If we lose the next couple, should JD be let go mid-season?

[InTheZone]

If we slip to 1-4 or 1-5, the writing's pretty much gonna be on the wall anyways. Why not give Walt Harris a chance to run the show the last half of the season?? I know some of you might say what's the difference between a head coach and an assistant coach on a team thats playing so poorly, they're both responsible, but let's remember that KD was also an assistant here on a bad team. I say give Walt a shot to see if he can run the show and get these kids playing winning football, because JD has never shown that he can.

[GP1]

If JD gets to six loses, he should be let go the next day. Two or three weeks with Harris will not matter. I think Harris is just here because he wants something to do while his house in Pittsburgh is being worked on.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

IMO JD should be shown the exit if the team is torched next weekend. It's time to start letting the fans know that UA football will not be allowed to limp along anymore. I know that dumping the coach in mid-season can cause major problems, from recruiting to morale problems on the team. Knowing that, I'd still love to see Wistrcill make an unambiguous statement to all of us that says that this administration expects winning, expects better on the field, and that one way or another, we're going to arrive at a better place. Come to think of it, who can talk to us about Harris's recruiting with other programs? If the reigns were handed to him, I wonder whether recruiting would take a shot or not. The more I see of the players recruited by JD so far, the less excited I am. Who am I supposed to love on this team, outside of Bowser, Wagner, maybe Sewell and Lemon? Supposing we limp through the rest of the season, would that be preferable to the potential chaos that would come with the firing of JD?

[uafan]

As much as I've wanted JD gone the last couple of years, I don't think letting him go in the middle of the season is the answer. Wait until the season is over and make the decision on a young, exciting coach ASAP. He would still be able to recruit, meet with the media...whatever is needed to sell the change.

[GP1]

Supposing we limp through the rest of the season, would that be preferable to the potential chaos that would come with the firing of JD?

There is going to be chaos regardless of when a coach is fired.I don't think it is unreasonable to tell everyone there are higher expectations through termination. Businesses do it all the time. IF JD is let go, the program will need a cultural change more than a player change. The players have enough talent to do well in the MAC. Right now, we have no idea of how this team will do in the MAC.

[tim123]

JD is not the problem, he has more enthusiasm than most coach's I've witnessed. He is a true leader of young men and if you don't believe it ask some of the players. He got stuck with a knucklehead QB and a bad backup. Nobody wants to win more than him. He's proven that by going out and getting some quality coaching. At the end of the day the players must make plays. Go Zips!!

[GP1]

JD is not the problem, he has more enthusiasm than most coach's I've witnessed. He is a true leader of young men and if you don't believe it ask some of the players. He got stuck with a knucklehead QB and a bad backup. Nobody wants to win more than him. He's proven that by going out and getting some quality coaching. At the end of the day the players must make plays. Go Zips!!

I like JD as well. However, six years has been enough time. It's now or never.

[ZachTheZip]

JD is not the problem, he has more enthusiasm than most coach's I've witnessed. He is a true leader of young men and if you don't believe it ask some of the players. He got stuck with a knucklehead QB and a bad backup. Nobody wants to win more than him. He's proven that by going out and getting some quality coaching. At the end of the day the players must make plays. Go Zips!!

And whose job is it to bring in players that will will respond well to JD's style of coaching? Players that have the right attitude?

[zestycoyote]

I don't think that there would be any point in firing JD mid-season. It wouldn't make much of a difference. I think it's way too early to start talking about this anyway. So far, we have lost to two B10 teams. Granted, IU's legitimacy can be questioned, but they still play in a superior conference.If UA starts losing a bunch of MAC games, then I think it will be appropriate to discuss the head coach's job security.

[uafan]

He got stuck with a knucklehead QB and a bad backup. Let me correct you. JD did not get stuck with these players. He actively recruited them and gave them full scholarships. JD thought these were the players that would lead us to the promised land, but guess what? JD was wrong!

[uafan]

He got stuck with a knucklehead QB and a bad backup.

Let me correct you. JD did not get stuck with these players. He actively recruited and gave them full scholarships. JD thought these young men would lead us to the promised land. JD was wrong!

[GP1]

He got stuck with a knucklehead QB and a bad backup.

Let me correct you. JD did not get stuck with these players. He actively recruited and gave them full scholarships. JD thought these young men would lead us to the promised land. JD was wrong!

A lot of other people would have been wrong as well. Jacq was recruited by a lot of schools. Should those coaches at those schools that didn't sign him because he didn't want to go to their school get fired as well.JD should be fired at the end of the year if he doesn't win at least seven, but not because Jacq got kicked off of the team. He should be fired because there is enough talent on the team to win and they are not. It is really that simple.

[Quickzips]

Yes, we have two guys (Montgomery and Harris) who are plenty capable of taking over on an interim basis.

[zen]

I've defended keeping J.D.Brookhart for the last several years, and more-so, I very fervently argued against mid-season firings.But I have to finally agree now. I feel it's on the line. Our conference games NEED to yield serious success THIS YEAR.