Rick

You’re probably right Uteopia. I wondered this season whether or not they’d play well together in a high post/low post set. We don’t see a lot of that in basketball anymore; but Dawes can be a skilled passer up high. I wished at times that Smith would have gone away from Lovering in favor of Dawes and give the two of them some minutes.

I hope…[Read more]

I like all of the underclassmen who played this year. I hope all of them return. If they do, we have a nice foundation. Coach Smith did a good job of bringing some good players in before the season. I think they’ve benefitted from the strength and training staff and whomever Smith had doing player development. I’ve seen better skill development in…[Read more]

Jim,
He didn’t even return Miller’s calls offering his services. Smith had an assistant finally return the call after Andre had called a few times over several weeks.

Jim’s departure had everything to do with Mark Harlan. They don’t see eye to eye on how fundraising should be done and how the department should be led. When Jim left the athletics fundraising team it was just a matter of time before he’d lose the color job. He was under contract for that. I don’t listen enough to have much of an opinion on the…[Read more]

A few key trustees are playing a role in the hire as is President Randall. Harlan is leading the search but the trustees and president’s office are significantly involved this go around. A few of the trustees, of course, have direct ties to significant donors. The U has to get this right in order to bring the right people back to the table for…[Read more]

I’m with Tony here. Horrible luck happens. The team is positioned to be among the top teams in the Big 12 this season. I actually think the D’line could be better this season. We need to establish depth at tackle but there are three solid tackles in place. Logan Fano is a terrific anchor at one defensive end spot and there is a lot of talent vying…[Read more]

To be fair to Coach Smith I think the biggest problem related to this is talent level. The U simply doesn’t have one player who could be considered an NBA-level player in a few years. We may have a few European-level. We also don’t have a dog – a player who just gets after it 100% of the time. So what do you do as a coach? Smith is choosing to…[Read more]

Terrific list to review. One omission – Raycine Guillory at running back. He’s a four-star incoming freshman whose offer sheet looks like a who’s who of college football. I know we’ve been disappointed in freshmen running backs for a few years so we’ll see; but he looks more the part physically. I think there is one more freshman as well but I…[Read more]

Thanks Utopia. I had particular ties to the interest of the three I mentioned so I had conveniently forgotten that Johnnie was interested. I would imagine his interest was handled similarly – he wasn’t truly vetted or interviewed; but I cannot speak to that like I can the others.

I can provide a little more context. The Smith hire was basically a done deal when Harlan fired Coach K. All had been done behind the scenes. When the firing was announced, three coaches reached out expressing interest through agents or other connections to Utah athletics – Alex Jensen, Porter Moser and Randy Bennett. Harlan had no interest in any…[Read more]

Tednab,
Beck was Scalley’s number one option and we never offered Leftwich. A lot of assumption around him because he interviewed. Arbuckle was offered.

Snork,
That was snarky of me – I apologize. I was trying to be funny on the back end. Have a terrific day.

Snork,
You should join me and a few friends on Taco Tuesdays when we discuss thoughts and feelings during these unsettled times. It’s been good for liberals and conservatives in the group. It’s even added to some better understanding of one another, but let’s not do it here.

Better yet, I can get you the name and number of a good therapist.

Good for Isaac and terrific for our program. I hope he takes a redshirt year to take care of his health, develop his body and learn the offense. I know first hand that the team – both coaches and players – are thrilled he is back.

In this time – NIL craziness – this is a big deal. Tanuvasa is an NFL tackle. Having he and Fano back on the D’line is terrific.

Bronco has announced his OC – he’s coming from San Jose St. and has worked with Bronco and at USU before. I forget his name but not Atuaia.

Miami,
That’s a brutal unintended consequence. Quite an insight.

They are cousins.

If the 4.5 is legit – it’s fast.

Thoughtful response Jim. I love Oregon’s offense and I think that’s where Scalley will try to take us. I don’t know that we can get there. Can we get the talent at the same level as Oregon? I see Saban’s Alabama approach more likely and aligned with where Whittingham has led us – Pro Style leaning toward smash mouth.