• Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your WyoNation.com experience today!

Christensen needs to be fired

In regards to Kirk passing to the screens and only being prepared for that, I disagree. I counted 14 times Rufran, McNeill, Claiborne and I think Norman were wide open behind the LB's, Kirk would look at them for about a second and then throw outside or throw it away or my favorite, run it out of bounds. All that is player decisions. Coaches can't stop that from happening.
Seriously, when I watch the difference between Smith and Kirk it reminds me of that old 91 movie Necessary Roughness, And the first game when they bench Blake and send in the backup Popki, The anouncer says it perfect. "These two have distinctively different throwing styles!"
Smith steps up and makes a play, Popki or Kirk runs and hides behind the ref and yells, "Blow the whistle! Blow the Whistle!"
It's the QB play last week that lost us the game. And like I said, he had every chance to make play after play but refused to split the D. That is on him and His decision making during the game. He could be getting lectured all game long by the coaches but, his actions on the field make it look like the coaches aren't making changes. The truth to that is the only change that the coaches never made was sending in the 3rd string QB.
Also, We didn't just lose a few guys. We lost KEY PLAYMAKING STARTERS. Yes, that will probably drop us down to as bad talent wise as SDSU was when they lost to Cal Poly.
As for the D being bad this year. And everyone saying it's our worst :

The Last Meeting
Idaho 38
Wyoming 40
August 31, 1996
Laramie, Wyo.

We went 10-2 that year gave up about 25ppg and on top of that almost lost to Idaho who at the time was FCS or 1 aa.
So, here's the numbers crunched breaking down each of our head coaches D's numbers year by year. Someone on a different post I believe Wyokie, stated he missed the days of Tillers D: I really have to laugh at that. from 91-96 in order: 29.7; 28.4; 27.4; 28.4; 24.0; 24.0 And plus, in Tillers best 10-2 season we had to win in shootouts over FCS Idaho (Score above) and Iowa St. 41-38, Fresno 42-28.
Dimel was actually the best coach with the best D numbers: 97-99 in order: 17.4; 19.5; 24.5
Koenning was our best D coord under Dimel, became HC and we have our worst D under him, not to mention the blowouts! From 00-02: 32.8; 33.4; 36.0.
Glenn brings in Breske and does mediocre for all but maybe one year. 03-08: 30.0; 24.8; 27.0; 22.0; 26.0; 27.8 (Glenn then did NO recruiting which really screwed our offense and Def for DC
Here we are, DC's years. 09-11: 27.3; 30.3; 27.7
So, for all those who yell to bring Breske back, so far the numbers are pretty well the same... And for those of you who keep talking of the glory days under Tiller just compare those numbers...
Now If "I" want somebody back, give me Koenning, he was a Great DC under Dimel. And his numbers speak for its self.
There you have it. Now, if you want to make complaints you can use real numbers.
 
I just want a DC who is PROVEN at the FBS level. Or go for a former HC who had great defenses (like the guy that UNM picked up) to do this. We have had some great defenses in the past, the most recent in 2006, but we need to address it. Shootouts are exciting, sure, but I would rather win in a dominant fashion on a consistent basis with players wrapping up for tackles and being in position. A d-line that pushes the o-line around (rather than the other way) and keeps the o-line off of the linebackers. Also want linebackers to be able to actually COVER short to medium throws. And also sealing up the edge when the ball carrier goes for the edge. We have improved a little up the middle, but there is still room for MASSIVE improvement. EVERYTHING begins on the d-line, and our d-line struggles getting pressure on a QB from a FCS school, WHEN THEY RUN THE FREAKIN' OPTION OFFENSE (running the ball) 90% OF THE TIME!

If Tormey can actually do even half of that, our defense will be much better. If not, time to look for someone who is actually good at coaching defense. Brandon had great offenses at Bowling Green, and under Smith, we rolled up around 800 yards of offense in 2 games. If we could just the get the defensive equivilent, we could be looking at conference titles, but it starts with what the DC does.
 
How about recruiting a decent backup quarterback? That would help. How about fielding a team that can still compete at the DI level when it loses a couple of players? And if you think Alabama would lose to use with three or four players out you are high. I can't believe people come on here and rationalize a FBS school losing to a middling FCS school. This is exactly why Wyoming football is in the crapper. People accept it.
 
SDPokeFan said:
How about recruiting a decent backup quarterback? That would help. How about fielding a team that can still compete at the DI level when it loses a couple of players? And if you think Alabama would lose to use with three or four players out you are high. I can't believe people come on here and rationalize a FBS school losing to a middling FCS school. This is exactly why Wyoming football is in the crapper. People accept it.

We did, he left because Smith was named starter. His name was Adam Pittser and was supposed to be a stud. And, not to make excuses, but many teams would struggle without their starting QB if their backup left and were left stuck with a guy who doesn't have D1 talent. Maybe not Alabama, but teams would struggle.

If Smith didn't go out against Toledo, we wouldn't be having these discussions. Personally, I like to see what could be if we were 100% healthy instead of bitching about losing. I hate losing, but I hate bitching about it just as much.

Go Pokes!!
 
Someone made a comment in another thread I agree with 100%.

The football team losing is causing mass turmoil:

Fans fighting and arguing with each other
Players fighting
Finger pointing
Firing coaches talk
etc

I am becoming obsessed with gags twitter seeing the next breaking Brett Smith news? WTH is wrong with me? I am analyzing Sutton's twitter seeing why he is too busy dicking off instead of making this team better. Seriously, i am grasping for everything and anything to give me the hope that this team IS different.

Wanna know how this is solved and we can all become normal again? (besides apepoopkillersmeller)

WINNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Winning = optimism and right now we are all buried in the opposite. I can't believe I am about to say this (cause it sounds like a BCS grandios build up), but this game vs Idaho is HUGE. It is a must win.
 
wellpoke said:
Wyovanian said:
When a 4th-year head coach goes from 2 bowl games in 3 years to a trainwreck season following a bowl season, it invites scrutiny

Do you have a crystal ball? Are you certain this is a train-wreck of a season? We still have 9 games left. Granted these three games have been pretty dismal, but who's to say we don't get things back on track against Idaho and go into conference season firing on all cylinders.

I get really tired of the fairweather fans we have around here. A little adversity and it's time to fire the coach, clean house with the players, and start all over again. I think Christensen is building this right (at least on the offensive side of the ball) and has been thrown a few curveballs (ACS, Pittser) that threw a kink in the works. This season isn't over, and there's a lot of football yet to be played.

GO POKES!

I got a crystal ball.....and then some. Susan is her name. She says, "hang on boys". She's being very tight lipped about firing the coach. She can have a stubborn streak.
I think y'all should wait to see if you have more tricks than just fetchin' sticks.
 
kansasCowboy said:
In regards to Kirk passing to the screens and only being prepared for that, I disagree. I counted 14 times Rufran, McNeill, Claiborne and I think Norman were wide open behind the LB's, Kirk would look at them for about a second and then throw outside or throw it away or my favorite, run it out of bounds. All that is player decisions. Coaches can't stop that from happening.
Seriously, when I watch the difference between Smith and Kirk it reminds me of that old 91 movie Necessary Roughness, And the first game when they bench Blake and send in the backup Popki, The anouncer says it perfect. "These two have distinctively different throwing styles!"
Smith steps up and makes a play, Popki or Kirk runs and hides behind the ref and yells, "Blow the whistle! Blow the Whistle!"
It's the QB play last week that lost us the game. And like I said, he had every chance to make play after play but refused to split the D. That is on him and His decision making during the game. He could be getting lectured all game long by the coaches but, his actions on the field make it look like the coaches aren't making changes. The truth to that is the only change that the coaches never made was sending in the 3rd string QB.
Also, We didn't just lose a few guys. We lost KEY PLAYMAKING STARTERS. Yes, that will probably drop us down to as bad talent wise as SDSU was when they lost to Cal Poly.
As for the D being bad this year. And everyone saying it's our worst :

The Last Meeting
Idaho 38
Wyoming 40
August 31, 1996
Laramie, Wyo.

We went 10-2 that year gave up about 25ppg and on top of that almost lost to Idaho who at the time was FCS or 1 aa.
So, here's the numbers crunched breaking down each of our head coaches D's numbers year by year. Someone on a different post I believe Wyokie, stated he missed the days of Tillers D: I really have to laugh at that. from 91-96 in order: 29.7; 28.4; 27.4; 28.4; 24.0; 24.0 And plus, in Tillers best 10-2 season we had to win in shootouts over FCS Idaho (Score above) and Iowa St. 41-38, Fresno 42-28.
Dimel was actually the best coach with the best D numbers: 97-99 in order: 17.4; 19.5; 24.5
Koenning was our best D coord under Dimel, became HC and we have our worst D under him, not to mention the blowouts! From 00-02: 32.8; 33.4; 36.0.
Glenn brings in Breske and does mediocre for all but maybe one year. 03-08: 30.0; 24.8; 27.0; 22.0; 26.0; 27.8 (Glenn then did NO recruiting which really screwed our offense and Def for DC
Here we are, DC's years. 09-11: 27.3; 30.3; 27.7
So, for all those who yell to bring Breske back, so far the numbers are pretty well the same... And for those of you who keep talking of the glory days under Tiller just compare those numbers...
Now If "I" want somebody back, give me Koenning, he was a Great DC under Dimel. And his numbers speak for its self.
There you have it. Now, if you want to make complaints you can use real numbers.

I totally see your point when you say that losing these key players make us as bad as the old SDSU teams. My point is why aren't we better prepared for these situations? Coach C has been saying that this is the deepest team he's had. Well, where's the depth? To make it worse, the interview with Brandon spells it out. He says "Colby did what we asked him to do...don't lose the game...". If you tell your QB to not lose the game he's not going to be making those passes to Rufran, McNeill, Claiborne and Norman when they get behind the linebackers. So coaches can stop those plays from happening, they stopped them before they sent him out there! He's especially not going to make those passes when he's instructed to not lose and he knows the staff has very little confidence in him. Why on earth would you have Colby as the #2 on the depth chart, but as soon as the #1 goes down, it's suddenly a game time decision? Why not say Colby's our guy and during the game if he's not getting it done, then give the #3 a shot? I think it's time to start giving these guys a vote of confidence from the coaches. I feel that a QB that knows he's going into a game as the starter is going to have a much better week in preparation.

As far as giving out votes of confidence is concerned, I also think it would be a good idea to give Williams a scholarship now. In his limited opportunities, he's performed very well. Hell, last season he did better than Sullivan in pre-season and still wasn't named the starter over the scholarshipped kicker. What if Williams decides to play the next couple seasons at a school that will pick up the tab. Who could blame him. He's an important part of the team right now and when the rest of the players are eating at their school sponsored feasts, Williams and the other non-scholarshipped players are going back to their dorms and eating mac & cheese. Let him know that he'll soon be sitting at the big boy table, literally. He needs to be treated like the big part of the team he is. Against Toledo if we did get a few first downs, he's the guy that we would be asking to win the game. Sullivan's NCAA injury report states he's out due to a rare and aggressive blood disorder. I don't know what that means and I hope it's something that is very curable, but it sure doesn't sound good. Let's hope we're not breaking in another freshman kicker next fall when we have one right now.

I can't imagine that we lose to Idaho this weekend. But if we do, it might be easy for Coach C to keep going as he'll be half way back to his hometown in Washington. I saw the line in USA Today had us as 1 1/2 point favorites. It really made me feel like making a gigantic bet on the Pokes. It might not be a big blow out, but I still feel we win by 2 TDs. But I just can't. I want to believe, but we just don't know what we have here.
 
FUN-DA-MENT-ALS - I want to see the fundamental things done right!!!! Blocking, tackling, assignments, routes. This is D-1 FBS college football, not high school. This damn well goes for the coaches too.
 
Maybe we need to get some good high school coaches into the Pokes roles. Check out today's Wall Street Journal article about coaches moving from high school to college. One of the claims (or observations) is that most of the new strategies originate in the high school ranks, then migrates to the colleges, then to the pros.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444620104578008590551287874.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
kansasCowboy said:
In regards to Kirk passing to the screens and only being prepared for that, I disagree. I counted 14 times Rufran, McNeill, Claiborne and I think Norman were wide open behind the LB's, Kirk would look at them for about a second and then throw outside or throw it away or my favorite, run it out of bounds. All that is player decisions. Coaches can't stop that from happening.
Seriously, when I watch the difference between Smith and Kirk it reminds me of that old 91 movie Necessary Roughness, And the first game when they bench Blake and send in the backup Popki, The anouncer says it perfect. "These two have distinctively different throwing styles!"
Smith steps up and makes a play, Popki or Kirk runs and hides behind the ref and yells, "Blow the whistle! Blow the Whistle!"
It's the QB play last week that lost us the game. And like I said, he had every chance to make play after play but refused to split the D. That is on him and His decision making during the game. He could be getting lectured all game long by the coaches but, his actions on the field make it look like the coaches aren't making changes. The truth to that is the only change that the coaches never made was sending in the 3rd string QB.
Also, We didn't just lose a few guys. We lost KEY PLAYMAKING STARTERS. Yes, that will probably drop us down to as bad talent wise as SDSU was when they lost to Cal Poly.
As for the D being bad this year. And everyone saying it's our worst :

The Last Meeting
Idaho 38
Wyoming 40
August 31, 1996
Laramie, Wyo.

We went 10-2 that year gave up about 25ppg and on top of that almost lost to Idaho who at the time was FCS or 1 aa.
So, here's the numbers crunched breaking down each of our head coaches D's numbers year by year. Someone on a different post I believe Wyokie, stated he missed the days of Tillers D: I really have to laugh at that. from 91-96 in order: 29.7; 28.4; 27.4; 28.4; 24.0; 24.0 And plus, in Tillers best 10-2 season we had to win in shootouts over FCS Idaho (Score above) and Iowa St. 41-38, Fresno 42-28.
Dimel was actually the best coach with the best D numbers: 97-99 in order: 17.4; 19.5; 24.5
Koenning was our best D coord under Dimel, became HC and we have our worst D under him, not to mention the blowouts! From 00-02: 32.8; 33.4; 36.0.
Glenn brings in Breske and does mediocre for all but maybe one year. 03-08: 30.0; 24.8; 27.0; 22.0; 26.0; 27.8 (Glenn then did NO recruiting which really screwed our offense and Def for DC
Here we are, DC's years. 09-11: 27.3; 30.3; 27.7
So, for all those who yell to bring Breske back, so far the numbers are pretty well the same... And for those of you who keep talking of the glory days under Tiller just compare those numbers...
Now If "I" want somebody back, give me Koenning, he was a Great DC under Dimel. And his numbers speak for its self.
There you have it. Now, if you want to make complaints you can use real numbers.


Dimel did have the best ppg defensive teams. As far as Breske goes the year that we gave up 22 ppg and 26 ppg should have actually been a lot less. If you remember the offense was so bad both in those years that they turned the ball over 4 or 5 times a game and gave the other team very short fields to score. Like starting at our 20 yard line. As well as the offense threw a lot of pick sixes and fumble returns that were actually the offenses fault and not the defenses and made the ppg look higher. Yeah those pick sixes and fumble returns happen every year but those years it was a lot higher than normal. Wyoming finished #9 in total defense one year and was top 25 the next. Also if you remember the offense would go 3 and out so much that the defense had to be on the field the whole game. Breske was far better defensively than anything DC has put out on the field.
 
Okay, real glad to see the Pokes win, even if it did take us to OT to beat one of the worse teams in the FBS. I guess this is what we have. As long as Brett’s playing we have a puncher’s chance in any of our upcoming games. Partly because Brett will get the ball to anyone. No Herron, no problem, McNeil will do. TD passes, who cares, get even a little open and he’ll get the ball to you. Don’t get open, no worries, he’ll run it for the first down. This is a one man show. Sure there’s others that have been doing well, but not on this scale. We mostly have a chance because the MWC is so weak. I doubt we’ll stop anyone, but it seems we’ll give the others fits stopping us. Although I believe we can win some shoot-outs, winning another 5 will seem difficult. But it’s nice to see cbssports still has us in a bowl game vs Houston. A month into the season with one win between us, they must think that C-USA is as weak as the MWC. I don’t see it, but I’m sure they watch a lot more games than I do.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/bowls/predictions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With Coach C at the helm this is all we have for the future, a puncher’s chance. And that’s only if Brett stays on the field. Get used to it.
 
For everyone who keeps saying this is a one man show. Stop! Smith can't hav the numbers he does if we have WR's who suck. And we have four who are at play maker status. Herron, Ruffran, McNeill, Claiborne. Each one is a threat. Each one can make a play out of a 5 yard pass and each one can get open and make the big catch way down field. The only part of the show that is has no play maker would be RB's, yet, Miller does a fine job of blocking and getting out for passes as well. Smith is a playmaker, And that is whyhe s our starting QB, You always want a playmaker behind center. But a QB can NEVER do it alone. I really think Thompson has some big potential for this year, running "Wildcat" and can still pass the ball and even get out and catch it. I think he has potential to be a threat by the end of the year.
Def. is where we lack playmakers. Sonny Puletasi has been the only one I've seen all year that has shown playmaker status. Ever since he was blowing back Texas O-line back and messing up plays, he has continued to be good. But, he can't do it alone.
 
kansasCowboy said:
For everyone who keeps saying this is a one man show. Stop! Smith can't hav the numbers he does if we have WR's who suck. And we have four who are at play maker status. Herron, Ruffran, McNeill, Claiborne. Each one is a threat. Each one can make a play out of a 5 yard pass and each one can get open and make the big catch way down field. The only part of the show that is has no play maker would be RB's, yet, Miller does a fine job of blocking and getting out for passes as well. Smith is a playmaker, And that is whyhe s our starting QB, You always want a playmaker behind center. But a QB can NEVER do it alone. I really think Thompson has some big potential for this year, running "Wildcat" and can still pass the ball and even get out and catch it. I think he has potential to be a threat by the end of the year.
Def. is where we lack playmakers. Sonny Puletasi has been the only one I've seen all year that has shown playmaker status. Ever since he was blowing back Texas O-line back and messing up plays, he has continued to be good. But, he can't do it alone.
Sonny Puletasi, Ghaali Muhammed, and Korey Jones really. But that leaves 8 other spots where players HAVE to step up. If they do, especially on the D-line, it'll make everyone else's job that much easier, because everything begins on the line.
 
fromolwyoming said:
kansasCowboy said:
For everyone who keeps saying this is a one man show. Stop! Smith can't hav the numbers he does if we have WR's who suck. And we have four who are at play maker status. Herron, Ruffran, McNeill, Claiborne. Each one is a threat. Each one can make a play out of a 5 yard pass and each one can get open and make the big catch way down field. The only part of the show that is has no play maker would be RB's, yet, Miller does a fine job of blocking and getting out for passes as well. Smith is a playmaker, And that is whyhe s our starting QB, You always want a playmaker behind center. But a QB can NEVER do it alone. I really think Thompson has some big potential for this year, running "Wildcat" and can still pass the ball and even get out and catch it. I think he has potential to be a threat by the end of the year.
Def. is where we lack playmakers. Sonny Puletasi has been the only one I've seen all year that has shown playmaker status. Ever since he was blowing back Texas O-line back and messing up plays, he has continued to be good. But, he can't do it alone.
Sonny Puletasi, Ghaali Muhammed, and Korey Jones really. But that leaves 8 other spots where players HAVE to step up. If they do, especially on the D-line, it'll make everyone else's job that much easier, because everything begins on the line.
purcell is really the only lineman i've noticed putting forth a div 1 level effort
 
Our d-line would be good if we had another Mike Purcell. He was the only one creating havoc up front, including forcing the first fumble, getting the first sack, and being in on the final sack (even though he didn't get credit). He's good enough that he's getting double-teamed at least somewhat, too.
 
i just want a competitive team that looks like they belong on the field at times, and showing effort all the time!!!
 
kansasCowboy said:
For everyone who keeps saying this is a one man show. Stop! Smith can't hav the numbers he does if we have WR's who suck. And we have four who are at play maker status. Herron, Ruffran, McNeill, Claiborne. Each one is a threat. Each one can make a play out of a 5 yard pass and each one can get open and make the big catch way down field. The only part of the show that is has no play maker would be RB's, yet, Miller does a fine job of blocking and getting out for passes as well. Smith is a playmaker, And that is whyhe s our starting QB, You always want a playmaker behind center. But a QB can NEVER do it alone. I really think Thompson has some big potential for this year, running "Wildcat" and can still pass the ball and even get out and catch it. I think he has potential to be a threat by the end of the year.
Def. is where we lack playmakers. Sonny Puletasi has been the only one I've seen all year that has shown playmaker status. Ever since he was blowing back Texas O-line back and messing up plays, he has continued to be good. But, he can't do it alone.

Agreed on the receivers. Claiborne's game winner was just a great play on his part. Smith kind of threw it up for grabs and Claiborne just won the battle. Herron is a game changer and McNeil is complete receiver. Rufran is a solid possession guy. We don't have much depth with all of the attrition that continues under DC (Doctson, Smith, AIken, Robertson, etc. just to name a few WR's), but the starters are a solid group. The problem is in the trenches. Smith faces too much pressure and we can't run the football. That will negate the skills that Smith and the receiving corp bring to the table.

Having said all of that, the offense has moved the ball and scored effectively as long as Smith was playing. The problem is defense. It's just atrocious. I do think Burns and Purcell (I assume you meant Purcell instead of Puletasi) are solid players.
 
CDC is the owner said domain name. A blowut defeat this week may see the emergence of a firedavechristensen twitter handle though!
 
Back
Top