The State of Arizona Football

[Josh Gershon]

They said that coaching changes cause transfers. But this year a lack of a coaching change could cause some serious transfers. MANY players (and no I will NOT say names) are not very happy with Coach Mackovic. Let's be honest though, personality-wise, what is there to like? Coaching wise, what is there to like also?

In two years, what has Coach Mackovic done to prove to ANYONE, that he is 1) A good coach or 2) A nice guy? Say what you want about Dick Tomey, but people would play for him because of his personality, if nothing else.

Use injuries as an excuse if you must, but even with injuries, Arizona has much more talent than ASU and Cal.

Ask yourself this, as unbiased as possible: If you are a recruit that is interested in playing football in the state of Arizona, why would you come to the U of A and not ASU? What does Arizona have going for it right now that ASU does not?

Jim Livengood bragged left and right that John Mackovic was his first choice. Livengood screwed up. Some fans are not willing to admit that right now, but I won't convince myself that things are better than they are in this program.

People want to wait another year. Arizona will be MUCH worse next year. The only offense they have (and they certainly don't have much) is Bobby Wade. The offensive line is back, but it isn't any good. Clarence Farmer won't be able to get more than a few yards without a good OL. The coaching staff has all but made up their minds that Nic Costa is too small to be the QB next year and the future is a skinny, unproven (but talented) freshman who has not played a down of College Football.

Arizona has one commitment from an unheralded quarterback. It is thought that his signing stopped big-time ASU recruit Mike Affleck from taking a trip to Arizona. Mackovic said he isn't recruiting any Junior College players hard because he wants them to be able to come in during the spring. Freshmen aren't going to save this program and certainly won't save Mackovic's job. The same team returns next year, with even less talent. You still want to give Mackovic another year?

If Mackovic remains next season, as I expect he will, and turns the program around, I will be the first to admit I am wrong. I don't see Arizona winning more than two games next season though, and looking at the schedule, UA won't be picked to win more than two.

I once said that they need to let Mackovic have his own players in the system. Judging from Mackovic's "system" which includes only basic offensive formations, obvious running sets and no trick plays, I do not understand why he called himself an "offensive genius." Furthermore, I don't understand what players can make his basic offensive system successful. Look how much talent he had at Texas. It didn't matter. How bad was the situation at Texas? They thought that Mack Brown was an improvement. That isn't something to be proud of.

Lets be honest guys, Arizona still has a future in football. The future just does not include John Mackovic. Don't you want a coach that the players actually enjoy playing for and that produces teams that the fans enjoy watching play? If you are satisfied with what has become of the football program, then continue and support Coach Mackovic. I, however, have joined the players that play for this school, and I do not like the Coach. You can disagree if you'd like, but you can't deny the horrible record over the last two years, and you can't deny the talent and leadership that is gone next year. This season is sunshine compared to what they will face next year.

I am prepared for that, are you?

[OJ Did It]

I agree.

[Auercat]

While I do not disagree with a lot of what you have to say, I still would give MacKovic one more year. Like many I would have preferred to see an up and comer like Mike Stoops, Jeff Tedford or even Mike Price get consideration over Mackovic, but anybody who would have inherited this job would have found a mess. The lack of talent recruited during Dick Tomey's final few seasons was frightful and has become more evident during Mackovic's tenure. That being said, Mack's recruits sure haven't done a whole heck of a lot either!

Are injuries to blame? Partly. Is the lack of talent the culprit? Probably. Has the coaching been poor? Definitely. But do I think it's time for a change? Only one more season will tell. If the ship isn't righted by this time next season, then I believe a change must be made. In the interim, I think that it might be a good idea for Mackovic to recruit a little size and line talent. Otherwise, next season will also be a moot point just like this one!

Bearing Down on One Last Gasp For Mackovic

Auercat

PS I had no idea how small our players were until I got to see the team up close at the game last Saturday. Other than Tyler Ebell (who is an absolute stud) UCLA's average player was 4 inches and 30 lbs bigger than the UA's at every position. It was scary looking and my wife even commented that the UA looked like a high school team. OUCH!

[timmy1973]

I think the bad thing is that it will get worse before it gets better. No decent recruit will come to AZ now that Macks end of tenure is emminent. This turmoil could destroy the program for the next 4 years or so. Plus nobody will want to coach here, especially if AZ lets Mack go after 2 years. Try to convince some interviewee that they have more than 2 years to turn around the program.

I highly doubt that we will be in the running for any high caliber replacements.

This could be very detrimental to the AZ football program.

[arizonajsb]

Timmy,

I would agree with you except that the program has regressed under Mack. Tomey had 14 years but we were always competitive. Since Mack arrived, we have become a worse team. No coach can expect to keep his job when the team nosedives in the two years that he is in charge. I don't think that Mack's dismissal would have an impact on other coaches who are confident that they can get the program moving forward instead of backwards.