Mike Gundy post game comments - and some thoughts

[#99HUGHgreen]

Impressed with how tuned-in he is to every little detail of the game. Breaking down specific plays and specific player's performance. He doesn't say things like, "I'll have to look at the tape" or give a vague answer like "we'll have to see." Gundy doesn't dodge questions about his players or his playbook. He comes across more of a candid, hands-on head coach- Much more the way PN used to be be. Now that Pat bought into the idea that he is "the CEO" he shows less emotion, gets pissed off less about the bad stuff and he's much more protective of his coaches and certain players (like Browne).

Not that he should throw anyone under the bus, but PN at least needs to be brutally honest about how bad the offense or defense was on a particular game day and specifically what the problem is and who is not working. He'd also come across more sincere if he'd stop with the "that was a good team" bit after every game that Pitt looks awful. Pitt almost lost to Youngstown State and PN's response was, "That is a really good team."

Really? I think we were hoping more for, "We simply are not as good or well prepared as we thought we were and that goes for every coach and player on this team and I promise we all will step it up starting today."

To be fair, OSU certainly had more talent on the field on Saturday and one would expect that they'd win. Also, it is important to remember that many of the best players from last year's have graduated, been expelled, suspended or are out with an injury. Losing those key players should have lowered both the coaches' and fan's expectations this year. But Pitt got beat down like they were a division III team on Saturday.

From the season opener, coach Narduzzi has lead us to believe the offense was in good hands with Browne and that talk continued for three games. He apparently has been focusing too much time on being the CEO and not enough time focusing on the plays during each game (like he used to). If he had, he'd have clearly recognized that his team is not playing nearly as well as advertised.

It's not too late to roll up those sleeves again coach... become laser focused... then call it like you see it... start barking a little when necessary... and scrap dialing it in from your corner office.

 

[TD_istheman]

Duzz is a good guy, I believe this in my heart, he knows he doesn't speak great or capture a room, so I think he is very guarded , so he doesn't say the wrong thing, especially being a high energy guy.

 

[vegasgreed]

Agree 110%. You can tell from watching Gundy, he's comfortable in his own skin as a coach. He's confident in what he's doing. He has open practices, doesn't talk about hidden cameras in the hills. Gundy is focused at the task at hand. After the game, he answers questions honestly, doesn't give bogus answer like needing to watch the tape. I watched his press conference earlier in the week and also post game. Was surprised how candid he was(especially after listening to Narduzzi for 3 years now). Gundy is a very detailed oriented guy. Narduzzi is year three and still struggling to get his players to line up correctly.

Narduzzi has no idea on how to fix his own defense. He has no answers. We all the definition of insanity. Its part coaching and part not recruiting good enough, fast enough. He hasn't gotten the DJ, Boyd, Bis, JC types that made substantial impacts early and often. Those guys didn't need 3 years to get up to speed. Talent plays early and often. Narduzzi hasn't found many of these guys.

Impressed with how tuned-in he is to every little detail of the game. Breaking down specific plays and specific player's performance. He doesn't say things like, "I'll have to look at the tape" or give a vague answer like "we'll have to see." Gundy doesn't dodge questions about his players or his playbook. He comes across more of a candid, hands-on head coach- Much more the way PN used to be be. Now that Pat bought into the idea that he is "the CEO" he shows less emotion, gets pissed off less about the bad stuff and he's much more protective of his coaches and certain players (like Browne).

Not that he should throw anyone under the bus, but PN at least needs to be brutally honest about how bad the offense or defense was on a particular game day and specifically what the problem is and who is not working. He'd also come across more sincere if he'd stop with the "that was a good team" bit after every game that Pitt looks awful. Pitt almost lost to Youngstown State and PN's response was, "That is a really good team."

Really? I think we were hoping more for, "We simply are not as good or prepared as we thought we were and that goes for every coach and player on this team and I promise we all will step it up starting today."

To be fair, OSU certainly had more talent on the field on Saturday and one would expect that they'd win. Also, it is important to remember that many of the best players from last year's have graduated, been expelled, suspended or are out with an injury. Losing those key players should have lowered both the coaches and fan's expectations this year. But Pitt got beat down like they were a division III team on Saturday.

From the season opener, coach Narduzzi has lead us to believe the offense was in good hands with Browne and that talk has continued for three games. He apparently has been focusing too much time on being the CEO and not enough time paying close enough attention to each play of each game (like he used to). If he had, he'd clearly see his team is not playing nearly as well as advertised.

It's not too late to roll up those sleeves again coach... become laser focused... then call it like you see it... start barking a little when necessary... and scrap dialing it in from your corner office.

View embedded media

 

[wbrpanther]

Impressed with how tuned-in he is to every little detail of the game. Breaking down specific plays and specific player's performance. He doesn't say things like, "I'll have to look at the tape" or give a vague answer like "we'll have to see." Gundy doesn't dodge questions about his players or his playbook. He comes across more of a candid, hands-on head coach- Much more the way PN used to be be. Now that Pat bought into the idea that he is "the CEO" he shows less emotion, gets pissed off less about the bad stuff and he's much more protective of his coaches and certain players (like Browne).

Not that he should throw anyone under the bus, but PN at least needs to be brutally honest about how bad the offense or defense was on a particular game day and specifically what the problem is and who is not working. He'd also come across more sincere if he'd stop with the "that was a good team" bit after every game that Pitt looks awful. Pitt almost lost to Youngstown State and PN's response was, "That is a really good team."

Really? I think we were hoping more for, "We simply are not as good or prepared as we thought we were and that goes for every coach and player on this team and I promise we all will step it up starting today."

To be fair, OSU certainly had more talent on the field on Saturday and one would expect that they'd win. Also, it is important to remember that many of the best players from last year's have graduated, been expelled, suspended or are out with an injury. Losing those key players should have lowered both the coaches and fan's expectations this year. But Pitt got beat down like they were a division III team on Saturday.

From the season opener, coach Narduzzi has lead us to believe the offense was in good hands with Browne and that talk has continued for three games. He apparently has been focusing too much time on being the CEO and not enough time paying close enough attention to each play of each game (like he used to). If he had, he'd clearly see his team is not playing nearly as well as advertised.

It's not too late to roll up those sleeves again coach... become laser focused... then call it like you see it... start barking a little when necessary... and scrap dialing it in from your corner office.

View embedded media

Well "he's a man. He's 40". Easy to have a good presser when you are on the right side of a pounding. He may have the most explosive offense in the game.

 

[Panther Parrothead]

Well "he's a man. He's 40". Easy to have a good presser when you are on the right side of a pounding. He may have the most explosive offense in the game.

You beat me to it. The media spotlight isn't so hot when the pressure's off.

 

[JD1976]

Good points in the original post. Narduzzi's only answer is "we'll have to watch the tape." It's like he can't process anything during the game and adjust.

 

[#99HUGHgreen]

Duzz is a good guy, I believe this in my heart, he knows he doesn't speak great or capture a room, so I think he is very guarded , so he doesn't say the wrong thing, especially being a high energy guy.

I think he's a good guy too. And a good hire. He was once a man on a mission to win and elevate the program. I think in his more recent personal persuit to be seen as "the CEO" of the team, he's unfortunately decided to become more hands-off and and he's even taken his eye off the prize a bit.

I have no doubt that the players and coaches are working hard during practice- but are they also focus on getting smarter? Are they open and honest with themselves about what (and even who) isn't working out... about what and who is hurting the team... and then making those necessary changes?

Where did the Narduzzi go who had fire in his belly. He was a general not a CEO. That Narduzzi wouldn't be so comfortable with the results of the first, second or third game of this season. It's not so bad that they lost two of the games (those two teams did have more talent) but it's that his team didn't even come close to making either a close game... and the PSU game was there for the taking with a little better leadership, a little better preparation and a little better decisions making.

Fortunately, it's not too late to turn things around this season. Narduzzi may believe Dinucci can provide a spark for the team on the field, but HE needs to be one the spark for the team off of the field.

 

[#99HUGHgreen]

Well "he's a man. He's 40". Easy to have a good presser when you are on the right side of a pounding. He may have the most explosive offense in the game.

No question that he may have the most explosive offense in the nation, but then he is very much a key reason it happens to be that explosive. His way of recruiting and coaching and his paying attention to every detail set him up for the success he is having. Much like Pitt, OSU does not get many 5 star recruits. They have to finding talented players who are either late bloomers in HS or who are raw or have somehow fallen through the cracks and coach them up.

No question it is easier to have a good presser when you are on the right side of the pounding. Being so hands-on and laser focused is one of the reasons he often finds himself on the right side.

 

[ntsplnkv2]

No amount of coaching changes the result on Saturday, get your heads out of the sand.

Pitt fans are the best at coming up with fake issues and blaming them for all Pitt's woes. It's truly extraordinary.

OSU is better. Period. Narduzzi made mistakes (deferring was a bad idea, starting Browne, etc.) But even if he coaches a perfect game they just have better athletes.

 

[daminals76]

Agree 110%. You can tell from watching Gundy, he's comfortable in his own skin as a coach. He's confident in what he's doing. He has open practices, doesn't talk about hidden cameras in the hills. Gundy is focused at the task at hand. After the game, he answers questions honestly, doesn't give bogus answer like needing to watch the tape. I watched his press conference earlier in the week and also post game. Was surprised how candid he was(especially after listening to Narduzzi for 3 years now). Gundy is a very detailed oriented guy. Narduzzi is year three and still struggling to get his players to line up correctly.

Narduzzi has no idea on how to fix his own defense. He has no answers. We all the definition of insanity. Its part coaching and part not recruiting good enough, fast enough. He hasn't gotten the DJ, Boyd, Bis, JC types that made substantial impacts early and often. Those guys didn't need 3 years to get up to speed. Talent plays early and often. Narduzzi hasn't found many of these guys.

Good post... the sooner we make a change the better.

 

[#99HUGHgreen]

No amount of coaching changes the result on Saturday, get your heads out of the sand.

Not seeing who suggested Pitt should have or could have won against OSU Saturday. Now PSU is a different story.

Pitt fans are the best at coming up with fake issues and blaming them for all Pitt's woes. It's truly extraordinary.

Honestly, I am not sure where in this thread "fake issues" are being brought up.

OSU is better. Period. Narduzzi made mistakes (deferring was a bad idea, starting Browne, etc.) But even if he coaches a perfect game they just have better athletes.

No question that the OSU game would have been difficult for Pitt to win even with better preparation and game day coaching... but suggesting that one team will win because "they just have better athletes" no matter how good the other coach sounds a bit silly (especially after last year). I'm pretty sure most believe Clemson had better athletes than Pitt last year. That Penn State had better athletes than Pitt last year.

Was Clemson better. Period.?

Was Penn State better. Period.?

Having superior athletes is an advantage for sure, but a smart coach who is laser focused on getting better- detail by detail - certainly can help close that gap and often even can help give their players a chance to triumph over more talented teams.

Maybe what you really meant to suggest is that Pitt doesn't have enough talent presently on the roster to make up the gap and beat a really good team like OSU, even if Naduzzi were to coach a flawless game.

 

[ntsplnkv2]

Pitt had a great team last year. They had a top offensive coordinator, with an NFL backup QB, with a NFL backup RB, with 2 O-linemen who were drafted. The defense was bad because the talent was bad. In CFB with an offense like that you can hang with anyone. And we did.

But Pitt can not reload like an Ohio State. They don't recruit as well as those guys-and look what happens: we don't have an NFL caliber QB anymore, we don't have an NFL caliber RB anymore, and the best OC in the country last year left.

There is no detail that Narduzzi can focus on that stops those wide receivers. The only possible way Pitt stops that attack is if they get pressure, and right now they don't have the talent to do it consistently.

Pitt needs to be judged this year with how they play in the coastal. Sure they lose these 2 games, which everyone knows were going to be blowout losses. But they CAN beat most of these coastal teams. That's where you can judge narduzzi the most

 

[thebadby2]

Not seeing who suggested Pitt should have or could have won against OSU Saturday. Now PSU is a different story.



Honestly, I am not sure where in this thread "fake issues" are being brought up.



No question that the OSU game would have been difficult for Pitt to win even with better preparation and game day coaching... but suggesting that one team will win because "they just have better athletes" no matter how good the other coach sounds a bit silly (especially after last year). I'm pretty sure most believe Clemson had better athletes than Pitt last year. That Penn State had better athletes than Pitt last year.

Was Clemson better. Period.?

Was Penn State better. Period.?

Having superior athletes is an advantage for sure, but a smart coach who is laser focused on getting better- detail by detail - certainly can help close that gap and often even can help give their players a chance to triumph over more talented teams.

Maybe what you really meant to suggest is that Pitt doesn't have enough talent presently on the roster to make up the gap and beat a really good team like OSU, even if Naduzzi were to coach a flawless game.

With a new OC, no good option at QB, and 9 new starters on D, we were not going to beat a good, talented, battle tested, PSU team at PSU this season. Anyone who thinks playing Ben DiNucci over Browne would have given us a realistic chance to do that is sorely mistaken.

The biggest losses from last year are (1) Matt Canada and (2) Nate Peterman. What Canada did in one season with the Pitt offense was nothing short of miraculous, and he never could have done it with the QBs we have this season.

 

[#99HUGHgreen]

Pitt had a great team last year. They had a top offensive coordinator, with an NFL backup QB, with a NFL backup RB, with 2 O-linemen who were drafted. The defense was bad because the talent was bad. In CFB with an offense like that you can hang with anyone. And we did. /QUOTE]


In addition to the those you've mentioned as part of the team last year, there were 3 DL players talented enough to either get drafted by an NFL team or be invited to camp, there were two other DL players who were projected starters for this year but kicked off the team prior to the season, and there was a very talented TE. Plus, three very key players (Whitehead, Wirginis and Aston) who would clear make the team a little better but are not available yet... oh and a veteran kicker who won the biggest game in at least a decade with his leg. No question this team is not at the level of last year's team.

But Pitt can not reload like an Ohio State. They don't recruit as well as those guys-and look what happens: we don't have an NFL caliber QB anymore, we don't have an NFL caliber RB anymore, and the best OC in the country last year left./QUOTE]


True, Ohio State likely has more "ready to go" players on their roster because they get more 4 and 5 star players. But to be fair, we didn't know if Peterman or Savage was NFL caliber QB. Both were workaholics and became perfectionists who gained confidence and got a little better every game.

If the coaches figure out that neither Browne nor Dinucci are capable of elevating their game, then sticking with them is no better than taking a gamble on another scholarship QB on the roster.

It's impossible to point the finger at one thing or person and say "this is the reason this Pitt team isn't playing well," (because there are many reasons) but it does start with the coaches. They need to recruit players they feel they can win with and then they need to show they can get the most out of those players. And the head coach needs to make each member of his staff is actually doing their part in make players better.

As for Watson replacing Canada... Well, a copy is never going to be as good as the original. He is an old dog, learning a new trick (with Canada's offense)- Going to be interesting to see if he can do it anywhere close to as well as Canada, especially knowing that he has less overall talent and experienced players to work with.

 

[#99HUGHgreen]

With a new OC, no good option at QB, and 9 new starters on D, we were not going to beat a good, talented, battle tested, PSU team at PSU this season. Anyone who thinks playing Ben DiNucci over Browne would have given us a realistic chance to do that is sorely mistaken.

The biggest losses from last year are (1) Matt Canada and (2) Nate Peterman. What Canada did in one season with the Pitt offense was nothing short of miraculous, and he never could have done it with the QBs we have this season.

Fair enough.

Except it is not yet proven that there are "No good Options at QB." No one knows how good Pickett or MacVittie would be if thrown into an actual game.
All the more reason for the coaches to test out the other QBs on the roster. The coaches already have an idea of what DiNucci and Browne's can do and their limitations. It would only make sense to test out the other two scholarship QBs and see if one can prove to be more dynamic and capable of leading the offense to more TDs.

If neither MacVittie nor Pickett pans out, the coaches can always go back to Ben or Max. Nothing really to lose by giving them a chance but something to gain - a QB with a higher upside and several more years to get even better.