I was listening to Sporting News Radio (on my beloved XM radio) this morning on the way to work. The morning guys were talking college football with Matt Hayes, and I was surprised to hear him talk at some length about NC State. Turns out, they were discussing this article, which I found under “magazine exclusive.” So, it has been on the web and the radio, and will soon be in print.
The title is “Some Coaches Need a Hail Mary Finish,” and includes the following key excerpts:
What’s the problem: N.C. State’s talent is in the upper echelon of the ACC, but the Wolfpack is the most undisciplined, unorganized team in the nation.
Where it gets ugly: The athletic director begs fans for patience; the coach begs his team to play with more discipline. Neither has worked.
Note how Matt Hayes gets even more ammunition out of Lee Fowler’s ill-advised “open letter” to NC State fans. Refreshingly, Hayes does not claim that NC State fans should be more patient, just that the AD is begging for such. Although Hayes concludes that Amato’s job is safe this year, he believes Chuck will definitely be in the hot seat in 2006.
I disagree with his assessment about NC State’s “investment” in Amato. In my view, we’ve invested too much in the program to let it stagnate another year, and make a new coach’s job that much harder. One subpar recruiting year is better than two in a row. I don’t think we “owe” Chuck anything beyond our contractual obligations. That may seem cold, but I think it’s just keeping priorities in order – I am an NC State fan, not a Chuck Amato (or any other NC State coach) fan.
I do understand that a change in 2005 is extremely unlikely, with “AD Status Quo” calling the shots. But if I were making the decision, here would be my criteria:
7-4: still skeptical, but firing not imminent
6-5: probably don’t fire, but seat is very hot for 2006
5-6 or less: pink slip
For context, Chuck Amato’s “company” in Hail Mary land includes Kentucky’s Rich Brooks, Kansas’ Mark Mangino, and Missouri’s Gary Pinkel.
UPDATE: Sure enough, the November 11 issue of The Sporting News has this article on page 55, with a nice picture of Chuck is previously trademark tacky sunglasses.
