Grantland Piece on ESPN

[TMZDice]

Noticed this piece while under the NCAAF tab at ESPN. Not a whole lot of information we didn't know already but getting our name/coach out there in a featured article is nice step. I was expecting a little more doom and gloom but it seemed more optimistic coming from a writer that primarily covers the power 5 conferences.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/tony-sanchez-unlv-bishop-gorman-historic-high-school-college-coaching-jump/

Grantland via ESPN

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Honestly Sanchez has yet to have an interview where he hasn't come off looking like the right choice. For a guy with supposedly not enough experience to be Div I football coach, he already handles the media aspect of the job better than both Hauck and Sanford. He did a great job putting together a veteran staff with a number of guys who were also notable recruiters. He had a pretty solid first recruiting class on paper. He has already had a new sound system donated for the practice fields, and another 100k donated to improve offices and locker rooms.

On the topic of Sanford, part of me feels bad for the guy....His rant reminds me of when Jose Canseco starting naming all the guys using PEDs. Everybody thought, he was a nut (he is) he had an axe to grind (he did) he was a liar (on other things but not this). Same with Sanford we all busted his chops for the locker room comment, and it seemed ridiculous at the time. Funny thing is, that is one of the first things Sanchez is addressing. I think when Sanford said locker rooms he was really putting the whole program in that capsule. Sure he sounded like a guy bitter guy with an axe to grind. But the truth of it is he was right. The commitment to football has never been what it should have been. Even with Robinson here is still never got the support it should have.

 

[spudreb]

Nice piece. And I agree with you about how Sanchez comes off in his interviews - top shelf. Nobody's kidding anybody about the job he has ahead of him. And as far as doom and gloom? We're there already. We've managed to lose taking every other route, so why not give this one a roll?

As for Sanford... we all knew he was right about the infrastructure thing. But, like Hauck, don't keep making coaching gaffes that keep us distracted from that fact. In the end he was right, it wasn't about coaching. But it was never about coaching with him. He threw everybody under the bus. Never took responsibility for anything. I disliked that about him more than anything else.

 

[bcvegaspt]

There was a drive immediately after Sanford got fired to renovate the locker rooms.

Also, how is Sanchez getting all this money from boosters that Sanford didn't? Is it that he's out meeting people and making friends? That couldn't be it since it was never Sanford's fault.

The coach is and should be mainly responsible for bringing in funds for their program. If there's a problem, work to resolve it. Be a politician and gladhand till you make the money for whatever it is you think it deficient. We aren't Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, etc. where money comes in hand-over-fist.
This post was edited on 2/18 7:23 AM by bcvegaspt

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

I agree about Sanford throwing people under the bus. He continually blamed players and deflected the blame from himself. This happened after nearly every game. I only remember Hauck throwing a player under the bus once and that was after the Washington State game in Washington. He didn't call the player out directly but he did say something to the effect that 'We had the right plays called and didn't execute, we had a MLB that was out of position on a couple of those" He was referring to Nate Carter who bit on play action (despite the fact Washington State rarely runs the ball) and was beat by the tight end about 5 times in the game. Outside of that he pretty much said, we have to coach better and play better.

Sanchez doesn't seem to mind shaking hands and kissing babies, he knows how to work a room. He embraces that aspect of the job. Sanford simply wasn't the most personable or likeable guy, and Hauck who seemed like a good dude just didn't like that part of the job.