elevated the program to the heights we enjoyed in the first half of the last decade.  And if Fangio was a tip from Harbaugh's brother, all the better.  Use your network.  It's how all top leaders do their hiring.  

4) Shaw's coaching tree is essentially empty.  Excellent coaches with elite assistants are constantly losing these people to bigger opportunities.  Nobody is poaching Shaw's staff.

5) Finally, if Shaw has been so stellar at hiring, why are we seeing this steady degradation in performance, year by year?  Ultimately, every football program is the product of the head coach and his staff (and, yes, other factors such as facilities, fan base, financial resources, historic and recent reputation of program, etc.).  After the years 2009-2015, Stanford's reputation as a top-tier program was strong; but things began to go pear-shaped afterward; and ultimately, this all goes back to what the coach and his staff did or did not do.

[winflop]

Sigh, I kind of walked into that one. Even as I hit post, I was trying to think of a less subjective metaphor, or thinking I should at least restrict the example to be about commercial success, but I rushed it.


And as for all the comments on coaching hires, Shaw hired Coach Alamar, Coach Akina and Coach Carberry, and becoming the Ram's O-Line coach is clearly a promotion. Shaw also hired Coach Kennedy, and the receivers have been making spectacular catches that would be the envy of many teams, and Shaw promoted Morgan Turner into a Tight Ends coach, who has gone on to send a ton of players to the NFL. So I disagree with the false narrative that somehow all the great hires were by Harbaugh. If it's so easy, why aren't all teams 15-0? If Harbaugh is such a hiring magician, why is he on the hot seat at Michigan? And I would remind you that one of Harbaugh's best hires -- Vic Fangio -- came by reference from his brother. 



I think many of Shaw's hires have been decent and some (Akina, possibly Alamar and Carberry) have been great, though I agree there are a few areas that should be improved.

You give me Akina, Alamar, and Carberry. I disagree with Carberry being in that same bucket and give you Pritchard, Reynolds, and Hansen in return. It's a mixed bag at best.

[winflop]

Sigh, I kind of walked into that one. Even as I hit post, I was trying to think of a less subjective metaphor, or thinking I should at least restrict the example to be about commercial success, but I rushed it.


And as for all the comments on coaching hires, Shaw hired Coach Alamar, Coach Akina and Coach Carberry, and becoming the Ram's O-Line coach is clearly a promotion. Shaw also hired Coach Kennedy, and the receivers have been making spectacular catches that would be the envy of many teams, and Shaw promoted Morgan Turner into a Tight Ends coach, who has gone on to send a ton of players to the NFL. So I disagree with the false narrative that somehow all the great hires were by Harbaugh. If it's so easy, why aren't all teams 15-0? If Harbaugh is such a hiring magician, why is he on the hot seat at Michigan? And I would remind you that one of Harbaugh's best hires -- Vic Fangio -- came by reference from his brother. 



I think many of Shaw's hires have been decent and some (Akina, possibly Alamar and Carberry) have been great, though I agree there are a few areas that should be improved.

You give me Akina, Alamar, and Carberry. I disagree with Carberry being in that same bucket and give you Pritchard, Reynolds, and Hansen in return. It's a mixed bag at best.

[gailtate]

Finally, if Shaw has been so stellar at hiring, why are we seeing this steady degradation in performance, year by year?  Ultimately, every football program is the product of the head coach and his staff (and, yes, other factors such as facilities, fan base, financial resources, historic and recent reputation of program, etc.).  After the years 2009-2015, Stanford's reputation as a top-tier program was strong; but things began to go pear-shaped afterward; and ultimately, this all goes back to what the coach and his staff did or did not do.
[/quote]

I've been beating this drum for a long time. Bottom-line, the Shaw era is in the process of ending. He's going out not with a bang but a whimper.

[gailtate]

Finally, if Shaw has been so stellar at hiring, why are we seeing this steady degradation in performance, year by year?  Ultimately, every football program is the product of the head coach and his staff (and, yes, other factors such as facilities, fan base, financial resources, historic and recent reputation of program, etc.).  After the years 2009-2015, Stanford's reputation as a top-tier program was strong; but things began to go pear-shaped afterward; and ultimately, this all goes back to what the coach and his staff did or did not do.
[/quote]

I've been beating this drum for a long time. Bottom-line, the Shaw era is in the process of ending. He's going out not with a bang but a whimper.

[BostonCard]

Bloomgren left Carbery a massive recruiting hole; it took a few years to restock the OL.

BC

[BostonCard]

Bloomgren left Carbery a massive recruiting hole; it took a few years to restock the OL.

BC

[winflop]

Bloomgren left Carbery a massive recruiting hole; it took a few years to restock the OL.

BC

Not like the "restocked" OL was that great in 2019 & 2020...

[winflop]

Bloomgren left Carbery a massive recruiting hole; it took a few years to restock the OL.

BC

Not like the "restocked" OL was that great in 2019 & 2020...

[Austroturf]

Bloomgren left Carbery a massive recruiting hole; it took a few years to restock the OL.

BC

I need to understand this statement a bit more thoroughly.  If I remember correctly, when Carberry arrived for the 2018 season, he had third-year Nate Herbig (junior) plus two 5-star sophomore recruits, Walker Little and Foster Sarell, while senior Jesse Burkett was at center.  That's a pretty strong corps to build with. In fact, we all thought that Bryce Love would have truck-sized holes to barrel through with that O-line.  But it didn't happen, unfortunately.  With that personnel on O-line, it doesn't appear as if the cupboard was totally bare.  What am I missing? (and I am not being facetious with this question, because maybe I am missing something).

[Austroturf]

Bloomgren left Carbery a massive recruiting hole; it took a few years to restock the OL.

BC

I need to understand this statement a bit more thoroughly.  If I remember correctly, when Carberry arrived for the 2018 season, he had third-year Nate Herbig (junior) plus two 5-star sophomore recruits, Walker Little and Foster Sarell, while senior Jesse Burkett was at center.  That's a pretty strong corps to build with. In fact, we all thought that Bryce Love would have truck-sized holes to barrel through with that O-line.  But it didn't happen, unfortunately.  With that personnel on O-line, it doesn't appear as if the cupboard was totally bare.  What am I missing? (and I am not being facetious with this question, because maybe I am missing something).

[BostonCard]

2017 we certainly had quality with Sarrell and Little, but not much depth (only 3 OL recruits, and no guards).  So of course Bloomgren makes it up by signing a bumper crop of offensive linemen in 2018, right?  Nope. We signed one OL recruit, who I don’t think played a down.  Four offensive linemen over two classes is a gaping hole, and is why we were forced to play a bunch of true freshmen in 2019 when the experienced guys got injured.

Cardbury signed 11 offensive linemen the next two years, which is why the pipeline looks decent now, and will look even better next year when the first guys Carbery signed are seniors.

BC

[BostonCard]

2017 we certainly had quality with Sarrell and Little, but not much depth (only 3 OL recruits, and no guards).  So of course Bloomgren makes it up by signing a bumper crop of offensive linemen in 2018, right?  Nope. We signed one OL recruit, who I don’t think played a down.  Four offensive linemen over two classes is a gaping hole, and is why we were forced to play a bunch of true freshmen in 2019 when the experienced guys got injured.

Cardbury signed 11 offensive linemen the next two years, which is why the pipeline looks decent now, and will look even better next year when the first guys Carbery signed are seniors.

BC

[Austroturf]

2017 we certainly had quality with Sarrell and Little, but not much depth (only 3 OL recruits, and no guards).  So of course Bloomgren makes it up by signing a bumper crop of offensive linemen in 2018, right?  Nope. We signed one OL recruit, who I don’t think played a down.  Four offensive linemen over two classes is a gaping hole, and is why we were forced to play a bunch of true freshmen in 2019 when the experienced guys got injured.

Cardbury signed 11 offensive linemen the next two years, which is why the pipeline looks decent now, and will look even better next year when the first guys Carbery signed are seniors.

BC

Thanks for that insight.

[Austroturf]

2017 we certainly had quality with Sarrell and Little, but not much depth (only 3 OL recruits, and no guards).  So of course Bloomgren makes it up by signing a bumper crop of offensive linemen in 2018, right?  Nope. We signed one OL recruit, who I don’t think played a down.  Four offensive linemen over two classes is a gaping hole, and is why we were forced to play a bunch of true freshmen in 2019 when the experienced guys got injured.

Cardbury signed 11 offensive linemen the next two years, which is why the pipeline looks decent now, and will look even better next year when the first guys Carbery signed are seniors.

BC

Thanks for that insight.