What has changed?

[ChicagoRebel]

hi everyone - I'm a life long Runnin Rebel fan and come to you with an honest question about our football program -
Why should we be excited?

I'm not trying to antagonize or question the progress and direction of our program. I'm merely trying to reach the same level of excitement as others. Basketball has always been my passion but I'd love nothing more than to watch and support and successful football program.
I'd appreciate any thoughtful answers. Go REBELS!
ChicagoRebel, class of 2003

 

[bcvegaspt]

First, welcome @ChicagoRebel.

This season many of us are excited due to the higher overall ranked recruiting class than we are accustomed to. This class includes one QB JC transfer who originally went to Nebraska as well as an incoming true freshman QB who originally signed with Cal.

On top of that we have bigger, faster, stronger, and more aggressive players (with more depth) at seemingly each position. We were in most games late last season and we, the optimistic fans, feel that this added depth and overall improved quality of players in our system will lead us to be more successful this year.

If that's not enough, watch the strength and conditioning staff during a practice or game and tell me you won't be hyped up!!!

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

hi everyone - I'm a life long Runnin Rebel fan and come to you with an honest question about our football program -
Why should we be excited?

I'm not trying to antagonize or question the progress and direction of our program. I'm merely trying to reach the same level of excitement as others. Basketball has always been my passion but I'd love nothing more than to watch and support and successful football program.
I'd appreciate any thoughtful answers. Go REBELS!
ChicagoRebel, class of 2003

Welcome.

Starting up again next Monday I will be doing practice reports Mon/Wed/Fri and Sat. That may help answer some questions.

I will say this for now. 5+ wins this year is a possibility. I know 5 wins doesn't seem great but it would still be a sign of improvement.

Will go into some more details tomorrow of what areas should be improved and what areas are still an issue/concern.

 

[Rebelious1]

Will go into some more details tomorrow of what areas should be improved and what areas are still an issue/concern.

Tomorrow? You have a gala or something to go to?

 

[RebelBuzz]

What has changed? In a word: Tony.

I will not deny that his financial connections are what got his foot in the door. But from the first time I listened to him talk about UNLV football, I knew he was going to turn it around. He's a darn good football coach and he was going to do everything in his power to turn UNLV into a competitor in the MW and hopefully, beyond.

I'll never forget the exchange Coach Sanchez had on Colin Cowherd's national ESPN radio show a few days after he was hired. The two were talking about the importance of hiring a good/experienced staff to make sure that he didn't fail as other high-school-to-college coaches have failed.

Colin: Well coach, don't you think that you're gonna have a problem getting this kind of staff. I mean, aren't guys gonna have a hard time working under a high school coach?

Tony: No, actually. I've already hired an OC from Nebraska and a DC from Colorado. I've got guys who've coached at Notre Dame, Oregon State, etc., etc.

It was impressive. The staff Coach Sanchez has assembled from the coordinators to the strength coaches is just outstanding. They've been around the block and they know how to get the job done.

Add to all of that the high school and junior college recruits that we're bringing in...

Then consider that we increased our win total last year, and were a few plays away from getting a couple more wins (all while often playing with a quarterback who was a liability throwing the ball). With no reason to believe we'll take a step back, a bowl berth seems to be coming sooner than later, and maybe as soon as this year.

Should I go on?

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Tomorrow? You have a gala or something to go to?

???

Wait is this a Westgate reference?

Funny if it is....

No, no gala planned...

 

[RebelinWA]

Tony has that charisma that makes me want to put on pads and helmet to throw down on the field. He's sincere, he's honest, he knows what he wants, absolute no bs type of guy.

During Tony's first press conference he said that he had a short list of coaches for his staff, and that info on a pro staff deep with experience would be ready in week. It was all that and more. No one could have predicted the staff he collected. I couldn't believe who he managed to drum up. Tony's strength is that he is a field general type of coach that can rally the troops, while at the same time being able to step back and let his staff do what they are good at.

The team isn't allowed to accept mediocrity. Each player knows that nothing guarnteed and that they can't use talent as an excuse to be lazy. Got to give credit to the staff for projecting the vision.

 

[Rebelious1]

???

Wait is this a Westgate reference?

Funny if it is....

No, no gala planned...

Yes, that was a westgate reference.

 

[rebelx]

Strength and conditioning
the general energy
competitive practice tempo
Competition at every position
depth of quality players
Experienced coaching
recruiting prowess
social media excitement catering to players/families today
Better offense and defensive planing/schemes
Tony Sanchez the guy is non stop driven and infectious.

 

[markjohnson702]

This might seem odd, but the new uniforms also. It seems to be a minor detail, but it just further demonstrates that Tony Sanchez pays attention to detail and also understands what the kids want.

 

[ChicagoRebel]

Awesome! I love all of this. I think the team can be 3-1 entering conference play so a 5 win season should be no problem!!

 

[rebelbuck]

The "swing" game is the CMU game. Solid team that has been to a few bowl games the last few years. Will be a pretty mature team but I think the Rebels will be ready to play them tough.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Strengths-

Schedule is a lot more manageable than last year.

Offensive line should be better.

Arguably the best WR tandem in conference.

Return all three runningbacks from last year.

Secondary should be better this year despite some losses to graduation. Tim Hough having a great camp.

Second year in system and familiarity.

Weaknesses-

Lack of experienced depth at WR behind Boyd and Keys.

Pass rush still may be an issue.

Overall team depth. Its improving but the drop from our 1s to our 2s at some position is still pretty significant.

Question Marks

QB-Stanton has really done nothing to separate himself from Palandech and Sneed.

How much immediate impact do we get from our JUCO transfers.

 

[s89103]

If Decker stayed healthy we very well could have been in a bowl game last year.

 

[ricovegas]

Strengths-

Schedule is a lot more manageable than last year.

Offensive line should be better.

Arguably the best WR tandem in conference.

Return all three runningbacks from last year.

Secondary should be better this year despite some losses to graduation. Tim Hough having a great camp.

Second year in system and familiarity.

Weaknesses-

Lack of experienced depth at WR behind Boyd and Keys.

Pass rush still may be an issue.

Overall team depth. Its improving but the drop from our 1s to our 2s at some position is still pretty significant.

Question Marks

QB-Stanton has really done nothing to separate himself from Palandech and Sneed.

How much immediate impact do we get from our JUCO transfers.

I'm most concerned about one of the guys at Qb standing out. Stanton is the likely guy but nothing is guaranteed I could still see Palandech or Sneed getting a series a game to be game ready.

 

[RebelinWA]

Stanton definitely has the talent to be something special. Good part is that none of the quarterbacks look completely terrible at everything. Even Lopez has had a couple of nice touches down the lane.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

I'm most concerned about one of the guys at Qb standing out. Stanton is the likely guy but nothing is guaranteed I could still see Palandech or Sneed getting a series a game to be game ready.

No matter who wins the job, I think Palandech will see reps for a series to utilize his legs.

At least to my eyes Sneed has been the most consistent so far.

 

[RebelTomola]

just like the way Tony talks, plus the recruitment on twitter and emphasis of keeping prospects staying home. Julio garcia and jason caldwell plus this recruiting class isiah morris and marckrell grayson