Yes, it's getting cold this week in Houston, but I am obviously referring more to the current state of Texas Tech football.
Whats the same: This season is a repeat of last with QB by committee, fewer play makers on offense, great LB play, ineffective pass rush, and DBs that can't cover, and injuries all around. Results look to be about the same as a result. We are still finding unique and new ways to lose close games that could have dramatically changed our record.
What's new: Our offense is no longer carrying the team, playcalling is less creative, passing game less impactful, but the we are increasingly better running the ball.
There appears to be a meaningful uptick in recruiting overall, with at least two blue chip QB's and maybe one diamond in the rough. The recruiting approach appears to be more balanced, and by all accounts, the reception in the Texas High school coaching community for the new staff has been favorable.
The program has a more professional, disciplined feel, the HC is dramatically more engaging, energetic, engaged with the community, and the industry as a whole.
No one has been charged with domestic abuse, killed anyone with their car, been fired for drug abuse, or been captured on video dancing with moms or players.
What's Next: QB will be a huge question mark which historically is never good for a Texas Tech team. We will either have experienced but non-transcendent upperclassman QB, or an exciting underclassman with zero experience. The OL could be better, the LB corps will be dramatically worse, the DL will probably be worse, and the secondary will be young. The WR corps has a elite possession receiver, but no stand out complimentary pieces that stretch the field. RB appears to be a bright spot with multiple serviceable backs returning.
When will we be better: Good teams in this league are built around an elite QB, a couple of elite skill players, and solid upperclassman. We currently don't have that now, and won't have that next year either. All of that is agnostic to coaching. If these coaches can coach, they will begin to meet and exceed expectations when they have recruited elite play makers in key areas, and filled the rest of the roster with upperclassman leaders. I simply don't see any examples currently in the league that dispute those facts.
That means winter is here, and if this staff can ring in a thaw, it simply wont happen till 2021, their first chance at coaching upperclassman they recruited. As has been pointed out everywhere this week, this situation is the culmination of a decade of big and small bad decisions, and bad luck. We are not alone. How many coaches have team like A&M, UT, NE etc gone through since the last time they competed at the highest level?
What can we do: We can go into hibernation, either with our interest, money or both, and let basketball, baseball, etc fill out Tech Sports bucket till 2021. Or for idiots like me, we can stay engaged with reasonable expectations. I think it's probably fair to do either.
What we can't do: Tear each other apart, and make public statements that could negatively impact our ability to recruit or improve the program. I think it's likely there is a select few former players, and donors, whose unique experience set with this program over the years, makes them an asset in helping Kirby and staff accelerate this timeline. They absolutely should engage and provide that counsel. But do it how these things are done, in super secret meetings all of us wish we could be fly on the wall at, and not in view of us mob of fanatics.
It's time to settle in, we have productive options on how to do that, it's almost basketball season.
I know, too long, didn't read.
Whats the same: This season is a repeat of last with QB by committee, fewer play makers on offense, great LB play, ineffective pass rush, and DBs that can't cover, and injuries all around. Results look to be about the same as a result. We are still finding unique and new ways to lose close games that could have dramatically changed our record.
What's new: Our offense is no longer carrying the team, playcalling is less creative, passing game less impactful, but the we are increasingly better running the ball.
There appears to be a meaningful uptick in recruiting overall, with at least two blue chip QB's and maybe one diamond in the rough. The recruiting approach appears to be more balanced, and by all accounts, the reception in the Texas High school coaching community for the new staff has been favorable.
The program has a more professional, disciplined feel, the HC is dramatically more engaging, energetic, engaged with the community, and the industry as a whole.
No one has been charged with domestic abuse, killed anyone with their car, been fired for drug abuse, or been captured on video dancing with moms or players.
What's Next: QB will be a huge question mark which historically is never good for a Texas Tech team. We will either have experienced but non-transcendent upperclassman QB, or an exciting underclassman with zero experience. The OL could be better, the LB corps will be dramatically worse, the DL will probably be worse, and the secondary will be young. The WR corps has a elite possession receiver, but no stand out complimentary pieces that stretch the field. RB appears to be a bright spot with multiple serviceable backs returning.
When will we be better: Good teams in this league are built around an elite QB, a couple of elite skill players, and solid upperclassman. We currently don't have that now, and won't have that next year either. All of that is agnostic to coaching. If these coaches can coach, they will begin to meet and exceed expectations when they have recruited elite play makers in key areas, and filled the rest of the roster with upperclassman leaders. I simply don't see any examples currently in the league that dispute those facts.
That means winter is here, and if this staff can ring in a thaw, it simply wont happen till 2021, their first chance at coaching upperclassman they recruited. As has been pointed out everywhere this week, this situation is the culmination of a decade of big and small bad decisions, and bad luck. We are not alone. How many coaches have team like A&M, UT, NE etc gone through since the last time they competed at the highest level?
What can we do: We can go into hibernation, either with our interest, money or both, and let basketball, baseball, etc fill out Tech Sports bucket till 2021. Or for idiots like me, we can stay engaged with reasonable expectations. I think it's probably fair to do either.
What we can't do: Tear each other apart, and make public statements that could negatively impact our ability to recruit or improve the program. I think it's likely there is a select few former players, and donors, whose unique experience set with this program over the years, makes them an asset in helping Kirby and staff accelerate this timeline. They absolutely should engage and provide that counsel. But do it how these things are done, in super secret meetings all of us wish we could be fly on the wall at, and not in view of us mob of fanatics.
It's time to settle in, we have productive options on how to do that, it's almost basketball season.
I know, too long, didn't read.
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