It Is All About Coaching When It Comes To MSU Football Problems

I’m getting very tired of hearing everyone blame Mississippi State’s football problem on the lack of talent on the field in Starkville.  It’s is obviously coaching, not talent, that is the problem for the Maroon And White’s scoring troubles so far in 2006.  It has nothing to do with lack of execution, playing in the SEC, or how fast the players are on the field. 

And even if it is about lack of talent on the field, that goes back to lack of recruiting by Sylvester Croom and his coaching staff.  Now I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea with this little rant, so let me give this tiny disclaimer before I continue.  I think Sylvester Croom is one of the best things to happen to the program in quite a while.  Personally, I think the man is a true stand-up guy who is doing great things for these kids off the field. 

But as far as on the field execution goes, I have one question: when did losing become acceptable?  The feeling that I got from Croom after the South Carolina game is that he was ok with his team losing, becuase “we’re a better football team this year.”  Given the team’s record in the past few seasons, that’s not a hard accomplishment to achieve.  I think it’s that kind of, “we have 10 more games” to try and win attitude that is the start of the downfall in Starkville.  As a head coach in the SEC, you should have that kill or be killed attitude that is obviously lacking at MSU. 

So, now that I have come out and said it’s all about coaching, let me back up my argument with some solid facts that have to do, ironically, with the Bulldogs’ opponent this week.  As many of you know, I grew up in New Orleans.  In addition to growing up a huge Saints fan, I was also a diehard Tulane football fanatic. 

So here’s the deal.  In 1996, Tulane went 2-9 in Buddy Teevens’ last season with the Green Wave.  When Tommy Bowden came in to replace him in 1997, in his 1st year, he led the team to a 7-4 record.  That’s a 5 game improvement…in one year!  With virtually the same players.  The same undersized, slow, inexperienced players.  Guess what the team did in 1998.  That’s right folks, a 12-0 mark!  The team went undefeated, defeating BYU with one of the nation’s top defenses.  Oh yeah, and not to mention a top 10 ranking in that season’s final football polls.

So, at least to me, it’s pretty clear that “miracles” can be worked, and head coaches in college football can actually win some ball games, or at least score some points, in their first couple of years on the job.