Why do I find myself rooting for Ty Willingham? Why do I want him to succeed? Is it because he's a nice guy that doesn't bend the rules? Is it because he's one of only six black Division I head coaches? Is it because he schedules Oklahoma in game 3 rather than some Division VII schmoo? Is it because I hate Charlie Weis? 
I think it's all of those reasons. The problem is, you don't see the most important reason why we should root for a head coach: he's a good coach that gives us a chance to win.
The numbers just aren't on his side. Over his head coaching career, he is 76-80-1. He's had only 6 winning seasons since 1995 (including Notre Dame's epic 6-5 2004 season). His record at Washington? 11-29. yikes.
We pretend to care, but we'd take a Pac-10 title for a few broken rules. Hell, we'd take a bowl game for a few years of probation -- all we have to do is muster 6 freaking wins.
The loss to Stanford was as unforgivable as it was embarrassing. Locker's thumb had nothing to do with Stanford's 466 yards of offense. I'm not calling for his ouster (because that's for reactionary assholes), but I am officially no longer rooting for him.
2 comments:
He's done. I doubt they will fire him in the middle of the season, but this team can't win six games without Locker. Without a bowl game, he's gone. Recruits are already pulling out of their verbal commitments. My prediction - he gets fired one day after the season is over and is replaced almost immediately by Lane Kiffin, who will get back nearly all the lost commitments and score a few recruiting coups.
I still support Willingham, but I agree with The Dice Game that he won't survive beyond this season. Locker's injury makes it easier for the administration to fire him because UW will be lucky to win two games.
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