Time for Changes: Part Deux

[LUHawkerParticipant]

Well, I just returned from Villanova Stadium and would have preferred to say that Lehigh football has miraculously turned the corner, but unfortunately that isn’t going to happen.

In fact, the issues are exactly the same.

1. Defense (while holding VU to 26 points) was run over by a steam train. Why Talley even attempted anything but those running plays is unknown. The D made a couple of nice plays but giving up 400-500 yards of rushing is an abomination.

2. With apologies to those who don’t want to hear this:
Shaf’s inability to throw an accurate deep pass totally limits the offense. Those three passes down the sideline were atrocious and the one where he closed his eyes and chucked it up, way beyond TP who was wide open was just terrible. Yes, all the underneath stuff was fine and dandy, but part of the reason we can’t get any real running game going is because we can’t stretch the field. He threw behind the receivers multiple times.

This isn’t really a Shaf issue, but rather a coaching one that indicates that the staff refuses to make the necessary changes. There are remarkable similarities with the JB Clark and Chris Lum situation. Coen stuck with JB too long. Same thing playing out now.

3. This offense is boring. Little imagination and predictable play calling. Still waiting for Folmar’s genius.

4. AC is always talking about competing. I think Lehigh needs a coach that talks about WINNING!!

5. Team speed on both sides of the ball seemed lacking. Why after 4 yrs of schollies, why are we literally a step or two behind?

I didn’t expect a win today, but the team demonstrated the same issues and tendencies as the last few years, so I don’t think there should be any feel good about staying close with VU. VU is good, but not terrific.

In short, we need some fresh changes.

I’ll be here all season….

[Go Lehigh TU OwlParticipant]

Coen isn’t going anywhere this week or the next several weeks…

With that said, I’d wait to see how these next 2-3 games play out. I personally don’t see them winning next week which could very easily set the stage for an 0’fer in the OOC. This has the potential to be the most disappointing season of Lehigh football in 25+ years if they don’t win next week.

I feel like HC in the same spot with Gilmore. Their loss tonight was rather predictable. I don’t see them beating Albany next week to stem the tide…

[LUHawkerParticipant]

[quote quote=28039]Coen isn’t going anywhere this week or the next several weeks…
[/quote]

I don’t expect AC to be going anywhere in-season. But, if he expects to stick around for a while, he needs to start making changes.

Tonight’s game was boring. The O is predictable and lacks creativity. I feel like I’ve been saying this for years.

Attendance at Lehigh has been dropping precipitously. Yes, part of it is the general challenge that college football is experiencing, but a lot has to do with seeing an exciting contest. We don’t do those anymore.

Let’s see what Mayes can do.

[toddcuddParticipant]

[quote quote=28039]This has the potential to be the most disappointing season of Lehigh football in 25+ years if they don’t win next week.[/quote]

Absolutely, on its face, ridiculous. Nova is top 25 ranked. We’re going to face very tough Ivies in the next few weeks.

Tell me about 150 in Yankee Stadium, and frankly that season. If we shat our pants and ran backwards this year, that would still be tough to beat.

[Go Lehigh TU OwlParticipant]

[quote quote=28045]

Go Lehigh TU Owl wrote:

This has the potential to be the most disappointing season of Lehigh football in 25+ years if they don’t win next week.

Absolutely, on its face, ridiculous. Nova is top 25 ranked. We’re going to face very tough Ivies in the next few weeks.

Tell me about 150 in Yankee Stadium, and frankly that season. If we shat our pants and ran backwards this year, that would still be tough to beat.

[/quote]

‘Nova is solid but I’ll be surprised if they finish the year ranked. Their too limited on offense to beat out UNH, JMU, Richmond. Right now Albany and W&M are probably a step ahead of them. They’re a lot like Delaware but with more speed on offense.

My point about next week is you clearly don’t want to start 0-3. This team needs a win desperately. If they lose next week then the pressure is ramp up even more against a Princeton team that hammered Lehigh last year. Then it’s a trip to the Yale Bowl and the league opener against Colgate. They have to get over the hump ASAP. 2014 didn’t have nearly optimism heading into the year. I don’t think a single person predicted a losing season for 2016. Just get a win!!

[toddcuddParticipant]

IMO, UNH is tossed out now. HC damn near beat them, and the PL is a full step down from the CAA, unless you count the Ivies – then 2 steps. Richmond and JMU both look very tough.
And most predictions here were in the 6-5 neighborhood. One game away from a losing season. Not exactly shooting for the moon. Win some damn PL games, then worry about playing good FCS teams.

[Hawkineer2Participant]

Same mistakes and problems – same result

– a QB who is a poor passer will have a mediocre record at best against a competitive schedule
– a predictable offense with an inaccurate passer will be stopped despite that the team has good individuals
– a weak tackling team will give up enormous yardage that enables the opponents to beat you unless you score lots of points.
– a team will not score lots of points against a decent defense if it does not spread the field and hit its receivers via accurate passing
– play calling must be sensible. Look at yesterday’s first series where the play calling was unforgivable after Brags fun for 8 yards in first down, the rest of series was squandered. Mindless!
– Neither Monmouth or Villanova are especially strong teams
– and the beat goes on

[LUStooge80Participant]

Hawkineer, Agreed on all counts

[objective observerParticipant]

WHEN AND IF THE JOB OPENS- PLEASE PUT IN AN APPLICATION!

IT IS EASY TO CRITICIZE BEHIND A COMPUTER

Report Card for game

Offense C+ better than last week- need to keep drives alive

Defense B- a lot better this year than last year- if the same defense last year played against Villanova the game would have been over in the first half-

Tackling is an issue for EVERY team- IDIOTS- you are limited to the amount of practice time- and they are taught to rugby tackle-which is lead with your shoulder not your helmet(less head to head contact)

MARK THIS DOWN- Lehigh will play for the PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR!

Remember when you were 18,19,20 or 21???

LAST NOTE: GREAT SUPPORT FROM LEHIGH FANS AT GAME!!

[hawkineerParticipant]

What is most remarkable is that Lehigh used to be the standard by which other P.L. football programs were measured against. We are now becoming a middle of the pack, mediocre program. I am shocked as to how this has become OK. We were all excited when scholarships came to Lehigh and the league, hoping that deep playoff runs would be possible. Now that possibility seems further away than ever.

The fact of the matter is that championships in football and most sports have been hard to come by under Sterrett’s leadership in recent years. The glory of 2011 has become a distant memory. Hopefully, steps will be taken to address this.

[LUHawkerParticipant]

Observer: a hollow comment suggesting that we all put in applications.

Hawkineer: I could not agree more. I haven’t read Coen’s comments in the MCall or on Lehigh Sports, but if the one quote I read in the Philly Inquirer is any indication, then AC would seem to rather satisfied that we ALMOST Beat a good team. How pathetic.

[LehighGuyParticipant]

Wow, gave a D that gave up 400yds rushing a B? That’s how bad it has become that some think that is ok. This team tackling is worse than others, this has been going on for some time now. Our d can’t make a stop when we need it. Sad Kauffman didn’t even play with the great game he had last week. We reward the kids who play poorly by leaving them on the field, and punish the ones who do well. We run the nickel set all game, or we have the smallest rover in all of D1 football. Nova and MU are avg teams, nova won’t be ranked in the end. Let Mayes have a series or two as a changeup. We need kids on D that can tackle

[lu90Participant]

[quote quote=28055]WHEN AND IF THE JOB OPENS- PLEASE PUT IN AN APPLICATION!

Report Card for game

Offense C+ better than last week- need to keep drives alive

Defense B- a lot better this year than last year- if the same defense last year played against Villanova the game would have been over in the first half-
Tackling is an issue for EVERY team- IDIOTS- you are limited to the amount of practice time- and they are taught to rugby tackle-which is lead with your shoulder not your helmet(less head to head contact)[/quote]

You give up 450 yards to a team that has a below mediocre offense and you give the defense a “B”. On what planet can you give up 400 yards rushing and get a “B” grade. We weren’t playing Nebraska circa 1995.

“Tackling is an issue for every team”? Huh? Monmouth didn’t have any tackling issues, did they?

And I can only pray I get the opportunity to submit an application for DC or HC this offseason. Not that I will be considered to any extent, but it just means there was a job posting.

[TMHParticipant]

For all the talk about coaches not learning from their mistakes, most of our fans are just as guilty. Learn a little patience.

1.)Go back to this time last year and read the comments about our offense. By the end of the season, the very same people were giddy about the # of points we put on the board and how we nearly pulled out a PL Championship.
2.)For our basketball fans, go back to the comments after the first 10 games of the season and then compare them to the end of the year when you were projecting who are NCAA opponent would be.
3.) For the few Lehigh soccer fans on this board, the men’s program began mediocre at best but then won the PL Championship and an NCAA berth. Meanwhile the women scored 21 goals in the 7 game OOC schedule and only 4 in the PL.

To repeat a note from before. Pitt put up nearly the exact same offensive #s against Villanova as Lehigh did. They then put 432 yards and 42 points against Penn State the next week. Now take a deep breath and relax.

[LUStooge80Participant]

very puzzling why Kauffman and Lambert who is healthy were not on the field? This could have made the difference? I cant figure it out

[Author]

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