Should Cal actually just be more system driven vs. player driven? Meaning wouldn't we be better off being like Wisconsin in basketball & football or Stanfurd in football. The reality is we have tougher academic standards and have little recent history/tradition to lean on, so let's chase kids who really want to be here and hire coaches who can succeed with players like that.
Wisconsin consistently is at the top of their league because they run a system and if you get a Kaminsky or a Dekker then you've got a shot at the Final Four. Similarly, Stanford runs a system built on strong OL, TE and LB play, typically the captains of the offense and defense with high IQs, who can qualify academically. They don't live and die by 5* skill players. Wisconsin also wins with smash mouth football built on a dominant OL.
In football Tedford ran a pro style offense which works great when you can recruit like SC. He got dependent on getting 4* and 5* talent, but they have trouble with the academics and bring bad chemistry to the locker room.
Oregon in football also runs a system that is not predicated on always getting 4* and 5* guys. Their system is plug and play, so it's easier to have consistency year to year. Lose Dennis Dixon, slot in Marcus Mariotta. Lose Lamichael James, plug in Byron Marshall.
I feel like we just philosophically have to get smarter about what we try and do in basketball and football instead of hoping for the occasional DJax, Jason Kidd or Leon Powe. Once we build some winning, then you get the best of both worlds and can have your pick of the 4 & 5* guys who also fit your system, a la Duke in basketball.
Wisconsin consistently is at the top of their league because they run a system and if you get a Kaminsky or a Dekker then you've got a shot at the Final Four. Similarly, Stanford runs a system built on strong OL, TE and LB play, typically the captains of the offense and defense with high IQs, who can qualify academically. They don't live and die by 5* skill players. Wisconsin also wins with smash mouth football built on a dominant OL.
In football Tedford ran a pro style offense which works great when you can recruit like SC. He got dependent on getting 4* and 5* talent, but they have trouble with the academics and bring bad chemistry to the locker room.
Oregon in football also runs a system that is not predicated on always getting 4* and 5* guys. Their system is plug and play, so it's easier to have consistency year to year. Lose Dennis Dixon, slot in Marcus Mariotta. Lose Lamichael James, plug in Byron Marshall.
I feel like we just philosophically have to get smarter about what we try and do in basketball and football instead of hoping for the occasional DJax, Jason Kidd or Leon Powe. Once we build some winning, then you get the best of both worlds and can have your pick of the 4 & 5* guys who also fit your system, a la Duke in basketball.
