The News & Observer ran a front page feature today proclaiming that off-field turnover is occupying Amato . In the physical newspaper, the article was accompanied by a table that listed the 10 assistants that have left the program in the last five years. The table was not included on the internet.
The article comes in the final month of high school recruiting, as Jimbo Fisher is in the midst of considering State’s offensive coordinator job, and just a couple of days after Coach Amato issued a public statement regarding the recent turnover.
Fans on PackPride.com are currently sounding off on the topic.
My quick take on this topic is currently— “It is what it is”
We have to take the good with the bad, and right now assistant retention is negatively impacting our program. We’ve lost 10 assistant coaches, which is more than most programs. By the same token, Amato’s original staff were not built totally to his liking as he was forced to assemble the staff in haste and admittedly hired some coaches that were familiar to the NC State community but not the best fit for working with him.
Despite this explanation for some of the turnover, State fans need to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that have entered a critical stage in Amato’s tenure as it relates to this issue. Let’s say that we are in “emergency mode” right now…but, “we’re not dead yet” and won’t know if a total meltdown has happened until we see next year’s results and see staff retention after next season.
With change & challenge comes opportunity. If CTC replaces our recent losses with better coaches (like Fisher for Mazzone) or coaches that are better personality fits on his staff, then a case can be made that many of the losses aren’t that big of a deal. HOWEVER, we do need a couple of years of continuity after this year if for no reason other than allowing this issue to rest for a while.
