[82lsju]

behind a paywall but it says in part

But after a disastrous 2021 season, it’s fair to ask whether there’s such a thing as too much stability. Stanford, which won three Pac-12 championships during Shaw’s first five seasons, finished 3-9 last season, its worst record since 2006. It was the second consecutive full season in which the Cardinal finished below .500 (they went 4-8 in 2019 and 4-2 in their shortened 2020 campaign). Things were looking up after Stanford upset third-ranked Oregon 31-24 in overtime on Oct. 2 to move to 3-2. But Stanford never won again, its defense (115th in yards per play) imploding as it lost its last four games 52-7 to Utah, 35-14 to Oregon State, 41-11 to Cal and 45-14 to Notre Dame.

Whereas Football Factory U would have long since cleaned house and started over, Shaw, the winningest coach in school history at 93-45, is not remotely on any hot seat, and he kept his entire staff from last season intact.

The big change for 2022? Stanford is switching from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3.

“I appreciate being in a place where doing the right thing is important, not just doing things to appease people,” Shaw said. “For me personally, I think I’ve earned a little leeway to make the decisions for myself and for the program that I’m in charge of. … I like the place that we’re in now.”

https://theathletic.com/3273206/2022/04/...ign=601983

[82lsju]

behind a paywall but it says in part

But after a disastrous 2021 season, it’s fair to ask whether there’s such a thing as too much stability. Stanford, which won three Pac-12 championships during Shaw’s first five seasons, finished 3-9 last season, its worst record since 2006. It was the second consecutive full season in which the Cardinal finished below .500 (they went 4-8 in 2019 and 4-2 in their shortened 2020 campaign). Things were looking up after Stanford upset third-ranked Oregon 31-24 in overtime on Oct. 2 to move to 3-2. But Stanford never won again, its defense (115th in yards per play) imploding as it lost its last four games 52-7 to Utah, 35-14 to Oregon State, 41-11 to Cal and 45-14 to Notre Dame.

Whereas Football Factory U would have long since cleaned house and started over, Shaw, the winningest coach in school history at 93-45, is not remotely on any hot seat, and he kept his entire staff from last season intact.

The big change for 2022? Stanford is switching from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3.

“I appreciate being in a place where doing the right thing is important, not just doing things to appease people,” Shaw said. “For me personally, I think I’ve earned a little leeway to make the decisions for myself and for the program that I’m in charge of. … I like the place that we’re in now.”

https://theathletic.com/3273206/2022/04/...ign=601983

[Phogge]

The Emperor has no clothes. But then again they were only a few plays away.

[Phogge]

The Emperor has no clothes. But then again they were only a few plays away.

[fullmetal]

As much as I want to say what's on my mind, I still think recruits and parents read this board, and I would never dissuade any of them from thinking less of Stanford as a university to attend.  Shaw needs to take care of business, and why Muir hasn't held him accountable is beyond me.

[fullmetal]

As much as I want to say what's on my mind, I still think recruits and parents read this board, and I would never dissuade any of them from thinking less of Stanford as a university to attend.  Shaw needs to take care of business, and why Muir hasn't held him accountable is beyond me.

[Phogge]

The same thing was posted in the Dark Ages on the Bootleg. So Thunderdome was born. Probably why Stanford lost Reggie Bush. LOL.

Stanford parents and recruits, almost by definition, are upper upper in intelligence. Why would they be swayed by a fans' message board? Any evidence that the board is consulted by prospective parents and kids?

[Phogge]

The same thing was posted in the Dark Ages on the Bootleg. So Thunderdome was born. Probably why Stanford lost Reggie Bush. LOL.

Stanford parents and recruits, almost by definition, are upper upper in intelligence. Why would they be swayed by a fans' message board? Any evidence that the board is consulted by prospective parents and kids?

[JohnR34231]

Well, if sitting around Shaw-bashing and making cynical, snarky remarks about Stanford football did any good, I would say go for it.

Since it doesn't, I think we should do our best to try to be a little bit positive about the upcoming season.

Or at least be tolerant of those who try.

[JohnR34231]

Well, if sitting around Shaw-bashing and making cynical, snarky remarks about Stanford football did any good, I would say go for it.

Since it doesn't, I think we should do our best to try to be a little bit positive about the upcoming season.

Or at least be tolerant of those who try.

[OutsiderFan]

To me, just having the same coaching staff in place doesn't equate to program stability.  I don't see anything but wobbliness on a foundation of sand adjacent to water.

[OutsiderFan]

To me, just having the same coaching staff in place doesn't equate to program stability.  I don't see anything but wobbliness on a foundation of sand adjacent to water.

[Phogge]

Careful OF lest we are further outed as Doubters. Ralston's Power of Positive Thinking is encroaching. Rah rah.

[Phogge]

Careful OF lest we are further outed as Doubters. Ralston's Power of Positive Thinking is encroaching. Rah rah.

[JohnR34231]

Careful OF lest we are further outed as Doubters. Ralston's Power of Positive Thinking is encroaching. Rah rah.

Actually the doubters seem to be in the majority these days. Seems to me its the people trying to be positive are the ones in danger of being outed.

[JohnR34231]

Careful OF lest we are further outed as Doubters. Ralston's Power of Positive Thinking is encroaching. Rah rah.

Actually the doubters seem to be in the majority these days. Seems to me its the people trying to be positive are the ones in danger of being outed.

[Phogge]

JR, a little change might have helped lower the pessimism. But none came thus the feeling that the coach has his head buried in the sand.

[Phogge]

JR, a little change might have helped lower the pessimism. But none came thus the feeling that the coach has his head buried in the sand.

[cardcrimson]

“For me personally, I think I’ve earned a little leeway to make the decisions for myself and for the program that I’m in charge of. … I like the place that we’re in now.”

Really dislike this statement. Reeks of everything he's accused of being. . . .

[cardcrimson]

“For me personally, I think I’ve earned a little leeway to make the decisions for myself and for the program that I’m in charge of. … I like the place that we’re in now.”

Really dislike this statement. Reeks of everything he's accused of being. . . .

[82lsju]

JR, a little change might have helped lower the pessimism. But none came thus the feeling that the coach has his head buried in the sand.

what, we're going from a 3-4 to a 4-3........

[82lsju]

JR, a little change might have helped lower the pessimism. But none came thus the feeling that the coach has his head buried in the sand.

what, we're going from a 3-4 to a 4-3........

[Spiny_Norman]

Eric or anyone else who can read the entire article - did Mandel talk to Muir or anyone else in the AD? Or does he just quote people from within the football program? The people running a $100M Athletic Department that could be hemorrhaging money because of poor attendance and low enthusiasm for football might not "like where we are."

[Spiny_Norman]

Eric or anyone else who can read the entire article - did Mandel talk to Muir or anyone else in the AD? Or does he just quote people from within the football program? The people running a $100M Athletic Department that could be hemorrhaging money because of poor attendance and low enthusiasm for football might not "like where we are."

[TrumpCard]

Stability of personnel does not equate to stability of a program. More like stagnation of thought and continued trend of regression from past success.

[TrumpCard]

Stability of personnel does not equate to stability of a program. More like stagnation of thought and continued trend of regression from past success.

[needle]

What's the over/under on how many Stanford FB assistants will ever be FBS head coaches? 

I'd set it at 0.5.

[needle]

What's the over/under on how many Stanford FB assistants will ever be FBS head coaches? 

I'd set it at 0.5.

[PalmTree]

Stability of personnel does not equate to stability of a program. More like stagnation of thought and continued trend of regression from past success.

Yup - as the old adage goes, "Innovate or die!".....

[PalmTree]

Stability of personnel does not equate to stability of a program. More like stagnation of thought and continued trend of regression from past success.

Yup - as the old adage goes, "Innovate or die!".....

[OutsiderFan]

The Athletic Mandel article now has 46 comments. That is a shockingly high number of comments for a Stanford story. But context matters. That was the very first State of the Program story Mandel did, so it was kind of new and college football fans around the country commented on it as a result.

Anyway, here's the best one I could find:

Shaw has presided over a 30 point drop in SP+ from his first season (+20) to last year (-10) and he's one of the worst coaches in the country against the spread. I know he gets a lot of positive publicity over his holier than thou approach, but is there a chance he just took over a really solid program at the beginning and has done little to nothing to keep it going?

Answer: Yes

It's remarkable how slow to adapt and innovate Stanford Football is when it is smack dab in the middle of an area with a culture that is all about it.

[OutsiderFan]

The Athletic Mandel article now has 46 comments. That is a shockingly high number of comments for a Stanford story. But context matters. That was the very first State of the Program story Mandel did, so it was kind of new and college football fans around the country commented on it as a result.

Anyway, here's the best one I could find:

Shaw has presided over a 30 point drop in SP+ from his first season (+20) to last year (-10) and he's one of the worst coaches in the country against the spread. I know he gets a lot of positive publicity over his holier than thou approach, but is there a chance he just took over a really solid program at the beginning and has done little to nothing to keep it going?

Answer: Yes

It's remarkable how slow to adapt and innovate Stanford Football is when it is smack dab in the middle of an area with a culture that is all about it.

[Phogge]

Horrors! Negative. We are all supposed to be optimistic. Shame on us.

[Phogge]

Horrors! Negative. We are all supposed to be optimistic. Shame on us.

[rogpodge]

Shaw has presided over a 30 point drop in SP+ from his first season (+20) to last year (-10) and he's one of the worst coaches in the country against the spread. I know he gets a lot of positive publicity over his holier than thou approach, but is there a chance he just took over a really solid program at the beginning and has done little to nothing to keep it going?

Early on, Shaw was great ATS. So much so that he was still the most profitable coach in 2021.

https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/best...nst-spread

Stanford covered 25% in 2021, 60% (3-2-1) in 2020, 27.3% (3-8-1) in 2019, 58% in 2018 (7-5-1), and 53% in 2016 and 2017.  So a noticeable dropoff since 2019, enough to pull Shaw down to almost 50% ATS.

[rogpodge]

Shaw has presided over a 30 point drop in SP+ from his first season (+20) to last year (-10) and he's one of the worst coaches in the country against the spread. I know he gets a lot of positive publicity over his holier than thou approach, but is there a chance he just took over a really solid program at the beginning and has done little to nothing to keep it going?

Early on, Shaw was great ATS. So much so that he was still the most profitable coach in 2021.

https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/best...nst-spread

Stanford covered 25% in 2021, 60% (3-2-1) in 2020, 27.3% (3-8-1) in 2019, 58% in 2018 (7-5-1), and 53% in 2016 and 2017.  So a noticeable dropoff since 2019, enough to pull Shaw down to almost 50% ATS.

[82lsju]

did Mandel talk to Muir or anyone else in the AD? 

no, or if he did it did not make it into the article

[82lsju]

did Mandel talk to Muir or anyone else in the AD? 

no, or if he did it did not make it into the article

[gailtate]

My bona-fides as a SIX-decade supporter and follower of Stanford Football are well known to most on this site so I won't go into them here. The same folks know my sentiments about Shaw's stunningly failing stewardship of said program. I will say, in response to the piece in The Athletic and the predictable reactions here, simply that the state of the program has me returning to a personal benign neglect of and detached indifference towards the current Shaw Status Quo: the moribund, drab, eroded program over which he now presides. I plan to attend at least one game next fall, for mainly social reasons, and will probably watch some portions of what may be on national television. My only hope is that at some point the powers-that-be at Stanford someday come to their senses and reinvigorate football. In the meantime I truly and dearly miss it, as I did from 2002 through 2006. #MuirAndShawMustGo.

[gailtate]

My bona-fides as a SIX-decade supporter and follower of Stanford Football are well known to most on this site so I won't go into them here. The same folks know my sentiments about Shaw's stunningly failing stewardship of said program. I will say, in response to the piece in The Athletic and the predictable reactions here, simply that the state of the program has me returning to a personal benign neglect of and detached indifference towards the current Shaw Status Quo: the moribund, drab, eroded program over which he now presides. I plan to attend at least one game next fall, for mainly social reasons, and will probably watch some portions of what may be on national television. My only hope is that at some point the powers-that-be at Stanford someday come to their senses and reinvigorate football. In the meantime I truly and dearly miss it, as I did from 2002 through 2006. #MuirAndShawMustGo.