[BigJohn043]

Like you, I was happy to see that the 2022 recruiting class brought with it quality and depth at defense.  It could be the start of the improvement we seek. However, in order to see that, we need to have sustained recruiting results. Not just “have a good year and take a year off mentality”. If we can have two back-to-back good recruiting classes, it would predict improvement in three or so years.  I think we would need three solid classes in a row, plus a couple difference makers, plus retention on the back end in order to get a top-20 type season.  And, as you point out, we need a better coordinator and assistants.

BC

But this is the exact problem with Shaw.  He is a bad manager.  In 11 years he has never fired an assistant.  Anyone that has ever managed a team knows that you need to continue to top-grade and that your worst performers inevitably drag down the rest of the team.  How exactly are we going to get a better coordinator and assistants if we never fire anyone?

Shaw has all sorts of problems:
- he is a bad play caller who won't give up that responsibility
- he isn't good at developing that killer mentality and over time the mentality that Harbaugh built has worn off
- he can't manage a staff and over time that staff has gotten worse
- he doesn't rage against the losses and make changes as circumstances & recruiting rules change

You can spend lots of time figuring out which combo of the 4 issues above is the biggest one but the short answer is Shaw.

I am already depressed about how bad we are going to be this season.....

[BigJohn043]

Like you, I was happy to see that the 2022 recruiting class brought with it quality and depth at defense.  It could be the start of the improvement we seek. However, in order to see that, we need to have sustained recruiting results. Not just “have a good year and take a year off mentality”. If we can have two back-to-back good recruiting classes, it would predict improvement in three or so years.  I think we would need three solid classes in a row, plus a couple difference makers, plus retention on the back end in order to get a top-20 type season.  And, as you point out, we need a better coordinator and assistants.

BC

But this is the exact problem with Shaw.  He is a bad manager.  In 11 years he has never fired an assistant.  Anyone that has ever managed a team knows that you need to continue to top-grade and that your worst performers inevitably drag down the rest of the team.  How exactly are we going to get a better coordinator and assistants if we never fire anyone?

Shaw has all sorts of problems:
- he is a bad play caller who won't give up that responsibility
- he isn't good at developing that killer mentality and over time the mentality that Harbaugh built has worn off
- he can't manage a staff and over time that staff has gotten worse
- he doesn't rage against the losses and make changes as circumstances & recruiting rules change

You can spend lots of time figuring out which combo of the 4 issues above is the biggest one but the short answer is Shaw.

I am already depressed about how bad we are going to be this season.....