Topic: BDT: Pruett still has fond memories

[ZackUSAF82]

By BRIAN WOODSON
Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BLUEFIELD — Is it possible to use a football game as inspiration for a state whose most important natural resource is under attack.

Why not? Who would have expected Marshall to win the GMAC Bowl in 2001, trailing 38-8 at halftime.

How about the Thundering Herd themselves?

Bob Pruett, who compiled a remarkable 94-23 mark in nine seasons at Marshall, was in Bluefield on Tuesday to speak at the Rotary Club. He was asked about some of his more memorable games, and the Herd coming back to beat East Carolina 64-61 in double overtime was certainly one of those.

“I looked at each of them and said, ‘Don’t you quit’. I told them here is how we are going to win the game,” Pruett said. “I said you’ve got to have faith, it’s got to be a strong faith, you’ve got to really, really believe in your system, in your coaches and the assistant coaches and yourself and your teammate that he can do what he is supposed to do.

“So many guys are trying to do their job and if you’re not doing your job, you’ve got to believe in every aspect of our program. It’s got to a strong faith, it’s got to be really strong.”

It was. Marshall rallied to tie the score at 55 with seven seconds left to play, but missed the extra point. Not a problem. The Herd persevered, winning in the second extra period.

Link: http://www.bdtonline.com/localsports/local_story_216224730.html

[Thunders]

Key statement by Pruett:

“The people that work for you have to strongly believe in your plan and your program and what you’re doing, and if you don’t, you are sort of programmed for failure,” Pruett said. “What we had in the first half of that game, we were programmed for failure because we weren’t doing our job, but it’s like anything else, it is correctable.

“Your plan and your structure and what you do, if you believe in it strongly and the people that work for you believe in it strongly, you’ve got a good chance to be successful.”


This is the problem with Snyder. I don't think anyone believes in what he is doing because in 4 years there has been no success. When you lose 4 years straight people will start doubting your plan of action, which I believe is what has happened. Once you get to that point I don't think you can come back from it.

[svherd]

And the paper says we are continuing our style of offense and scheme. A people wonder why we aren't successful.  :(

[dixie10]

I bet if Tressell was our coach his system would work great. Everyone hates his style of play, but rather its not that styles it is just his lack of execution of said style. Tressell made Youngstown very good with that style, with their players they could have beaten a bunch of teams back in the day in 1-A. That is why I hate to see the 5th year, its not like anything has changed. He isn't a bad man, just a bad coach. Wish him well in life, just wish he was coaching elsewhere.

P.S. Would love to eat crow on that, but don't think I will though. Thanks Kopperhead!

[FLORIDA HERD FAN]

Ever faithful, Coach Pruett and his wife were at the Tampa Bay Bucs Sunday practice to support Byron.  He looks great - the same Coach Pruett I knew a dozen years ago.