Essentially, he was implying that Coach Wilcox, Bloesch, and Gilbert lacked the ability to develop him, which led to his departure. These players are definitely signaling to others who the truly good coaches are. Mendoza's brother and family experienced this difference firsthand, especially with both kids being quarterbacks. I wish the k…
Essentially, he was implying that Coach Wilcox, Bloesch, and Gilbert lacked the ability to develop him, which led to his departure. These players are definitely signaling to others who the truly good coaches are. Mendoza's brother and family experienced this difference firsthand, especially with both kids being quarterbacks. I wish the kid well - we can not blame him for owning his dream and trying to make his dream happen.
Regardless of how you feel about the individual coaches (Spavital, for instance, seems pretty good and much better than Bloesch/Gilbert), Cal has it's 4th OC and QB coach in 4 years, so Mendoza has a new coach each year, not the ideal situation to develop. He'll have another new coach at Indiana, who almost certainly won't get fired during Mendoza's time, but they've got a new OC next year and the coach could get poached, so there's risk there too. We'll see if he advances considerably at IU and gets drafted reasonably high. For all his hard work, preparation, and intangibles, Mendoza's never seemed to have that it factor when it comes to recognition and execution, so I'm not sure he can just be coached into a legit NFL guy, though those positive traits give you confidence that if there's a way then he just might find it. Definitely a good QB, who should at least get into an NFL camp and could prove me wrong, but not confident he makes an impact at the next level. I remember watching Goff as a freshman navigating pressure in the pocket and thinking he's got it and has a real chance to be a good pro, and he's subsequently proven that. I've never felt the same about Mendoza, or any other Cal QB in awhile, based on his on-field performance. It's the intangibles that can talk you into it. 98 yards with my boys didn't change that for me despite being an awesome college football moment, though a bit tarnished by abandoning the boys weeks later.
I agree with everything you are saying. It is the old saying how can you get from good to a great athlete? Some you can control and some you can not. In my sports circle, folks are not talking about Mendoza unless they are Cal alums - and they remain bitter over Mendoza leaving.
I think there are a lot of factors at play—diet, strength, experience—and yeah, Gilbert too. Honestly, I haven’t seen Mendoza say much about how helpful Gilbert was or if they had a strong connection. Maybe I missed something, but Mendoza rarely mentioned Gilbert. The feedback on Gilbert from the CFB Reddit channel is painful.As for Harsin, seems like he’s solid as an OC, but isnt seen as a nice guy. That Reddit channel really has some great insider takes on coaches.
I hope things work out for Mendoza. Saw Toler is headed to UCLA, and I’m curious to see where Bloesch and Gilbert end up. Coaching jobs are tough to come by, and now with NFL coaches following Prime’s lead, it’s getting even harder. And the coaching job seems like hell with NIL/Portal etc. Larranaga, Saban left because of it. We are in a different era.
Absolutely! Some kids will never walk away from talented coaches, especially those they see as father figures. For college football coaches, being that mentor and role model is just part of the game. It is a hard job for sure.
Essentially, he was implying that Coach Wilcox, Bloesch, and Gilbert lacked the ability to develop him, which led to his departure. These players are definitely signaling to others who the truly good coaches are. Mendoza's brother and family experienced this difference firsthand, especially with both kids being quarterbacks. I wish the kid well - we can not blame him for owning his dream and trying to make his dream happen.
Regardless of how you feel about the individual coaches (Spavital, for instance, seems pretty good and much better than Bloesch/Gilbert), Cal has it's 4th OC and QB coach in 4 years, so Mendoza has a new coach each year, not the ideal situation to develop. He'll have another new coach at Indiana, who almost certainly won't get fired during Mendoza's time, but they've got a new OC next year and the coach could get poached, so there's risk there too. We'll see if he advances considerably at IU and gets drafted reasonably high. For all his hard work, preparation, and intangibles, Mendoza's never seemed to have that it factor when it comes to recognition and execution, so I'm not sure he can just be coached into a legit NFL guy, though those positive traits give you confidence that if there's a way then he just might find it. Definitely a good QB, who should at least get into an NFL camp and could prove me wrong, but not confident he makes an impact at the next level. I remember watching Goff as a freshman navigating pressure in the pocket and thinking he's got it and has a real chance to be a good pro, and he's subsequently proven that. I've never felt the same about Mendoza, or any other Cal QB in awhile, based on his on-field performance. It's the intangibles that can talk you into it. 98 yards with my boys didn't change that for me despite being an awesome college football moment, though a bit tarnished by abandoning the boys weeks later.
I agree with everything you are saying. It is the old saying how can you get from good to a great athlete? Some you can control and some you can not. In my sports circle, folks are not talking about Mendoza unless they are Cal alums - and they remain bitter over Mendoza leaving.
I feel that Gilbert really developed Mendoza. Mendoza made a huge leap this year which was way beyond my expectations.
I think there are a lot of factors at play—diet, strength, experience—and yeah, Gilbert too. Honestly, I haven’t seen Mendoza say much about how helpful Gilbert was or if they had a strong connection. Maybe I missed something, but Mendoza rarely mentioned Gilbert. The feedback on Gilbert from the CFB Reddit channel is painful.As for Harsin, seems like he’s solid as an OC, but isnt seen as a nice guy. That Reddit channel really has some great insider takes on coaches.
I hope things work out for Mendoza. Saw Toler is headed to UCLA, and I’m curious to see where Bloesch and Gilbert end up. Coaching jobs are tough to come by, and now with NFL coaches following Prime’s lead, it’s getting even harder. And the coaching job seems like hell with NIL/Portal etc. Larranaga, Saban left because of it. We are in a different era.
Chip Kelly also got out of head coaching because of the f'n NIL
Yes. The NIL and Portal needs to be revisited. I think we have learned enough from the test.
That's true. Haven't seen much mention of Gilbert from Mendoza.
I don't care if Harsin is a nice guy. Wilcox is a nice guy. If he can deliver, he can be tough and mean.
If Gilbert was so good, Mendoza probably wouldn’t have left.
Absolutely! Some kids will never walk away from talented coaches, especially those they see as father figures. For college football coaches, being that mentor and role model is just part of the game. It is a hard job for sure.