What Happened, Chuck? (Updated 11/12)

State is close again but Clemson knocks the Wolfpack out of any of Chuck Amato’s ridiculous bowl dreams (ahhh, Boise in December) and the losing streak continues.

That is now FIVE IN A ROW with the opportunity to drop two more to our most heated rivals – UNC-CH and East Carolina. (Link to Sunday morning’s Caulton Tudor piece – “Heels could make Pack squirm”

N.C. State and Chuck Amato will walk into a situation that smacks of an ambush this coming weekend in Kenan Stadium.

In what will be Carolina coach John Bunting’s final home game, his players would like nothing more than to carry him off the field with an outcome that could put Amato’s coaching future in jeopardy.

Amato already is in hot water with the fans as his seventh season winds down. His overall ACC record is 25-30. A third straight loss to the Tar Heels, particularly these Tar Heels, would be enough to put Amato’s job security in jeopardy and to create the same sort of speculation and scrutiny that Bunting experienced.

On paper, this State-Carolina game looks like a dud. A 1-9 team under a lame-duck coach against a 3-7 opponent on a five-game losing streak. But given the potential stakes, there’s good reason for high suspense.

State is now guaranteed our second losing season in the last three years. So, we thought that it was most appropriate to refer back to Chuck Amato’s
post-game comments

from EXACTLY two years ago today! On November 12, 2004:

You could have the best defense in the country and yet not go to a bowl. Would you have ever believed that?

This is the first losing season this great university has had in seven or eight years, but it won’t happen again.

To be honest…we can TOTALLY understand how Chuck Amato could have felt so comfortable making that kind of statement. Take a look at the recruiting success that had produced the high-level of talent that Chuck knew was in the program.

Considering the strength of the talent in the program at the time and the obvious momentum that was still being enjoyed by the Pack in 2004, OF COURSE Amato would have never been able to have foreseen failure like the Pack is having AGAIN this year. Any coach who hasn’t been able to see his deficiencies that have existed for seven years is sure as hell not going to be able to foresee the future impact of shitty coaching on the talent for the future.

Link

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105 Responses to What Happened, Chuck? (Updated 11/12)

  1. 66pack 11/12/2006 at 12:59 PM #

    reply to canis lupis. osu and michigan rid themselves of fb coaches who do not produce.that is one reason they are sucessful.
    at state LF will be asking the trustees for a contract extension for a losing coach.hell, give him a life time contract and double his salary every 5 years or when he has a winning season.in a few years we can say we have the highest paid coach in college athletics.

  2. canis lupis 11/12/2006 at 1:07 PM #

    66pack,

    Point taken. But we go back to the Sendek situation. Do we really want to can Amato, while Fowler is the AD? Clearly we must be rid of Fowler first. Then we can start thinking about replacing Amato. At least with Amato, there is a strong chance we will have a much better year next year. Fowler, will only screw things up worse. As for me, I’ll support the team we have, coaches and all. Hell, I figured we might have it handed to us yesterday, but I supported them just the same, and heck they almost one against a team EVERYONE was convinced would destroy us this year. I guess I’m the dumb one, since I don’t micro-analyze everything, I rather enjoyed listening to the game. Dissappointed yes, but not pissed. The bettter team won.

  3. 66pack 11/12/2006 at 1:37 PM #

    i may be paranoid but —-unc ch is not going to allow state to be better in athetics if at all possible.does not the unc board of governors office [bowles] controll the chancellors office at all unc campuses.we have a chancellor appointed from ncs staff.he is not going to another school as chancellor-he probably wants to hang on until he retires.MAF was a strong chanc. and a possible candidate for any position nationally.i do not know if she was forced out but i do believe that the unc system did nct try to keep her at ncs.if she was at unc ch and they wanted her to stay they would have found the money to compete for her services.
    and do any of you believe that its possible that unc ch,dean,etc may have had some influence in removing jimmie v.i know that all of v’s players were not students first and foremost like at unc ch.

  4. Running Wolf 11/12/2006 at 1:57 PM #

    Well I for one am pissed at Amato and Lee Fowler and I support the program with Life Time Rights both to Football and Basketball along with hundreds of dollars for babysitters…My investment is time, money and support…I don’t leave games early and I have always supported my University…with that being said…I don’t need a lecture from anyone who just listens or watches a game while channel surfing and drinking Starbucks. You never get better by doing the same thing over and over with below average results…The N&O got it right…which I can’t believe… Approx…~ if the NC State Football program was like a game of Horse Shoes we would have one of the best programs in the country…because we are always so close etc. I still remember Amato sticking his foot in his mouth after the Akron game and my buddies from across the U.S. asking if Amato was off his medications…I am tried of seeing Assistant coaches being pushed away. I am tired of being lectured to by the same soft brains that run the Athletic Department at NC State…it is time to make a change and if that means we need a Temp. Coach then I say go for it…the improved facilities were not paid for my Chuck…becasue he sure would make you think that he did everything himself…the Wolfpack family has supported Chuck and turned our heads many times…I was one of his biggest supporters….NOT ANY MORE…Chuck set the bar by asking for all of us as supporters to step up ($) & Cheering and in return he would go after a National Championship…I have more than lived up to my side of the bargin and the best he has done is take a Mike O’Cain recruit (Philip Rivers) and go to the Gator Bowl to beat ND…not a bad year but one year doen’t make a program successful or terrible but Amoto is average at best….it is time to make a change. If I am a terrible supporter than I bet there are a few more that feel the same way…if not, then perhaps it is time that I no longer support Wolfpack Athletics…not my desire or wish since for the last 41 years I have done nothing but support…defend and dream of the the best for our football program.

  5. tvp 11/12/2006 at 2:09 PM #

    SFN –

    I did some research on Amato’s record in close games compared to other ACC coaches. The results are pretty amazing and I think it would make a good stat entry for you to run. What is your email address?

  6. canis lupis 11/12/2006 at 2:33 PM #

    I assume the channel surfing, drinking starbucks comment was aimed at me – may be not. Sorry I don’t have the funds to travel to Clemson, buy lifetime tickets, or drink starbucks. I am an alumnus and have been a state fan for over 30 years. I go to home games when I can afford it, watch faithfully when they’re on tv, and as a last resort listen on WPTF. Sorry if I offended you. I just get tired of the incessant negativity when we lose. Look we got lucky a couple of times this season and people were talking about winning the ACC Championship. We play the same, but don’t get so lucky a bunch of times against good teams – and we’re all f’d up, and people need to s*** canned. I say it again, Amato is not great. He was instrumental in upgrading facilities. Unless he produces some kind of MASSIVE turn around next year, I suspect it will be his last. Fowler or no Fowler. In the mean time ranting and raving on SFN won’t do squat accept maybe get your frustration out. And no a temp Coach would not be better, it would be disastrous.

  7. Running Wolf 11/12/2006 at 2:49 PM #

    canis lupis…my message was not directed at you but let me make it very clear I am not frustrated and I am not using SFN to feel better. I am Pissed with this program and I blame the leader…Chuck Amato…I only blame Lee Flower for not doing something besides telling everyone that he supports Chuck. What is wrong with wanting to do a little better than average….what is wrong with having the best program in NC for now…we can work toward the ACC and the rest will come…Chuck does not need or deserve another year…2 out of the last 3 years have been losing seasons. I don’t make my comments about support and money as if that gives me any better position with NC State but rather that I am not some fair weather fan who didn’t even go to the school and could become a UNC fan tomorrow. There are a number of folks who complain…I am one of them that is working with the Trustees to make a change. I have been and hope to remain a strong supporter even if Chuck remains…IMHO 🙂

  8. Wolfpack4ever 11/12/2006 at 2:50 PM #

    vtpackfan Says: “There is obviously some film floating around of how our OL is susceptible to being bowled over at the goal line.”

    vtpackfan, Just using your line above and not disaggreeing… Yeah, there is film somewhere about our OL being susceptible to being bowled over at the goal line — but it won’t be from this year. We haven’t been on the goal line often enough to develop tendencies or see what is going on.

    BTW did you notice Brown easing up to walk into the end zone on his run to the six inch line? He was straightening up to step in when the Clemson DB hit him and sent him sideways. No stiff-arm, no turn up field, no lowered shoulder, nothing. Any one of those standard practices for running backs would have put him in. Disgusting. I think I know why TB is getting the carries, that along with not fumbling.

  9. class of 74 11/12/2006 at 2:59 PM #

    The only thing weaker than our football coach’s ACC record is our athletic administration. The LTR scam is all that keeps this ship afloat otherwise the funds would have already dried up. The next two weeks will really be interesting to see how our clueless leader, LF, handles the the fans ever increasing displeasure. If he thought the BB coaching search was hard on his digestive system let CTC lose these two remaining games.

  10. PAPacker 11/12/2006 at 3:10 PM #

    SFN et al, does the Wolfpack Club not have significant push back against Fowler/Amato? With all the money that has been ponied up in the last several years?

  11. Running Wolf 11/12/2006 at 3:50 PM #

    PAPacker…Yes the WolfPack Club put pressure on LF and CA but we all have to speak up.

  12. Wolfpack4ever 11/12/2006 at 4:31 PM #

    Running Wolf Says: “I am Pissed with this program and I blame the leader…Chuck Amato…I only blame Lee Flower for not doing something besides telling everyone that he supports Chuck.”

    Running Wolf, I wouldn’t confuse any administrator’s public comments with what is actually happening. As a life-long State fan I want athletic excellence as badly as anyone. As a old man I know that wanting it or demanding it by itself is not going to get it. What is it that you (and others) would have LF do? He can’t fire the HC without Oblinger’s direction. While “big talking” publicly would be of some satisfaction to SFN frequenters, as long as he has no power to fire, anything other than publicly defending his coaches and in essence giving then a vote of confidence would very poor administration.

    While it would be easy to say LF is the problem, consider this: no big time AD was interested in the State job. Nobody’s agent (and it seems everybody has one) was calling to make it known that his client (anonymous of course) was interested. And why might that be? Figure it out. All responsibility and no authority is not the job for the highly motivated and successful administrator.

    So, have fun. Demand LF be fired along with Chuck. It might happen some day. It is not likely to happen this year.

  13. GoldenChain 11/12/2006 at 4:40 PM #

    Tickets sold, WPC contributions coming in, LF will maintain the status quo.
    End of story.

  14. codsack 11/12/2006 at 4:54 PM #

    Losing once or twice in close games can be understood and forgiven. However, five in a row coupled with losses to Akron and Southern Miss is unacceptable. The NC State football program is in disaray and needs new leadership.

    Amato has recruited well, but there is no discipline or control with his teams, evidenced by the costly penalties and lack of concentration during crucial game situations. Our facilities are second to none, yet our coaching staff is not comporable. Can anyone tell us loyal fans that Akron, Southern Miss., Wake Forest, Virginia, or Maryland has better athletes than us? Absolutely not! They have better coaching staffs however.

    NC State can do better people! We have the facilities to lure a Steve Spurrier or equal to our school. Why are we wasting valuable and costly time keeping Amato and his stooges?

  15. codsack 11/12/2006 at 5:01 PM #

    No Jim Valvano; the play you are referring to was definitely NOT a touchdown; not even close. NFL and college rules are different. NCAA rules are that the player would have had to have come down inbounds prior to contact. The wolfpack receiver was definitely coming down out of bounds…it was a good call even though it went against us. Amato had already insured that we would lose way prior to this play however. Amato has to go, case closed!!!

  16. old13 11/12/2006 at 5:05 PM #

    IMO the only thing that is wrong with Pack football (and all other athletics) is the NCSU AD. If we had a REAL AD, these comments, articles and discusions, which ony divide the Wolfpack Nation, would not exist. A REAL AD would know how to evaluate coaches, set goals for a program and act accordingly to be succesful. BTW Running Wolf, I withdrew from the WPC when Jed Foulup wasn’t fired after the BB coach search fiasco!

  17. codsack 11/12/2006 at 6:30 PM #

    Based on performances to date; I predict the following:

    UNC 24 – NCSU 17

    ECU 27 – NCSU 24

  18. newswolf 11/12/2006 at 6:40 PM #

    WWTHD

    What would Terry Holland do?

  19. WestCoast 11/12/2006 at 7:33 PM #

    We need to win the next two games…if for no other reason than for the players on this team. Whatever we do on offense, hell, run a wishbone with Baker, Brown and Eugene…something to score some points! As for the O, Trestman has to go and we need to hire the most aggressive OC out there in the college ftbal ranks. D1, IIA, II, it doesn’t matter…we need someone who can score some damn points. Who’s running that O in Hawaii??

  20. vtpackfan 11/12/2006 at 7:36 PM #

    4EVER^^^Good point on the vault of look out and pan cake blocks on our own OL these past dismal years. I never doubt for a minute that Davis, Stone, and Evans could (and still can) play at a high level if they given an adequote amount of time to make in the pocket decisions at the QB position. It just hasn’t been the case. I wanted to know more about the distribution of the football between Brown and Baker because I did not get a chance to watch the game, only hightlights. It said Baker had 35 carries for 175 yard. Thats a decent game for a two TB game but I was surprised it was all on Baker. Based on your comments Amato is possibly discouraged with Brown.
    I am just sitting here thinking that the remainder of this season and next is so frustrating to figure out what direction the team is going in that I find it hard to blindly cheer and howl optimistically. Stone is back next year as a “X” position guy and Burke and Beck will be competing for an offensive position that they thought would be run by Tresman. I’m not sure about the D with Tyler and Davis gone but with Amatos’ recruiting record we should be able to hold our own. Its kind of a downer thinking about this rebuilding phase Chucks gotten into but with wins over the Holes and Barney pirates it should be enough to think things can be righted eventually.

  21. Running Wolf 11/12/2006 at 7:36 PM #

    WSLFD….

    What Should Lee Flower Do…the first thing is he should have no comment about Chuck Amato. The second thing is he should resign but if he won’t then Oblinger should step up to the plate and make some changes…Mrs. Fox sure did with Mike O’Cain! I want Cowher…it may never happen…Norm Chow would be great…it may never happen but I do know one thing in life…if you want to win the Lottery you have to first buy a ticket to play and the same is true for a quality change in the Coaching and A.D. position…if we as WPC Members, Alumni Members, Students, Fans an so on get involved then we can make this happen…I agree that the way Lee Fowler handled the Basketball Head Coach search was a joke and it will take the likes of another 911 to get this group to understand that Amato had risen to his level of incompetence. I remember Jimmy V. and I will tell you that the 1983 National Championship Team was a little above average and all experts agreed then that they were not National Champion material…Coach V inspired these kids and motivated them to believe and they did and they won. Coach Amato has moments…we are known as the football program that has no discipline and can beat any Top 20 team in the country but never the games we are suppose to…2 out of 3 years with losing seasons…why is it wrong to want to do better and not accept the status quo…I have seen and heard enough…now is the time for change. I could sit back and accept this as I have for many years and many coaches but now is the time…does anyone think that next year will be any better? If Amato stays and we end up 5-7 who cares if we have a New coach and a building year and we end up 4-8…could we do worse…you bet but we could also do a great deal better. Again, this is my opinion and like everyone who posts we all have opinions. :o)

  22. vtpackfan 11/12/2006 at 7:37 PM #

    June Jones and Jerry Glanville are out in Hawaii, but I think its some witness protection thing.

  23. blpack 11/12/2006 at 7:47 PM #

    Hold on tight Saturday pm. A loss will send Wolfpack Nation off the deep end and I can’t say I won’t be totally screaming myself. NO reason to lose to these teams the way we have.

  24. MatSci94 11/12/2006 at 8:47 PM #

    “I wanted to know more about the distribution of the football between Brown and Baker”

    Brown was out for a stretch in the middle of the game with some type of injury. He did come back, so I don’t know how serious it was.

  25. packer74 11/12/2006 at 8:58 PM #

    Saturday at Chapel Hill could resemble the straw that broke Mike O’Cain’s back. Chuck has done a great job in improving the facilities at CF but continues to blow smoke when it comes to building a championship program. He is delusional and needs to step aside.

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