[gailtate]

Next Sunday afternoon, the day after the Kellys annihilate the Shaws to hand Stanford its seventh straight loss, ninth defeat of the season and third consecutive blowout, Stanford announces the resignation of David Shaw and the formation of a committee chaired by Condie Rice to seek a new head coach. Shaw is praised for his unprecedented achievements on and off the field, and Rice expresses the profound gratitude that the university will always have "for his contributions to Stanford as a coach and ambassador. Truly, the stuff of legend," said Rice.

We can dream, can't we?

[gailtate]

Next Sunday afternoon, the day after the Kellys annihilate the Shaws to hand Stanford its seventh straight loss, ninth defeat of the season and third consecutive blowout, Stanford announces the resignation of David Shaw and the formation of a committee chaired by Condie Rice to seek a new head coach. Shaw is praised for his unprecedented achievements on and off the field, and Rice expresses the profound gratitude that the university will always have "for his contributions to Stanford as a coach and ambassador. Truly, the stuff of legend," said Rice.

We can dream, can't we?

[BostonCard]

Weird that your dream would be for Stanford to be blown out.  My dream is that Stanford pulls a miraculous upset, that the players and coaches use that as a springboard for next season, and that the next three seasons see the team rise, phoenix-like, from the ashes that is the current incarnation, with Shaw leading Stanford to his fourth Rose Bowl in 2024.

Not very likely, I admit, but about as likely as Shaw getting fired win or lose, and my dream has the advantage that it doesn’t force me to root against the team I ostensibly support.

BC

[BostonCard]

Weird that your dream would be for Stanford to be blown out.  My dream is that Stanford pulls a miraculous upset, that the players and coaches use that as a springboard for next season, and that the next three seasons see the team rise, phoenix-like, from the ashes that is the current incarnation, with Shaw leading Stanford to his fourth Rose Bowl in 2024.

Not very likely, I admit, but about as likely as Shaw getting fired win or lose, and my dream has the advantage that it doesn’t force me to root against the team I ostensibly support.

BC

[martyup]

How about dream of one of the biggest upsets in college football history with Stanford taking down the Irish?

[martyup]

How about dream of one of the biggest upsets in college football history with Stanford taking down the Irish?

[gailtate]

Weird that your dream would be for Stanford to be blown out.  My dream is that Stanford pulls a miraculous upset, that the players and coaches use that as a springboard for next season, and that the next three seasons see the team rise, phoenix-like, from the ashes that is the current incarnation, with Shaw leading Stanford to his fourth Rose Bowl in 2024.

Not very likely, I admit, but about as likely as Shaw getting fired win or lose, and my dream has the advantage that it doesn’t force me to root against the team I ostensibly support.

BC

 I use the royal "we".

[gailtate]

Weird that your dream would be for Stanford to be blown out.  My dream is that Stanford pulls a miraculous upset, that the players and coaches use that as a springboard for next season, and that the next three seasons see the team rise, phoenix-like, from the ashes that is the current incarnation, with Shaw leading Stanford to his fourth Rose Bowl in 2024.

Not very likely, I admit, but about as likely as Shaw getting fired win or lose, and my dream has the advantage that it doesn’t force me to root against the team I ostensibly support.

BC

 I use the royal "we".

[JohnR34231]

Weird that your dream would be for Stanford to be blown out.  My dream is that Stanford pulls a miraculous upset, that the players and coaches use that as a springboard for next season, and that the next three seasons see the team rise, phoenix-like, from the ashes that is the current incarnation, with Shaw leading Stanford to his fourth Rose Bowl in 2024.

Not very likely, I admit, but about as likely as Shaw getting fired win or lose, and my dream has the advantage that it doesn’t force me to root against the team I ostensibly support.

BC

I HAD a dream that this board would never degenerate to the point where supposed "fans" were telling players to transfer, recruits not to come here, and hoping for the team to get blown out so the coach would be fired.
Unfortunately that dream has already been dashed to pieces.

[JohnR34231]

Weird that your dream would be for Stanford to be blown out.  My dream is that Stanford pulls a miraculous upset, that the players and coaches use that as a springboard for next season, and that the next three seasons see the team rise, phoenix-like, from the ashes that is the current incarnation, with Shaw leading Stanford to his fourth Rose Bowl in 2024.

Not very likely, I admit, but about as likely as Shaw getting fired win or lose, and my dream has the advantage that it doesn’t force me to root against the team I ostensibly support.

BC

I HAD a dream that this board would never degenerate to the point where supposed "fans" were telling players to transfer, recruits not to come here, and hoping for the team to get blown out so the coach would be fired.
Unfortunately that dream has already been dashed to pieces.

[Phogge]

Sorry Gail but Lex has already guaranteed that Shaw won’t be fired so your dream is a pipe dream.

[Phogge]

Sorry Gail but Lex has already guaranteed that Shaw won’t be fired so your dream is a pipe dream.

[OutsiderFan]

The dye is cast.

The dog is dead but the fleas don't know it yet.

The horse has left the barn.

Whatever phrase you want to use, the contending period of the Shaw era is over.  You can't oversee such a continual slide into incompetence and ever recover. There is no precedent for a college football head coach turning things around when they have gotten this bad.

Stanford is #127 out of 130 FBS teams in rush defense
Stanford is #126 out of 130 FBS teams in rush offense
Stanford is #112 in scoring points
Stanford is #97  in scoring defense

No coach who gets to this point is ever going to be the one who gets back to the top. Honestly, thinking you want Stanford to somehow upset Notre Dame and use it as a springboard to 2022 is part of the problem. If you can't recognize wholesale changes in everything the program does are needed, and there is nothing worth salvaging from the operation that produced this, you won't ever turn things around.

There is foundational rot in the program. You don't put good resources into a new paint job on this and think everything is fine. No, you tear it all down and then start over.

[OutsiderFan]

The dye is cast.

The dog is dead but the fleas don't know it yet.

The horse has left the barn.

Whatever phrase you want to use, the contending period of the Shaw era is over.  You can't oversee such a continual slide into incompetence and ever recover. There is no precedent for a college football head coach turning things around when they have gotten this bad.

Stanford is #127 out of 130 FBS teams in rush defense
Stanford is #126 out of 130 FBS teams in rush offense
Stanford is #112 in scoring points
Stanford is #97  in scoring defense

No coach who gets to this point is ever going to be the one who gets back to the top. Honestly, thinking you want Stanford to somehow upset Notre Dame and use it as a springboard to 2022 is part of the problem. If you can't recognize wholesale changes in everything the program does are needed, and there is nothing worth salvaging from the operation that produced this, you won't ever turn things around.

There is foundational rot in the program. You don't put good resources into a new paint job on this and think everything is fine. No, you tear it all down and then start over.

[martyup]

It's not my job as a fan to tear down the program.  To say that I am part of the problem because I want my team to win is ridiculous.  GO CARD!

[martyup]

It's not my job as a fan to tear down the program.  To say that I am part of the problem because I want my team to win is ridiculous.  GO CARD!

[Embo]

I'm about as dedicated a fan as Stanford has - I actually showed up in person to witness the Utah game, so that should earn me some points - but to hope Stanford will upset Notre Dame is just that, a dream.  Yes, there was that epic upset of #1 ND in their house in 1990.  But one difference was Tommy Vardell, who scored four times.  I don't see a Tommy Vardell, nor an offensive line that would assist said running back into the end zone, on this team.

I do have one dream, and it's probably a pipe dream as well.  I remember the 1998 Big Game.  Cal was coached by Tom Holmoe, a class guy by any measure.  Cal was absolutely putrid offensively.  It was so bad that Cal, trailing 10-3 in the fourth quarter and facing 3rd and long, called a short pass into the flat that led to h.uge booing from the student section.  A few days later, offensive coordinator Doug Cosbie announced his resignation, citing the need to "spend more time with the family."  Perhaps some Stanford assistants will evaluate their performance after the last game of the season and see where their priorities lie.

[Embo]

I'm about as dedicated a fan as Stanford has - I actually showed up in person to witness the Utah game, so that should earn me some points - but to hope Stanford will upset Notre Dame is just that, a dream.  Yes, there was that epic upset of #1 ND in their house in 1990.  But one difference was Tommy Vardell, who scored four times.  I don't see a Tommy Vardell, nor an offensive line that would assist said running back into the end zone, on this team.

I do have one dream, and it's probably a pipe dream as well.  I remember the 1998 Big Game.  Cal was coached by Tom Holmoe, a class guy by any measure.  Cal was absolutely putrid offensively.  It was so bad that Cal, trailing 10-3 in the fourth quarter and facing 3rd and long, called a short pass into the flat that led to h.uge booing from the student section.  A few days later, offensive coordinator Doug Cosbie announced his resignation, citing the need to "spend more time with the family."  Perhaps some Stanford assistants will evaluate their performance after the last game of the season and see where their priorities lie.

[gailtate]

I'm about as dedicated a fan as Stanford has - I actually showed up in person to witness the Utah game, so that should earn me some points - but to hope Stanford will upset Notre Dame is just that, a dream.  Yes, there was that epic upset of #1 ND in their house in 1990.  But one difference was Tommy Vardell, who scored four times.  I don't see a Tommy Vardell, nor an offensive line that would assist said running back into the end zone, on this team.

I do have one dream, and it's probably a pipe dream as well.  I remember the 1998 Big Game.  Cal was coached by Tom Holmoe, a class guy by any measure.  Cal was absolutely putrid offensively.  It was so bad that Cal, trailing 10-3 in the fourth quarter and facing 3rd and long, called a short pass into the flat that led to h.uge booing from the student section.  A few days later, offensive coordinator Doug Cosbie announced his resignation, citing the need to "spend more time with the family."  Perhaps some Stanford assistants will evaluate their performance after the last game of the season and see where their priorities lie.

Pipe dream, absolutely. What do you think the chances are of anyone working for this coach in one of the cushiest gigs in college football will volunteer to walk the plank? It will require nothing less than a heave-ho shove from a boss congenitally incapable of such a move. Brian Kelly cleared the dead wood from his staff some years ago because HIS boss mandated it. In Stanford's case, I doubt Bernie M. has the stones to even remind Shaw when he forgets to put on his mask.

[gailtate]

I'm about as dedicated a fan as Stanford has - I actually showed up in person to witness the Utah game, so that should earn me some points - but to hope Stanford will upset Notre Dame is just that, a dream.  Yes, there was that epic upset of #1 ND in their house in 1990.  But one difference was Tommy Vardell, who scored four times.  I don't see a Tommy Vardell, nor an offensive line that would assist said running back into the end zone, on this team.

I do have one dream, and it's probably a pipe dream as well.  I remember the 1998 Big Game.  Cal was coached by Tom Holmoe, a class guy by any measure.  Cal was absolutely putrid offensively.  It was so bad that Cal, trailing 10-3 in the fourth quarter and facing 3rd and long, called a short pass into the flat that led to h.uge booing from the student section.  A few days later, offensive coordinator Doug Cosbie announced his resignation, citing the need to "spend more time with the family."  Perhaps some Stanford assistants will evaluate their performance after the last game of the season and see where their priorities lie.

Pipe dream, absolutely. What do you think the chances are of anyone working for this coach in one of the cushiest gigs in college football will volunteer to walk the plank? It will require nothing less than a heave-ho shove from a boss congenitally incapable of such a move. Brian Kelly cleared the dead wood from his staff some years ago because HIS boss mandated it. In Stanford's case, I doubt Bernie M. has the stones to even remind Shaw when he forgets to put on his mask.

[French Rage]

I have a dream gailtate limits it to one of these threads a week.

[French Rage]

I have a dream gailtate limits it to one of these threads a week.

[gailtate]

I have a dream gailtate limits it to one of these threads a week.

That's up to Shaw.

[gailtate]

I have a dream gailtate limits it to one of these threads a week.

That's up to Shaw.

[CowboyIndian]

The dye is cast.

Colorful language!

[CowboyIndian]

The dye is cast.

Colorful language!

[Austroturf]

I am genetically incapable of rooting for Stanford to lose.  Have never done it, will never do it.  However, I have no delusions about this upcoming match-up.  Would I like to see a Stanford victory (something akin to what the 2015 squad did when Ukropina stabbed the dagger through the Irish hearts as time expired)?  You bet.  I would savor it.  I would celebrate it.  But barring a full-scale Covid outbreak waylaying the entire first string of the Irish on both sides of the ball, I just don't see that happening, not even in some freakish parallel universe.  

I have never bet on a college football game, but the current 19 point spread seems almost like an invitation to put a few dollars down.  And, frankly, I cannot imagine who is putting money down on Stanford and taking the points.  We were disemboweled by a mediocre Cal team by 30 points -- yes, the Bear team that will probably get murdered next week vs. UCLA.  This coming Saturday, we face a team that turned Georgia Tech into a Yellow Jacket grease spot on the field (55-0).  Do those wagering that Stanford can keep it within 3 TDs think that Kelly is going to jump out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and then play keep away for 45 minutes?  I have never been less confident in a Stanford victory ATS.

I am not excluding the possibility, but I see very little likelihood that there is a full-scale turnaround in the offing.  The decline has been in the making for too long; and cold, hard stats show that we are getting close to a Harris-esque nadir.  Harbaugh needed four years from that point (three years to get back to respectability and a bowl game).  The question is: who is going to engineer the turnaround this time?  Shaw?  May it be so, but I don't see the plan nor the activity that would lead to that outcome.  In fact, he hasn't even admitted there's a problem.  Just poor execution and not taking advantage of opportunities.  As the old saying goes, the first step toward fixing a problem is admitting that there is one.

[Austroturf]

I am genetically incapable of rooting for Stanford to lose.  Have never done it, will never do it.  However, I have no delusions about this upcoming match-up.  Would I like to see a Stanford victory (something akin to what the 2015 squad did when Ukropina stabbed the dagger through the Irish hearts as time expired)?  You bet.  I would savor it.  I would celebrate it.  But barring a full-scale Covid outbreak waylaying the entire first string of the Irish on both sides of the ball, I just don't see that happening, not even in some freakish parallel universe.  

I have never bet on a college football game, but the current 19 point spread seems almost like an invitation to put a few dollars down.  And, frankly, I cannot imagine who is putting money down on Stanford and taking the points.  We were disemboweled by a mediocre Cal team by 30 points -- yes, the Bear team that will probably get murdered next week vs. UCLA.  This coming Saturday, we face a team that turned Georgia Tech into a Yellow Jacket grease spot on the field (55-0).  Do those wagering that Stanford can keep it within 3 TDs think that Kelly is going to jump out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and then play keep away for 45 minutes?  I have never been less confident in a Stanford victory ATS.

I am not excluding the possibility, but I see very little likelihood that there is a full-scale turnaround in the offing.  The decline has been in the making for too long; and cold, hard stats show that we are getting close to a Harris-esque nadir.  Harbaugh needed four years from that point (three years to get back to respectability and a bowl game).  The question is: who is going to engineer the turnaround this time?  Shaw?  May it be so, but I don't see the plan nor the activity that would lead to that outcome.  In fact, he hasn't even admitted there's a problem.  Just poor execution and not taking advantage of opportunities.  As the old saying goes, the first step toward fixing a problem is admitting that there is one.

[PAsportsfan]

Here is my dream. I hope no player gets injured. Yes, football is violent...but when one team is so weak the violence increases to an unsafe level.

[PAsportsfan]

Here is my dream. I hope no player gets injured. Yes, football is violent...but when one team is so weak the violence increases to an unsafe level.

[Austroturf]

If anybody needs an upbeat moment in these dark times.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHeHagsCCcQ

---

And look at the crowd in that clip.  Wow.

[Austroturf]

If anybody needs an upbeat moment in these dark times.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHeHagsCCcQ

---

And look at the crowd in that clip.  Wow.

[winflop]

I will never root for Stanford to lose, but I'm also not much of a pipe-dreamer.\

This isn't 2007. There is no EUTM. There is no new-on-the-scene coach who got despondent players to believe that they can be better. There is no fire in the belly with this lousy, soft coaching staff.

Dream all you want. We are going to get run out of our own building. If you thought Big Game and Utah were embarrassing, just wait until Saturday.

[winflop]

I will never root for Stanford to lose, but I'm also not much of a pipe-dreamer.\

This isn't 2007. There is no EUTM. There is no new-on-the-scene coach who got despondent players to believe that they can be better. There is no fire in the belly with this lousy, soft coaching staff.

Dream all you want. We are going to get run out of our own building. If you thought Big Game and Utah were embarrassing, just wait until Saturday.

[teejers1]

I am not excluding the possibility, but I see very little likelihood that there is a full-scale turnaround in the offing.  The decline has been in the making for too long; and cold, hard stats show that we are getting close to a Harris-esque nadir.  Harbaugh needed four years from that point (three years to get back to respectability and a bowl game).  The question is: who is going to engineer the turnaround this time?  Shaw?  May it be so, but I don't see the plan nor the activity that would lead to that outcome.  In fact, he hasn't even admitted there's a problem.  Just poor execution and not taking advantage of opportunities.  As the old saying goes, the first step toward fixing a problem is admitting that there is one.

I believe the cold, hard stats show that Stanford now is below the Harris "nadir."  Stanford had never been as outclassed on the gridiron as they were against Utah (a 52-7 beatdown, even more lopsided in game stats).  That is, until Big Game (a 41-11 beat down with even more lopsided stats).  And Cal isn't even that good a team (though I think they're stronger than many here evidently do).  

It truly is mind-boggling how comprehensively Shaw has steered the program to collapse.

[teejers1]

I am not excluding the possibility, but I see very little likelihood that there is a full-scale turnaround in the offing.  The decline has been in the making for too long; and cold, hard stats show that we are getting close to a Harris-esque nadir.  Harbaugh needed four years from that point (three years to get back to respectability and a bowl game).  The question is: who is going to engineer the turnaround this time?  Shaw?  May it be so, but I don't see the plan nor the activity that would lead to that outcome.  In fact, he hasn't even admitted there's a problem.  Just poor execution and not taking advantage of opportunities.  As the old saying goes, the first step toward fixing a problem is admitting that there is one.

I believe the cold, hard stats show that Stanford now is below the Harris "nadir."  Stanford had never been as outclassed on the gridiron as they were against Utah (a 52-7 beatdown, even more lopsided in game stats).  That is, until Big Game (a 41-11 beat down with even more lopsided stats).  And Cal isn't even that good a team (though I think they're stronger than many here evidently do).  

It truly is mind-boggling how comprehensively Shaw has steered the program to collapse.

[81alum]

I have generally kept quiet on football this season  since I do not relish entering into the mud.  So I will post my thoughts on Shaw and our program here and then decline to participate in any similar threads this year.

1) It is of course undeniable that our program has fallen from a high point to a low point in the last few years under the leadership of David Shaw.  This makes me terribly sad, since I find so much to admire in the man.

2) The reasons for this decline are not always obvious.  There are major forces at work in college football that go far beyond the control of a coach.  I myself am unclear how much of the blame for our slide to futility rests with the coach and what does not.  I am humble about my own ability to evaluate the causes, let alone my ability to prescribe a cure. 

3) I find the tone of several posters on this board regarding David Shaw and the decline of our program to be very off-putting.  They not only critique Shaw's performance, but they make the same arguments over and over and with a bitter tone.  The disagreements on this board used to generally be more collegial and civil.  I miss that tone.

4) Recruits probably read this board.  Constant negativity may contribute to the decline.

5) Now that some of you have concluded David Shaw is irredeemable as a coach, it appears you celebrate his failures as a way to hasten his replacement and rekindle a better era in Stanford football.  I can understand that sentiment.  However, I submit that one plausible outcome of the firing/failure of David Shaw will be ending football at Stanford University.  Would that change your tone if you knew Shaw was your last chance?  Consider how close we came to losing the sport before Harbaugh was hired.  Now consider the numerous changes to football over the last couple of decades that make it an increasingly poor fit for an elite academic university.  So be careful what you wish for.



I'm done.  Back to my obsession with WBB.

[81alum]

I have generally kept quiet on football this season  since I do not relish entering into the mud.  So I will post my thoughts on Shaw and our program here and then decline to participate in any similar threads this year.

1) It is of course undeniable that our program has fallen from a high point to a low point in the last few years under the leadership of David Shaw.  This makes me terribly sad, since I find so much to admire in the man.

2) The reasons for this decline are not always obvious.  There are major forces at work in college football that go far beyond the control of a coach.  I myself am unclear how much of the blame for our slide to futility rests with the coach and what does not.  I am humble about my own ability to evaluate the causes, let alone my ability to prescribe a cure. 

3) I find the tone of several posters on this board regarding David Shaw and the decline of our program to be very off-putting.  They not only critique Shaw's performance, but they make the same arguments over and over and with a bitter tone.  The disagreements on this board used to generally be more collegial and civil.  I miss that tone.

4) Recruits probably read this board.  Constant negativity may contribute to the decline.

5) Now that some of you have concluded David Shaw is irredeemable as a coach, it appears you celebrate his failures as a way to hasten his replacement and rekindle a better era in Stanford football.  I can understand that sentiment.  However, I submit that one plausible outcome of the firing/failure of David Shaw will be ending football at Stanford University.  Would that change your tone if you knew Shaw was your last chance?  Consider how close we came to losing the sport before Harbaugh was hired.  Now consider the numerous changes to football over the last couple of decades that make it an increasingly poor fit for an elite academic university.  So be careful what you wish for.



I'm done.  Back to my obsession with WBB.

[Branner77]

GailTate is allowed to dream! I believe the man co-founded the Bootleg ~ 30 years ago, which played no small role in the crescendo of LSJU football from the tough decade of the 1980s to the Rose Bowl season of 1999 and ultimately into the HarbShaw era of glory from 2007-16.

[Branner77]

GailTate is allowed to dream! I believe the man co-founded the Bootleg ~ 30 years ago, which played no small role in the crescendo of LSJU football from the tough decade of the 1980s to the Rose Bowl season of 1999 and ultimately into the HarbShaw era of glory from 2007-16.