Ok, So Now What?

[Gannonfan]

Ok, so now we've gotten rid of KC and hired Brock. KC had a plethora of plusses and minusses and you can't go wrong arguing that moving on from him can be a positive move. However, Brock doesn't bring any pizzazz to the table and worse, it looks like a buddy-hire since he and the AD both come from BC at various points.

The AD has put it to print that he wants to reinvigorate the fan base - that was in the e-mail he sent to season ticket holders and that's what he said in interviews. And there's no denying the fact that this fanbase is in a major swoon right now and excitement is getting less and less per day. This move and this hire does extremely little to resolve that. KC was not in any way largely responsible for the drop in enthusiasm. All you have to do is look at 2010 for that - National Championship run, high scoring offense, yada yada, and attendance still dropped and worse, people stayed away in the playoffs at record numbers. For all of KC's failings on the field, along with his successes, he probably only had a 10% impact on fan base enthusiasm. And bringing in a guy with little track record, none at the head coach level, and a guy who looks like he's being looked after by the AD, and a guy who was probably close to being let go at Rutgers before this, well, that doesn't do much to excite anyone and it could even make the KC-backers out there more resentful.

So the question is, what now? What exactly is the AD going to do to reinvigorate the fanbase? The coaching hire has come and gone and it's been a non-factor in that goal. So now what does he do? The clock's ticking.

[Oldhen]

Wow.

Maybe he needs more than 120 days?

[bluehenbillk]

Have you guys forgot, we're on the "Path to Prominence" baby!!!

[Henguin]

Maybe monkees riding dogs and rounding up goats at half time. Since we're talking "rejuvenation", how about reinventing the band. Give students 3 phys ed credits if they attend all home games and stay past the half.

[HenZoneNation]

Gannonfan,


I agree 100%. This was not what the doctor called for. I have to say I'm very dissappointed. I love how people reference Brock's success at KSU without mentioning the fact that he had 1sr Round NFL QB at the helm, and in the same breath say KC could only win with an NFL caliber QB. I'm a Jersey guy and I have to say that this hire on paper is a poor decision. The program was looking for a big kick start with a high powered offense that will bring the fans back. Brock's offense was DULL, his players seemed very poorly coached, there was absolutely no growth from their star recruits, and he's not a guy who is engrained in Delaware football. You can say what you want about Gary Nova, he's significantly better than Trent Hurley.

I really do hope I'm wrong, but I've already gotten two texts from friends of mine who are RU fans laughing at me.

[dchen]

EZ Eric had a chance to connect us to our history but, with this hire, he connects us instead to his history. But, in his defense: A former boss of mine, a university president, when questioned on a radio interview show, why he hired his cronies responded with: What do you want me to do? Hire someone else's cronies?

[cougarpines1]

Gannonfan,


I agree 100%. This was not what the doctor called for. I have to say I'm very dissappointed. I love how people reference Brock's success at KSU without mentioning the fact that he had 1sr Round NFL QB at the helm, and in the same breath say KC could only win with an NFL caliber QB. I'm a Jersey guy and I have to say that this hire on paper is a poor decision. The program was looking for a big kick start with a high powered offense that will bring the fans back. Brock's offense was DULL, his players seemed very poorly coached, there was absolutely no growth from their star recruits, and he's not a guy who is engrained in Delaware football. You can say what you want about Gary Nova, he's significantly better than Trent Hurley.

I really do hope I'm wrong, but I've already gotten two texts from friends of mine who are RU fans laughing at me.

Agree with HZ and GF. I have been inindated with text and calls. They weren't pretty.

[Henroid]

OK, So Now What? What choice do we have? Bend over & pass the KY !!!! All we can do is bitch & moan on here! Eventually it may just bring about the desired effect (whatever that might be). All the bitchin' about KC paid off!

[jd of de]

EZ Eric had a chance to connect us to our history but, with this hire, he connects us instead to his history.

We just fired the connection with our history. In the spirit of North Carolina man Murray and Michigan men Nelson and Tubby, let's let Coach Brock become a Blue Hens by his actions. Bob Carpenter connected with his history, not UDs when he stated this whole thing by hiring Murray.

Sometimes it is hiring a crony and sometimes it is hiring whom you know best and feel most confident in.

[Baltimore Hen]

My only question is this. The article says Brock is expected to be named. So is Tresolini writing this b/c he has inside knowledge (which he did not appear to have given the way the article was written) on the hire, or b/c that is the only name he knew? He may well be right, but he also was way off on the AD hire. Just sayin' maybe there is still hope.

[TexasHen]

Rutgers OC Brock Takes Delaware Job
http://rutgers.scout.com/2/1258843.html

[Gannonfan]

Wow.

Maybe he needs more than 120 days?

No, he doesn't. This isn't a learn-while-you-go job. Attendance and enthusiasm in this program haven't disappeared overnight. This has been a work in the makings since 2008 so we're a good half-decade into decline here. And the President who hired this AD has been on the job since 2007 so we should be pretty well-versed in terms of what's going on here and we should have a pretty decent sized checklist on how to attempt to address it. Like I said, this head coaching move is small potatoes in terms of how to address the major issues at play here, and I think they went for a bunt with this hire rather than swinging away. So there better be something bigger in mind or the talk of changing the direction and rejuvenating this program seem hollow. Big steps are needed.

[72 Hen]

IMO, there was not an extensive search for the new head coach. I believe that Brock was in place even before KC was let go. But, maybe, just maybe, this might be a good hire. It certainly gives us a lot to look forward to.

(1) I have always liked KC but I am looking forward to some changes. We will get a a new offense. I am tired of scoring 1 TD a game. I believe, KC has recruited well but I'm not sure he always fit his offense to the players. I hope Brock is up to that task.

(2) I am very interested in who will be named as the new offensive coordinator. I hope that Brock hires someone of the Chip Kelly mindset. That wasn't going to happen under KC.

(3) I hope that this new coach keeps us focused on the playoffs but at the same time tweaks the schedule to include some new exciting big time games. I hope Ziady is already looking into that.

(4) As much as KC fought for facility improvements is it possible to now move forward under the direction of new leadership.

The proof is in the pudding. We need to give it time to stop cooking.

[Oldhen]

No, he doesn't. This isn't a learn-while-you-go job.

Disagree. Learning isn't the issue at all.

The issue is building support and a buy-in from stakeholders.

Looks like Harker is listening to him, and that's a step.

Needs backing from many more before bigger things can be planned and implemented. Much lobbying, buttonholing, jawboning, and cajoling before any plan of any scope can move forward at stodgy old UofD.

[jd of de]

Wow.

Maybe he needs more than 120 days?

For all the changes coming, and today is just the 1st IMO, what you will not see is a whole new program put in place while much of the fan base could care less (between now and May 18th). Yes, that is correct; I do not believe 22k Blue Hen fans in the stands follow every move of this program 24/7/365.

I fully expect to see and hear some things in the next 120 days, including the former fan outreach, but much of the new football marketing won't and shouldn't be seen before summer and then there is the question of changes to the gameday experience. IMO a lot of changes are coming and it will not all happen at once.

This is not a band-aide fix approach IMO; it is major surgery. First things first; let's get a staff hired so the recruits and current players know who their position coaches will be.