Sort of surprised that nobody is calling out Starling for a soft catch in the end zone. Musgrave called the play and Jack delivered a strike. That catch was utter sh*t. You run into the ball and secure it. He gets some slack for being a back up but this is on the players too (not just the coaches).
"'Boy, looking at ourselves, you just don’t win football games playing like we did today,” explained Coach Wilcox. “There’s no way.'"
Uh, yeah.
It's crystal clear that Coach Wilcox has delegated all offense to the O.C. and assistant coaches. Moreover, that the question arises as to his readiness to be more than a DC, for now. What I saw from our coaching staff, at least in the two previous games, but really for the past six years, when it came to offense, was a clear lack of adjustment and passion.
It is clear Musgraves is tired and disconnected from the players and seems unwilling or unable to adjust to their skills or to muster up those skills to match his playbook. It was very sad to watch Utah execute successfully some of the same plays, e.g. QB eligible reverse, that have failed under Musgraves guidance. If we think of coaches as teachers, then, as a teacher, I learned, early on, to not blame one's students for failing to learn. As one of my teaching mentors would quote an old saying, "If the student hasn't learned, the teacher hasn't taught." I learned real examples after rattling through my "well-planned" lessons only to see too much of my classes fail a quiz or test. I had not adjusted for their understanding of the content. Likewise, in sports, just because the team has the plays memorized does not mean they can or will execute as designed. The great sports teams are about heart and inspiration with a will and deep, deep desire to win. The coaches insure success by their leadership. Our offense has the ability, but lacks the coaching leadership.
After our disappointment, I watched two great, top twenty teams' games, yesterday. First, Alabama and Tennessee, then USC and Utah. Honestly, there were points, late in both games where the underdog team could have easily given up. But, instead, both struggled back. The coaches cared and the players knew that. The fans cared because, not just out of love of their schools, but, also, because the coach and players cared. All teams involved played with desire. During a time out, an injured SC player hobbled out to the field to inspire his teammates. We like to think of SC players as semi-professional cold killers, but their passion was every bit as intense as the Utes. I am not sure how to feel about the grown, adult "towel guys" on the SC sidelines (I mean what is that? Terrible Towels 2.0? The Steelers called and want their rally thing back). When the intense game ended, Utah players were shedding tears of joy, while SC players were shedding the same for sadness. Caleb Williams covered his eyes from the TV cameras, but, in a brief, unguarded moment, it was obvious he found the loss devastating. Intensity of the whole team and staff was not lacking.
Colorado's coaches were passionate and inspiring. Our's were not so much so, at least for the offense. In one moment, Jack Plummer seemed to trying to engage Musgraves in conversation, but the coach seemed to be more patronizing than appreciative of Plummer. I know it was only a moment, but results and a general offensive malaise bear out the conclusion that, well, the players are not inspired. I'll make it short, by both results and examples, it is clear our offense is not inspired and well-coached. Players are young people who need guidance and inspiration, not calloused pros punching a clock. Like with teachers, if the players are not succeeding, then coach has not coached.
Fun fact: the best pro teams, too, play with purpose and inspiration. I guess that is the fifth element to sports success and we are missing it on our offense.
Parting Shot: I do not think we have a complete, inspiring coaching package. For defense, we could not ask for better, but offense is almost like a second thought and over-delegated by the HC. As others have said, it is possible that this disconnect on offense underscores that JW is not ready to be a P5 head coach. I have to wonder, if we did a shake up, if JW would be willing to be D.C, under a new head coach like Troy Taylor. Just a thought to borrow from GoBears 49.
After 34 seasons, I am now on the fence about renewing for next year. There has to be some changes. This is no different than when Dykes could not field a decent defense, now it is the opposite with Wilcox and the offense.
JW can be critical of execution, but much (most?) of that is on play calling. The Buffs were consistently stacking the box with 6/7 defenders to stop the run. Just daring Musgrave to call a pass play (or Plummer to audible) on 1st down and for Plummer to beat them over the top. Instead, let's just run Ott between the tackles into a 7 man-D. (Sequon Barkley wouldn't get much yards against a 7-man front.)
Not putting the players in teh best position to execute well is on the coaches.
Where do we go from here? Fire Musgrave? Or entire Offensive staff? Replace Wilcox and start over? Can Knowlton be trusted to hire a new coach? So many questions and no feasible answers at this point. Emotions are in full effect. I've never been so depressed about Cal football as I am now especially when you look around the conference and see how other teams are succeeding to some extent (Beavers, Cougars).
Not a fan of calling for people’s job but if you aren’t putting the student-athletes in the best position to succeed..
We have good talent and frankly, it’s going to waste. JW won’t get fired anytime soon but he really really needs to show leadership and change the course this team is taking..
As an example, he never fired Beau Baldwin, who left for the Cal Poly head coach job. Fun Fact:
"In Baldwin's second season at Cal, the Bears’ offensive efficiency ranked as the second worst among all Power Five teams.[3] Under Baldwin, the Cal offense led by their third-string quarterback was shutout for the first time in 20 years in its Pac-12 conference game against Utah on October 26, 2019.[4] As the offensive coordinator for California, the Bears finished the 2017, 2018, and 2019 football seasons with the 11th, 12th, and 12th ranked offenses respectively out of 12 teams in the Pac-12 Conference in Yards Per Game.[5] During those same seasons, the Bears finished with the 10th, 12th, and 12th ranked offenses respectively out of 12 teams in the Pac-12 Conference in Total Points Per Game under Baldwin's offensive leadership.[6]"
It's clear that something has to change. Wilcox says the loss is on him. But he also is critical of the players not playing well. Doing the same thing over and over again will not lead to success. The offense needs a shake-up what that means at this point I don't know. I do know our rushing total was abysmal meanwhile Air Force torched Colorado for 440 yards on the ground. We were getting whipped at the line of scrimmage so that Ott had no chance.
I’m tired of JW after each and every loss he simply says it’s on him and takes responsibility over it. Taking responsibility means taking action and making changes; learning from past mistakes. He had 2 weeks to take responsibility and take action for the atrocious offensive showing at WSU. Apparently that wasn’t enough.
Again, in post game interview he says it’s on him and takes responsibility. Well let’s see it…? Will McClure and Musgrave be fired? Or will the staffing be changed/rotated some how?
Thanks for the article, Rick…no doubt another tough one to write.
With appreciation - here’s hoping brighter days are ahead!!!
Sort of surprised that nobody is calling out Starling for a soft catch in the end zone. Musgrave called the play and Jack delivered a strike. That catch was utter sh*t. You run into the ball and secure it. He gets some slack for being a back up but this is on the players too (not just the coaches).
"'Boy, looking at ourselves, you just don’t win football games playing like we did today,” explained Coach Wilcox. “There’s no way.'"
Uh, yeah.
It's crystal clear that Coach Wilcox has delegated all offense to the O.C. and assistant coaches. Moreover, that the question arises as to his readiness to be more than a DC, for now. What I saw from our coaching staff, at least in the two previous games, but really for the past six years, when it came to offense, was a clear lack of adjustment and passion.
It is clear Musgraves is tired and disconnected from the players and seems unwilling or unable to adjust to their skills or to muster up those skills to match his playbook. It was very sad to watch Utah execute successfully some of the same plays, e.g. QB eligible reverse, that have failed under Musgraves guidance. If we think of coaches as teachers, then, as a teacher, I learned, early on, to not blame one's students for failing to learn. As one of my teaching mentors would quote an old saying, "If the student hasn't learned, the teacher hasn't taught." I learned real examples after rattling through my "well-planned" lessons only to see too much of my classes fail a quiz or test. I had not adjusted for their understanding of the content. Likewise, in sports, just because the team has the plays memorized does not mean they can or will execute as designed. The great sports teams are about heart and inspiration with a will and deep, deep desire to win. The coaches insure success by their leadership. Our offense has the ability, but lacks the coaching leadership.
After our disappointment, I watched two great, top twenty teams' games, yesterday. First, Alabama and Tennessee, then USC and Utah. Honestly, there were points, late in both games where the underdog team could have easily given up. But, instead, both struggled back. The coaches cared and the players knew that. The fans cared because, not just out of love of their schools, but, also, because the coach and players cared. All teams involved played with desire. During a time out, an injured SC player hobbled out to the field to inspire his teammates. We like to think of SC players as semi-professional cold killers, but their passion was every bit as intense as the Utes. I am not sure how to feel about the grown, adult "towel guys" on the SC sidelines (I mean what is that? Terrible Towels 2.0? The Steelers called and want their rally thing back). When the intense game ended, Utah players were shedding tears of joy, while SC players were shedding the same for sadness. Caleb Williams covered his eyes from the TV cameras, but, in a brief, unguarded moment, it was obvious he found the loss devastating. Intensity of the whole team and staff was not lacking.
Colorado's coaches were passionate and inspiring. Our's were not so much so, at least for the offense. In one moment, Jack Plummer seemed to trying to engage Musgraves in conversation, but the coach seemed to be more patronizing than appreciative of Plummer. I know it was only a moment, but results and a general offensive malaise bear out the conclusion that, well, the players are not inspired. I'll make it short, by both results and examples, it is clear our offense is not inspired and well-coached. Players are young people who need guidance and inspiration, not calloused pros punching a clock. Like with teachers, if the players are not succeeding, then coach has not coached.
Fun fact: the best pro teams, too, play with purpose and inspiration. I guess that is the fifth element to sports success and we are missing it on our offense.
Parting Shot: I do not think we have a complete, inspiring coaching package. For defense, we could not ask for better, but offense is almost like a second thought and over-delegated by the HC. As others have said, it is possible that this disconnect on offense underscores that JW is not ready to be a P5 head coach. I have to wonder, if we did a shake up, if JW would be willing to be D.C, under a new head coach like Troy Taylor. Just a thought to borrow from GoBears 49.
Meanwhile, we die, again...
https://media.giphy.com/media/7sN1E4GmLMqebhc8wL/giphy.gif
Has Musgrave been fired yet?
This was the Cheez It Bowl 2.0 with the offensive ineptness by each team.
After 34 seasons, I am now on the fence about renewing for next year. There has to be some changes. This is no different than when Dykes could not field a decent defense, now it is the opposite with Wilcox and the offense.
JW can be critical of execution, but much (most?) of that is on play calling. The Buffs were consistently stacking the box with 6/7 defenders to stop the run. Just daring Musgrave to call a pass play (or Plummer to audible) on 1st down and for Plummer to beat them over the top. Instead, let's just run Ott between the tackles into a 7 man-D. (Sequon Barkley wouldn't get much yards against a 7-man front.)
Not putting the players in teh best position to execute well is on the coaches.
Where do we go from here? Fire Musgrave? Or entire Offensive staff? Replace Wilcox and start over? Can Knowlton be trusted to hire a new coach? So many questions and no feasible answers at this point. Emotions are in full effect. I've never been so depressed about Cal football as I am now especially when you look around the conference and see how other teams are succeeding to some extent (Beavers, Cougars).
Not a fan of calling for people’s job but if you aren’t putting the student-athletes in the best position to succeed..
We have good talent and frankly, it’s going to waste. JW won’t get fired anytime soon but he really really needs to show leadership and change the course this team is taking..
Stanford beat notre dame too. This is the darkest timeline
As an example, he never fired Beau Baldwin, who left for the Cal Poly head coach job. Fun Fact:
"In Baldwin's second season at Cal, the Bears’ offensive efficiency ranked as the second worst among all Power Five teams.[3] Under Baldwin, the Cal offense led by their third-string quarterback was shutout for the first time in 20 years in its Pac-12 conference game against Utah on October 26, 2019.[4] As the offensive coordinator for California, the Bears finished the 2017, 2018, and 2019 football seasons with the 11th, 12th, and 12th ranked offenses respectively out of 12 teams in the Pac-12 Conference in Yards Per Game.[5] During those same seasons, the Bears finished with the 10th, 12th, and 12th ranked offenses respectively out of 12 teams in the Pac-12 Conference in Total Points Per Game under Baldwin's offensive leadership.[6]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Baldwin
At Cal Poly is 3-17 over the past three years.
Fun Facts, right? His loyalty is commendable, but it can also be construed as conysim,
It's clear that something has to change. Wilcox says the loss is on him. But he also is critical of the players not playing well. Doing the same thing over and over again will not lead to success. The offense needs a shake-up what that means at this point I don't know. I do know our rushing total was abysmal meanwhile Air Force torched Colorado for 440 yards on the ground. We were getting whipped at the line of scrimmage so that Ott had no chance.
I’m tired of JW after each and every loss he simply says it’s on him and takes responsibility over it. Taking responsibility means taking action and making changes; learning from past mistakes. He had 2 weeks to take responsibility and take action for the atrocious offensive showing at WSU. Apparently that wasn’t enough.
Again, in post game interview he says it’s on him and takes responsibility. Well let’s see it…? Will McClure and Musgrave be fired? Or will the staffing be changed/rotated some how?