Should Caponi get another year?

jtm0097 · November 20, 2023

We messed up with the portal. I think everyone knows that. It's time for us to hit the JUCO ranks/portal hard this off-season.

If we don't revamp the defense this off-season, it doesn't matter who the DC is. We need new DL and LBs to rotate in. Carson Kropp and Kevin Wood graduate. Mazin Richards and Kadren Johnson graduate. We need at least 3 new DL and 3 new LBs to fill in.

NT93 · November 20, 2023

9 minutes ago, Glory to the Green said:

As explosive as the offense has been, they’ve come up short at times when the defense made the occasional stop.

No better example of this than the start of the 2nd half against SMU. Defense forces a punt to end SMU’s opening possession and we fumble a few plays later to give SMU the ball inside the 20. That was a back and forth game up until that point, but SMU took advantage and it was down hill from there.

BleedingGreen · November 20, 2023

Would you fire a director level person at your workplace where there were some positive signs of progress with inherited staff members who they supervise? Where their team (defense ) has not given up or shown a bad attitude?

Yes, another year is the answer.

Most saying no have either not led at high levels or have some repressed resentments they need to deal with.

Cr1028 · November 20, 2023

TIgreen01 · November 20, 2023

29 minutes ago, BleedingGreen said:

Would you fire a director level person at your workplace where there were some positive signs of progress with inherited staff members who they supervise? Where their team (defense ) has not given up or shown a bad attitude?

Yes, another year is the answer.

Most saying no have either not led at high levels or have some repressed resentments they need to deal with.

Emphasis added. This has been the biggest highlight on that side of the ball. Those kids know where they rank but they show zero signs of give up. That part has been impressive.

Glory to the Green · November 20, 2023

2 hours ago, NT93 said:

No better example of this than the start of the 2nd half against SMU. Defense forces a punt to end SMU’s opening possession and we fumble a few plays later to give SMU the ball inside the 20. That was a back and forth game up until that point, but SMU took advantage and it was down hill from there.

Right. And I don’t want it to seem like I’m dumping on the offense, either. They’ve been really really good, but we needed them to be nearly perfect for us to win. It was a tall ask versus those better teams.

97and03 · November 21, 2023

13 hours ago, Glory to the Green said:

I think this is what Morris means when he says complementary football. It’s also a reason why PB’s defense improved in year two (SL ran the ball which led to fresher defenses and less possessions for the opposition). As explosive as the offense has been, they’ve come up short at times when the defense made the occasional stop.

We gave up more points in year two of PB’s defense. The first year was around 5 points better. Not sure where this false narrative started…🤦🏻‍♂️

Glory to the Green · November 21, 2023

8 hours ago, 97and03 said:

We gave up more points in year two of PB’s defense. The first year was around 5 points better. Not sure where this false narrative started…🤦🏻‍♂️

Do pick 6’s go against the defense, too?

El Paso Eagle · November 21, 2023

22 hours ago, KingDL1 said:

I wonder if Caponi wanted to hit the portal more and Eric had him hold off?

This is the hindsight is the 20/20 headscratcher. Also, didn't we leave some scholarship slots unfilled? I am very interested to see how Morris handles year two and his planning/strategy changes.

Green Otaku · November 21, 2023

2 hours ago, El Paso Eagle said:

This is the hindsight is the 20/20 headscratcher. Also, didn't we leave some scholarship slots unfilled? I am very interested to see how Morris handles year two and his planning/strategy changes.

According to this post in another thread the same as year 1. So those hoping we go heavy in the portal will be disappointed, assuming that is true.

Glory to the Green · November 21, 2023

41 minutes ago, Green Otaku said:

According to this post in another thread the same as year 1. So those hoping we go heavy in the portal will be disappointed, assuming that is true.

Morris has been pretty consistent in his coachspeak/approach: Build the team through HS recruits and fill in holes with TP/JUCO. He has to hit on those TP/JUCO kids, though. Rogers, Conwright, Cleveland, and Miner have all been contributors. Smith, Weslowski, Jackson, and Sides have all gotten significant playing time as well.

KingDL1 · November 21, 2023

44 minutes ago, Green Otaku said:

According to this post in another thread the same as year 1. So those hoping we go heavy in the portal will be disappointed, assuming that is true.

I don't read it that way, I could be wrong. I see it as they will do what they need to fill the holes and build a stronger team.

NM Green · November 21, 2023

Is this EM’s playbook? Did Incaranate Word improve year to year under him? If so, this is just his tendency playing out.

1. Beat UAB first.

2. Feel encouraged because we played a tougher schedule than our comp set and fell one game short of bowling.

GMG

Green Otaku · November 22, 2023

5 hours ago, KingDL1 said:

I don't read it that way, I could be wrong. I see it as they will do what they need to fill the holes and build a stronger team.

Many of us have thought he underutilized the portal this year, from that post it looks like next year will be about the same as this year. We had 10 transfers last year, which is why I was saying don't expect a transfer heavy team next year.

Meangreen Fight · November 22, 2023

13 hours ago, southsideguy said:

I was watching the highlights from the Tulsa game and it could have been the same highlight from ever game it seems. I am not sure who is out of position or what happens. The play I am talking about is when the other team running backs goes to the outside and there is no one near him. This play has been run over and over and it usually gets large amounts of yards if not a td.

I was watching the Tulsa highlight and I am not sure if the de or lb gets sucked into the inside. I was taught a 100 years ago that you dont let the running back get outside instead force to the inside where you have more help. As many times as we have seen it we can never stop it. It usually happens in the first half of the game. I dont know what changes in the second half but the play is not as successful in the second half.

Any experts know what is going on when that happens? I dont want to hear from the DC because if he could fix it i would not be asking the question.

I quoted this from another thread but it fits right in with this topic. I am no expert but it seems to this defense just doesn’t work without 3 down linemen getting deep penetration on running plays. I think that is the reason this defense is almost never played on traditional running downs in the NFL even when the offense is in a spread formation. Offensive lineman in the NFL will just escort the penetrating defensive so deep they aren’t in the way of the running back. I think it can work at the G5 level which is just another reason to scrap it in my opinion. Because the ultimate realistic goal for any season is getting to the 12 team playoff and winning one game. I don’t think you are ever going to do that with Caponi running the 3-3-5 with the best defensive talent rosters we get here. Say you get a Mean Joe clone great he disrupts the run play but can’t make the tackle every time then you still have the running back in open space at near the line of scrimmage. You essentially turning every run play into looking like a screen pass.

That being said the only thing that gives me 5% doubt on firing Caponi is the one year.

But here are some questions/considerations for few supporters and the people on the fence: Has there ever been a team that finished in the top 10 in scoring defense running 3-3-5 on 90% of snaps? If not why are we wasting time with any particular coach who can’t adjust and do different things just for one season not to be dead last in almost every defensive category? I highly doubt there has been any DC that started off this bad at program that turned it around to be one of the best in the country by year 3.

wardly · November 22, 2023

10 hours ago, Meangreen Fight said:

I quoted this from another thread but it fits right in with this topic. I am no expert but it seems to this defense just doesn’t work without 3 down linemen getting deep penetration on running plays. I think that is the reason this defense is almost never played on traditional running downs in the NFL even when the offense is in a spread formation. Offensive lineman in the NFL will just escort the penetrating defensive so deep they aren’t in the way of the running back. I think it can work at the G5 level which is just another reason to scrap it in my opinion. Because the ultimate realistic goal for any season is getting to the 12 team playoff and winning one game. I don’t think you are ever going to do that with Caponi running the 3-3-5 with the best defensive talent rosters we get here. Say you get a Mean Joe clone great he disrupts the run play but can’t make the tackle every time then you still have the running back in open space at near the line of scrimmage. You essentially turning every run play into looking like a screen pass.

That being said the only thing that gives me 5% doubt on firing Caponi is the one year.

But here are some questions/considerations for few supporters and the people on the fence: Has there ever been a team that finished in the top 10 in scoring defense running 3-3-5 on 90% of snaps? If not why are we wasting time with any particular coach who can’t adjust and do different things just for one season not to be dead last in almost every defensive category? I highly doubt there has been any DC that started off this bad at program that turned it around to be one of the best in the country by year 3.

Assuming we beat UAB, we were just 40 seconds away [ vs Memphis] from being bowl eligible.

Meangreen Fight · November 22, 2023

4 hours ago, wardly said:

Assuming we beat UAB, we were just 40 seconds away [ vs Memphis] from being bowl eligible.

That is in spite of arguably the worse defense in the history of this program. I want the best for this program and a great offense carrying a sub 75th ranked scoring defense is not a winning formula. And mind you that an improvement to 80 for this defense in 2024 would be MASSIVE and I don't think that is a good bet. A brand new good DC hired within 7 days of this comment could get this defense to 80th in scoring even if he implemented a new scheme. I want this program to go to new heights and it hard to imagine them getting there with Caponi rolling a dramatically improved but mediocre defense in the 2025 season. You can't count on Eric Morris or any coach here averaging +35 points per game to cover for a mediocre defense . I understand the conservative logic behind possibly keeping Caponi, but for North Texas at this time I just disagree with being conservative. Going to bowls people never heard of with 4 losses or more does very little for the profile of the program and our school. That is the ceiling I see with Caponi’s 3-3-5.

Edited November 22, 2023 by Meangreen Fight

rcade · November 22, 2023

On 11/13/2023 at 12:01 PM, Glory to the Green said:

Unless there’s just a home run hire, I don’t see him getting fired.

It shouldn't take a home run hire to replace the coach of the second worst performing unit in the FBS.

I was going to say worst but I checked and USC has taken the bottom spot at 5,266 yards to our 5,211.

That performance got Alex Grinch fired with two games left in this season.

Coordinators are not head coaches. They don't deserve multiple seasons to prove themselves. If the results are dismal, give 'em the Bathroom Monkey treatment and order a new one.

Edited November 23, 2023 by rcade

DentonLurker · November 22, 2023

53 minutes ago, rcade said:

USC has taken the bottom spot at 5,266 yards a game to our 5,211.

That’s a lot of offense

Glory to the Green · November 22, 2023

1 hour ago, rcade said:

That performance got Alex Grinch fired with two games left in this season.

I believe it was Grinch’s second season as DC. I know SL lost faith in the Eastern Washington coach mid season, but this situation is different. Caponi didn’t take over a top 25 defense. I see what you’re saying, but I just don’t see him getting released of his duties after the season. I could be wrong, but I don’t see it.

rcade · November 23, 2023

2 hours ago, DentonLurker said:

That’s a lot of offense

Ha! Got a little carried away. It only felt like 5,211 yards a game.

rcade · November 23, 2023

2 hours ago, Glory to the Green said:

I believe it was Grinch’s second season as DC. I know SL lost faith in the Eastern Washington coach mid season, but this situation is different. Caponi didn’t take over a top 25 defense. I see what you’re saying, but I just don’t see him getting released of his duties after the season. I could be wrong, but I don’t see it.

Maybe.

If our quarterback led the second worst performing offense in the entire FBS, would Morris keep him as the starter for a second season to prove himself? Probably not and the same should apply to Caponi. Demote him or fire him and give someone else a chance. He's never even been a DC before except for 2008-10 at Division III Washington & Jefferson. It might not be the right coaching job for him.

Cr1028 · November 23, 2023

4 hours ago, rcade said:

It shouldn't take a home run hire to replace the coach of the second worst performing unit in the FBS.

I was going to say worst but I checked and USC has taken the bottom spot at 5,266 yards to our 5,211.

That performance got Alex Grinch fired with two games left in this season.

Coordinators are not head coaches. They don't deserve multiple seasons to prove themselves. If the results are dismal, give 'em the Bathroom Monkey treatment and order a new one.

Caponi and Alex Grinch have one thing in common. Their head coaches both come from a certain coaching tree that is well known for ignoring the defensive side of the ball.

greenminer · November 23, 2023

1 hour ago, Cr1028 said:

Caponi and Alex Grinch have one thing in common. Their head coaches both come from a certain coaching tree that is well known for ignoring the defensive side of the ball.

One day we will have our mind wrapped around this. It's one thing to neglect defense, but how is it this terrible? worst-in-the-country terrible, from one Leach disciple to the next, and on and on.

TreeFiddy · November 23, 2023

We have somehow stumbled into a potential generational QB (we tried our best to keep him on the bench) and somehow screwed it up by not even putting a mediocre defense on the field.

Plenty of teams run the 335 defense. Maybe our DC is just not very good.