Yes, I hope he reads this too...
As many of you are aware, I'm not some sunshine pumping Stanford homer. I didn't go to school at Stanford in part because I never wanted to do the things that would get me admitted to Stanford. But I was a Stanford Football season ticket holder for a few years, have attended Baseball, MBB and WBB games, so have always rooted for Stanford.
When the Luck GM hire was announced, I initially felt good about it. Unlike most Stanford fans, my good feeling was not based on Luck being named GM, it was that a GM position was created, because earlier in the year I concluded there should be a Football CEO that reports directly to the President. To me, the announcement of the GM position was in line with this and gave me a sense Stanford might be ready to get serious about Football. My enthusiasm was for the rollout of what this new role would entail, a press conference for the announcement, and reporters getting to ask questions, then set up for one-on ones with Andrew Luck for more detailed insights. Then I saw the ESPN announcement and his brief interview on GameDay.
It was less than impressive, a ham-fisted presentation with few details, that also included the brain-dead full-throated endorsement and full taking ownership of a 6-18 Head Coach who needs to be replaced yesterday if Stanford is to be taken seriously as a Football program. Then I heard Luck interviewed by the ultimate homer, softball tosser Troy Clardy. This interview wasn't hard-hitting but did at least lead to Luck saying he is in charge of "everything" from Football operations, to marketing, to game experience, to donors and I assume NIL. Next up was Dan Patrick.
The Patrick interview was in some ways the most disappointing. Patrick asked Luck about the direction of College Football and breaking away from the NCAA. Luck said "a lot of people have a lot of ideas," and Patrick rightly challenged him, effectively saying "bro, you are in a leadership position here, you have to have your own take, not be a wallflower afraid to say something others will challenge." He didn't really answer the question. So one unimpressive ESPN appearance, and two not very impressive radio interviews, but what was the point? Who was Luck speaking to exactly, and for what purpose? Maybe there would be a presser that would get into more specifics.
Nope, no presser. Beyond a press release, this is the official portrayal of Andrew Luck on the Stanford.edu website: https://stanfordwho.stanford.edu/or...HrxlaU83bh_CDl3QSgtHfpkMZP46qioFhUpNsACvqE3fQ No email or address.
After almost a month after being hired, nobody knows what Luck has done is doing or what his plan is. I get it that he took over during recruiting and transfer season, but this is the time coaching changes are made too. Moreover, Luck's responsible for a whole lot more than just Football Operations anyway, and Football Operations in and of itself require multiple hires in different areas.
I made a post saying I could spend all day coming up with a list of questions for Luck to answer because I have no Earthy idea what Luck is doing, what his plans are, timelines, or anything. Since Luck's hiring I have seen not a single thing that makes me think anything is changing or getting better with Stanford Football as a result of the GM role being created, let alone Andrew Luck having it. Transfers were coming even without Luck being involved. But, it just so happens that Luck took over being the GM - and being in charge of the roster - before the transfer period started, which means Luck - not Taylor - owns these transfers and specifically losing a commitment at a critical position of need to Cal. Luck couldn't come up with the money to keep him from Cal or Stanford admissions denied him. It doesn't matter which one of those reasons is behind losing Ruffins, either one is proof-positive demonstration that Stanford is still the same post-Luck as GM - hopelessly unable to compete in the arena it is trying to be in - as it was pre-GM position.
Maybe I've missed something. Maybe Luck has made some material changes or has material plans, but until I see tangible evidence of difference-making competence and production, or at least Luck being made available to the media to be asked questions and give his answers, I'm more than skeptical. Just taking transfers for the sake of them being transfers, and not doing what it takes to bring in difference-making talent, might finally allow Stanford Football to stop its constant decent further into the P4 basement - just by having "older bodies" as Taylor talks about - but this isn't going to get it moving in an upward direction out of it.
Full embrace and ownership of a terrible 6-18 coach and his staff. Hiding from media scrutiny. No announcement of key hires that show seriousness. No evidence of NIL money bringing in difference-making transfer talent. No indication of a plan.
There is a massive expectation that creating the Football GM position will yield significant improvement over not having one. Maybe changes will be coming, but based on what I have (not) seen, and the pace of improvement I am (not) seeing, Stanford is on its way to intensifying the joke that its program is at the moment, by continuing its Football failure even after bringing in Luck as GM. Time to step up your game, Andrew. You are in charge, not Troy Taylor, not Bernard Muir. You've apparently got the support of the President and I assume BOT. Time to start shaking things up and put your stamp on Stanford Football like you own it, because you do.
As many of you are aware, I'm not some sunshine pumping Stanford homer. I didn't go to school at Stanford in part because I never wanted to do the things that would get me admitted to Stanford. But I was a Stanford Football season ticket holder for a few years, have attended Baseball, MBB and WBB games, so have always rooted for Stanford.
When the Luck GM hire was announced, I initially felt good about it. Unlike most Stanford fans, my good feeling was not based on Luck being named GM, it was that a GM position was created, because earlier in the year I concluded there should be a Football CEO that reports directly to the President. To me, the announcement of the GM position was in line with this and gave me a sense Stanford might be ready to get serious about Football. My enthusiasm was for the rollout of what this new role would entail, a press conference for the announcement, and reporters getting to ask questions, then set up for one-on ones with Andrew Luck for more detailed insights. Then I saw the ESPN announcement and his brief interview on GameDay.
It was less than impressive, a ham-fisted presentation with few details, that also included the brain-dead full-throated endorsement and full taking ownership of a 6-18 Head Coach who needs to be replaced yesterday if Stanford is to be taken seriously as a Football program. Then I heard Luck interviewed by the ultimate homer, softball tosser Troy Clardy. This interview wasn't hard-hitting but did at least lead to Luck saying he is in charge of "everything" from Football operations, to marketing, to game experience, to donors and I assume NIL. Next up was Dan Patrick.
The Patrick interview was in some ways the most disappointing. Patrick asked Luck about the direction of College Football and breaking away from the NCAA. Luck said "a lot of people have a lot of ideas," and Patrick rightly challenged him, effectively saying "bro, you are in a leadership position here, you have to have your own take, not be a wallflower afraid to say something others will challenge." He didn't really answer the question. So one unimpressive ESPN appearance, and two not very impressive radio interviews, but what was the point? Who was Luck speaking to exactly, and for what purpose? Maybe there would be a presser that would get into more specifics.
Nope, no presser. Beyond a press release, this is the official portrayal of Andrew Luck on the Stanford.edu website: https://stanfordwho.stanford.edu/or...HrxlaU83bh_CDl3QSgtHfpkMZP46qioFhUpNsACvqE3fQ No email or address.
After almost a month after being hired, nobody knows what Luck has done is doing or what his plan is. I get it that he took over during recruiting and transfer season, but this is the time coaching changes are made too. Moreover, Luck's responsible for a whole lot more than just Football Operations anyway, and Football Operations in and of itself require multiple hires in different areas.
I made a post saying I could spend all day coming up with a list of questions for Luck to answer because I have no Earthy idea what Luck is doing, what his plans are, timelines, or anything. Since Luck's hiring I have seen not a single thing that makes me think anything is changing or getting better with Stanford Football as a result of the GM role being created, let alone Andrew Luck having it. Transfers were coming even without Luck being involved. But, it just so happens that Luck took over being the GM - and being in charge of the roster - before the transfer period started, which means Luck - not Taylor - owns these transfers and specifically losing a commitment at a critical position of need to Cal. Luck couldn't come up with the money to keep him from Cal or Stanford admissions denied him. It doesn't matter which one of those reasons is behind losing Ruffins, either one is proof-positive demonstration that Stanford is still the same post-Luck as GM - hopelessly unable to compete in the arena it is trying to be in - as it was pre-GM position.
Maybe I've missed something. Maybe Luck has made some material changes or has material plans, but until I see tangible evidence of difference-making competence and production, or at least Luck being made available to the media to be asked questions and give his answers, I'm more than skeptical. Just taking transfers for the sake of them being transfers, and not doing what it takes to bring in difference-making talent, might finally allow Stanford Football to stop its constant decent further into the P4 basement - just by having "older bodies" as Taylor talks about - but this isn't going to get it moving in an upward direction out of it.
Full embrace and ownership of a terrible 6-18 coach and his staff. Hiding from media scrutiny. No announcement of key hires that show seriousness. No evidence of NIL money bringing in difference-making transfer talent. No indication of a plan.
There is a massive expectation that creating the Football GM position will yield significant improvement over not having one. Maybe changes will be coming, but based on what I have (not) seen, and the pace of improvement I am (not) seeing, Stanford is on its way to intensifying the joke that its program is at the moment, by continuing its Football failure even after bringing in Luck as GM. Time to step up your game, Andrew. You are in charge, not Troy Taylor, not Bernard Muir. You've apparently got the support of the President and I assume BOT. Time to start shaking things up and put your stamp on Stanford Football like you own it, because you do.
