I said this over in the Bill Belichick coaching thread, but I think if Bill has a problem, it will be with the personnel. He had an up-and-down relationship with one of the greatest QBs of all time, who knew what to do and when to do it, and how to do it well. Now he has to try and explain his concepts to teenagers, most of which will not go on to play at the next level. I think this will frustrate him and weāll have to see how that goes. I donāt see him having an issue with game-planning, just managing the roster.
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We will definitely be adding 1-2 more DTs.
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I do not think LB is a strength on our team going into next season. Yes, we may have an improved LB coach potentially but I donāt think it will show in year 1. Talent in that spot is low and lots of players with little production in the AAC. We seem slow at this spot too.
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FWWW, in 2023, both of Ohioās LB were First team All-Mac. One graduated, and was replaced by a player from Bucknell. The other left via the portal, and was replaced by a backup. In 2024, both LB were Third-Team All-MAC. Iām very used to thinking of LB as a position that will be better than solid every year.
This year Charlotte has players left from last year, plus an incoming LB from Bucknell, two from Ohio, and one from Dartmouth. Weāll have to see if I am right to be confident in these, or you are right to be concerned.
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I think the kid from Bucknell is legit. 198 tackles over 2 years, led the FCS in forced fumbles. Bowman, one of the Ohio kids played in 12 games as a freshman. Reid Williford returns. Okate is rated solid by the recruiting services but has little production. Simmons is a former 4* prospect. I think the talent is there, hoping we can develop these guys into a solid unit.
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So, what positions are people most and least concerned about? For me, Iām most concerned about the OL, PK, and DE. Iām least concerned about Safety, LB, and RB. On the whole, I think the defense is going to be very good, but until the OL can get the job done, it wonāt matter who the skill players are, and the offense will struggle. On the other hand, if the OL can do their job, the skill players Charlotte has will get the job done.
DE, DT, OL, LB, PK, in that order.
QB is always a concern until you have a proven guy.
I freely admit that my attitude towards QBs is far, far different than most. Having a great passer is nice, but not essential. From my perspective, more important at the college level, is being a leader and having a will to win. As recent examples, Ohio is coming off having two great QBs, Nathan Rourke (2017-19) who earned an MVP in the CFL, and Kurtis Rourke (2020-2023) who will be a high draft choice this year from Indiana. During those 7 Rourke years, Ohio won the MAC East once, but no championships. In 2024, their QB, Parker Navarro, wasnāt a great passer, but was tough as nails, and had a will to win. Give me a good OL first, and then behind them, give me a QB who refuses to lose, and a RB who can hang onto the ball, and get the tough yards when you need them, and Iām happy.
As regards Charlotteās QBās, so far as I can tell, all four of them can throw the ball well enough to be satisfactory. Which one will be the leader? Which one of them will perform best under pressure, and refuse to lose? Which one can read defenses, and properly choose when to audible? Thatās the one I want at QB, and if the OL can protect him, and make lanes for the RBs, the offense will be more than good enough. So, with four to choose from, Iām sure Charlotte will be fine at QB, though I have no idea which one will rise to the top.
Anyway, because Iām not looking for a star, Iām looking for a leader, for me, QB isnāt a major concern. At least one of the four will be just fine.
(I donāt expect anyone to agree with this, just giving my perspective)
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I think we all agree since the best QB we ever have had and would love to have back for another 6 seasons is just as you describe. Give me a hard-working leader that loves his team, the school, football, and protects the ball - that is all I need.
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clt says chris reynolds was the lutz of qbs
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I totally agree with this sentiment, carl. In the nfl, you need a star qb to win. In college, LOS is more important and a game manager is fine
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Football will and always has been about the offensive and defensive lines, especially in college. That is where games are won and lost.
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The game is about blocking and tackling. Always has been. I am interested in how the offensive line will mesh this year. Going to be one of the main things I watch at any spring practices I can catch.
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Spring Practice is right around the corner, starting March 18th. From this article:
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/charlotte-49ers/article301186034.html
I note the following quote from Albin about the players: "ā¦they want to do it the right way. They want to be good. They want to win. They have a really good work ethicā¦ we have a lot of work to do. But their attitude has been stellar.ā
It sounds like Albin thinks that this bunch of players from all over is making progress towards being a team. It starts with hard work during winter conditioning. Then comes making sure each player knows what core techniques are expected from their position, and then comes integrating all those player groups into a team, so that each player knows what they can expect from everyone else. Then you sprinkle magic dust, and say the right magic wordsā¦oh, wait, thatās not it. 
Then you build a gameplan that builds on the strengths you have, and which hides the weaknesses, and you have a team.
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Seriously, what else would a coach say.
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We already know what another coach would say. Thatās one reason why heās no longer here.
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I said coach, not hedge fund manager 
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He didnāt need to say anything at all, or he could have said basically the same thing, but with less superlatives. For example, he could have said āThey are working hard, and their attitude is very goodā. Timās kind of an excitable, energetic, likeable guy, but he doesnāt say things he doesnāt believe. I took the use of āstellarā to be a positive sign.
Weāll know far more after Spring Practice starts.
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We are like Goldilocks and the 3 bears with coaches.
This one is too boring. This one is too young. This one is too crazy.
Hopefully, this one is just right! Go Niners!
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