Neo
09-30-2004, 04:51 PM
I know I may be the only one here that feels this way but I'm going to say it anyways.
Ever since I was a kid back in Columbia, SC. There were only two (2) football teams that I gave a rip about. That was USC and Nebraska. The only coach I have ever idolized since I was old enough to watch football was Mr. Holtz. He is someone in my eyes that can/would succeed anywhere and he has done exactly that. This is a man that has prided himself on rebuilding programs and bringing the fruits of his labor to the schools. Like I stated before, according to my sources he is going to retire from coaching and is considering taking the USC AD job. When this man retires from coaching, it will be a dark day in college football. I don't care what anyone else says I too will be cast in it's shadows. Mr. Holtz helped define college football as we know it. His name is known and will always be known as one of the greatest coaches and motivators in football history.
I remember being shocked to hear that he resigned from Notre Dame. I never figured that he would give up his life and everything he knew. A few days later, I found out that he gave it up for his family. His wife, Mrs. Beth Holtz had been diagnosed with cancer. After a few years, some rumors surfaced that USC was coach shopping and he was their leading candidate. Most of the national sports writers said he wouldn't dare take the USC job. He defied all odds and took the job. I was at home when they announced it. When he took the job, the excitement was so intense, all I could do was sit there. I couldn't move. I couldn't even blink.
Years later, now rumors are surfacing about him retiring again from coaching. I can tell you now that it will upset me not knowing exactly why he is resigning. (If the rumors are true.) I have been a staunch supporter of Mr. Holtz and USC for over 20 years and I truly hope that if it does pan out, that he's leaving to leave and not under pressure.
Mr. Holtz has brought respect back to USC and put us back on the map once again. More and more higher-end talent WANTS to come to USC and why do you think that is? The worse thing in the world to happen to USC was winning those Outback bowls. Fans then began to preach unrealistic goals. For a team that has enjoyed success once in every three (3) years, that's totally unrealistic.
I firmly believe that you cannot polish a turd in five (5) years. It takes time, patience, money, and support to build a program. You have to develop a relationship with the H.S. coaches, principals, etc, etc. Before Mr. Holtz arrived, USC was a .500 at best team. Over the years that he has been here, you have seen a steady increase in bluechip athletes, performance, and margin of victories. The increases aren't necessarly wins and losses, but performance on the field. Coaching continuity is the key. Look at Nebraska for instance. Osborne was Devaney's asst. and Frank Solich was Osborne's asst. That's 30+ years of experience. Put simply, you only change when there is a massive decline in the program.
Now you have to look at USC's location. USC is in the same boat that Virginia Tech was in a few years ago. USC and Virginia Tech both have small recruiting areas, lack of tradition, extremely tough competition, and not to mention, what's in Blacksburg, VA? Do you hear VT fans wanting the AD to fire Mr. Frank Beamer now? NO WAY! If you thought USC was bad, look at Mr. Beamer's early VT days. Now that was bad, but the VT AD kept saying this is our guy. After all that heartache, look at VT now. They are a Top-25 team every single year. I feel that USC can do the same thing if these fans would just chill out and be patient. If you think I'm joking, click the link at the bottom and see for yourself.
In closing, all I'm saying is that whoever the coach is at USC, give them some time. Why do you think that USC is known as the "Coaches Graveyard". Because we do not give them enough time to do what needs to be done. Mr. Holtz or whoever is doing what they do best. What they have done for longer than most of us have been alive. By the way, do you think Demetrius Summers, Syndey Rice, or Marque Hall would have come to USC if someone else was coaching the team other than Mr. Holtz? They all turned down offers from CONSISTENT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBUR teams because they wanted to be a part of something special. Something that turns into a winner with them at the helm.
Sincerely,
James A. Mills (DeLoreanfan1)
News Writer
http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/acc/virginia_tech/yearly_totals.php
Ever since I was a kid back in Columbia, SC. There were only two (2) football teams that I gave a rip about. That was USC and Nebraska. The only coach I have ever idolized since I was old enough to watch football was Mr. Holtz. He is someone in my eyes that can/would succeed anywhere and he has done exactly that. This is a man that has prided himself on rebuilding programs and bringing the fruits of his labor to the schools. Like I stated before, according to my sources he is going to retire from coaching and is considering taking the USC AD job. When this man retires from coaching, it will be a dark day in college football. I don't care what anyone else says I too will be cast in it's shadows. Mr. Holtz helped define college football as we know it. His name is known and will always be known as one of the greatest coaches and motivators in football history.
I remember being shocked to hear that he resigned from Notre Dame. I never figured that he would give up his life and everything he knew. A few days later, I found out that he gave it up for his family. His wife, Mrs. Beth Holtz had been diagnosed with cancer. After a few years, some rumors surfaced that USC was coach shopping and he was their leading candidate. Most of the national sports writers said he wouldn't dare take the USC job. He defied all odds and took the job. I was at home when they announced it. When he took the job, the excitement was so intense, all I could do was sit there. I couldn't move. I couldn't even blink.
Years later, now rumors are surfacing about him retiring again from coaching. I can tell you now that it will upset me not knowing exactly why he is resigning. (If the rumors are true.) I have been a staunch supporter of Mr. Holtz and USC for over 20 years and I truly hope that if it does pan out, that he's leaving to leave and not under pressure.
Mr. Holtz has brought respect back to USC and put us back on the map once again. More and more higher-end talent WANTS to come to USC and why do you think that is? The worse thing in the world to happen to USC was winning those Outback bowls. Fans then began to preach unrealistic goals. For a team that has enjoyed success once in every three (3) years, that's totally unrealistic.
I firmly believe that you cannot polish a turd in five (5) years. It takes time, patience, money, and support to build a program. You have to develop a relationship with the H.S. coaches, principals, etc, etc. Before Mr. Holtz arrived, USC was a .500 at best team. Over the years that he has been here, you have seen a steady increase in bluechip athletes, performance, and margin of victories. The increases aren't necessarly wins and losses, but performance on the field. Coaching continuity is the key. Look at Nebraska for instance. Osborne was Devaney's asst. and Frank Solich was Osborne's asst. That's 30+ years of experience. Put simply, you only change when there is a massive decline in the program.
Now you have to look at USC's location. USC is in the same boat that Virginia Tech was in a few years ago. USC and Virginia Tech both have small recruiting areas, lack of tradition, extremely tough competition, and not to mention, what's in Blacksburg, VA? Do you hear VT fans wanting the AD to fire Mr. Frank Beamer now? NO WAY! If you thought USC was bad, look at Mr. Beamer's early VT days. Now that was bad, but the VT AD kept saying this is our guy. After all that heartache, look at VT now. They are a Top-25 team every single year. I feel that USC can do the same thing if these fans would just chill out and be patient. If you think I'm joking, click the link at the bottom and see for yourself.
In closing, all I'm saying is that whoever the coach is at USC, give them some time. Why do you think that USC is known as the "Coaches Graveyard". Because we do not give them enough time to do what needs to be done. Mr. Holtz or whoever is doing what they do best. What they have done for longer than most of us have been alive. By the way, do you think Demetrius Summers, Syndey Rice, or Marque Hall would have come to USC if someone else was coaching the team other than Mr. Holtz? They all turned down offers from CONSISTENT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBUR teams because they wanted to be a part of something special. Something that turns into a winner with them at the helm.
Sincerely,
James A. Mills (DeLoreanfan1)
News Writer
http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/acc/virginia_tech/yearly_totals.php