8-3 sure feels....

[BuffetParrothead]

Definate culture change for Pitt football. Its obvious when watching the players help eachother, congratulate eachother, looking happy to be out there, playing better and getting the fans and students involved in the game.
The coaching staff has put together a more aggressive football game plan which the players and fans like.
Last year the players came out on the field in the 3rd and 4th with no energy and played flat.
Under HCPC we'd be a 6 win team this year with some luck!
The new chancellor, AD and HC have made a difference with their backing of the program and working to get the fans more involved.

 

[OriginalEther]

Of course playing experience matters and has a big impact. Some other things that matter greatly: Attitude, culture, confidence, toughness, discipline, aggression, competitive fire, team identity. That all comes from the HC. Teams and players don't run through walls for their coordinators and position coaches. They take on the identity of the head man. We have had experienced teams in the past that find a way to lose close games more often than they find a way to win them. We have had experienced teams that look all hangdog in the 4th quarter when they're down or things aren't going great. We have had experienced teams lose to MAC opponents and get soundly rolled by underdogs.
...................................
There is a whole different attitude and feel about the program under Narduzzi. A lot more energy, enthusiasm, confidence and toughness. You can see the players are having more fun playing the game. They play to the last whistle. They have been able to pick themselves back up after getting punched in the mouth. Their coach is engaged with all of them--offense, defense and special teams--the whole game.

Look what has happened at Michigan, Ohio State when Urban took over, or Michigan State when Dantonio took over. It has everything to do with the head coaches.

As one final note, and it's an important one, one that is just as crazy as discounting playing experience--this team has entirely new playbooks on O and D--totally different schemes and terminology than these guys have been learning the past 3 years. So that tempers the advantage of being more experienced significantly. To use your words:

to have all kinds of people completely ignore that fact and say, "Hey, we are more successful this year than last primarily because our players have an extra year of experience," is almost the same level of crazy.

Unreal.

Well said.

I'd also add, isn't a large part of the reason why we now watch the team do whatever it is they're doing at the start of the 4th quarter is because Narduzzi saw the team sulking when Youngstown State was making it's comeback in the opener, and didn't like it?

 

[thebadby2]

Well said.

I'd also add, isn't a large part of the reason why we now watch the team do whatever it is they're doing at the start of the 4th quarter is because Narduzzi saw the team sulking when Youngstown State was making it's comeback in the opener, and didn't like it?

It's really not an arguable issue, but that doesn't stop certain posters from arguing the extreme opposite position to their graves, just to be contrarian. I honestly think some of these guys don't even completely believe in their own arguments, they're just arguing for the sake of arguing.

I really think someone who actually doesn't understand the effect of the head coach's attitude and personality on his players and their performance could not possibly have played the game at anything beyond a very early level. Most past and present team sport athletes have played for both kinds of coaches--the kind that lead and inspire, and the kind that you don't respect and who give you no reason to be confident. It's basic group dynamics.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

"The biggest thing I can say is the culture just changed,"Price told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last Saturday. "We get energy from [Narduzzi]. He takes chances calling plays no matter what the score is, so we definitely get that energy, that confidence he exudes. Right now, we’re expecting to win."

You realize that players always say that, right? Literally, every single time there is a coaching change the players rave about the new culture and they usually rave about the new training techniques as well. Everyone is always in the best shape of their lives.

If you'd like I could go back and find examples of it. However, that would take more time and effort than I am willing to dedicate to this discussion. Anyone who has been around this stuff for any length of time knows I'm right. All new regimes bring about culture changes that are always for the best...blah, blah, blah...

We saw it when Wannstedt replaced Harris and again when Graham replaced Wanny. We also saw it when Chryst replaced Graham and we are seeing it now too.

It means nothing...unless you win. Fortunately, we are winning so it feels like something meaningful. It's not, it's just SOP for a new regime.

 

[OriginalEther]

You realize that players always say that, right? Literally, every single time there is a coaching change the players rave about the new culture and they usually rave about the new training techniques as well. Everyone is always in the best shape of their lives.....

True, but to say that Pitt needed blow the Houston game, or that Blewitt needed to miss that FG against Duke in order for the program to progress is nuts.

I'm not convinced Pitt is 4-7 with Chryst at the helm this season, but he barely did enough each season to convince me that he could make this program competitive. He did things to help the program, but he was definitely part of the problem.

 

[FourPanthers]

different than 6-6, let alone four straight years of 6-6. And a real shot at a 9-3 regular season.

Granted, not a great schedule, but our old BE schedules werent anything to write home about either. Looking forward to #9 next week.

Not sure why we always have to bash our own team. Or at least take a jab. 8-3 sounds good, period. Why does it have to be followed with "granted, not a great schedule"? Last I've seen, our schedule was ranked in the top 25 but even if it were dead last, let's stop with the low self esteem and be proud and supportive like real fans!

 

[thebadby2]

You realize that players always say that, right? Literally, every single time there is a coaching change the players rave about the new culture and they usually rave about the new training techniques as well. Everyone is always in the best shape of their lives.

If you'd like I could go back and find examples of it. However, that would take more time and effort than I am willing to dedicate to this discussion. Anyone who has been around this stuff for any length of time knows I'm right. All new regimes bring about culture changes that are always for the best...blah, blah, blah...

We saw it when Wannstedt replaced Harris and again when Graham replaced Wanny. We also saw it when Chryst replaced Graham and we are seeing it now too.

It means nothing...unless you win. Fortunately, we are winning so it feels like something meaningful. It's not, it's just SOP for a new regime.

Holding steadfast in the face of fact and reason. You won't even convede that there's any element of legitimacy I the concept. Amazing. You just don't get it. Tie yourself to the mast Cap'n!

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Its amazing how poster icons sometimes match the posters personality.
I guess clowns will be clowns.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Holding steadfast in the face of fact and reason. You won't even convede that there's any element of legitimacy I the concept. Amazing. You just don't get it. Tie yourself to the mast Cap'n!

Are you talking to me or yourself?

 

[OriginalEther]

Its amazing how poster icons sometimes match the posters personality.
I guess clowns will be clowns.

DVY is generally one of the better posters on here.
One thing he was adamant about, though, is that Chryst needed time. He apparently still wants to defend that notion.
While I also think he is largely wrong on this, it's a fair discussion. And there are far, far more clownish posters who bring up absurd subjects on this message board every day.

 

[PittPoker]

DVY is generally one of the better posters on here.
One thing he was adamant about, though, is that Chryst needed time. He apparently still wants to defend that notion.
While I also think he is largely wrong on this, it's a fair discussion. And there are far, far more clownish posters who bring up absurd subjects on this message board every day.

Chryst had enough time. 4 years of mediocrity and lack of emotion showed me that it was time for a change. Heck in my opinion that Wisconsin team he is coaching has underachieved by him. 9-2 at worst is what they should be with all that talent. Chryst sucks as a head coach and good riddance.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Culture must have regressed yesterday .
Or is our new culture to get boat races early by any team with a pulse on offense?

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Culture must have regressed yesterday .
Or is our new culture to get boat races early by any team with a pulse on offense?

Another supportive Pitt football fan. No wonder people say we have a fanbase problem because we do with people like SoufOaklin4Life hanging around.
Go to a college football site that makes you happy where other fans like you are looking for a bridge to jump off. Take the clown face fan with you!
Please leave the real Pitt fans alone!
Bye see ya! Go away!

PS- Under the previous coaching staffs and culture the Miami game would have turned out to be a blowout not a 5 pt loss. The team played bad, Miami played well and Pitt hung in there and had a chance to pull out a win!

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Another supportive Pitt football fan. No wonder people say we have a fanbase problem because we do with people like SoufOaklin4Life hanging around.
Go to a college football site that makes you happy where other fans like you are looking for a bridge to jump off. Take the clown face fan with you!
Please leave the real Pitt fans alone!
Bye see ya! Go away!

PS- Under the previous coaching staffs and culture the Miami game would have turned out to be a blowout not a 5 pt loss. The team played bad, Miami played well and Pitt hung in there and had a chance to pull out a win!

I'm far from the problem.
If you're willing to cut a bigger check to cover my financial support , I'll take you seriously .

Until then , let me simplify the point since like most Buffett fans you can't elucidate it yourself.

The topic is "culture change " when this game was almost a carbon copy of the game two years ago- falling way behind and closing late to make it respectable.

Culture change is one of the meaningless things people cling to, like Oprah and the gift .

 

[BuffetParrothead]

I'm far from the problem.
If you're willing to cut a bigger check to cover my financial support , I'll take you seriously .

Until then , let me simplify the point since like most Buffett fans you can't elucidate it yourself.

The topic is "culture change " when this game was almost a carbon copy of the game two years ago- falling way behind and closing late to make it respectable.

Culture change is one of the meaningless things people cling to, like Oprah and the gift .

"you can't elucidate it yourself."

Oh and Buffett fans can't educate themselves. I love the 6th grade level spelling and sentence structure.
Lol ! Oh well! This is the world we live in today.

Oh by the way us Buffett fans have a lot more fun than you do that's why we're so happy! Come to Key West with us sometime. Just got back from the Meeting of the Minds week! Wow!
"Its Five O'clock Somewhere"

Merry Christmas to All!

 

[KiwiJeff]

"you can't elucidate it yourself."

Oh and Buffett fans can't educate themselves. I love the 6th grade level spelling and sentence structure.
Lol ! Oh well! This is the world we live in today.

Oh by the way us Buffett fans have a lot more fun than you do that's why we're so happy! Come to Key West with us sometime. Just got back from the Meeting of the Minds week! Wow!
"Its Five O'clock Somewhere"

Merry Christmas to All!

Elucidate is a real word.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Elucidate is a real word.

He's rolling .

 

[KiwiJeff]

He's rolling .

Like....when Germany bombed Pearl Harbor?

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Like....when Germany bombed Pearl Harbor?

Lol thanks for Elucidating me!
But not in the context that is was used originally!
Hey its all in fun anyway this is just a message board.

Merry Christmas to all!

 

[KiwiJeff]

Lol thanks for Elucidating me!
But not in the context that is was used originally!
Hey its all in fun anyway this is just a message board.

Merry Christmas to all!

You said he spelled something wrong and highlighted that word. Other than that then, what do you claim he spelled wrong?

 

[thebadby2]

I'm far from the problem.
If you're willing to cut a bigger check to cover my financial support , I'll take you seriously .

Until then , let me simplify the point since like most Buffett fans you can't elucidate it yourself.

The topic is "culture change " when this game was almost a carbon copy of the game two years ago- falling way behind and closing late to make it respectable.

Culture change is one of the meaningless things people cling to, like Oprah and the gift .

Only a narrow minded person who never played an organized team sport beyond maybe little league baseball could completely disavow this very basic, very real, very important team sports dynamic. The best part is you don't just discount the importance it as one of numerous factors that separate winning teams from mediocre ones, you deny its existence altogether. Coaches amd players talk about it, and you write it off as coach-speak lip service. They just say that stuff because it's cliche, right? All you see is the game on Saturday, you have zero concept of the day to day job of football for the players and coaches, what goes on, the interactions, the small stuff. So you point to the first half of yesterday's game to mock the concept of program culture. Maybe you should point to the 4th quarter, where instead of folding despite multiple potential haymakers against us, we played our balls off all the way to the last whistle and came within a couple of lucky bounces of a miracle comeback. Not the same thing as scoring a couple of meaningless late TDs . Did you see a lot of that out of Pitt football the past 4 years, or 30 years for that matter?

For a self-proclaimed smart guy, you really don't know $hit.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Only a narrow minded person who never played an organized team sport beyond maybe little league baseball could completely disavow this very basic, very real, very important team sports dynamic. The best part is you don't just discount the importance it as one of numerous factors that separate winning teams from mediocre ones, you deny its existence altogether. Coaches amd players talk about it, and you write it off as coach-speak lip service. They just say that stuff because it's cliche, right? All you see is the game on Saturday, you have zero concept of the day to day job of football for the players and coaches, what goes on, the interactions, the small stuff. So you point to the first half of yesterday's game to mock the concept of program culture. Maybe you should point to the 4th quarter, where instead of folding despite multiple potential haymakers against us, we played our balls off all the way to the last whistle and came within a couple of lucky bounces of a miracle comeback. Not the same thing as scoring a couple of meaningless late TDs . Did you see a lot of that out of Pitt football the past 4 years, or 30 years for that matter?

For a self-proclaimed smart guy, you really don't know $hit.

I have .
2013 we likewise climbed back into games after falling way behind against Unc and Miami .
Except we beat a ranked team in notre dame .

You cling to silly things like culture because it's not tangible and unproveable.

Perfect message board fodder.
We did better this year because we had competent defensive coaching for the first time in years ...and we lost to every good team we played .

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

I had them at 6 wins before Conner and I think vegas did too? Losing yesterday puts the bowl game more in play now for how I'll feel, but so far its above the line. And I haven't felt that way since probably 2004 when they went 8-3 when I expected little. Its keeping me into it for now. I don't have to further validate or diminish it by comparing Narduzzi to Chryst or Barnes to Pederson or Nordy to Gallagher or professing the SOP days are forever over or whatever like some. But I've been into it longer than most.

 

[PittPoker]

I have .
2013 we likewise climbed back into games after falling way behind against Unc and Miami .
Except we beat a ranked team in notre dame .

You cling to silly things like culture because it's not tangible and unproveable.

Perfect message board fodder.
We did better this year because we had competent defensive coaching for the first time in years ...and we lost to every good team we played .

We lost to every good team we played because we still have 95% of our players that we fought with schools like Akron or Toledo to get. You can only do so much with 2 and 3 star guys competing with players with much higher abilities. Narduzzi was a miracle worker getting us to be 8-4.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

You said he spelled something wrong and highlighted that word. Other than that then, what do you claim he spelled wrong?

You're right if he actually tried to use elucidate I thought he couldn't spell educate so its my bad!
Elucidate is a valid word choice for that sentence!
But as a Parrothead I still have more fun than him. Lol!

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

You're right if he actually tried to use elucidate I thought he couldn't spell educate so its my bad!
Elucidate is a valid word choice for that sentence!
But as a Parrothead I still have more fun than him. Lol!

Thanks for demonstrating my point .
In fairness your brain has to be pickled to find that music remotely tolerable .

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Thanks for demonstrating my point .
In fairness your brain has to be pickled to find that music remotely tolerable .

It is!
The Boat Drunks
Jimmy and The Parrotts
Homemade Wine
Pearl Divers
The Young Rebel Goombas
John Frinzi Band
Jimmy Buffett
etc.
All we have to know how to do is order a drink from a beach bar!

 

[OriginalEther]

I have .
2013 we likewise climbed back into games after falling way behind against Unc and Miami .
Except we beat a ranked team in notre dame .

You cling to silly things like culture because it's not tangible and unproveable.

Perfect message board fodder.
We did better this year because we had competent defensive coaching for the first time in years ...and we lost to every good team we played .

You're trying to hard to make this an either/or discussion.
To completely dismiss a mental influence such as culture on the game is wrong.

 

[Scruffy the Panther]

Only a narrow minded person who never played an organized team sport beyond maybe little league baseball could completely disavow this very basic, very real, very important team sports dynamic. The best part is you don't just discount the importance it as one of numerous factors that separate winning teams from mediocre ones, you deny its existence altogether. Coaches amd players talk about it, and you write it off as coach-speak lip service. They just say that stuff because it's cliche, right? All you see is the game on Saturday, you have zero concept of the day to day job of football for the players and coaches, what goes on, the interactions, the small stuff. So you point to the first half of yesterday's game to mock the concept of program culture. Maybe you should point to the 4th quarter, where instead of folding despite multiple potential haymakers against us, we played our balls off all the way to the last whistle and came within a couple of lucky bounces of a miracle comeback. Not the same thing as scoring a couple of meaningless late TDs . Did you see a lot of that out of Pitt football the past 4 years, or 30 years for that matter?

For a self-proclaimed smart guy, you really don't know $hit.