The world of sports is a world of what have you done for me lately. That’s never been more true than during the first two weeks of the college football season. After a season-opening loss to Texas State University, Houston offensive coordinator Mike Nesbitt was handed his walking papers.
After Oregon State’s defense throttled Wisconsin’s vaunted running game, Badgers offensive line coach Mike Markuson was shown the door.
After his defense surrendered 65 points through the Portland State Vikings’s first two games, defensive coordinator Eric Jackson was fired.
Because, naturally, all of these schools had better candidates hiding elsewhere on their staff.
Clearly two games – or one in the case of Nesbitt – is enough to base a career- and team-altering decision on.
Just because Houston managed a modest 13 points against Texas State in the Bobcats’ D-I debut doesn’t mean you kick a coach off the staff.
That’s rash and illogical thinking.
Sure, a coach needs to have his players ready to play and should have a well-designed game plan in place for the game. But kicking him to the curb after one game?
That’s like firing a chef on his first day after a steak ordered well done came out bloody. Give the guy a second game.
(In case you’re wondering why I’m spending so much time on this Texas State-Houston thing on a site called Oregon Sports News, I would like to point out the Bobcats’ starting middle linebacker is a Scappoose High School graduate by the name of David Mayo).
The Badgers and head coach Bret Bielema were also too quick on the trigger finger.
2011 Heisman Trophy finalist Montee Ball has had a tough time finding running room this year, scratching out “only” 120 yards and one touchdown against Northern Iowa before being completely bottled up by the Oregon State Beavers.
But those two games is enough to fire your offensive line coach?
Let’s keep in mind, the Beavers haven’t played another game. Who’s to say their defensive line isn’t one of the best in the country? For several years during the Beavs’ stretch as a Pac-10 powerhouse, their run defense was as good as anyone’s not in the SEC.
There’s no evidence to prove they aren’t at that level again this year.
With Portland State, Nigel Burton gave Jackson only a two-game window. In the first game, the Vikings gave up 20 points. Not bad.
But then, after a 45-37 loss to North Dakota, he’s jettisoned. And it appears this is a case of change solely for the sake of change itself.
According to the official release from the school, “Burton will begin immediately seeking a replacement for Jackson, but there is no timeline on when a new defensive coordinator will be hired.” Glad to see a head coach exercising so much foresight before making his decisions.
To advance in the coaching ranks, a coach must consistently produce results. Even a slight blip – a bad season or two – is enough to lose a job. But firing a guy after one or two games? That’s just unreasonable.
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