Posts: 2,515
Threads: 63
Joined: Dec 1969
While Im confident my give him a chance credentials match up against anyones [quit laughing, garvin], Ive come to the conclusion that, while it might not be the fair thing to end the relationship, it is the right thing at this point. This team is in a funk, and the only prescription is
more cowbell. No, sorry, thats something else
Â
The only prescription is to start over with a new program head, before that funk becomes too ingrained in the freshmen/sophomores, who look like they are sufficiently talented that, with a focused, determined, and positive effort, they could regularly compete at the upper level of the Conference, rather than the mid- to lower-level. What made this season so frustrating for me was to see the occasional flashes 5 to 10 minute stretches here and there in many, if not all, of the games where the team played with energy, enthusiasm, focus, purpose, confidence, etc., but then have to endure generally longer stretches, at more consequential times, in most of the games, where the very same players threw sloppy passes, got caught clearly out-of-position on defense, made really boneheaded plays on offense, seemed very unsure about what they were trying accomplish in an offensive set, etc. Otherwise put, for too long in too many games, the players looked like they simply werent having much fun out there, didn't want to make the hustle play, and, more importantly, just kind of knew that, in crunch time, bad things would happen and they would ultimately lose. Unfortunately, as the season progressed, more often than not, they did and they did.Â
I think, in no small part, this was due to the temperaments of the seniors I cant recall three starting seniors who routinely appear as stoic as Randle, Nastic, and Brown. When youre winning, that attitude comes across as quiet confidence [e.g., Andrew Luck]; when youre losing, though, it comes across as resignation, lack of energy, and even disinterest indeed, it struck me during the Pac-12 tourney broadcasts as I heard it mentioned for the umpteenth time how often our team was described throughout the season as showing a palpable lack of energy -- and that moniker attached long before the its been a long season and everyone had played lots of minutes excuse/explanation was really valid. And, it wasnt just the seniors. There really did not appear to be any high-spirited, intense, vocal leader such as Mark Madsen, for example who ignited the team on a regular basis. [Indeed, Elliot Bullock, whose 3-pointer from the top of the arc last night will be the only thing from that game I choose to remember, was the only guy who looked like he was having fun every minute of every game.] Im encouraged by flashes of that attitude that appeared from a number of the freshmen and sophomores, but, given the obvious leadership by the 3 seniors, its understandable that none of the underclassmen sought [or, if they did, actually succeeded] to take that role. This year, at least.Â
Which brings me back to Dawkins. And next year. Im afraid that his temperament always has been and will remain very much in the same mold as this years seniors and that it casts a pall [for lack of a better phrase] over the whole team. After 7 seasons, I have no reason to believe it would suddenly vanish, especially given the way this season ended. Please note that I dislike sideline coaches who prance all over the place and make the game all about themselves as they scream and wave their arms, openly swear at the refs [yes, you, Sean Miller] and get so far out of the coaches box that they couldnt get back to it if they ran full-speed for 20 seconds. Still, there have been countless times over the past few seasons and, especially, this season when the cool, detached, almost passionless demeanor of Dawkins on the sideline, as small leads turned into big deficits, was so difficult to watch. There is a middle ground out there of coaches who inspire their players to play at their peak for the whole time they are on the floor. Right now, Dawkins doesnt look to me like hes in that group [nor has he been]. And, having Ray Lewis sit on the bench and give motivational speeches during the media timeouts probably isnt all that feasible
In the end, it isnt most of the things that others criticize Dawkins for that have caused me to conclude he should be let go [although I do think, if he stays, his contract should be amended to make it an immediate firing offense for him to call a timeout and set up an offensive play within 30 seconds of the end of either half]. And, from what I hear [and see, for that matter], he is intelligent, a person of high character and integrity, and a very good representative of the school. E.g., hes no Wlat. Its simply that the program looks like one in which the players themselves are not having fun, are not committed to improving every single day, and arent going to be able to shake that uh oh, were going to lose mentality, if we just come back with the same group of coaches and go at it again next year.
As for timing, it seems to me that now is perhaps the most propitious time to bring in a new coach, since the cupboard does not really appear to be too bare, even losing Randle, Nastic, and Brown. A good coach , I think, would see some real potential in being able to get this years freshmen and sophomores at this stage of their careers and develop them as they progress. To make that happen, then, all we would need is
a good coach.
Theres got to be one out there somewhere.
