Driskel could be gone

[Leakfan12]

He's thinking of going to Duke, anyone want to help him move?

 

[DRU2012]

He's thinking of going to Duke, anyone want to help him move?

Well, I think he'd be an OK back-up for us (least until Grier gets more game-experience, and we actually see what HE can do, finally)...With his experience and basic "practice skills", Driskel might do for a half, even a game or two in a pinch, long as it wasn't TOO "big" a game or turning-point in a season. With real pressure again from fans, maybe even season on the line, he'd "revert" for sure--cave in and return to fumbles, overthrows and general inaccuracy. Says it all that he wants to leave at this point, rather than try and compete, try to prove all that "talent and self-confidence" he was supposed to have, kept claiming himself he still had, through it all...But I understand the move, from both an emotional and practical POV: Heck, with a very real "big fish in small pond"-effect )I mean, look at Tyler murphy!), PLUS a no doubt just-as-"real" feeling (in his head and heart) that he's getting a "fresh start". With much less pressure on-field and off (and maybe even better receivers, sad to say--at least something he could justifiably tell himself), it does make a certain amount of sense--for both player and prospective team, and might well turn out OK for both. Not as fraught with short-sighted panic as the one Brisset made after last season anyway, in my view.
Obviously not real concerned about "losing" him, though: If we had to rely on Driskel going into next season, we'd be in trouble from the start--and not doing ANYTHING for ourselves, in terms of the future development of the offense, no matter HOW well or poorly he managed to perform here in the new system. No, it's gotta be a Harris/Grier (hopefully one-two tandem) going into Fall '15--and in my view we had better grab at least ONE "EVERYBODY-WANTS-HIM"/FUTURE STAR QB, either this recruiting-cycle or next, no matter what. Now, I know that's a SERIOUS longshot (like, "buy-a-quickpick" serious) for THIS year, and I don't claim to have a bead on things prep-level for 2016 and beyond--so at this point, guess I'm hoping that our new Head Coach, a quarterback-development-specialist out of the west after all, and his guys at the very least have the kind of connections and long range overview that might find a "hidden gem" or two out there, ones they might bring in and bring along meanwhile, until one of those "walk-on-water"-type young guys comes our way again.
The real "Offensive Geniuses" at the college level know that, important as "playmakers" all OVER the field are to building a consistently Championship-calibre team, it is and always will tend to be "That One Special Guy At QB" who can offset so many "gaps" in talent and depth elsewhere, at least while you're still in the "recover and build" stage.
Parenthetically, while that word "genius" gets thrown around far too much in general for my taste, it is probably just as true, ironically enough, that it takes REAL "smarts" for the best of those offensively-minded coaches to win WITHOUT one of "those guys" at QB--just a good one (or two: at our level, clearly, TWO "pretty damn GOOD" QBs, one "ready" starter and the other "good-if-still-developing" back-up, might well be at LEAST as valuable as the dazzling "can't miss"/"Heisman-talk" star alone) with playmakers around him and a solid, deep O-line, that coach's innovative and flexible scheme, a SOLID defense--AND a tight staff and team's ability to adapt and change DURING a game--that gets and keeps you at the top, long term. So clearly, though it's possible we MIGHT be OK for now, of late our coaches have been hit'n'miss just signing prep kids with the stats and headlines in our own "backyard", while other high-profile programs have been virtually STOCKPILING "really good ones" from all over at signal-caller--and thus have been surprisingly able to rebound from injury to their up-til-then celebrated starters when, as we've seen, that "worst-case-scenario" ensued. You've GOT to have a virtual "ASSEMBLY line" happening these days, of "good/possibly GREAT" kids coming along at each phase: from"committed" thru' "red-shirted" to "back-up competing for playing time", along with that "talented leader" at QB, to be there at the end, year in year out, no matter what comes your way.

 

[Escambia94]

I refuse to knock a 21-year old kid. He did the best he could while going through a new coaching staff every year while fighting injuries in some years.

If he transfers to Duke, he might be competing against the Ohio State QB that is also considering a transfer to Duke.

 

[DRU2012]

I refuse to knock a 21-year old kid. He did the best he could while going through a new coaching staff every year while fighting injuries in some years.

If he transfers to Duke, he might be competing against the Ohio State QB that is also considering a transfer to Duke.

Feel like I'm just being frank and realistic when it comes to Driskel--I really DO feel he has a problem with being "the man on the spot" at this level, and made my comments accordingly. I wouldn't be averse to seeing him stay as (hopefully) our back-up his senior year--with the further hope he is displaced by Grier as the first alternative to Harris by mid-season or so. Perhaps he sees that very reality as the similar hope and aim of the incoming staff, in which case (as I also said) the kind of move it's reported he's mulling makes sense...If I were him, I'd be contemplating, perhaps even actively searching for the same. Be pretty ironic if he ended up the back-up wherever he landed, though: Little point in jumping DOWN a level or two just to sit behind someone else.
This sort of move is kind of a crap shoot no matter what it looks like before hand. Jury's still out somewhat on Brisset's, for eg.: Though kind of an "about-face"/sulky "cut'n'run" that turned out rather poorly for he AND us so far, one couldn't be sure of that when he bailed: Even looked like it might have been the smart move right at first--before Driskel got hurt, certainly, and for a while afterwards to some extent. Of course, Jacoby couldn't foresee the injury OR that JD wouldn't really pan out even when he finally came back, I suppose, although he COULD have stuck with his supposed incoming convictions of "confident in myself" and "wanna be a Gator"...Thing is, he may have been able to step in, take the job and keep it; that's the big "What if?" he psyched himself out of a shot at. Meanwhile, his fast start at NC St quickly cooled, along with that whole team's fortunes. On the other hand, Tyler Murphy has seemingly changed his whole outlook in jumping to BC--with Addazio of all people, so you just NEVER know.
(Oh, and when it comes to "knocking a 21 yr old kid", won't belabor it but remind you of how many of us felt regarding not just JD but for example certain receivers at certain points this past season...So when you've seen the most important single player on the offense regularly, almost monotonously fail spectacularly, at key moments, often enough in various ways, seems to me you can be excused for not wanting to EVER see it again, at least not for us, not from THEM--and saying so!)

 

[Escambia94]

Driskel did his best, but it was not enough. A college education at the University of Florida is supposed to provide these kids with opportunity, and it is up to the kids to use the opportunity to play four years and try for the NFL, or transfer to another school for more playing time, or transfer to be with a different coach. It is Florida's job to hire and keep the best coaches, and Florida failed to do so. I do not blame these guys for transferring.

 

[DRU2012]

Driskel did his best, but it was not enough. A college education at the University of Florida is supposed to provide these kids with opportunity, and it is up to the kids to use the opportunity to play four years and try for the NFL, or transfer to another school for more playing time, or transfer to be with a different coach. It is Florida's job to hire and keep the best coaches, and Florida failed to do so. I do not blame these guys for transferring.

That's "one way of reading it"--I see the first part (about "the kids") a bit differently, but beside the point here, really--because I DO agree with the second (re coaching), and my conclusions and general views here are similar: In the end, I don't blame (most of) these guys (in most cases) for transferring either.
Doesn't mean we can't go back, analyze our gut-level feelings and judgments after-the-fact--we did enough emotional (all too often drunken and OVER-)reacting in-game over the course of the season: Maybe we owe ourselves AND the objects of all that a more reasoned, clear-eyed evaluation, now we've time for it. THAT doesn't always guarantee a dramatically more generous analysis or conclusion either...just (hopefully) a "fairer" one.

 

[Escambia94]

That's "one way of reading it"--I see the first part (about "the kids") a bit differently, but beside the point here, really--because I DO agree with the second (re coaching), and my conclusions and general views here are similar: In the end, I don't blame (most of) these guys (in most cases) for transferring either.
Doesn't mean we can't go back, analyze our gut-level feelings and judgments after-the-fact--we did enough emotional (all too often drunken and OVER-)reacting in-game over the course of the season: Maybe we owe ourselves AND the objects of all that a more reasoned, clear-eyed evaluation, now we've time for it. THAT doesn't always guarantee a dramatically more generous analysis or conclusion either...just (hopefully) a "fairer" one.

When we pick on 21-year old kids, it is only because we are not looking at the actual problem. Let us use Jameis Winston as an example. He had the potential to grow up into a respectable young man, but his coaching staff and the crooked Tallahassee Police Department became enablers of bad behavior. Now look at what FSU did correctly--and what UF did incorrectly in that same time frame.

• 2006
  • UF wins its first national title under Urban Meyer.
  • Coaching staff: Urban Meyer, Steve Addazio, Stan Drayton, Billy Gonzales, Chuck Heater, John Hevesy, Doc Holliday, Greg Mattison, Dan Mullen (all with 1 year on staff), Charlie Strong (6th year)
• 2007
  • Jimbo Fisher named FSU head coach in waiting.
  • Will Muschamp named UTx head coach in waiting (formalized in 2008).
  • Tim Tebow wins the Heisman despite a subpar season.
  • Coaching staff: same as 2006.
  • Key losses from 2006: 9 starters on offense, 11 on defense.
• 2008
  • UF wins its second national title under Urban Meyer.
  • Coaching staff: Stan Drayton is replaced by Kenny Carter as RB coach, Vance Bedford joins staff as CB coach, Dan McCarney replaces Chuck Heater as DL coach.
  • Note that consistent coaching and recruiting have helped build what looked like the beginning of a Gator dynasty.
• 2009
  • UF is crushed by Jim McElwain's Alabama offense and Tim Tebow has to carry the team himself as much of the team has checked out for the NFL Draft.
  • Coaching staff: Steve Addazio promoted into Dan Mullen's position as OC (Dan Mullen leaves for MSU), Scot Loeffler brought in as QB coach, Brian White brought in to replace John Hevesy as TE coach (Hevesy joins Mullen at MSU).
  • Note that there is a significant drop-off in coaching when Mullen and Hevesy leave, and that Loeffler did not make a big impact on the QBs. If I had to pinpoint the exact moment when the Gator dynasty fell apart, it would be here when Mullen leaves with Hevesy, and dissent starts growing with Gonzales. Strong's departure in 2010 along with Meyer's wussing out complete the fall.
• 2010
  • Zombie Urban Meyer's first and last year as UF head coach.
  • Jimbo Fisher's first year as HC of FSU.
  • Coaching staff: Charlie Strong leaves for Louisville and takes Carter and Bedford, Teryl Austin replaces Charlie Strong as DC, Zach Azzanni replaces Billy Gonzales as WR coach (Gonzales left for LSU, then Illinois, then MSU with Mullen), DJ Durkin brought in for special teams.
  • Note the significant drop-off in coaching at WR and RB. Recruiting is suffering in the long run despite highly ranked classes.
• 2011
  • Will Muschamp's first year as UF head coach.
  • Coaching staff: only Durkin and White remain from the Meyer era. Addazzio takes most of the core coaching staff to Temple and Boston College. Years later, some of the core staff from 2005-2010 rejoins Urban Meyer at tOSU. Charlie Weis was a horrible hire, but he looked like a good hire at the time. Dan Quinn was the best hire of the Muschamp era, but we could not pay him as well as the Seattle Seahawks in 2013. Frank Verducci was a horrible hire. Aubrey Hill was the first of our WR coaching issues. Derek Lewis had no business coaching TEs. Travaris Robinson was a good hire at recruiting coordinator and DB coach, but he could only recruit defense. Bryant Young would have been a nice hire, but he abruptly quit coaching in 2013 to be with family.
  • Note that this coaching staff is nowhere good enough to sustain greatness in Gainesville, regardless of the head coach.
  • FSU has recovered from NCAA sanctions, and takes advantage of UF's inability to grab top talent in the state.
• 2012
  • Coaching staff: Tim Davis was another horrible hire at OL coach, Brent Pease was a horrible hire at OC, and we spent a year with a graduate assistant as WR coach.
• 2013
  • Coaching staff: Jeff Choate was a horrible hire at special teams coach or any position he touched on defense, Joker Phillips continued the curse at WR coach by getting into trouble over recruiting, Brad Lawing is the only decent hire this year.
• 2014
  • Coaching staff: Kurt Roper is all talk (he got lucky by being in the right position at the right time whenever a Manning brother was around), Chris Leak may or may not be a good receiver coach (hard to tell with this caliber of recruits since 2008), Coleman Hutzler was a questionable hire at special teams, and Mike Summers was the only decent hire at OL.

The lesson here is that Florida has lacked coaching consistency since 2008. The problem with hiring hot, young coaches is that they lack coaching trees to replenish coaching talent as they go off and lead other teams to greatness. FSU meanwhile was quietly building their own dynasty by building up a head coach in waiting since 2007, building a core of coaches that tend to stay (since 2007), and by out-recruiting Florida since 2009.

 

[DRU2012]

@Escambia94,
Quite the well-documented and well-REASONED treatise, E-. Can't argue with the logic, point by point right down the years. Still, as usual I have a different take on it all--not in opposition but in focus. Not so much "past-oriented". I KNOW that tracing the past offers keys to understanding where we are and where we're going, but with the kinds of wholesale changes we are generally looking for these last few "Changes of The Guard" since Spurrier, in each case after a time of disappointment and unhappiness, it is "present/recent past leading into The Future" that I tend to examine and project. This is exactly my approach in my last post over on the "Randy Shannon to Florida"-thread (and, really, even the short one about Muschamp you quoted and responded to in "I Hope This Isn't True..."--but that was mostly just a sidetrack, a throw-away thing--but again, more about how things have been LATELY again, now that we HAVE "sunk" and been so quickly marginalized; I think that last "Randy Shannon..." post is one that nicely dovetails with/presents counterpoint to yours here above): In general, my main outlook is with where we are going: The past (mostly recent, having to do with recent trends, events and the outgoing regime) I see in terms of how we got here and what has to change--and I DO tend to look at and talk more about what our goals are, what we have to do and why, where we're headed.
The other difference (hardly surprising to anyone here, I guess, by now) is in my seeing these things more in terms of "sweeps and trends", more in their general effects and emotional underpinnings--in larger, even societal context rather than just the facts of Gator and SEC history. I'd like to think that BOTH our views, and efforts at expressing them, have value and relevance.

 

[Escambia94]

Comparing my earlier post to the "sweeps and trends" looks like this:

• 2007
  • Nick Saban leaves the Miami Dolphins to coach Alabama. Two years of NFL experience help Saban build an empire in Tuscaloosa. Couple that with a large coaching tree and a rather consistent coaching staff, and I do not see this Alabama dynasty being halted by anyone but Jim Harbaugh.
• 2014
  • Nick Saban hires former NFL head coach and NFL OC Lane Kiffin.
  • Michigan announces that in 2015, former NFL Super Bowl coach Jim Harbaugh, will coach the Wolverines.
  • Meanwhile, Florida hires former Miami Dolphins LB coach Randy Shannon. That is it.

The newest trend is to grab older coaches with large coaching trees and meaningful NFL experience.

Jim Harbaugh's coaching tree:

• D.J. Durkin - Florida DC
• Willie Taggert - South Florida HC
• Brian Polian - Nevada HC
• Scott Shafer - Syracuse HC
• David Shaw - Stanford HC
• Andy Buh - California DC
• Mike Sanford - Stanford RB coach
• Greg Roman - San Francisco OC
• Tim Drevno - San Francisco OL coach

Jim McElwain's coaching tree:

• see Nick Saban's tree

Nick Saban's coaching tree:

• Will Muschamp - sitting at home poaching what few recruits Florida had for 2015
• Jimbo Fisher - SWAC HC, 1 NC, 3 ACC titles
• Mark Dantonio - Michigan State HC, 2 B1G titles, 2x B1G coach of the year
• Jim McElwain - Florida HC, OC for 2 NC teams, Mountain West coach of the year, #1 offense in Alabama history in 2009 & 2010.
• Josh McDaniel - former Denver HC, New England HC
• Derek Dooley - former Tennessee HC, Dallas WR coach
• Pat Shurmur - former Cleveland HC, Philadelphia OC