1) In 2005 our program was left in shambles
Sure many of you will say that we had players like Jordan Dizon, Terrence Wheatley, and Mason Crosby, but the discipline and reputation of our program was severely bruised and battered because of Rick Neuheisel and Gary Barnett. Our program may of won a lot of games between 1995 and 2005, but during this time we came to expect yearly recruiting violations and rape allegations etc etc. I remember being proud of our record but embarrassed of how far we had fallen from the McCartney days, a time where wins were accompanied by class. Sure, things weren't perfect under McCartney, but the man ran the program with integrity. This is where opinions differ. I personally prefer a coach who does things the right way but some will take wins at any cost.
The bottom line is we needed someone with a strong focus on cleaning up the program and getting back to our winning ways and Hawkins fit the bill then and especially fits the bill now.
2) When Barnett left in 2005 the Big 12 North was the biggest joke it had ever been.
Yeah we won 4 of five Big 12 North titles from 2001 to 2005, but what the heck did they mean in 2004 and 2005? Every team in the Big 12 North was abysmal from 2003 to 2005 and we got killed in both Big 12 Championships, including what we would all agree was the most embarrassing loss in CU history, a 70-3 loss to Texas.
Everything about the team was imploding and we knew that we were not even close to hitting rock bottom due to Neuheisel and Barnett's shady tactics.
3) I believe that Hawk can only truly be judged on 2 of his 4 years
2006
Yeah we lost to Montana State, but the cupboard was bare and we had hit rock bottom thanks to our former coaches. The consolation was that we played in a exorbitant amount of close games and had our players known the system better, we would have won a lot more.
2007
We can all agree that this was a decent season with big wins against Oklahoma and Nebraska and what could of been a shocking comeback against Alabama, who was one year away from being a National Title contender.
2008
The year of injuries. We had 120 games lost to seniors. Not an excuse, but a year we almost went to a bowl even when the only people without injuries was our coaching staff.
2009
I agree that this year was inexcusable. Hawk proclaimed 10 wins no excuses and his team didn't play with passion. Sure we were close to winning a lot more games but we didn't know how to finish or win on the road. We have to keep in mind that we lost Helfrich at the worst possible time and that hurt us more than anything.
I believe that the only year we can truly have beef about, is this year. We can let the coach off in my opinion for the first year when he was installing his system and for 2008 when we almost made a bowl even though we had one of the worst injury years in college football history. I'm not convinced that any coach could of competed in 2008 with our youth, lack of depth and injuries. We have to agree that 2007 was a pretty good year with some close calls. Which leaves us with 2009 which I believe was horrible. I feel like I can only truly judge Hawk on his 2007 and 2009 seasons and that leaves me with a 50-50 verdict that leads me to believe he needs one more year.
4) The McCartney standard
We've all heard the stat that Bill McCartney was 14-30-1 in his first four seasons. Many of you will say that in his fourth season he was 7-5 and Hawk was 3-8 but at the end of the day Hawk's 16-33 and McCartney's 14-30-1 over four seasons are very similar. Gary Pinkel was 22-25, Mangino was 19-29, and heck even Frank Beamer was 17-26 in his first four seasons at Virginia Tech. In all their careers the fifth season was the most telling.
One more chance
I agree that the current amount of wins are inexcusable, but I don't believe we would be in a better situation in the future if we brought in a new coach. We also are in an interesting scenario due to an untimely extension by our AD. To me Hawk's 5th attempt gives me more optimism than anyone else we could hire. I'm not convinced that we have many great options when it comes to hiring and Hawk deserves his final shot because he has done things the right way and has recruited some classy and talented players.
Hawk has been a proven winner everywhere he coached and deserves A FIFTH year to resurrect a program that had fallen lower than anyone knew. You can't argue that this team isn't close. I don't like Hawk's excuses but I'm willing to give the man one more chance to change our minds. If he fails miserably I will be the first to call for his firing, but if he succeeds, than the 82% of fans will owe the man an apology and this blog will sound a lot more sane.
This is undoubtedly the best, most consummate material I have read concerning the buffaloes! For those emotionally attached to this program, it is difficult to observe no large shift in the last four years of a terrible Colorado football decade. However, only in the last season does Hawkins have no excuse. I completely understand the anger and frustration in not firing Hawk after the emotional roller coaster we have ridden. It is not easy to be associated with loss and embarrassment, it is not easy to approach an unpredictable future with optimism after squandering four seasons, and it is not easy to be patient. However, patience and optimism is what fans should provide. Upon looking at distinguished football programs across the country, a common theme is discovered: support. All of those schools have wholly, unwavering support through thick and thin. It attracts aspiring recruits, up and coming coaches, and a flow of income. It provides a foundation of confidence upon which a program should be built. It inspires and enshrouds a team with respect. It is upon this that greatness is built.
ReplyDeleteWhen we look back should we see the myriad of mistakes made by coaches and players or should we see a football team with small, faltering support that has made the best with the little it has been given? I argue that we should be supportive and content. Content with the integrity created within a program having the 2nd least paid coach in the big 12, sub-par facilities, difficult schedules, and little fan support. If we as fans can muster the courage to be patient and supportive, our day as a prominent program in division one football will eventually arrive. Go Buffs!