DE Mike Vrabel (All B1G, All American, Pro Bowl, All Pro, Super Bowl Champion)

[MililaniBuckeye]

As jwins said, instead of making excuses... state exactly why Mike Vrable deserves to be on one of if not the top staffs in college football?

Tell me why he doesn't deserve to be on staff, other than the LB corps hasn't fucking magically transformed into the 2002 LB corps under his five whole months of coaching. Luke Fickell felt he was good enough to be hired and so did the athletic department...I'll take their judgement over jwins, yours, or mine anyday.

But since you insist on an exact reason, the reason is that he hasn't been in the position long enough to have given a fair assessment. When Bill fucking Bellichik says he feels that Vrabel would be an excellent coach, then you have to give Vrabel at least a reasonable chance to prove himself.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Tell me why he doesn't deserve to be on staff, other than the LB corps hasn't fucking magically transformed into the 2002 LB corps under his five whole months of coaching. Luke Fickell felt he was good enough to be hired and so did the athletic department...I'll take their judgement over jwins, yours, or mine anyday.

But since you insist on an exact reason, the reason is that he hasn't been in the position long enough to have given a fair assessment. When Bill fucking Bellichik says he feels that Vrabel would be an excellent coach, then you have to give Vrabel at least a reasonable chance to prove himself.

Talk real shit, Mili. Not blind Patriot..ism?

 

[MaxBuck]

When Bill [censored]ing Bellichik says he feels that Vrabel would be an excellent coach, then you have to give Vrabel at least a reasonable chance to prove himself.

This is maybe one of the most compelling reasons to give Vrabel a chance under a new regime. Of course, we could point out that Belichick didn't hire him for the Patriots staff ...

 

[jwinslow]

Luke Fickell felt he was good enough to be hired

Luke Fickell had to fill a position quickly with someone who knew he'd probably be out of a job 7-9 months later.

and so did the athletic department

The athletic department also decided that Jim Bollman was good enough to be retained/

But since you insist on an exact reason, the reason is that he hasn't been in the position long enough to have given a fair assessment.

What a toothless recommendation. Just admit that there isn't anything.

When Bill fucking Bellichik says he feels that Vrabel would be an excellent coach, then you have to give Vrabel at least a reasonable chance to prove himself.

This isn't a tryout team. This is a premiere football school.

No one is saying Vrabel or Fickell can't coach. They're saying they haven't come close to earning these jobs yet.


Hoodie has vowed for some other underwhelming coaching hires, and he was a core leader and player for his many super bowl runs. Obviously he's going to be loyal to one of his guys. Vrabel definitely seems to have the tenacity, work ethic, knowledge and personality to be a successful college coach. It's just his first time doing anything like this, and "well maybe he'll get better" is a very weak excuse for a program like this.

 

[matcar]

Tell me why he doesn't deserve to be on staff, other than the LB corps hasn't [censored]ing magically transformed into the 2002 LB corps under his five whole months of coaching. Luke Fickell felt he was good enough to be hired and so did the athletic department...I'll take their judgement over jwins, yours, or mine anyday.

But since you insist on an exact reason, the reason is that he hasn't been in the position long enough to have given a fair assessment. When Bill [censored]ing Bellichik says he feels that Vrabel would be an excellent coach, then you have to give Vrabel at least a reasonable chance to prove himself.

If the next coach thinks that this is good enough reason to keep him, so be it. But it won't bother me a lick if that ain't good enough and they bring in someone more seasoned. As Max stated, it's all but impossible to KNOW what has happened in practice and how well or poorly someone has coached...especially in such a condensed period. But the results haven't been spectacular so I could certainly see the judgement being to go in a different direction.

 

[BB73]

I see Vrabel's situation as nearly identical to Fickell's. A Buckeye fan-favorite in terms of name recognition but basically no experience at the position they were filling. Also very young. Ultimately, I will trust Meyer's judgment as he always has a killer staff of assistants. However, I would prefer to see him stay. Retiring from the NFL to coach a depleted LB unit last minute with no prior coaching experience is hardly an audition.

There it is! Trust the coaches. Err ... Trust the Coach-to-be.

 

[osugrad21]

Vrabel was an impact hire in a time of need. He stabilized recruiting for the instant and gave a fresh perspective on the staff.

Mike has the intangibles to be a solid coach. However, this year is not the season to assess anyone. I don't know if Vrabel will be retained...nor am I sure if he continues coaching in college if tOSU does not work out.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

This isn't a tryout team. This is a premiere football school.

And this is Vrabel's fault because? News flash...all coaching positions are "tryouts" once hired...that's why so many coaches are fired before the end of their contract.

No one is saying Vrabel or Fickell can't coach. They're saying they haven't come close to earning these jobs yet.

Bullshit. That's exactly what you're saying when you say he doesn't deserve to be retained...you're saying he hasn't done enough in five his months on the job.

If the next coach thinks that this is good enough reason to keep him, so be it. But it won't bother me a lick if that ain't good enough and they bring in someone more seasoned. As Max stated, it's all but impossible to KNOW what has happened in practice and how well or poorly someone has coached...especially in such a condensed period. But the results haven't been spectacular so I could certainly see the judgement being to go in a different direction.

Agree. If Meyer wants someone else as LB coach, then you go with his decision. I just don't think Vrabel can get a full, objective evaluation based solely on his five months in the position.

 

[stowfan]

Vrabel was an impact hire in a time of need. He stabilized recruiting for the instant and gave a fresh perspective on the staff.

Mike has the intangibles to be a solid coach. However, this year is not the season to assess anyone. I don't know if Vrabel will be retained...nor am I sure if he continues coaching in college if tOSU does not work out.

Considering his pro credentials, he would be golden in the NFL!

 

[jwinslow]

And this is Vrabel's fault because? News flash...all coaching positions are "tryouts" once hired...

Congratulations on twisting my words deceptively.

Coaches aren't hired because of attributes they might develop later on. They are hired for the attributes they have then.

that's why so many coaches are fired before the end of their contract

They are fired because they failed, not because the athletic department went, 'ah shucks, who knows, maybe he'll learn how to coach effectively down the road and then the hire will be a good one'

Bullshit. That's exactly what you're saying when you say he doesn't deserve to be retained...

I'm saying he hasn't earned it. And despite all of your rage, you still haven't provided anything to show his worth as a coach

you're saying he hasn't done enough in five his months on the job.

What has he done? Give me something Mili.

 

[jwinslow]

I know Fickell can coach LBs. I know Fickell can recruit LBs. I know Fickell can lead LBs.

I haven't seen evidence of Vrabel doing any of these things effectively.

Mili wants to hire Vrabel because he might be good at them but we have no idea yet. That's a pretty flimsy resume to be hired for a new regime, particularly one that demands perfection on all fronts like Meyer does.

Why exactly should Vrabel coach the LBs instead of Fickell? I can't think of a better fit for Fickell moving forward as an assistant HC (see Hazell).

 

[osugrad21]

I know Fickell can coach LBs. I know Fickell can recruit LBs. I know Fickell can lead LBs.

If you accept these as absolute fact, why doubt his personal assessment of Vrabel?

Again, no word or feeling if Vrabel is retained, but I do know his name sells...Norton Jr. in LA worked out well with zero college experience.

Right now, this defense is missing key components to the overall philosophy. That exposes guys who are not playing roles they were recruited to play.

I can see Vrabel bouncing back to the NFL but I can also see him staying on staff. True coaches learn and can coach EVERY position.

 

[jwinslow]

Again, no word or feeling if Vrabel is retained, but I do know his name sells...Norton Jr. in LA worked out well with zero college experience.

Is the reason we haven't seen this mentioned much because they are selling OSU instead of coaches, due to their lack of job security?

That's my biggest concern with re-hiring him. I assumed his fire and personality would be great for recruiting, yet he hasn't really been visible much, if at all.

 

[BrutusBobcat]

Noting that Greg Studrawa's position at Ohio State was Graduate Assistant, despite the fact that he'd coached for several years at a lower level (OC at Wilmington College), would a GA position be appropriate for Vrabel if Fickell took on LB duties again as part of being AHC? Normally, a few years as a GA at a major school are a part of any position coach's resume.

I'll note that in basketball, Chris Jent first returned to Ohio State as a Team Manager, despite having actually been interim HC of the Orlando Magic, and Greg Paulus is Video Coordinator, so there are certainly plenty of positions one can find for a guy who has potential but lacks experience.

 

[osugrad21]

Is the reason we haven't seen this mentioned much because they are selling OSU instead of coaches, due to their lack of job security?

That's my biggest concern with re-hiring him. I assumed his fire and personality would be great for recruiting, yet he hasn't really been visible much, if at all.

Good point. I'm assuming his role has been mostly spot calls and visits since he was such a late addition. I would say we will know more after next week once the December visits start but if Urban is coming, we won't really get a full look.

If hired, I think Mike would do well...he has already shown that he is willing to live the life of a coach at the D1 level. Does his upside outweigh his inexperience? What fresh ideas is he bringing? Has he been throttled by the 'established' staff?

Whether the next staff retains him or not is to be seen.