(11-22-2014 10:14 AM)SublimeKnight Wrote: (11-22-2014 09:41 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote: Really, your best coach to date was Leavitt. (sp?). He was quirky but the man won some big games.
Agreed. Frankly, I thought he had a strangle hold on the job. Letting him go has really suffocated the program.
It was very questionable as to why he was let go. Supposedly he slapped a player but the Trooper who was in the room, who guards the coach said he never saw it happen.
I still have a ton of faith in Taggart. Those outside the program really have no clue just how bad Holtz left it. Under Leavitt our boys were tough, strong and played hard nosed football. He didnt put up with alot of BS and there was discipline in the workouts and weightroom.
Holtz let things get WAY out of hand. Literally had the "stars" on the team openly walk out of meetings and be disrespectful and he let it slide cause they were the "best" players. There was an aire of entitlement and some guys got the position without having to fight for it. Volunteer training went WAY down and the guys did not perform in the weight room.... and thats not a problem that is fixed quickly.
So now what we have is a REALLY young team, which means they are a bit undersized, underdeveloped, not experienced and make mistakes but the talent is there and the scheme will work once mastered. This system worked wonders at Stanford and Taggart turned around WKU with the same system. Its just gonna take about 2 more years. The big time Taggart bashers are the ones that want to win NOW, whereas I want to win consistantly in the future. We have a coach who grew up in this area, has family here and wants to raise his kids here. Hes the type that will turn down bigger jobs to stay once he gets this place rocking again.
Its a young program so reasonable expectations have to be made. 16 years in, I am happy with the direction and surprised at how much we have already accomplished...well get there. 2016 is looking strong.