The Official 2015 University of Miami Hurricanes Football Thread: Death of a Salesman

Alexander The Great

Alexander The Great

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Amid all of the issues around the University of Miami football program --– the underachieving, Duke Johnson’s mother claiming half the team would transfer if it could, a former UM coach telling numerous people that Mark D’Onofrio’s system is too complicated --– we asked a respected, well-liked 2014 Hurricanes player, who has graduated and had no ax to grind, for a candid, thoroughly honest assessment of several issues.

He agreed but requested anonymity to preserve his relationship with the coaches and players. Among his observations from a lengthy conversation:

### Asked who’s to blame for the underachieving and 6-7 record last season, he said 70 percent is on the players and 30 percent on the coaches.

“Players have to want to be great,” he said. “And last year, there were a few guys who wanted to be great, but not everyone gave their all every play.”

He said some players had to be cajoled simply “to play harder.” That lack of effort puzzled and angered some players who were giving their all and caused some friction among players, he said.

### The player said another problem is that some players didn’t study the playbook enough to learn D’Onofrio’s complex defense, which is patterned in some ways after the Seattle Seahawks system.

“It’s an NFL defense, a difficult system, and some college kids aren’t ready for it and don’t put in the time to learn it,” the player said. “It needs to be like a job, and some of the guys here don’t treat it like that. I don’t think he necessarily needs to simplify it. Some of the players just need to make it a priority to learn it and do it right.”

But he also acknowledged that D’Onofrio’s system, which he had no issue with, is simply “too much to learn for some kids. I’ve seen playbooks from other schools and ours is a lot more complicated and longer.”

### So what’s the issue as far as coaching, beyond that?

“Some of the players wish coach D’Onofrio would let them play more instinctively and attacking more, and play more man coverage. Against Florida State, we were attacking and playing a lot of man coverage in the first half. Then we got conservative and Jameis Winston picked us apart. Players want to play more man.”

### He said the other issue with D’Onofrio is that “guys are afraid of him because he can be insulting. Some players wanted to be treated more respectfully.

“Coach D’Onofrio doesn’t like when you speak up [with suggestions or second-guessing]. After the Virginia game, Anthony Chickillo asked why we ran a three-man line on fourth and goal at the two, and coach D’Onofrio snapped.”

In defense of D’Onofrio (who is a friendly, engaging fellow off the field), a lot of coaches are very tough on their players and D’Onofrio always praises his them publicly.

### The player said UM players don’t have an issue with the hybrid 4-3/3-4 scheme or where they’re asked to line up and praised D’Onofrio for being “passionate and detailed. He would be a great NFL coach.”

### What about Al Golden?

“A great guy,” the player said. “He’s calm, cool and composed. But he comes across as a salesman. I wish he would be more open with us.” He said even though Golden says players can come to him about anything, “some players are intimidated by him.”

Does Golden motivate the team well enough? “He ignites us emotionally at practice. But after the Florida State game, we lost a lot of emotion. We kind of lost our mojo.”

The player blames everyone for that. He said he doesn’t have any issue with Golden’s strategic acumen or game-day decisions.

### He said the young players cannot feel entitlement and must understand they need to work to be great, which he believes some --- but not all --- do. As an example, he mentioned Chad Thomas can be “cocky” but also praised his ability.
Click to expand...
 
JayStarwind

JayStarwind

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Tag me next time bruh, I care about the team too :mjcry:

Not at all surprised by Perrym.... I mean this "anonymous" person's statement though its kind of refreshing to hear someone express what most fans thought/knew.

-Whenever I see other players on opposing teams like Bama, FSU, UF, Oregon, UCLA, USC, etc. they seem like they're all about football, but some of our players look like they could care less. They talk like they want to bring the U back but no one really acts like they want to except Chad.

-The majority of the defense isn't going to get this "complex" defense so you should simplify it. Nope let's continue to get gashed on the ground and play our DB's 10 yards off the WR :beli:

-Most don't like Golden and want him gone but I honestly think he's a decent coach; players seem to think so too.He just doesn't know how to gather a staff imo and probably won't receive help from an incompetent athletic department either. I'm not saying I want him as the coach :usure: but he doesn't get any help from his colleagues.
 
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