Irish Round Table

Coach Weis,

It has been a rough season for you, the team, and the fans. While there are probably a few different areas of your coaching that need evaluation, we figured we would throw a few suggestions your way. Unfortunately, when you are struggling as mightily as you are, you have to hear from chumps like us.

First, you talk about team and player psychology too much. When you start talking about a)pressing players buttons, b)jumping on the players after a win, c)taking it easy on the group when they lose, d)players “in the tank” you are losing the effectiveness of the any motivational tactics you try to implement later. When you speak of player psychology it gets back to them. You compromise your effectiveness in motivating the team.

Imagine your boss, Kevin White, telling the media you are “in the tank” so he needs to “press the right buttons” to get you to do what he wants. Next time he calls you into your office you are going to feel manipulated regardless of what he says.

Pressing buttons is fine, but talking about how you are going to do it is like dumping a bucket of water on those buttons, causing a short-circuit.

Second, Charlie, heads need to roll. Last year you made the right staffing decisions on the defensive side of the ball. This year you are going to need to make similar decisions on the offensive side of the ball. We don’t even need to name names or go into the statistics. The changes that need to happen are obvious. Make them.

Third, you need to make more conventional decisions. If you thought your play-calling and decision making were scrutinized before the Navy game, you are in for a real treat now. After making the call not to kick the field goal that could have won the game last week, every decision you make from here will be dissected by the fans and, more importantly, your team.

Every time you are faced with a difficult choice, do what the majority of coaches in your position would do. Quit trying to out-smart everyone in the stadium and go the safe, conservative route. If nothing else, it will help you keep your job. Once you go back to winning again, you can go back to being Crazy 4th and 15 Charlie.

Finally, before we let you get back to your job, we need to say you are a fantastic representative of the University. We are proud that you are an alum and our coach. Oh, and congratulations on another great recruiting class. Best of luck with Air Force and Go Irish!

-IRT

The Robot needs to quit short-circuiting

his motivational tactics.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 8th, 2007 at 12:31 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.