Florida State is in Transition under Jimbo Fisher
This article reiterates some of what we have already heard, but at the same time there may be some new details you may not have read about before. More importantly, it reminds us of the point we keep stressing about having realistic expectations for this year, and also reinforces this about Jimbo Fisher:
He’s off to a good start. But there is a long way to go.
The final years of Bowden’s reign in Tallahassee featured a slow atrophying of the Seminole brand. What was once robust and feared had become soft and vulnerable. FSU inspired dread in few opponents. A program that was expected to tear through the ACC was repeatedly knocked around by the "basketball schools" it was supposed to dominate. Over the past five seasons, FSU lost to all but two — North Carolina and Duke — of its conference rivals. The program that had achieved an unprecedented run of 14 straight seasons with 10 or more wins and rankings in the top 5 of the final AP poll had become a toothless power, losing 27 games in Bowden’s final five years in Tallahassee. By comparison, the Noles dropped only 19 from 1987-2000.
During his three-year stint as the sorcerer’s apprentice, Fisher spent as much time investigating the back channels at the university as he did concocting gameplans, cajoling recruits or tutoring his charges on the field. In Fisher’s world, plenty of programs fill their arsenals on the recruiting trails and know how to put those weapons to use on the field. What separates the top teams are the smaller, less noticeable things that can have a huge impact on success. Forging good relationships with the Office of Student Services and the Bursar’s Office can be as vital to a coach as making sure the local constables are willing to play ball at 3 a.m. on a Sunday morning. "I learned where to go to get things done," Fisher says. "I know there are going to be problems, and I have to know how to get them solved quickly.
"If you recruit good players, you can win. The difference between that and winning big is the support system you build around your players. Different people control different things in the university, and the big thing is knowing how to organize the whole university to help you."
almost 2 years ago
FrankDNole
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WHOOOO!
The final years of Bowden’s reign in Tallahassee featured a slow atrophying of the Seminole brand. What was once robust and feared had become soft and vulnerable. FSU inspired dread in few opponents. A program that was expected to tear through the ACC was repeatedly knocked around by the “basketball schools” it was supposed to dominate. Over the past five seasons, FSU lost to all but two — North Carolina and Duke — of its conference rivals. The program that had achieved an unprecedented run of 14 straight seasons with 10 or more wins and rankings in the top 5 of the final AP poll had become a toothless power, losing 27 games in Bowden’s final five years in Tallahassee. By comparison, the Noles dropped only 19 from 1987-2000.
It burns…
MiNDSET? SWAG-ER-ISM!!!
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"Trick is right."
"Wherever you are, Trick, you are wise, indeed."
In terms of expectations-
Let’s not forget, early in last season some folks were calling for Ponder’s benching and Fisher’s firing. Okay they were idiots, but still, we had struggles on offense for a good chunk of the season for a number of reasons. Now, despite lots of returners, we lost our dependeble go-to receiver. There have been plenty of examples where a team full of returning starters underperformed.
Ponder’s numbers could very easily deflate this year if teams don’t try to shoot it out with us. (of course, the flip side is that we will not have to burn clock every drive if our defense performs.) But, the Heisman bandwagon will get noisy if Ponder has a few 200 yard games to start out. There are vultures waiting to swoop on our coach and QB.
Point is, getting hyped up is one thing, but when you hype up the crowds, and don’t deliver around here, they are quick to attack and undermine. We have a stadium full of highlight watchers who get angry when they see their own team’s whole game. Their negativity is contagious and has infected our entire team in the past. This is still a fragile situation and it is a little naive to expect their won’t be struggles this season.
Who called for Ponder's benching?
Besides for a moment when I felt Jimbo kind of tossed him under the bus during the Wake Forest game in ‘08, I don’t think there has ever been a moment where there was a large contingency calling for anyone but Ponder.
Shot a Gator in Jean Shorts just to watch him die.
People were shooting it out with us?
Looked to me like screen passes for 18, and off-tackle for 12.
by norcal_nole on Jul 13, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I hear ya......
but I’d venture to say that program issues had a major impact on performance last year. I saw the inconsistency at times in 09, but I also saw the flashes of brilliance. Since the issues have been, or are in the process of being addressed, I would hope to see a better on the field product this season.
No, they were not calling for Ponder's benching.
And these offensive struggles are in your head. FSU had one of the best offenses in all of college football…
This team will improve in '10... on its 16-16 conference record over the last 4 years.... after losing 20 games in the last 4 years... after having the 7th worst major-conference defense... after not even winning its own division in the ACC in the last 4.
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This article only get me more and more pumped up for Sept
I know Jimbo has a hard act to follow, but something tells me that he can handle it. We have most of our O and Def returning from last year, and by doing the little things and making all players accountable for there teammates as well as the man in the mirror will only make them focus more on the field. I am willing to bet that we will cut down on some of the silly penalties that have plagued us over the years now that JF is HC.
I see more wins...
people can say or write what they want… but the reality is the 180 our program is turned.. In respect to Bowden and Mickey a see Greg Hudson and Mark Stoops doing a fomonial job with the defense.. It might take a little while for it to shape up. Hell Ponder is awsome nuff said about that. O line check. Top 6 recruting class check. Number one Punt returner in the nation check. All i can say is that we are on the right track and i think Jimbo is the man for the job. As for the title of this post, i think we will have more wins than last year because of the smaller details of this NEW program.. Example , players eating differently and the way they workout, more discipline and accountablility. Jimbo is going to make sure that the mistakes we were making in the past dont happen like they did last couple years. Basically all i can say is that OUR NEW program is going to be alot different that it was/has been the last couple years and i am excited to see what our new SEMINOLES are going to do this season…..
by Panama City Nole on Jul 13, 2010 10:18 PM EDT reply actions
Defense and receivers.
Realism says to expect nominal improvement. If we see dramatic improvement, this season could get really fun really fast.
Abiaka Windclan
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by Abiaka Windclan on Jul 14, 2010 4:54 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
The article says two important things about Fisher.
He kept his mouth shut last year on the Bowden situation. And he spent his time forging back office relationships so he could get things done when it was his turn. Both say a lot about the man.
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