After a two-week honeymoon to several beautiful parts of Argentina, I've returned to the reality this week of being a Hoo fan. 
I've seen a lot of angst on the board and name-calling of CL, so I just want to throw out a few thoughts in regard to the head football coaching position. I will preface this with I tend to personally like Littlepage with the limited interactions I've had through the many years.
1) There are lots of complaints that coaches get the hook to fast in college football and don't have time to even get their philosophy established. I think CL has erred on the side of NOT making this mistake, to the point of overdoing it. I think his "anti-Dan Snyder" instinct is still more or less a positive than a negative, as continuity can be a great equalizer in CFB. I'll call this the Rooney/Steelers philosophy. As Brad says, LTPPO.
2) While I disagree with the decision to bring back ML after last season for reasons given by many and often (including yours truly -- mostly boils down to repetition of the same mistakes by the staff), there were justifiable reasons for retaining ML after last season (+3 Ws, more competitive again, etc.). Again, reasonable people can disagree, but it wasn't without basis altogether or doesn't appear to be based on incompetence by CL or, worse yet, his indifference. It doesn't seem fair to accuse him of such. He saw improvement, he made a call. It just happens to look like the wrong one now (and one I personally disagree with, but can see his justifications).
3) We generally pride ourselves on showing a bit more class than most other institutions. However, when we show a little class, some on this board take it as a sign of weakness (for the examples of being good hosts when VT plays at Scott). While they (or other institutions) don't generally reciprocate, just be glad we aren't them. We don't have to see acting classy as "a lovefest" for the other side.
4) CL has built what is for the most part, a hugely successful department. Early returns were that by hiring an NFL head coach, we hit a home run with Groh, but we didn't. Early returns with London were that we hit a home run, but again, we didn't. But that doesn't mean we can't this time or that we won't try. I hope he tries to find his TB/Oak/all the other hugely successful coaches at UVa for FB.
5) I'm pretty sure he gets it that we have to get this right. Flagship sport. Pays for the whole thing. He is aware that our coaching situation in 2016 will be vital to the department and that given the upheaval in the conference a golden opportunity is to be had. He's not an idiot contrary to the assertions made here by others.
Again, just thoughts ...
I've seen a lot of angst on the board and name-calling of CL, so I just want to throw out a few thoughts in regard to the head football coaching position. I will preface this with I tend to personally like Littlepage with the limited interactions I've had through the many years.
1) There are lots of complaints that coaches get the hook to fast in college football and don't have time to even get their philosophy established. I think CL has erred on the side of NOT making this mistake, to the point of overdoing it. I think his "anti-Dan Snyder" instinct is still more or less a positive than a negative, as continuity can be a great equalizer in CFB. I'll call this the Rooney/Steelers philosophy. As Brad says, LTPPO.
2) While I disagree with the decision to bring back ML after last season for reasons given by many and often (including yours truly -- mostly boils down to repetition of the same mistakes by the staff), there were justifiable reasons for retaining ML after last season (+3 Ws, more competitive again, etc.). Again, reasonable people can disagree, but it wasn't without basis altogether or doesn't appear to be based on incompetence by CL or, worse yet, his indifference. It doesn't seem fair to accuse him of such. He saw improvement, he made a call. It just happens to look like the wrong one now (and one I personally disagree with, but can see his justifications).
3) We generally pride ourselves on showing a bit more class than most other institutions. However, when we show a little class, some on this board take it as a sign of weakness (for the examples of being good hosts when VT plays at Scott). While they (or other institutions) don't generally reciprocate, just be glad we aren't them. We don't have to see acting classy as "a lovefest" for the other side.
4) CL has built what is for the most part, a hugely successful department. Early returns were that by hiring an NFL head coach, we hit a home run with Groh, but we didn't. Early returns with London were that we hit a home run, but again, we didn't. But that doesn't mean we can't this time or that we won't try. I hope he tries to find his TB/Oak/all the other hugely successful coaches at UVa for FB.
5) I'm pretty sure he gets it that we have to get this right. Flagship sport. Pays for the whole thing. He is aware that our coaching situation in 2016 will be vital to the department and that given the upheaval in the conference a golden opportunity is to be had. He's not an idiot contrary to the assertions made here by others.
Again, just thoughts ...
