One thing I will say about the "championship" talk that while it is a bunch of hot air a lot of the time I think recruits especially elite level recruits buy into that. That is the main reason why schiano did that. Think back to carroo in the Big Ten media day wearing the rose bowl pin. We all knew there was little chance of us getting to the rose bowl but carroo felt that it was possible because he's an elite player and that's how elite players think if they want to be elite. But hey everyone is different and if his style still helps him land recruits then more power to him.
OFFICIAL Ash Press Conference Thread
- Thread starter Knight Shift
- Start date
I don't think looking, talking and acting like a newly appointed head coach and a likable human is mutually exclusive with being nervous and stumbling a bit. Perhaps you don't know what to look for, but he was obviously nervous (most people would be in that position) and he clearly did stumble a bit. Not a big deal and I'm not putting him down. Chill out.
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I think we will see some player attrition from the current roster, I don't think the softer players will be able to handle the new Ash regiment.
You could be right, and if so they probably shouldn't have been here to begin with.
This is the kind of coach who won't be running a country club. Players will either compete and give it everything they've got, or they'll be warming the pine...or transfer.
I like that both he and Barchi emphasized investment in RU (investments they fully expect to pay major dividends) when asked about coaching staffs salaries and spending in the department.
I hear what you're saying. But think about it. If a top recruit with multiple offers from top teams has playing for a championship as one of his top priorities and signs up with RU, then we're not recruiting very intelligent players.
Of course you tell the kids, the media and everybody else that winning championships is always the goal. But if you're managing expectations properly, you want to downplay the importance of quickly meeting that goal and focus on the process and short term, realistically achievable goals (as cliche as it sounds).
I think our best recruiting sell for top recruits is that they are far less likely to fade into obscurity at RU than they might at OSU or Alabama. Top recruits want to go the NFL and that won't happen unless they get playing time. Not too many people, not even HS kids, are fooled into thinking RU will be winning a NC championship in the next four years.
We always have attrition, so there's no way to prove/disprove that. However, I think you're underestimating our players. They didn't get to be D1 football players by shying away from hard work and discipline.
I watched the second half of Houston - Temple last weekend (once I could not stomach any more of the SHU basketball game). They mentioned Herman having a lot of guys transfer out of the program because they didn't want to or could not put up with the harder work ethic brought in my Herman. Then they talked about a specific player who almost did the same but stuck it out, and now that guy talks about how much better of a player and person he is because of Herman's influence.
If that happens here with Ash and some guys on our current roster, bring it on. Either start chopping wood, or look for your transfer options. I only want players that want to be at Rutgers and are willing to work hard.
Thanks so much for the info, Shift. Can't wait to watch it myself!
Saw the thinking through of the answers as well. The other thing I noticed was the bouncing shirt. A few different poker books and articles have referenced this as the leg shake or happy feet. You have to correlate movements to specific people, but it usually means the person is showing exuberance or likes their situation.
From http://meetjohnsong.com/2010/02/13/the-most-honest-part-of-the-body-accurately-reading-body-language/ :
He isn't polished in the way a guy who's been in the spot for 10 years would be. That'll come with time.