1) Discipline, we’ve been much better with penalties, and that’s with freshmen playing.
2) S & C, clearly several steps above TOB
3) Offense, we’re balanced in a way that we haven’t been in a long time
4) 4th quarter attitude, this team wants to win, and they’re learning how
All of those (If this lovefest continues w/ paki, we’ll need to start talking politics), with emphasis on 1, 2, and 4. 1 and 2 are closely linked, and buttress 4. As I mentioned post game, S&C staff is team MVP thus far. Three, IMHO, is more a product of the offense, the opponent, and how the game plays out, as opposed to just pure ‘coaching’ ability.
Plus:
Absence of prideful ego and stubbornness: Can see it in game strategy, in-game adjustments, and relationships with players and coaches. How often did we see TOB and staff stick to something that clearly wasn’t working because ‘they knew better’? They were going to stick with it, or go down with the ship trying to prove it. Think back to last Duke game and the way we telegraphed our defense almost every play. If TOB did make adjustments, it was usually only at halftime. Think back to the D adjustments to a 4-2 that were finally made (late into the season, against UVA) that maximized the effectiveness our personnel, only to go away from it later and move personnel because it wasn’t ‘their’ defense and what they wanted to do. I think prideful stubbornness was TOBs #1 failure as a coach (I referenced this in the recent thread discussing Wilson’s departure). It played a role in almost all of his shortcomings. The stark contrast makes it easy to see.
Chemistry/team building/unity: DD and staff also do not insinuate blame to players. There appears to be a organic cultivation of ‘team’, leadership, and accountability. There appears to be an emphasis on carrots, and a use of sticks when needed, not the other way around. The Jarvis Byrd situation is a good example of this. When RW and Irving were here, it was more of ‘the coaches’ and ‘the players’, and RW and Irving more or less handled the players. When there was no one to take on their roles when they left, you saw the results. With DD and staff, it’s not “the coaches” and “the players”, it’s “the team”. Stop by and watch any practice, you’ll understand.
Game day dynamics: Watch the interaction between players and coaches, on the sideline as well as pre-snap with players on the field. There actually appears to be engaged communication, feedback and adjustments, as opposed to stoic ‘just do what we say’ attitude. I referenced this in the post-game thread, then actually heard DD reference it later in his press conference.
We have a team. Not a group of coaches and players.
From the results, I’m assuming the staff effectively conveys this to recruits.
And what Rick said, per the “low bar hurdle” comment. As far as I know, I’m the first to make such a statement, but I’m not really going that far out on a limb given our last 3 coaches.
