What exactly are the expectations for a team on sanctions? Especially one in the PAC? That's a tough league. I think when Kiffin was hired alot of us thought he was only hired to weather the storm. Being a USC gal do you think that was what happened?
I suppose the expectations are/were unrealistic, just like all other teams with winning programs. The thing is, he inherited some talent as we had a good record his first year. The fact that he went in the shitter the following season was indicator #1 that we had an issue. I guess it's how you lose or win that plays a part as well. If we had the same record but played differently he'd probably still be the coach. Ga Tech in El Paso a year ago....Georgia laid out a great game plan for how to address their offense and yet we looked completely clueless. I was in my seat for the opener against Wazzu and it was unreal. It did not look or feel like Trojan football, sanctions or not. Anemic, one dimensional,uninspired, horrible. 4 games into the season and Buck Allen has a total of 12 carries, 2 of those games with 0 carries. He ended the season as our leading rusher with 135 carries for 835 yards for a 5.8 YPC. He was voted as the team's MVP. We had one of the best WR's in the country in Marqise Lee and 3 games in we were the ONLY Div1 team in the country that had yet to complete a pass for more than 9 yards. Are you kidding me? Marqise Lee and we're throwing bubble screens for 3 yards every other play? That isn't average, that just sucks. It took Ed O all of one game, albeit a head scratching loss to the Irish to turn this team around. We are in the last year of sanctions in terms of recruiting numbers but we finished with 10 wins and ranked 19th. the next 3or 4 years will be brutal in terms of depth but Sarkisian will be expected todo as well or better. It's what fans, alums, and boosters expect even if it seems unrealistic. Haden on the other hand, was hired as the storm handler.
Fair enough. I'm no Kiffin fan, far from it, I can't stand the fucker. But from the outside it seemed kind of a hopeless job. However Yaw Yaw did way more than Kiffin, if you can say one thing about the O, he does inspire kids to play.
Not the main reason, I think it's more of a combination of items. Ask a few coaches, an they'll give you a number of reasons. The first answer is, I don't know, followed by a "maybe." Then from there the speculation begins.
I think Kiffin won't last that long. He is ambitious and is already planning his next move. He just needed a high-profile job as a springboard to whatever is next. Kiffen burned a lot of bridges in the SEC and managed to make a lot of important enemies who have not forgotten him. His mouth hurt him recruiting the last time he was around. He kept making disparaging public remarks about other schools and other coaches. In Saban's system, all public remarks of any kind come from the head coach. No assistant is allowed to make comments to the press that have not been vetted and authorized by the Short Guy. Kiffin will run afoul of "The Process" very quickly, I think. He has no idea how tight a rein can be.
Just hold on to that thought.....Rumph is leaving Bama for Texas and Strong. Let the Orgeron to Bama discussion begin.
Say what you will, but I think they take a lovely photo together. Lane is so dreamy. He's got that youthful innocence that makes one believe he can actually run your offense.
