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Post by chez23 on Sept 25, 2015 13:43:38 GMT -5
New to MU and have no idea about Coach Lamb, so I wanted to know from you is Lamb the right leader for this program moving forward?
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Post by BearDownMU on Sept 25, 2015 13:54:14 GMT -5
Established Coach in FCS, all evidence suggests solid recruiting, ties in the state (his brother is a prominent high school coach in GA), good coaching staff (as far as I can tell), set NCAA record for wins by a first year program, had closer games in year 2 than I think anyone expected in conference, good balance of full recruits and transfers. Not sure there is a ton not to like at this point.
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Post by jackal on Sept 25, 2015 14:22:01 GMT -5
Whadda want to know?  He's a good coach. I've missed a few since he's been at Mercer, but I would feel pretty comfortable saying I've watched probably 65-70% of the games Lamb has been head ball coach in his career. I think 80% of his career (to this point) was at Furman (107 games out of 134 coached. |
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Post by MUfan on Sept 25, 2015 14:47:41 GMT -5
18-9 after 2+ seasons !
You can't question anything at this point.
If we lose all of our SoCon games over the next two years, you could question it, but not now.
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Post by FUBeAR on Sept 25, 2015 14:57:22 GMT -5
Established Coach in FCS, all evidence suggests solid recruiting, ties in the state (his brother is a prominent high school coach in GA), good coaching staff (as far as I can tell), set NCAA record for wins by a first year program, had closer games in year 2 than I think anyone expected in conference, good balance of full recruits and transfers. Not sure there is a ton not to like at this point. Also, his father is a retired highly successful state championship winning coach in GA, who moved into the role of HS Liaison for the University of Georgia Football Program for many years. Has a history of winning as a player, asst coach, and head coach at an academically-oriented FCS Program Has won at least 1 SoCon Championship as a Head Coach Has participated in and won FCS Playoff Games as a player, asst coach, and head coach Had one of the highest graduation / APR rates in college football at an academically-oriented FCS School Has a history of solid recruiting and attracting several high-profile transfers Has recruited and coached numerous players that have played in the NFL and CFL 'Developed' the current starting QB for an FBS Program, who I believe was Offensive Rookie of the Year in his conference last year I could go on, but there simply was no possible, attainable better hire on the planet to restart Mercer Football than Bobby Lamb. He, his staff, all of the support team, MU Admin (from President Underwood on down) and the Players have done an AMAZING JOB for 3+ years in building Mercer Football. Anyone associated with Mercer University, Mercer Athletics, and Mercer Football have an awful lot to be very, very, very thankful for!!!! |
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Post by chez23 on Sept 28, 2015 10:38:21 GMT -5
Good stuff! Thanks. Seems like MU is in good shape. Go Bears!
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Post by wcugrad95 on Sept 28, 2015 12:15:41 GMT -5
FWIW from an outsider, I agree with all that has been said here. Bobby Lamb back in Georgia and coaching in the SoCon is an excellent fit for Mercer football. Although I graduated form Western I started my college days playing QB at Furman under Coach Lamb back in 1990 - so I do feel like I know a fair amount about him as a coach and about the SoCon in general. Not that I can't be as full of crap as the next guy, but it does give me a pretty good perspective at least on this topic.
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Post by 95sacks on Oct 5, 2015 19:23:12 GMT -5
I agree with a new program must keep realistic expectations, but also high ones as well, 4th best high school talent in the nation no reason we can't eventually be a formidable FCS program.
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Post by chez23 on Oct 25, 2015 12:14:00 GMT -5
Should we reexamine this questions?
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Post by Guest on Oct 25, 2015 12:38:08 GMT -5
Should we reexamine this questions? Say what you will, but there had to be a reason he was released (fired) from Furman. Do you think the same factors will come to play at Mercer. Look at Hatcher, he was a great DII head coach, but has only been mediocre at three different DI jobs. |
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Post by fireball on Oct 25, 2015 12:38:09 GMT -5
I think Bobby is a coach. Thats been around a long time. He's like a lot of coaches that stick around a while. The game passes them. His style of play calling is to predictable. He needs to either let someone else do the play calling and he manage the team or step aside. He has a very talented bunch of kids on that team. I think that's part of what happened to him toward the end of his years a Furman. His style of play calling is in the pass. On Defense ; The coordinator is afraid to let his athletes play. We play 10 yards off the ball with our corners. We don't adjust to other teams play very well. Our players are better than any players in the Socon. We can't be the brides maid every Saturday. And we can't hang our hat on non conference games. We need to move forward
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Post by fireball on Oct 25, 2015 12:57:13 GMT -5
Should we reexamine this questions? Say what you will, but there had to be a reason he was released (fired) from Furman. Do you think the same factors will come to play at Mercer. Look at Hatcher, he was a great DII head coach, but has only been mediocre at three different DI jobs. I think the game has passed his old school play calling. He needs to either hire a offensive coordinator or step aside. |
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Post by chez23 on Oct 25, 2015 13:00:24 GMT -5
I agree hard to be HC and calling the plays. This team has talented players that aren't giving the opportunity to make plays. Was at game and saw little blitzing or press coverage on the D. Offense seemed confused most of the days often looking to sidelines with hands in the air asking for the play. Maybe its just me but this team does not seem organized and often confused out there.
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Post by fireball on Oct 25, 2015 13:34:16 GMT -5
I agree hard to be HC and calling the plays. This team has talented players that aren't giving the opportunity to make plays. Was at game and saw little blitzing or press coverage on the D. Offense seemed confused most of the days often looking to sidelines with hands in the air asking for the play. Maybe its just me but this team does not seem organized and often confused out there. I agree strongly!! Vmi did us a favor with running the ball a few times. Because they could've easily put up 50 points on us in the passing game. We never pressed there receiver to disturb there pass routes. Which will then allow the pass rush. They couldn't used slants and drag routes on us all day. Our Defensive coordinator and the guys in the box should be able to pick up on stuff like that! High school coaches understand strategies like that. |
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Post by jackal on Oct 25, 2015 20:08:24 GMT -5
I think Bobby is a coach. Thats been around a long time. He's like a lot of coaches that stick around a while. The game passes them. His style of play calling is to predictable. He needs to either let someone else do the play calling and he manage the team or step aside. He has a very talented bunch of kids on that team. I think that's part of what happened to him toward the end of his years a Furman. His style of play calling is in the pass. On Defense ; The coordinator is afraid to let his athletes play. We play 10 yards off the ball with our corners. We don't adjust to other teams play very well. Our players are better than any players in the Socon. We can't be the brides maid every Saturday. And we can't hang our hat on non conference games. We need to move forward Watching a lot of SoCon football and, in particular, a lot of Bobby Lamb SoCon football, I have made a few observations on defense. SoCon teams tend to play a lot of soft zone coverage. That's been the case for a while. Philosophically, I think most defenses would prefer to force their opponents to complete a bunch of passes to score instead of one or two big gainers. It also is a useful game plan against a team with a dead eye QB and a stable full of quality receivers. You cannot play a lot of press man coverage against VMI, because eventually you are going to find yourself in a lot of mismatches (linebacker on WR and the like). Also (and I have no idea whether this is true), VMI's WRs might have been better than Mercer's defensive backs in a press coverage situation. You have to essentially concede the passes in an effort to try to force turnovers and make tackles. They simply have too many weapons in the passing game. This is also something pretty standard for Coach Lamb. In 2004 Richie Williams at App State set all sorts of then NCAA records against Furman after going 40/45 and completing an eye popping 28 consecutive passes. 11 years later and it does not appear much has changed with that philosophy. It is frustrating as a fan to watch, but the team usually stays in the game despite the gaudy passing numbers. Mercer had their shot to win this one just as Furman did that day in Boone a decade ago. |
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