I kept loading up the Sun web site to see when some type of announcement would come about Friedgen.

Al Groh had gotten the axe earlier this afternoon at Virginia.

The fact that Ralph and Debbie Yow are still talking means that he's returning, albeit under different circumstances. I think he's having to announce a plan to turn things around and address issues with the staff, mostly the defensive coordinator.

Move to an option style offense? That's what they ran the first three (and most successful) years. Both Sean Hill and Scott McBrien ran a very effective option style offense, that often gave defenses fits. We stopped running it in 2004 when it appeared that Statham could not run it well, and never really returned to it.
I'd welcome the return to that style of offense, if Robinson can run it. Those first three years, the offense was creative and very good.

Jeff,

I want RF to stay - as well as Franklin - for one more year. (Honestly I'd like for Yow to resign and get a AD in here who is committed to all sports but understand the importance of giving your two main money-makers everything they need to succeed, is a strong figure head for the University, isn’t an abysmal failure when it comes to dealing with the media, and understand the value of doing the little things necessary to keep the everyday fan interested and not just working the "big donor" crowd - another topic for another thread)
Bottom line is - we can’t afford the early buyout. (When you look at what it would cost to buyout RF, Franklin AND pay a new HC - at a five year deal if he's smart) Ralph deserves one last chance to go out a winner, and Franklin will have no excuses if after 3 years he cant prove his worth. If next year is as bad as this year was, then no one has any excuses.

Changes need to be made beyond a tweak here and there with the play book. (Simplify the damn thing - this isn’t pro football and you're not preparing 95% of the team for a pro career) The whole philosophy of "play not to lose" has to change. We need to get back to the aggressive style we had in 2001-2003. We need to start having fun again and a nothing to lose, everything to gain attitude. Ralph needs to lighten up and enjoy every aspect of his job again like he did when he got here.

Significant changes to how RF deals with the fan base, the public and media. He looks pained, like he isn’t enjoying his work. He is uncomfortable (in front of crowds - media or fans), untrusting & suspicious (i.e. internet blogs), conservative (play not to lose) and generally miserable. I understand he feels like he hasn’t gotten the job done this year. He's embarrassed because he cares so much. I have no doubt he wants to succeed and have a winning football program more than any of us. He can begin regaining our faith in him by "manning up" and taking full responsibility, stop using "bad luck" and injury excuses, (maybe we had a few more than most but everyone suffers injuries), and start trusting his players (you cant get experience without playing in games)and generally have fun again doing what he loves.

There are serious concerns about his assistants and recruiting. If he isn’t already, Franklin should be in charge of recruiting. Certainly Salazzo or whoever has been in charge for the past 5-6 years hasn’t gotten it done. And if RF feels he has the players needed to win with, then our assistant coaches aren’t doing their jobs and need to be replaced.

I understand comfort and loyalty but college football is more business than sport anymore. You have to look at the bottom line and you have to be honest about when the job's not getting done. Maybe its past time we upgraded some of our assistant positions. One coach I don’t want to see leave is Don Brown - if we upgrade our defensive talent - especially on the DL, then we should see a difference with the team more comfortable with his system in 2010. If RF stays, Brown should too.

I wont get into individual assistants other than to say the coaching on a day to day basis in practice doesn’t seem to be getting done. False starts on the OL. Poor tackling skills. Etc.

The OL should be better in 2010. At least two highly recruited highly rated red shirt freshman added to the mix as well as a lot of experience gained by our returning youngsters. We have very good skill players on offense at receiver and RB. The OL just needs to provide holes to run through and give the QB enough time to throw. We have new DL help coming again - according to our recruiting lists. We'll see. LB should be fine. I'm not sure how solid we are at DB, but do know I'm happy Perez is returning and think Chisolm will be fine. We have a solid PK and Punter. If Baltz gets healthy and Ferrara gets stronger we'll have nothing to worry about there.
That leaves QB. Jamaar has skills. I think he certainly proved in our last three games he was able to handle the job. Good coaching, practice, and a good OL will make him better. Jamaar has Scotty McBrien-like mobility & skills which is the type of QB Ralph wants and we’ve thrived under. I'm not sure if C.J. Brown or Danny O'Brien are the same type of QBs (haven’t seen them play) but it seems to me if they’re not as mobile, you don’t change your system back and forth or try and fit one type of QB into a system they're not built for. We'll see what happens. Personally unless one of the two red shirts is head and shoulders above all others, go with Robinson and make it clear he's the man no matter what. Don’t screw with his head the way the staff did with Turner. And for God's sake - I know practice and "not making mistakes" are important but that’s the "play not to lose" mentality that seems to be hanging over this program.

Bottom line is give Ralph one final opportunity.
However, no excuses.
If he feels we lost because of “bad breaks” this year and he can turn the program around (meaning back to a bowl game and nothing less) his way with minor changes then maybe he’s willing to resign after 2010 (and forfeit the remaining year of his contract) if he cant win next year.
Maybe Franklin – if he believes he is the future HC and can get the job done - should be willing to risk that $1mil HCIW guarantee if recruiting doesn’t significantly improve and he isn’t successful in his 3rd year as OC.
No matter what, as appreciative as we are of Yow’s job in bringing the AD budget under control, after 16 years, its time to turn the position over to someone else more suited to what this Athletic Department needs now – our objectives have changed.

How do you jump to they're going to a full blown option offense from what you posted?
----FROM JEFF----
We just said they're considering it -- something Ralph has said flat out and also hinted at this season. Too soon, of course, to say they've absolutely decided to run it since we're not even certain who the coaches will be.

Well said Terps06. I would give them one more year and if less than 8 wins go get someone like Mike Tice.