Will Sammons has a good article on Moorhead...

[Dawgzilla]

It's in The Athletic, which is a subscription site, but if you don't go there very often you can read it for free:

https://theathletic.com/958264/2019...ssissippi-state-year-1-lessons-sec-coach/?amp

Cliff's Notes: JoMo realizes the team fell short of expectations and that he helped build those expectations. Says he doesn't want the fans to be satisfied with 8 wins, but he thinks the frustrations have overshadowed the successes. The team took the first steps to go from good to great.

This season, with Getsy gone, JoMi is taking full control of the offense which makes him more comfortable. He didn't pinpoint any specific issues that held back the offense. Just some vague comments that some players were sort of set in their ways and weren't adapting to the changes.

Nothing super revealing, but I think some people will be happy to see that JoMo understands the situation. The fans expect more, and he still believes he is up to the challenge.

One unnamed staffer was quoted as saying about fan expectations, "It was made out to be that we inherited the 72 Dolphins."

[I edited this last sentence, because the article was quoting an "unnamed staffer" not necessarily an assistant coach]

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

Sounds like we have an unnamed assistant coach that needs to get out of the SEC and go back to whatever pansy *** conference he came from. Expectations are big in this conference. Especially when the defense was loaded and the offense was plenty functional the year before. Stop making excuses and blaming fan expectations and get after it, I don’t hear Lemonis and or Schaefer talking about fan expectations. Get after it recruit and coach up the talent you do have to win.

 

[boatsandhoes]

I’d think I would prefer he run the offense. if it’s his deal, then he should know better than anyone how he wants to attack the defense. There are drawbacks to that because he can’t be in the press box looking for weaknesses.

On the “72 dolphins comment”, rubbish. when you have 3 first rounders drafted from defense, and multiple others getting hooked on to go to camps, it’s hard to argue you didn’t have the talent. I’ll be generous and say no way we should have lost more than 3. 1 of 2 from Florida/Kentucky, and Iowa was an abomination. No way we should have lost that game. I too hope he is breaking it down to build it up.

 

[Willow Grove Dawg]

85 Bears would have been a better point of reference than 72 Dolphins

 

[FQDawg]

One unnamed assistant was quoted as saying, "the fans acted as if we inherited the 72 Dolphins."

This is so, so true.

 

[DogStuckAtUM.sixpack]

That quote from the unnamed assistant infuriates me.

 

[Cat Duck]

Expectations are big in this conference.

Expectations are useless.

 

[Cat Duck]

This is so, so true.

I agree, this alleged talent we had is overblown. We were very top heavy. In fact, we have had more guys taken in the NFL draft before (and especially guys that signed free agent contracts), but because they see that '1' by the round, fans get crazy.

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

So is your opinion. Which is ********! If it wasn’t for fan expectations we would still have croom getting us smoked every weekend.

 

[dudehead]

Expectations are useless.

... and premeditated resentments.

 

[Dawgzilla]

That quote from the unnamed assistant infuriates me.

I thought that quote was hilarious, which is why I included it in my summary. JoMo says it the article that fan expectations are a double edged sword. You want the fans to expect greatness, but we had (still have) fans who expected way too much last year.

I personally expected 9 wins, because we had a new staff. After I saw our passing game against KSU, I posted here that we would only win 8. I think we could have won 9 in the regular season, but frustrating losses by a first year coach should be a part of your expectations.

 

[maroonmania]

I agree, this alleged talent we had is overblown. We were very top heavy. In fact, we have had more guys taken in the NFL draft before (and especially guys that signed free agent contracts), but because they see that '1' by the round, fans get crazy.

Nothing was overblown defensively as we had the NUMBER 1 defense in the nation. Offense was not nearly as talented overall but we had plenty on offense to have been very good in a Mullen system where QB accuracy and WR talent is not as important to the overall productivity. When you score single digits in HALF of your SEC games, then that is just as much a coaching issue on offense as a talent issue.

 

[$altyDawg]

One unnamed assistant was quoted as saying, "the fans acted as if we inherited the 72 Dolphins."

Sounds like a lot of back peddling and excuse making by the "unnamed assistant".

 

[Cat Duck]

Nothing was overblown defensively as we had the NUMBER 1 defense in the nation. Offense was not nearly as talented overall but we had plenty on offense to have been very good in a Mullen system where QB accuracy and WR talent is not as important to the overall productivity. When you score single digits in HALF of your SEC games, then that is just as much a coaching issue on offense as a talent issue.

We got shut down in 2017 versus good teams too. I made the trip to Athens, GA to watch the hapless offense coached by Dan Mullen.

Sure, Moorhead did not improve it, but give the guy a break, coaching changes are just that, changes.

 

[Dawgzilla]

You read that much into a quote about fan expectations? I don't see any excuses or back tracking in that, just a comment about the fans' expectations. JoMo didn't make any excuses, either. Feel free to read the article.

 

[Cat Duck]

So is your opinion. Which is ********! If it wasn’t for fan expectations we would still have croom getting us smoked every weekend.

How about these for expectations:

Bill Connelly (SBNation) predicts 8.1 wins

College Football News predicts 8.5 wins

Athlon expects 8 wins

Again I say, fan expectations, are useless (unless they relate to effort and fundamentals).

 

[campshelbydog842003]

That quote from the unnamed assistant infuriates me.

You cant come in on day one and tell the players to get fitted for ring sizes and tell the senior qb to clear off mantle space for a heisman trophy and then get upset at fan expectations. Screw that coach.

 

[patdog]

In 2017, our 4 lowest scoring games were 3, 10, 24 & 28. Yeah, we **** the bed offensively twice that year. That's a hell of a lot better than doing it 4 times.

 

[ababyatemydingo]

It's in The Athletic, which is a subscription site, but if you don't go there very often you can read it for free:

https://theathletic.com/958264/2019...ssissippi-state-year-1-lessons-sec-coach/?amp

Cliff's Notes: JoMo realizes the team fell short of expectations and that he helped build those expectations. Says he doesn't want the fans to be satisfied with 8 wins, but he thinks the frustrations have overshadowed the successes. The team took the first steps to go from good to great.

This season, with Getsy gone, JoMi is taking full control of the offense which makes him more comfortable. He didn't pinpoint any specific issues that held back the offense. Just some vague comments that some players were sort of set in their ways and weren't adapting to the changes.

Nothing super revealing, but I think some people will be happy to see that JoMo understands the situation. The fans expect more, and he still believes he is up to the challenge.

One unnamed assistant was quoted as saying, "the fans acted as if we inherited the 72 Dolphins."

Championship standard

 

[Dawgzilla]

JoMo is very unclear on exactly what Getsy's role was. Sounded like Getsy did a lot of the off field stuff -- breaking down games, game planning, film room stuff -- while JoMo was in charge on gameday. Whatever Getsy was doing, JoMo is taking more on himself this year.

 

[StillTbonewannabe]

We got shut down in 2017 versus good teams too. I made the trip to Athens, GA to watch the hapless offense coached by Dan Mullen.

Sure, Moorhead did not improve it, but give the guy a break, coaching changes are just that, changes.

Now people want to act like Mullen put up a **** ton of offense every game. There was usually one or two games like UGA and Auburn where we didn't score double digits.

 

[DancingRabbit]

The bit dog barks

 

[Dawgzilla]

Who said anyone was upset about the fan expectations? Read the freakin' article. JoMo accepts his role in building up fan expectations and says he would do everything the same way if he could do it over again. He WANTS the fans to expect more than 8 wins.

That said, I am still amazed that people think last year's team could have won more than 9, and seeing the actual on field play they would rather blame the coaches than admit that they overestimated the talent level on the offense.

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

no I blame the coach that doesn't know how to use skill sets effectively. instead of just running the qb and throwing the deep ball. how about spread the field horizontally, but wait, that's against his philosophy to do so. the genius couldn't think outside the box outside one game. use the running backs. use the receivers in short high percentage line of scrimmage passes. use the spread. get the ball in space and let the athletes we had make plays. how about we actually run the old school triple option with a pitch to the running back. that **** still works. instead we try to run a convoluted offense with over 3 reads for the qb to make while our lineman try to hold back all sec rushers which usually lead to the qb keeping it, him under or over throwing from not enough time, or getting sacked.

 

[Cat Duck]

In 2017, our 4 lowest scoring games were 3, 10, 24 & 28. Yeah, we **** the bed offensively twice that year. That's a hell of a lot better than doing it 4 times.

Do not even try to compare 2017 and 2018 Alabama. Their 2017 team was decimated on defense and guess what, we RAN the ball all over them (and still lost). That is the theme, when we can run the ball we do just fine. We were also shut down on offense versus OLE MISS, with a horrible defense, until the game was out of reach. Remember Breeland Speaks? We could not block him, absolutely could not, all night. Very reminiscent of the 2018 Kentucky game.

There is no question we should have tried the run the ball more in 2018, however. It probably would have made the difference in another win. But I chalk that up to the learning curve, it is what it is. I will judge Moorhead moreso after 2019.

 

[PartTimeGenius]

4 losses are 4 losses no matter what your point total is. Just gives folks different things to gripe about. If we scored 45 pts/game and still lost those 4 games, you'd still have the same end result.

 

[blacklistedbully]

Nothing was overblown defensively as we had the NUMBER 1 defense in the nation. Offense was not nearly as talented overall but we had plenty on offense to have been very good in a Mullen system where QB accuracy and WR talent is not as important to the overall productivity. When you score single digits in HALF of your SEC games, then that is just as much a coaching issue on offense as a talent issue.

With Mullen last year we probably go 10-3 or 11-2. And that would likely be our high-water mark going forward for as long as he stayed.

With JoMo we sacrificed 2-3 wins last year in favor of bringing in a guy we believe has the ability to actually win the SEC sometimes (and/or at least come in a very close 11-1 2nd) and thus compete for the NC. We were just never going to become truly elite under Dasterdly Dan. Our ceiling was 2nd-best in the West once-in-a-while, but well below the champ.

I still have faith that JoMo...once he gets his guys in place, in particular WR's who can actually simply catch the ball when it hits them in the hands, and a QB who can make quick reads and be at least accurate enough to be considered a threat to pass, will raise our ceiling to elite on offense. If we can keep a top-notch defensive staff our talent-level should be plenty to maintain that side of the ball as premier.

In short:

With Mullen - better record last year, but no SEC championship ever. Probably continue to range from 7-11 wins total, with 11 being very rare.
With JoMo - worse record last year, but greater chance of SEC championship(s) going forward. After he gets his guys and his system humming, possibly range from 8-13 wins total, with 11 or more happening a lot more often than it would have under Dan-the-Dick.

 

[Dawgzilla]

Feel free to second guess the coaching decisions, but you don't know that your choices would have worked any better. I'm as disappointed as anyone by our offensive performance in those 4 SEC losses, but I guess I'm more encouraged than most with our wins. I still maintain that beating Auburn and A&M was no small feat, and both games should versatility of the offense, and not stubbornness.

I have a hard time questioning the play calls when we don't actually know what the play calls were, or what the options were, or even where the mistakes were occurring. I did expect to see a little more offensive adjustment and creativity in those 4 losses, but I'm not willing to make all the assumptions that you are making.

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

With Mullen last year we probably go 10-3 or 11-2. And that would likely be our high-water mark going forward for as long as he stayed.

With JoMo - worse record last year, but greater chance of SEC championship(s) going forward. After he gets his guys and his system humming, possibly range from 8-13 wins total, with 11 or more happening a lot more often than it would have under Dan-the-Dick.

Based on what you have seen, what gives you the reasoning behind this? i don't see how this is logical that and proven that he gives you the greater chance? he is an unproven commodity. he doesn't have better chance than Mullen at this point.

 

[blacklistedbully]

Standards are set as a goal and/or process...a benchmark of what we consider success going forward and something against which we judge our performance...not a guarantee of what we will actually accomplish results-wise every year.

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

Fan and bulldog club expectations hold coaches accountable and athletic staff accountable. They serve their purpose. You think Clemson would get to where they are if their fans, alumni, and boosters didn't expect it?

I don't want the coaches to complain about expectations or make excuses on the expectations before this article Jo and his staff did plenty of it. Just say you aren't hitting the bar and get after it to make it happen.

 

[ronpolk]

It's in The Athletic, which is a subscription site, but if you don't go there very often you can read it for free:

https://theathletic.com/958264/2019...ssissippi-state-year-1-lessons-sec-coach/?amp

Cliff's Notes: JoMo realizes the team fell short of expectations and that he helped build those expectations. Says he doesn't want the fans to be satisfied with 8 wins, but he thinks the frustrations have overshadowed the successes. The team took the first steps to go from good to great.

This season, with Getsy gone, JoMi is taking full control of the offense which makes him more comfortable. He didn't pinpoint any specific issues that held back the offense. Just some vague comments that some players were sort of set in their ways and weren't adapting to the changes.

Nothing super revealing, but I think some people will be happy to see that JoMo understands the situation. The fans expect more, and he still believes he is up to the challenge.

One unnamed assistant was quoted as saying, "the fans acted as if we inherited the 72 Dolphins."

I don’t like the part of him blaming players being set in their ways or not adapting. As a coach, you adapt to your players. When you don’t, you get an offense that can’t score like we did last year. It’s a bull **** excuse and trying to deflect that he can’t adapt his coaching style.

 

[blacklistedbully]

Despite last year being his first year ever in the SEC..despite him having to work on keeping recruits...despite his having to fill in a staff...despite him inheriting God-awful WR performance (which we all expected preseason to be one of the best we have ever had)...despite not having a QB that could throw even moderately accurately..despite that QB not being able to really work in the new system preseason due to his devastating injury, we were almost assuredly 2 dropped passes in-the-hands and some egregious officiating from going 11-2. That's about what I would have expected from Dan.

And if we get just decent...not even really good WR play and a QB that fits JoMo's system (which he has managed to get every other place he has been), our offense should be a lot less predictable and a lot more difficult to defend. Other teams won't be able to just sell-out to stop the run and we won't need "the best ever running QB in SEC history" to have any success.

That is how it is logical. And to claim he is an "unproven commodity" is inaccurate. Plenty of evidence JoMo gets it done when he has the pieces in place. Dan has had the perfect players for his system, yet only once made us believe we could actually win the SEC, and that turned out to be fool's gold.

 

[Dawgzilla]

That is a fault in my cliff's notes version. He actually said "[G]uys who, I don't want to say were set in their ways, but guys who have done things a certain way for a certain amount of time and had reaped the benefits of that. To me, that was the biggest challenge, relaying the information you felt would help bridge the gap between good and great."

It is still coachspeak, but he wasn't blaming the players. He was saying he didn't do an adequate job of coaching them to do things a new way. It's easy to say you adapt to your players, but if you are just talking about players making different reads or having different assignments in your new offense, I don't think you scrap your offense when the players are making mistakes. You work on getting your players to understand their new responsibilities.

As an example (and this is a younger guy, not one of the experienced players Moorhead was referencing), Kylin Hill cannot pass block very well. He missed some key blocks this season that really hurt the team. Should Moorhead have adapted to his personnel and stopped calling those plays, or only used Aeris on those plays, or should he have continued to try to teach Hill how to make those blocks and give him a chance to get it right in the games? I think the answer is a little bit of both.

 

[campshelbydog842003]

Who said anyone was upset about the fan expectations? Read the freakin' article. JoMo accepts his role in building up fan expectations and says he would do everything the same way if he could do it over again. He WANTS the fans to expect more than 8 wins.

That said, I am still amazed that people think last year's team could have won more than 9, and seeing the actual on field play they would rather blame the coaches than admit that they overestimated the talent level on the offense.

The anonymous assistant assistant coach said the fans acted like we inherited the 72 Dolphins. You read the article. That anonymous assistant coach’s boss is the reason for everyone thinking they inherited the 72 dolphins.

 

[ronpolk]

That is a fault in my cliff's notes version. He actually said "[G]uys who, I don't want to say were set in their ways, but guys who have done things a certain way for a certain amount of time and had reaped the benefits of that. To me, that was the biggest challenge, relaying the information you felt would help bridge the gap between good and great."

It is still coachspeak, but he wasn't blaming the players. He was saying he didn't do an adequate job of coaching them to do things a new way. It's easy to say you adapt to your players, but if you are just talking about players making different reads or having different assignments in your new offense, I don't think you scrap your offense when the players are making mistakes. You work on getting your players to understand their new responsibilities.

That does make it better in my opinion, especially when you factor in he acknowledges the players had been successful under Mullen.

 

[maroonmania]

We got shut down in 2017 versus good teams too. I made the trip to Athens, GA to watch the hapless offense coached by Dan Mullen.

Sure, Moorhead did not improve it, but give the guy a break, coaching changes are just that, changes.

I was just addressing the "our talent was overblown" comment. Our talent on the defensive side was probably the best it will ever be or ever has been. I think the defensive statistics and 3 first round draft picks validate that. And while our offensive talent overall wasn't great, we still had enough returning with a 5th year starting QB, a veteran OL and 2 really good RBs that it should have been sufficient to be an above average offense. The 72 Dolphins were undefeated and I don't know anyone in the MSU fanbase that was expecting that. And everyone expects a step back this year, and would have been expecting that even if Mullen was still here. So if we pull off 8 or 9 wins this year Joe and staff will be looking great.

 

[blacklistedbully]

Or maybe...just maybe Joe had a reasonable expectation that the D1, highly-rated WR's he inherited would actually catch a little better than 2nd-string high-school WR's. And maybe...just maybe he had reason to hope that Fitz would progress a little as a passer with a coach and staff experienced with helping QB's become better passers.

That is a far more logical approach than ditching an entire offensive scheme because you somehow anticipated your WR's were going to play so far below their expected talent-level as to be obscene, and your QB was going to be the only one so far in his career to not improve his passing accuracy as the season progressed. To be fair to Fitz, his passing efficiency was also impacted negatively by dropped passes, but he also did not seem to improve anyway.

 

[DancingRabbit]

The anonymous assistant assistant coach said the fans acted like we inherited the 72 Dolphins. You read the article. That anonymous assistant coach’s boss is the reason for everyone thinking they inherited the 72 dolphins.

Well, I for one never bought into us winning a championship AND Nick winning the Heisman in Joe's first year. Color me skeptical I guess.

 

[Dawgtini]

You cant come in on day one and tell the players to get fitted for ring sizes and tell the senior qb to clear off mantle space for a heisman trophy and then get upset at fan expectations. Screw that coach.

Did you even read the article. Not what Joe said at all. Sheesh