StateFans III
Administrator
Posted 1 month ago
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The Technician is wrapping up a series of "Thoughts on Yow," and recently talked with coach Tom O'Brien about the new AD.
It is an interesting interview that gives some insight on how TOB feels about the hire. Along with the rest of the athletics staff, he seems excited and optimistic about Yow's ties to the state of North Carolina and the university, as well as her energy and prior success.
NCStatePride
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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TOB is definitely one of the more straight-laced coaches I've seen in a while. Seems to me that if anyone would get along with Debbie, it would be Tom.
Statefan1998
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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Are we already in a position to not have a "normal season?"
NCStatePride
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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I actually don't think this season (generic) changes much due to Yow. Lowe is obviously in a position to either buy another year, or pack his bags even if Fowler was still here, so for him Yow doesn't change anything. TOB stated publically that he viewed this as a do-or-die year for him. Now, this may be because he saw the Fowler writting on the wall and wanted to save-face for whoever the new AD would be, but even though I'm off his bandwagon, I do think he is a man of honor and integrity, so he probably really does feel that he must perform this year, AD be damned.
As far our other major sports, women's basketball is in no hot water, so I think they'll keep trucking as expected. Baseball is the only major sport I would expect to see some extra motivation. Support for Avent has shifted like the tides, but with Fowler as AD, you knew he was safe. Yow might stoke the coals a little. Avent is a 'good' coach, and I don't know enough about him to know if this is a reasonable expectation, but I'd be curious to see if he has some better-than-expected coaching this season.
In other news, I think soccer is a potential target. Out of the public eye = easy to change if they aren't performing.
Pack Leader
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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TOB stated publically that he viewed this as a do-or-die year for him.
I dont remember him saying that. Infact I believe I heard in an interview he never looks at one season or one game as a "must win or else". I dont believe TOB goes to bed at night worried if he doesnt win 8 games hes out of a job.
NCStatePride
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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^Sorry, poor choice of words from thinking about too many coaches at once. My mistake; let me rephrase:
'Word around the water cooler' is that TOB has been talking to his staff saying that he views this as his must-perform season. I know his usual mantra is slow-and-steady/stay-the-course, but it was mentioned on this site from a couple different people that TOB very much wants to prove something this season, all things considered. Who can blame him? If I was a top 10 coach and then went through the records TOB has for the past 3 years, I'd be pissed, too.
Clarification: I'm not saying he thinks he's going to be fired; I'm saying he is disappointed with the performance and thinks this is a pivotal season.
otisthetowndrunk
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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I dont believe TOB goes to bed at night worried if he doesnt win 8 games hes out of a job.
Is what I think the problem with him is. At work I liked to call it "lack of urgency" when I wrote evaluations for my staff.
GoldenChain
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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TOB on Yow: "If the Corps had thought we needed a woman AD, they'd have issued us one!"
Wufpacker
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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^^ I like that. I wish I had thought of that phrase. "Low energy, often apathetic" was what I used. Most folks don't respond well to the word "apathy", at least the ones who even know what it means*. It always seemed to insult rather than motivate, but if the apathy fits....
*I actually had one new hire (3 months on the job, IIRC) thank me once for saying he was apathetic. He thought it was the opposite of pathetic. I LMAO for days about that one.
wolfpack95
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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^
What would indicate that Tom OBrien is apathetic towards the development of the football program?
His calm, even demeanor?
Who would you prefer to lead a company or a football program?
An excitable nut job whose demeanor reflects the highs and lows of victories/losses and blows up after every crisis? A calm individual that keeps his wits and logic regardless whether there is victory or defeat?
I prefer the calm, steady demeanor.
Wufpacker
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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^ Please reread my post and tell me where I said TOB was apathetic.
statered
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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"Who would you prefer to lead a company or a football program?
An excitable nut job whose demeanor reflects the highs and lows of victories/losses and blows up after every crisis? A calm individual that keeps his wits and logic regardless whether there is victory or defeat?
I prefer the calm, steady demeanor."
False choice. I would prefer a consistently passionate, driven leader. I think Coach K is a good example of this. His teams play consistently with emotion BUT he nor his teams resemble nut jobs.
A calm individual who is not particularly driven tends to stand pat as opposed to jettisoning a demonstrably failing defensive coordinator.
baxter
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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Just wondering, if he HAD thrown Archer out at that point, who would he have replaced him with mid-season? At least this season, if the game plans are getting picked apart, he can fire Archer and immediately move Tenuta up.
newt
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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BUT he nor his teams resemble nut jobs
That's in the eye of the beholder.
packalum44
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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If I was a top 10 coach
hahahahahahahaha
wolfpack95
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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I would prefer a consistently passionate, driven leader. I think Coach K is a good example of this.
I believe that OBrien, too, is a passionate, driven leader.
Like K, OBrien retains a calm, consistent demeanor. Also like K, I have seen and heard OBrien respond to bad calls with profanity and to good play by compliment.
I don't believe that K and OBrien are different coaches. Their respective sports are different, and K's trophy case may have more metal, but in terms of leadership styles, both K and OBrien, I believe, are similar leaders.
Statefan1998
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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He is no where near top 10 in coach rankings.
Wufpacker
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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^^ '95. I'm not trying to be jerk. Your passionate support for TOB is commendable. I believe he's a better coach than the results would indicate thus far. But, at some point, regardless of how good a coach is, they have to produce. The same is true for Lowe. I believe he is a better coach than the results have shown...and I believe he's a much better coach than he was when he was hired. The results just haven't been there...not yet anyway.
I guess what I'm wondering is....if Pack Football goes say...2-10 this year, will you still believe he's the coach you think he is now? Will you still support him as remaining head coach?
Me personally, I'd answer those two questions...Yes...and then...NO, a resounding no, without a doubt.
GApack04
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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^^ to compare TOB to K is laughable. One of the all-time great bball coaches to just another OK football coach.
I've always thought K was a great college coach, but after watching him with USA BBall he has only gained 1000 more pts with me.
In regards to TOB no one really cares about his calm demeanor, JUST WIN FOOTBALL GAMES. If he was a total A$$ and won games most people would not care. If he was the nicest guy in the world but never won any games then everyone would be calling for his head. This is a big year for him and he knows it. IMO he gets 2 yrs max from Yow maybe only this yr if they struggle.
Plz2BStateFan
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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You are all blinded by hatred from last season.
Wufpacker
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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^ I really hope that's sarcasm.
wolfpack95
Member
Posted 1 month ago
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Wufpacker,
You're aren't being a jerk at all.
While I like and support OBrien, I would support his ouster if we experience another losing season this year.
Football is a bottom line business. To this point, OBrien has not produced a winning record---regardless of reason(s).
If OBrien does not achieve 7-6 or better this season, Yow should remove him. That said, I want him and our football program to succeed.
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