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Post by elcid83 on Feb 18, 2013 20:34:44 GMT -5
Dale Steele, former Campbell head coach and brother of Kevin Steele will bring several years of DI experience with him to Gardner Webb. Looks like a good pick by Coach McCray. Hopefully, the official announcement will come out soon.
Go Runnin' Bulldogs!
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Post by dawgdad on Feb 19, 2013 12:54:06 GMT -5
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Post by garddawg on Feb 20, 2013 0:48:18 GMT -5
Dawgdad: I agree. HC Steele was "released" by Campbell before the final game of 2012 but was allowed to coach the final game. Campbell finished the 2012 season with just 1 win and finished last in the PFL with a 0-8 conference record. While that is disturbing enough, what is more disturbing is Campbell's margin of loss in it's 11 games. Needless to say, Campbell was "blown out" in nearly every contest, and, if I am correct, their only win was by a 10-7 score. Usually when teams are "blown out" on a consistent basis, as Campbell was in 2012, they tend to "go to the air" in an attempt to try to "come back" and make a "game out of it". In the case of Campbell last year, they only averaged 25 passing attempts in games in which they were obviously behind by very large margins. Unfortunetly for Campbell, they had no passing game upon which to draw on, even when throwing the football became necessary for success. Simply stated, when Campbell was behind, they had "no answer", other than keep "runnin the pill". In 2012 Campbell averaged only 133.36 yds in the air per game, only 5.1 yds per pass and their passing game accounted for only 5 TD's in 11 contests. For those of you who lamented on GWU's propensity to abandon the run these last two years, rejoice! You will certainly get a full diet of "3 yards and a cloud of dust" under OC Steele in 2013. Statistically, at least to me, that is all he knows how to do. In my opinion, OC Steele will certainly attempt to put the "runnin" back into the GWU Bulldogs. Maybe our lack of competitive schedule this year will permit such a one dimensional scheme but I sincerely doubt it. It didn't work for Campbell in the PFL. |
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Post by elcid83 on Feb 20, 2013 8:53:39 GMT -5
I suppose we will get a better understanding of what our offensive scheme will look like when Spring Ball cranks up after spring break is over. I doubt that Campbell had the assets needed to launch any kind of air offensive against any opponent. GWU certainly has these assets in place ready to go.
That being said, where we had no one on the staff last year with any O line experience, we now have 3 guys who have played and/or coached O line at a pretty high level. Will these guys work together to put a stronger running game on the field? I hope so. But, I don't think they will abandon the pass completely. I am confident our O line play will improve under this group. That will provide GWU with the opportunity to have the kind of running game we should have had last season.
North Greenville did have a fairly balanced approach to play calling last season with a few more runs than passes. I would expect that to continue.
I'm sure the players are anxious heading into Spring Ball. Should be fun to watch and I am looking forward to the experience.
Go Runnin' Bulldogs!
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Post by garddawg on Feb 21, 2013 2:08:35 GMT -5
Elcid: I do not know whether HC Steele had "the assests needed to launch any kind of air offensive" at Campbell. What I do know is that coach Steele was the HC at Campbell since 2006 and that Campbell entered the PFL in 2008. What Campbell did statistically prior to joining the PFL I do not know, but I do know what Campbell did statistically after joining the conference, and more importantly, under HC Steele's watch.
In 2008 Campbell finished 1-10, attempted 290 passes, (26.4 attempts per game), an ave. of only 4.6 yds per pass, 120 yds. per game, and only 6 TD's for the season in the air.
In 2009 Campbell finished 3-8, attempted 253 passes, (23 attempts per game), an ave. of 6.6 yds. per pass, 152 yds. per game, and 9 TD's through the air.
In 2010 Campell finished 3-8, attempted 226 passes, (20.5 attempts per game), an ave. of 5.7 yds. per pass, 117.5 yds. per game, and 8 TD's in the air.
In 2011 Campell finished 6-5, attempted 316 passes, (28.7 attempts per game), an ave. of 6.3 yds. per pass, 180.8 yds. per game, and 14 TD's.
HC Steele's 2012 passing stats were the subject of my previous post, so I will not repeat those here. But I will add that in 2012 his team rushed a total of 435 times, an ave. of 4.3 yds per rush and an ave. of 149.3 yds. per game. In the same year his team attempted only 286 passes, a run/pass ratio of 60/40 per cent and, of course, a 1-10 2012 finish. I guess one could argue that Campbell had a "few more runs than passes" and that HC Steele's offense in 2012 showed a "fairly balanced approach". The operative word being "fairly". The truth is, and the statistics show, that OC Steele will more than likely attempt to implement a run dominated offense.
The purpose of the above is simply to point out that HC Steele, while at Campell, was married to the run and divorced from the pass. He continued this philosophy in spite of numerous loosing seasons, which arguably lead to his "release". To think, for even a minute, that he brings a different philosophy or scheme with him to GWU boarders on the absurd. Elcid you seem to suggest that coach Steele chose to "run" at Campbell because he did not have the "assets" conducive for a passing attack, and that when he gets to Boiling Springs he will "wake up", as if on Christmas morning, and see all of these "passing presents under the tree" and that his football acumen will somehow be transformed. The better argument is that if HC Steele did not have "passing assets" during his 7 years at Campbell it was by his own choice. He certainly had the ability to recruit QB's, wide receivers and running backs to throw and catch, respectively, if that was his offense of choice. The better argument is that OC Steele will come to Boiling Springs, see the "passing presents (assets) under the tree", not appreciate them as "assets", try to "plug a square peg into a round hole", and if that doesn't work, ask for the "receipt for their return".
I do agree with elcid, that with 3 O line coaches on the staff in principal roles, and with Steele in charge of the offense, that GWU will see a resurgence of a run mentality. But, in my opinion, probably to a fault. I believe that these coaches are going to practice what they know, impose their will, inapposite to the talent before them. The 2013 season will be a learning curve for everyone. I predict that, if this coaching staff stays in place, it will take the better part of 3 recruiting years before this staff and this team sees any measurable success, especially on the offensive side of the ball. I just do not believe that OC Steele will change his philosophy or style to fit the talent that this team currently has in place. I admit I am not a geneticist, but, statistically, I do not see it in coach Steele's DNA.
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Post by eagledawg on Feb 21, 2013 8:55:39 GMT -5
garddawg - I appreciate your concern and completely understand it based on a reading of the statistics only from the Campbell seasons of 2008 thru 2012. But a key point that appears to be missing from a balanced analysis is that you indicate you don't know what Campbell did before joining the PFL. The answer to that is "nothing". Campbell restarted football after several decades of no football. While there are a limited number of schools who have had success almost immediately after starting up football (Old Dominion) comes to mind, the lions share of start-up football programs struggle mightily and do so for years. Old Dominion is centered in the football hot bed of the Tidewater of Virginia and joined a scholly conference that excelled in football in the CAA. The fact that they are moving up to BCS football so quickly is clear proof that they they had big plans, big money, big support and big vision. Their stadium is large and outstanding for a football start up. Almost the mirror opposite can be said for Campbell. The Camels are not centered in a football hot bed located in Buies Creek, NC, did not join a scholly football conference nor one that excelled in football. Neither did they have big money, big support (check game attendance) or big vision (stadium size) if compared to an Old Dominion. I am having some trouble seeing where a small, liberal arts college, located in a somewhat remote rural area and lacking big money, big support and being a non-scholly start-up was in a position to excel.
What I do see is a build it up from nothing deal, with gradual improvement up thru the 2011 season culminating in a 6-5 season and then a steep fall off in 2012 to 1-10. There can be many factors in such a fall off and I don't know that any of us have a clear picture but to name a few (key injuries, position coach replacements that didn't work out, GWU had a few this past season, the possibility of a lame duck HC affecting recruiting, etc.). I can see where trying to shorten the game by favoring the run (not to be confused with almost a complete abandonment of the pass via the triple option like a Wofford, Ga Southern, Ga Tech) due to skill set, depth, quality of opponents, etc. may have given his team the best chance to be in the ball game. To be clear, often times, it's not a poor pass game that limits scheme and total number of pass attempts but rather a defense that has no depth, can't get off the field and surrenders a ton of points. In that situation, shortening the game by running the ball and the clock is a tactic often employed. If that were the scenario at Campbell, then we are hiring him as an OC not a DC. The fact that he did show improvement until 2012 in the W-L column should be a positive and not a negative.
I believe if he is our OC and combined with a Coach McCray who had a bit easier but still difficult transition at Austin-Peay moving from non-scholly to scholly football, that these guys can use those tough times along with their successes at other stops in their careers to put a good offense on the field based on the assets that we have. I believe just like a great offensive line must have complete cohesion, a quality coaching staff must have the same to function at it's best. I would venture that Coach McCray is surrounding himself with men that he believes will promote cohesion for the staff/team, shared vision, etc. and he is doing so with what we all must know are resources that do not meet the level of standout FCS programs in our own Big South and other power FCS conferences. If we don't come out and run it and pass it equally with great success, I'm not going to become an immediate alarmist with the likes of Furman, Marshall, Richmond and Wofford to kick-off the season. I'm not proposing that we become guzzling Kool-Aid drinkers but we oughta give the staff and team a fair shot before taking a shot.
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Post by elcid83 on Feb 21, 2013 9:18:06 GMT -5
Garddawg,
I wasn't trying to get into a battle of words with you regarding Coach Steele's offensive plans. None of us know what he plans to do at Gardner-Webb. The stats regarding the numbers of runs and passes I was referring to were the numbers from last year's season at North Greenville. NG did have a fairly balanced attack last season under Coach McCray and I suspect he will have some input on what the offensive plans will look like. I think it's a tad early to be worried about GW becoming a run only program.
Does anyone on this board believe that Campbell had the ability to recruit the QB and WR talent needed to have a decent passing attack? In looking at their roster, I saw an awful lot of small private schools represented. I have not heard anyone indicating a desire to play football for Campbell and I doubt anyone on here has either. For the most part, the kids that end up playing at Campbell just did not have any other option available to them. That doesn't bode well for a team putting up solid passing numbers.
I'll choose to believe that Coach Steele ran the scheme he ran based on the quality of players he had in his stable. I will also choose to believe that the depth of the O line coaching talent is going to help GW get its running attack where it should have been last year. We had a bunch of kids that could tote the rock last year and do it well. Unfortunately, the blocking schemes did not allow time to establish the run. We had a coach that had no clue what he was doing down there and that is going to change in a significant way.
I would even expect the passing game to improve as a result of improved O line coaching. QB Beatty could have much improved numbers [and last year's weren't bad] with a properly coached up O line.
I would just politely suggest that we let Spring Ball get cranked up before we decide to throw the OC under the bus.
Go Runnin' Bulldogs!
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Post by Guest9436 on Feb 21, 2013 9:32:41 GMT -5
The plan from what I heard earlier this week is that the offense will be spread based. Plenty of balls in the air with plan to run it when they want to. Up tempo pace. Wouldn't surprise me to see an offensive staff clinic at UNC or Auburn.
I didn't know this until it was pointed out to me on Tuesday, but Steele had a long tenure as an assistant at East Carolina where he coached underneath a guy most would consider a progressive offensive coordinator and then head coach in Steve Logan. The Pirates in the early 1990s tossed it all over the yard.
Like elcid wisely stated, I guess we'll have to wait and see. And personally, I don't care if we run the Wing-T and wear leather helmets as long as we can win some ball games.
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Post by dawgdad on Feb 21, 2013 17:17:03 GMT -5
I posted his Campbell Bio link for those who, like me, sometimes just like a quick look at things. The Fayetteville Observer wrote a piece right after his firing was announced, and it wasn't the SID spin you always see in the Athletic Dep't website bio's. I should have linked that.
I'm very surprised no one has mentioned the obvious:
1. He has no O.C. experience in 34 yrs. of coaching ( you might argue that his H.S. stints probably included some play calling );
2. He is 57 years old, probably on the smooth ride to a comfortable retirement, and his career is not pointing toward a need to claw his way back to a HC position. Is the fire and committment going to be there to out prepare, out work, and out play-call his counterparts in the Big South and other non-conference FCS foes? Perhaps, but the Campbell termination prior to the end of the 2012 season is a rather large red flag in my eyes.
3. On a character and personal values level, he had to be a great fit within Coach McCray's staff, which was most assuredly a major factor in his hire.
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Post by garddawg on Feb 21, 2013 22:58:53 GMT -5
I can certainly understand the urge that some of you have for coming to the defense of OC Steele's offensive strategies and propensities his teams at Campbell have shown throughout his tenure there. I can also understandand the need and desire of some wanting to be apologists for his lack of passing prowess. If I understand the main argument, Campbell did not "throw the football" because Campbell did not have the players to effectively do so. With all due respect, that argument is specious at best, and begs the question as to why Campbell did not "throw". Elcid seems to suggest that Campbell did not have the ability to recruit QB's or WR's to explain it's marriage to the run. My response to that theory is Ditka like, "cumon man"! If we compare "apples to apples", other teams in the PFL had no problem finding talent at those positions. Other teams in the PFL, not known for football, like Davidson, Drake, Butler, Valpo, or Marist, to name a few, seem to have had no problem finding people who could throw and catch the "rock" and be competitive in the passing game. The difference between them and Campbell is that they wanted to throw, and knew how to do it. The truth is that in the 7 or 5 years, (depending on what internet site is accurate), that HC Steele was at the helm, he chose to bring in the players he did. If he did not have the talent to throw it was his own choice. There are plenty of non-scholarship DIII football programs around this country that pass the ball much more often and with much more success than did Campbell. The only difference is they wanted to, and found the HS talent to do it.
I am not suggesting, nor have I ever suggested, that OC Steele does not possess the ability to learn a solid passing offense or come up with a more passing oriented game plan. All I am saying is that, to date, he has not demonstrated statistically to me that he possess that knowledge now, or, at least, the desire to do so, if he does possess it. I agree, none of us can know for sure what OC Steele has in store for the GWU offense. We possess no "crystal ball". The only thing I can rely on is what I can see so far regarding coach Steele, and based on that, I can only surmise his plans. Therefore, all I can say for certain is this: "If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck"!
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Post by anybody on Feb 21, 2013 23:45:01 GMT -5
First and foremost dale is nothing he is nothing...look he is less den nothing I played for three years and we only won ten games...he will destroy ur program....get him out while u can
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Post by STOPdale on Feb 21, 2013 23:56:33 GMT -5
look why would hire this man.... haven't you seen his record he coached for six years at campbell and only won a total of 14 games he has no perception of winning....he is allergic to charlie sheen....he has been fired from every coaching job he has ever had....as a former player of his i have honestly seen a winning for dummies book in his office....he doesn't know the first thing about football or let alone how to run a offense...i have seen times that our position coaches had to remind him he couldn't punt on third down.....or for example it was third and four and he said he was going to try the field goal so that if we miss we can have another opportunity to kick another...clearly he has never coached or even played a game of madden....you will soon see that you hired the worst mistake in your schools history for football....i hope god be with you
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Post by GWUFan2 on Feb 22, 2013 11:48:36 GMT -5
I'm going to avoid the temptation of making a joke concerning the level of education of the colleges the past two posters made after reading their spelling... oh whoops. Just did. You guys are morons.
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Campbell Football Fan
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Post by Campbell Football Fan on Feb 24, 2013 20:49:34 GMT -5
A couple of things about coach Steele from a Campbell fan and season ticket holder about some of the questions on this board. Coach Steele was a very nice guy I don't know if he was qualified to be a head coach, but its hard to attract a big name established coach to the middle of nowhere North Carolina to start up a non scholarship football program. The biggest problem with our offense this season was that our offensive line was awful, we graduated 4 seniors and had numerous injuries. Our starting quarterback for 2012, who had the talent to bring a good passing attack, had his jaw broken in our second game and was pretty much done for the year. In our 6-5 year our running game lead the league and our offensive line were road graders (on our level of football anyways) so we didn't need to pass to often. The defense has always been a little suspect but last year it was absolutely awful to say the least. I don't know exactly what Coach Steele's offensive philosophy is because I don't know if he ever had the pieces to implement it. The non scholarship football model is great for Campbell. Our stadium is slated to be finished this summer, we have an exciting new coach (Mike Minter) so we all hope things are looking up for our program.
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Post by eagledawg on Feb 25, 2013 19:11:43 GMT -5
Campbell Football Fan - Thank you for your post. I have sensed that the record of Coach Steele at Campbell is not unlike what one would expect for a start-up program. A couple of kids from our high school program played at Campbell and were part of the initial recruiting classes there that practiced but did not play pending the start of actual games. Is is somewhat amazing to me that some think you go in to a school with no program, no scholarships and no tradition and somehow by the sheer weight of will are supposed to field at least a 500 team and show balance on offense, defense and special teams with sound statistics. To not do so calls into question your abilities. As I posted earlier, Coach Steele built something from nothing, and in 2011 had a winning record with a punishing ground game. Based on your post it appears that graduation and injury caused great difficulty in 2012. I am not surprised at the 2012 result. There had to be significant graduation losses (a.ka. the O-line) and would anyone expect that a program in it's infancy can win over multi-star FCS recruits with records of 1-10, etc. and them knowing that they likely stuck behind a junior or senior their first two years. In looking at Steele's complete resume, character and personality, I can see where Coach McCray would think he's a solid fit at GWU. It should come as no surprise to those that have followed the GWU program over the last several seasons that we haven't been able to run the ball when we want to and we can't seem to keep people from scoring. I don't know that we have much trouble passing the ball when we've had a healthy QB. It is pretty simple, our problems are running the ball and slowing down the opposing offense. Why wouldn't a focus of the new staff be on significant improvement in those areas while still maintaining a reasonably productive pass game. I have heard that we are going to the spread. If so, it will be interesting to see if we can improve the efficiency of the run game over the prior period when we ran the spread under former Coach Patton. I know to effectively run the ball you gotta have good O-line play and solid O-line coaching. We have had no stability in the O-line coaching position for the last 5 to 6 years. I believe we may have a good one in Coach Ray, let's hope he proves me right and then decides to hang around Boiling Springs for more than a single season. That would be real nice.  |
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