From my perspective, this kind of season is probably the best opportunity for Shaka to do a soft RGV pivot to the Purdue/Painter model.

On the current team, how many returnees would you feel confident in as starters on a solid team for the 26-27 season? 

For me, it's just James although Stevens could also get there. 

My point is, aside from James, none of the potential returnees have shown enough to have earned that kind of role and/or minutes for next season.  This isn't like forgoing a transfer to replace OMax when you have a Joplin waiting in the wings. 

Yes, Shaka has absolutely painted himself into a corner but hopefully being one of the worst P5 teams in the country is enough to have him reconsider modifying (but not completely abandoning) his approach. 

Hypothetically:

PG: James
SG: Stevens
SF/SG: Impact wing transfer
PF: Parham
C: Impact transfer (one-year of eligibility)

Bench: Jones or back-up PG transfer, Pearson, Egbuonu, Miletic, Phillips, Walker, Clark, Johnston (RS).

Could be wrong but I'm going to assume Zaide moves on after the recent developments. 

Sean may not want to be a back-up...would he stay in that role?

I also don't mention Norman or Hamilton.  Ideally they both find new homes but I won't be remotely surprised if one or both are back.  If that's the case, where does another scholarship come from?

The overall point I'm making is adding two good starters through the portal with returnees and perhaps an impact freshman in Egbuonu could really change things for next season.

Or maybe this all just wishful thinking and Shaka stays the course and potentially goes down with the ship.

 

Quote from: #UnleashMalik on December 25, 2025, 08:03:59 PM100% this will just turn into a defacto minor league. True college sports days are in my opinion very numbered. Some say it's already gone.

when you see a former NBA draft pick coming back to play college ball that's a sign it is gone.

Quote from: Pakuni on December 26, 2025, 01:52:01 PMSounds like Kyle Whittingham is going to Michigan.
Really solid coach, but not exactly a sexy hire. And he's 66 years old, which means they're going to be doing this again in five years or less.
But if it's a stopgap, let's reset the culture kind of move, it's probably a good move.

I don't care whether or not he's a sexy hire. I just want to know if he will be bringing a sexy girlfriend along with him to be there on the sidelines with him. That's expected today when a school hires an older coach.

Sounds like Kyle Whittingham is going to Michigan.
Really solid coach, but not exactly a sexy hire. And he's 66 years old, which means they're going to be doing this again in five years or less.
But if it's a stopgap, let's reset the culture kind of move, it's probably a good move.

Quote from: Pakuni on December 26, 2025, 10:07:29 AMRestructuring contracts is pretty easy. I imagine he will not have a $70 million cap hit next year.

It is. But that means they will likely extend him and/or kick the can down the road. And extending him means you believe he can be the difference maker on a championship caliber team, or that you can surround him with one as they thought they had in 23. They undoubtedly will keep riding with him. But it's a tough spot right now.

Quote from: MUbiz on December 20, 2025, 11:38:11 PMWhat am I missing about this Minessale kid? He's a sub 30% 3 point shooter who scores a ton of points on a ton of shots taken. I feel like adding another atheltic wing who can't shoot from deep is not something MUBB needs.

He can actually make a layup. Will probably be a better outside shooter in a reduced role playing on a better team.

Quote from: tower912 on December 26, 2025, 12:03:59 PMI don't want to diminish what Ben Johnson did in Detroit or what he is doing with the Bears.  But he and Campbell worked fist in glove on the Detroit offense.  Detroit is running essentially the same concepts and plays.   What we all saw yesterday is the difference between Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff.   Behind a sieve of a line that has him running for his life, Goff cannot come close to winning games.   Whereas Stafford could.   Goff needs a running game, needs play action, needs to have his feet set and the ball to come out on time.  None of which happened yesterday.

Mostly agree, though Stafford, as good as he was with the Lions, appeared in only three playoff games and lost all of them. The 2021 Rams, with whom he won the Super Bowl, had a good offensive line. To win it all, a QB needs an offensive line that can at least adequately protect him. Goff's statistics and record with two organizations show that he can win plenty with a decent line in front of him.

I don't want to diminish what Ben Johnson did in Detroit or what he is doing with the Bears.  But he and Campbell worked fist in glove on the Detroit offense.  Detroit is running essentially the same concepts and plays.   What we all saw yesterday is the difference between Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff.   Behind a sieve of a line that has him running for his life, Goff cannot come close to winning games.   Whereas Stafford could.   Goff needs a running game, needs play action, needs to have his feet set and the ball to come out on time.  None of which happened yesterday.

This roster needs cleansing and major overhaul. Can't imagine Shaka maintaining status quo

Perhaps.  I think they are missing Ragnow, Zeitler, Glasgow, (a healthy) Decker, Branch, Arnold, and Joseph as much.   4 starting o-linemen from the previous two seasons.  3 starting DBs.


Ben Johnson related, prior to yesterday, Detroit was averaging 30 points a game.  Goff had thrown for 4000 yards, 32 tds, and 5 picks. 

However, the running game has been erratic, primarily because teams are starting to run blitz off the edge unencumbered.

So, to my eyes, it is an o-line problem as much as a scheme problem.