TOB: FBall Coaching Rankings Shine

General NCS Football Rankings & Lists Tom O'Brien48

In recent years, Sports Illustrated’s Stewart Mandel made quite a name for himself with his rankings of the best – and the WORST – college football coaches.

Perhaps NC State fans followed Mandel’s rankings a little closer than other schools because of the presence of our own Chuck Amato. In June of 2005, Mandel listed Chuck Amato as the nation’s most over-rated coach; in June of 2006, Mandel demoted Chuck Amato and called him the nation’s worst coach. (Link)

Before anyone mistakenly claims that Mandel harbors an anti-NC State bias as opposed to anti-CTC feelings, you need look no further than Mandel’s recent comments praising NC State’s program

Now, you might say to yourself, is N.C. State really that kind of place? In my experience … yes. Say what you want about Chuck Amato’s coaching abilities, the one thing he did well was galvanize that community and turn what was traditionally considered a basketball school into a place with a legitimate football atmosphere. At his introductory press conference, O’Brien specifically mentioned how impressed he was with the enthusiasm when his team played there on Sept. 23. Look at it this way: The Wolfpack averaged nearly 20,000 more fans per game (56,540) during a 3-9 season this year than BC did at 9-3 (38,843).

NC State’s coaching change has brought a new national respect for our sitting head coach. Since TOB’s arrival positive praise has flowed from various corners of the media as TOB has been lauded as the best hire of the off-season while some pundits wonder if TOB’s presence elevates the Wolfpack into an instant contender for the ACC Title?

Over the last few weeks significant praise for TOB has continued…primarily from the staff of The Sporting News; much to the dismay of EagleinAtlanta. (I can only imagine the outcry if SFN had harped on Herb Sendek after his departure as much as Eagle has harped on TOB).

(1) On April 13th, TSN’s Tom Dienhart ranked TOB as the #3 coach in the ACC behind Jim Grobe and Frank Beamer.

Look, it’s this simple: O’Brien is a great coach. He worked for too long in anonymity at Boston College, where he never was fully appreciated. This is O.B.’s chance to make noise without fighting for headlines in a major media market. Sit back and watch him thrive.

The fact that BC’s Jeff Jagodzinski was ranked last in Deinhart’s list really rubbed EagleinAtlanta the wrong way. “Jags” has never coached a college game in his life. What does BC want? I know that Randy Shannon also has never coached a college game…but, Shannon has been at Miami for years and is familiar with many facets of the the college & ACC game that Jags must re-learn. It’s not a big deal…I just don’t understand why anyone – even BC fans – could expect some college unknown named Jeff Jagodzinski to get any benefit of the doubt until he gets out there and proves himself.

The good news for Jags is that he inherits one of the most solid, consistent programs in America. As TSN said, “know this: Jags inherited a loaded deck”. Since Jags is such a super coach, BC fans should be very excited about the coming season.

(2) On April 26th, Coach O’Brien was ranked as the #13 best coach amongst all BCS coaches. (Link).

It’s a pretty interesting exercise in which to engage. Current head coaches – Greg Robinson of Syracuse and Ted Roof of Duke – join the newer coaches in the country at the bottom of the list (with BC’s Jeff Jagodzinski ranked #64 out of 66.

(3) On May 2nd, Dienhart parsed his lists into some pretty interesting categories. (Link)

Wow! NC State has definitely shifted 180 degrees from the ‘leadership’ style of the testosterone-laden, meathead approach of former linebacker, Chuck Amato. Dienhart ranks TOB as one of the 5 best “Deep Thinkers” as defined by “X-ing and O-ing”. The list of five include: Mike Leach, Texas Tech; Tom O’Brien, N.C. State; Mark Richt, Georgia; Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia; Jeff Tedford, Cal.

I think that most people would also be interested in the five most overrated coaches which include: Lloyd Carr, Michigan; Dennis Franchione, Texas A&M; Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee; Les Miles, LSU; Charlie Weis, Notre Dame.

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General NCS Football Rankings & Lists Tom O'Brien

48 Responses to TOB: FBall Coaching Rankings Shine

  1. lush 05/04/2007 at 3:37 PM #

    i would like to see burke as the starter just so that we would have some consistentcy at the position for the next few years. however my money is on evans starting the first game.

    i hope we get the louisville game at night, how awesome is would that be?!?!!?!

  2. noah 05/04/2007 at 3:46 PM #

    “well then noah, who do you think will get the starting job? burke or beck?”

    Evans. Thus…my comments about national coach of the year.

    And I worry about the OL too. I think we’ll be okay everywhere else.

    But it’s like saying, “The wings fell off the plane…so did the tail. Everything else is good though.”

  3. mcbarne2 05/04/2007 at 3:50 PM #

    true. evans looks to be our best bet. only time will tell

  4. redfred2 05/04/2007 at 3:57 PM #

    Speaking of Evans, Burke, or Beck, and airplanes. Maybe one of them will be able to pilot if the cockpit isn’t constantly on fire.

  5. westwolf 05/04/2007 at 4:04 PM #

    “Wow… another “deep thinker.” I thought we just got rid of a guy just like that…”

    ^This is kind of like saying to a friend that a girl has a good personality. If you mention this as a diversion to avoid describing her looks, then that’s bad. If you simply mention it in addition to her being attractive, then that’s great. A girl can be attractive and have a good personality, or she can just have a good personality

    So, a coach can just be a deep thinker–Herb

    or can be very effective, and a deep thinker—TOB

    See how that works?

  6. lush 05/04/2007 at 4:05 PM #

    a bunch of “delicate little flowers” and apparently some debbie downers as well.

    my prediction is that bc sucks and we go 3-0 into the night game (hopefully) with louisville…….

  7. redfred2 05/04/2007 at 4:42 PM #

    westwolf

    How about “class act”, bald headed, no personality, but a deep thinker?

    Sounds like an E-Harmony profile to me.

  8. bTHEredterror 05/04/2007 at 8:39 PM #

    My pick would be for Beck to start at QB. This is based solely on numbers from spring scrimmages and the Red/White game, and scouting reports.

    While he made a few more mistakes than Evans, he has more upside and athletic ability. And while he possesses less athletic ability than Burke, he has a better arm and makes fewer mistakes.

    But I tend to agree with Noah that Evans will start because he likely has better leadership skills and a grasp of the offense.

    Maybe Russell Wilson can come in this fall and shock everybody?

  9. redfred2 05/04/2007 at 9:13 PM #

    bTHE

    Is all of that based on their single performances in the inter-squad, spring game? If it is, I don’t really know what to think about what you’re saying, but Evans would still have to get the nod on day one, anyway. I just hope if those other guys do have real gameday talent, that they get a shot BEFORE we’re already in dire need, and before the outcome of any early games are already slipping away.

  10. ncsu_kappa 05/05/2007 at 10:31 AM #

    at 5’11 with 4.5 speed if I remember correctly. I think Russel Wilson will be a slot back/reciever like Jamellle Eugene.

  11. Frank 05/06/2007 at 11:53 AM #

    Studies I have heard of indicate that it is certainty of punishment that is the real deterrent, not severity of punishment. If you knew that it was 100% certain that you would spend one day in jail if you went more than 10 mph over the speed limit, how often do you think you would do that??

  12. newt 05/06/2007 at 2:31 PM #

    I think if Evans beats out Burke and Beck, then that speaks highly of Evans. Either Burke or Beck should be at least a serviceable quarterback, based on their rankings and physical attributes. Evans winning out should be viewed as a positive.

  13. noah 05/06/2007 at 3:07 PM #

    I don’t want to talk about crime and punishment. Let’s talk about football.

    How do you think our OL will hold up? And are you worried about the depth along the DL?

  14. TNCSU 05/06/2007 at 3:11 PM #

    I think if we can score points, our DL will hold up. I think our OL will improve, but I still think TOB is a couple of years from getting the OL where he wants it to be.

  15. vtpackfan 05/06/2007 at 3:39 PM #

    I think the addition of the Willis kid will aid at adding depth at DL. He isn’t a superstar, but he’s a coach’s kid (our coach Willis) and is a proven hard worker. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if Linney is one of the few true frosh that get’s a shot as a back up. If this unit stays healthy enough then it should be good enough to make some noise in the ACC.

    The OL is a bitter/sweet situation. These guys a truly excited about the change in the coaching staff and they seem to be responding really well. I have read multiple places that guys who played OL felt invisible when playing for CTC since all he wanted to do is bark with/at the defense. They were they “lost children” of a disfuntional family. Things seem to have changed for the better.

    The problem may be that at it’s core these players may not have enough of the god given ability needed to withstand the rigors and pressure of BCS conference football. I’ve read it before from some on here that alot of these players were probably headed to places like ASU, ECU, or WCU before they got offered a scholly to an ACC school in NC State. Maybe I’m wrong and guys like Crouch and others can really bring it. It’s still a huge question mark.

    Lastly, the comments about Evans are a bit absurd. Last season when we were covered nationally, I heard alot good things said by announcers referring to Evans and his skill set. There were also some good natured ribbings about his slight frame, but over all they were very impressed with his presence, decision making and quick release. It just seems like us within the WolfPack community think of him as some oddity that is only out there because of the name on his jersey. If he beats out this years crop after taking the job away from the incumbant last season, then maybe more people can appreciate that we have a very capable QB on our hands. Bottom line is that I have much more faith in the ability of Bible then I did Tresselman to get things in order for the first time since Phillip left.

  16. noah 05/06/2007 at 3:46 PM #

    I dont think Willis is going to play this year, is he?

  17. vtpackfan 05/06/2007 at 4:15 PM #

    From what I understood is that there is a rule in the books that allows a player to transfer w/o having to sit out if a parent was a coach and left the program. All that has to happen is for the ACC and his former school (BC) ok it.

  18. packpigskinfan23 05/06/2007 at 4:25 PM #

    vtpack- I think that rule only allows that option for Seniors. What year is Willis?

    your also absoloutly right about Evans. He is the best thing we have seen at QB since Rivers left, and deserves to be treated fairly. I do however feel that he has to earn the starting position, and know he is working hard for it.

    damn I cant wait for September!!!

  19. redfred2 05/06/2007 at 5:57 PM #

    I agree about Evans. You know his family has all been behind him this off season and he’s no longer looking at this thing like he’s just happy to be there, or as the very last kid put on the roster the year he arrived.

  20. brown pelican 05/08/2007 at 9:15 AM #

    evans can play—until the late shot against wake that gave him the concussion—we were on our way to the third in a row with him as the starter—his upside?—decision making—with the limited options that he was presented with last year—how often was he in third and medium to third and long?—his performance and the performance of our offense suffered—lastly—don’t downplay his competitive streak—it’s infectious—he took a pretty average group in high school along for a pretty good ride—he’s capable of the same here

  21. redfred2 05/08/2007 at 9:47 AM #

    bp, good post, and I totally agree. He may not be the most physical player out there but he has the competitiveness, confidence, and composure to lead, and inspire his teammates. I’m hoping TOB won’t make him line up under center and at least trys to run a no huddle offense like Evans did, and was very successful at, in HS. I’m thinking let him have the reins and get comfortable running the show out of the shotgun again, and a player with Evan’s mentality, will be much more productive at creating on the go.

  22. PamlicoPack 05/08/2007 at 1:47 PM #

    what bothers me about Evans is that after the two wins, as soon as teams got two games of film on him and made some adjustments, our offense shut down for the rest of the season. I think some of you are forgetting how completely inept that side of the ball looked at the end of the season…

  23. redfred2 05/08/2007 at 5:28 PM #

    Pamilco

    Then forget those two wins, especially the BC game. There definitely wasn’t any workable offense scheme in that game for sure. It was just a defensive team holding on for dear life, and last second heroics by a young QB, and also a receiver. Forget that play, the offense stunk all season.

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