The Ohio program has changed a lot in the time I've been watching it. It has gone from a program that mostly lost over the last 40 years to one that mostly wins. Along the way there have been changes and evolutions that haven't always been smooth. The first one came at the end of the 2005 season. In 2005 the players tried to think of themselves as winners, not losers, and yet, they lost anyway. The conflict between self-image and actual performance led to stress and conflict, which in turn manifested itself in a host of off-the-field issues. That in turn was brought to light by the Columbus Dispatch before the BG game next year, and led to a number of changes in Administrative policy at the AD's office. It also led to a change in the attitude of players, and between the two changes, prepared the program for the next step.

During the next phase, the program continued to improve, but it was an up and down process. After a 9-5 season came a 6-6 and a 4-8 before going back to 9-5 again in 2009. This wave was led by holdovers from the Knorr era, who really wanted to win, plus a bunch of players neglected by other schools, that had no other offers, and as a consequence, probably had a chip on their shoulder. No one else wanted them? Fine - they would come to Ohio and prove them wrong. In the 2005-2007 recruiting classes combined you could probably count on one hand the players that had other offers. Those were the players that were Seniors in 2009-2011. Did they prove people wrong? Absolutely. They came to Ohio unwanted, and they left winners.

Since 2011 Ohio is moving into another era. Most of the recruits who are now Seniors did have other offers. I think they have more athletic talent than the groups that preceeded them, but what they are missing is that chip on their shoulder that molded their predecessors into a  cohesive unit. As a  result there is more individualism, and more room for internal conflict than their was before. The coaches were spoiled by the work ethic and automatic cohesiveness of the prior groups, and were not prepared to deal with the shift that has happened, leaving us where we are.

What will the future bring from here? What changes need to be made? Ohio could not progress without getting to this point, and Ohio needs to get through it to move to wherever it is headed.  The athletes need a new common mission, and the coaches need to be prepared to deal with more individuality, and need to have more methods to unify and motivate the team. I see no reason that this can't be accomplished. In the end the reason for winning must become pride in Ohio, and a desire to continue the success of the past, something very different from winning because you have a chip on your shoulder.

Are coaching changes needed? This isn't my department, sorry. I'm not in a position to evaluate the performance of individual coaches. Certainly the offense hasn't performed well this year, but then, neither has the defense. Ultimately the buck stops with Solich, and unlike me, he is in a position to evaluate individual assistant coaches, and to replace some if needed. He's also in a position to come up with and implement ideas to motivate and unify the team.

Where Ohio goes from here will be a direct result of how well these problems are dealt with, and how satisfactory the solutions are. The quality of recruits continues to rise each year, so the program could/should continue to improve.  The program was able to survive and improve from the first set of problems, back in 2006. I see no reason they can't improve and grow from these as well.

Is the problem compounded by Solich's age? Is it complicated by the fact that several assistant coaches are perhaps
waiting around, hoping to be named his successor? I have no doubt that this is part of the issue. As competitive as Solich is, I don't think he's any happier with the way the team has played the last few games than some of the posters. As a result, at his age or not, I think he will step up and deal with the problems. I think any Assistant that is simply "waiting", and not "coaching" should wonder what the future will bring.

In the end, I think this will end up being just a minor bump in the road, and Ohio will get through it. I still think next year will probably be an off year, but maybe not as much as I previously expected, since I think the poor performances this year, combined with the extra experience that the younger players got this year will partially offset their youth by preparing them to play better next year. I still think 2015 and 2016 will be very, very good years.

Note that I think the problems runs much deeper than a player, or players "giving up", and therefore I think the solution needs to be deeper than just benching a player, or firing an individual coach. I think that the "problems" that are the most visible are not the "problems" at all, but rather just they symptoms. The deeper problem is what must be identified and addressed for the program to move to the next level.

Good thoughts, LC.

I know people are upset, and I share their extreme disappointment with the performance in the last 3 games.  I am baffled by it and have never seen anything like that from a Solich team. 

But I ask people to keep supporting Coach Solich, because when he experienced failure in the past, he made signficiant changes to get better.  The large coaching changes at Nebraska in 2002 and the change to a hurry-up offense after the Troy State blowout loss in the bowl game are two examples that come to mind.

He is a competitor and wants to win badly, so I have confidence Coach Solich will make an honest assessment of what needs to be done and put Ohio back on an upward trajectory. 

That no doubt is part of it, and the fact that there are virtually no 4th year guys in the system makes it worse. The only 4th year players who have played a major role this year are Carpenter, Kristoff, Cochran, and Ingol. Grady, Atwell, and Mark Smith are the only others on the team. That doesn't explain, though, the total collapse, so I think the problem is deeper.

For 9 years LC has been giving projections and mathematical projections to the "year". Problem is "the" year has not happened yet! How much more time do you need?

Peak of the cycle? Yes you predicted undefeated and MACC we have neither.

I think it would be fun for everybody to do some predictions over the next 3 years. Mine would be 6-6, 7-5, 7-5, regular season only. I think we've plateaued. As we get closer to Solich's retirement, recruiting may taper off as well. Coaching change, all bets are off.
I tend to think that winning involves so many variables that it's difficult to predict with much confidence. It also depends upon recruiting at the QB position more than others. Injuries and breaks are unpredictable. Coaching changes at other schools we play may play a part in our results.

Problem is, AE took a bunch of grief on this board when he was QB. I remember posting that I supported him because he was from Tennessee (tongue in cheek), and for a while I was one of the VERY few who had anything positive to say about him.

I remember going to a spring GREEN v WHITE game.

AE looked good to me... the problem was there was NO ONE who could catch a pass. 

So keep in mind, when evaluating a QB, it's a "it takes two to tango" situation.

-ohn

During a fall Ox Roast (remember those events?) at Peden stadium my wife and I found ourselves at the same table with AE.  We were both really impressed at his attitude and easy way he talked with us about a variety of topics.  He was smart, articulate, humble and a great representative of Ohio.   

L.C. is the most insightful poster on this board. I for one trust his view and approach to our team and program.

Solich has changed quite a bit from his old style of game calling. Remember the poor showing in the bowl game against Troy? Well, he sent some asst. coaches down to Troy to learn about the no huddle and fast paced approach to the O, and instituted that style at Ohio.
He may be an old dog but he has shown that he can still learn a few tricks!

I believe we will right the ship for next Friday and get a bowl bid.

Solich is not done coaching and he knows there is still some unfinished business. He is motivated, strong willed, tuff minded, and will manage the players to get the best results possible.

Keep the faith.

GO BOBCATS

Fantastic job.. yes.  However, i still believe this ridiculous rotation has had a negative impact on some game situations.   There seems to be  no rhyme or reason to it.   Most critical points of the game and you have the 6 leading receivers standing on the sidelines while the 3 on the field  have combined for 5 receptions all year.  Including his son….