Topic: Alex Locklear to Utah

[MUinDE]

Well said. The point I am trying to make is we are hearing one side of the story, the other side will never be heard, coaches could never win responding publicly to  issues such as these.

That’s not true at all. Now, for maybe the first time ever, we’re hearing the other side. It doesn’t get any more “insider” than Clint. Players almost never comment as that is Duc’s rule. If they do utter a disparaging remark, they get the Locklear/Leggett/Ward/(fill in the name of your choice of players that have been thrown in Duc’s doghouse) treatment. Duc is always spreading his side of the story, even if it is half-truths, coach speak or non-responses. Duc routinely has press conferences, road shows, one-on-one interviews, etc. and if he is as smart and as good as some on here give him credit for being, he is constantly telling his side of the story.

[MicDrass1]

Not every player will like even the greatest coach and the greatest coach will not like every player.  Human nature.  As for mistreatment I don't know.  But favoritism is human nature.  I have had the same style of athlete and liked one better than the other for whatever reason.  Can't really explain it. 

[herdfan129]

Seen several players with their arms around Doc's neck...Rakeem Cato for one. Also read about a player voted off the team by the seniors and another who got on social media more or less saying the coaches were inept. Jean Louis still called Doc when he was plying Div 11 upstate. A third guy many said was mistreated took a swing at a coach in practice and is in jail(maybe). Its not all one sided. Then there is the Lee Smith testimony. My mind is not made up but I do read the Herd sites and paper and see the pics after the Bowl wins.

I've seen Cato blast the coaches on social media. He wasn't as blunt as VanHorn but I can read between the lines. It was a post about one of his rings or something but I read through the comments. It was pretty obvious he wasn't very happy with our staff.

[whf]

I've seen Cato blast the coaches on social media. He wasn't as blunt as VanHorn but I can read between the lines. It was a post about one of his rings or something but I read through the comments. It was pretty obvious he wasn't very happy with our staff.

So hard to understand why kids just keep coming from his High School.  No one is happy all the time.  Two years ago we heard how terrible one of our running backs felt about the staff, and then his cousin shows up to play QB, and then two more highly touted recruits from his school are targets for our recruiting.

Everyone gets unhappy at times, if you ever played sports you know that is true. One day your ecstatic, the next your as low as a snakes belly.  Someone gets blamed; it can't be the player themselves, that would be too easy. 

[vanhorn78]

So hard to understand why kids just keep coming from his High School.  No one is happy all the time.  Two years ago we heard how terrible one of our running backs felt about the staff, and then his cousin shows up to play QB, and then two more highly touted recruits from his school are targets for our recruiting.

Everyone gets unhappy at times, if you ever played sports you know that is true. One day your ecstatic, the next your as low as a snakes belly.  Someone gets blamed; it can't be the player themselves, that would be too easy.

In this case, it’s not the player. Not only would that be too easy, but it’d be a lie. And like the guy from earlier mentioned, Legget and Ward got screwed the same way Locklear almost got screwed. The only difference between Locklear and the other two is the fact that Locklear had to play because of Tarik’s hip injury. You can’t erase performance once it’s been filmed. No more secrets. And now, this secret is out and he’s heading to Utah.

[whf]

My final 2 questions ....

Was he driven out by the coaches, asked to leave?  Or did he decide to go where he felt he could play more?

You used the word "criminal" in one of your posts.  Do you have proof of criminal intent, crimes committed, or did you mean that in your opinion the actions of the coaches were unjust?

Thanks,

[s1uggo]

So, in this quoted post of yours, you speculate, but assert, that Locklear played on the plays that he’s best at, and didn’t in the ones he wasn’t. Here’s the problem. The type of rotation you’re referencing doesn’t exist for olinemen. In fact, the only time you see those events transpire, is for short yardage/goal line situations, so rarely ever. WR, RB, and defensive positions rotate like that. Olineman, when rotating, do it upon a drive to drive ratio. Only the first 12-16 plays are typically scripted for a game, within the game plan. This means, that plays 12-16 would be the only place where your logic could possibly be feasible... possible. I’m telling you that, in this situation, that’s impossible, because that’s not the case. The main reason he got most of his playing time is based upon Tarik Adams’ injured hip that plagued him all season long.

You say the decision of professionals? Hmmm, well if Marshall Coaches are professionals and we should trust them to do their job (playing the best player in this situation), then why have other professionals doing the same job, in more “prestigious” dwellings, in every Power 5 conference come drooling for Alex, based on the film they watched, arrived at completely opposite conclusions?

I want you to do something... I want you to go back through the years in this program, and tell me of a situation when a guy that isn’t good enough to start at Marshall, was ever wanted else where, on this scale, regarding who wanted him and how much they wanted him (seen those messages too boss).

here is my question. If it is clear on tape he was the best player, then why do you think he didn't play? We changed OL coaches so that should have given him a clean slate.

[MUonium]

Not every player will like even the greatest coach and the greatest coach will not like every player.  Human nature.  As for mistreatment I don't know.  But favoritism is human nature.  I have had the same style of athlete and liked one better than the other for whatever reason.  Can't really explain it.

i agree.  i think it would be fair to say, that overall, Doc and his various staffs have no worse a record of negatively, or for that matter, positively impacted players compared to other HCs in an 8 or nine year tenure (that is a lot of players overall).  however, i do not in any way discount the personal experiences and opinions of individual players and what they have to say.  i believe they're all telling their truth and transparency is a good thing, so i hope someone in the FB AD is reading this.

[goherd24]

here is my question. If it is clear on tape he was the best player, then why do you think he didn't play? We changed OL coaches so that should have given him a clean slate.

That's assuming the captain of the ship isn't meddling in the affairs, which i think is pretty clear, that Doc does.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[s1uggo]

That's assuming the captain of the ship isn't meddling in the affairs, which i think is pretty clear, that Doc does.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

ok, still I would like to have an answer from VanHorn

[vanhorn78]

My final 2 questions ....

Was he driven out by the coaches, asked to leave?  Or did he decide to go where he felt he could play more?

You used the word "criminal" in one of your posts.  Do you have proof of criminal intent, crimes committed, or did you mean that in your opinion the actions of the coaches were unjust?

Thanks,

He left because it didn’t matter how well he did, he wasn’t gonna be playing. There are things you don’t understand about the internal operations of what is going on. I know exactly what’s going on. I wouldn’t say anything if I didn’t know. And yes, I can prove not just intent, but actions taken. But no one will care enough to have anything done about it. Not only were their actions unjust in this situation, but also have no adequate backing from results in reality. Just like a lot of their decisions made since spring 2016.

[herd2win]

The good thing about this is that the results will bear the truth...if MU struggles on the Oline this season and Locklear goes to Utah and starts and plays well then Vanhorns comments will hold a lot of weight and even sway several people’s opinion of Doc...

It is impossible to keep 100 athletes happy about playing time because most have been elite their entire life and have never had to share playing time or be benched.  Many coaches will play a less talented player over a player with an attitude issue...look at the Steelers and Giants getting rid of two hall of game receivers because of attitude...the team has to come over individual when you need to use 60 players to compete..

[vanhorn78]

here is my question. If it is clear on tape he was the best player, then why do you think he didn't play? We changed OL coaches so that should have given him a clean slate.

I answered this question already. These coaches are closer than anyone might imagine. Just because a coaching change takes place, doesn’t mean you’re getting a clean slate. The new o line coach came in “quietly,” not doing a thing to change Mirabal’s effects for the good or the bad. He’s just sort of there. The decision to start Locklear or not is not really up to him either. This is also deeper than simply a decision to start someone based off of who’s better. And the day I expose the essence of the cancer, if that day comes, will be when I have the candid eyes and ears gearing up for a change. Until then, I would just be creating more and more avenues of what’s true and causing further speculation. If someone in administration wants a detailed report, and will actually do something about it, then again, there will be purpose behind it beyond just debating and answering questions, some obviously still challenging what I write. I find no fault with them; I’m just frustrated that they can’t allow themselves to believe the truth. Believe what you will, but this is all true. I know it sucks even worse because it’s hard to accept these things when it’s detrimental to something we love and hold dear. It’s hard to accept that things have gotten to this point, and even more frustrating that we are powerless in solving these types of issues, until the entire community reaches its limit and pushes back with adequate amounts of action for inducing change in a positive direction.

[vanhorn78]

The good thing about this is that the results will bear the truth...if MU struggles on the Oline this season and Locklear goes to Utah and starts and plays well then Vanhorns comments will hold a lot of weight and even sway several people’s opinion of Doc...

It is impossible to keep 100 athletes happy about playing time because most have been elite their entire life and have never had to share playing time or be benched.  Many coaches will play a less talented player over a player with an attitude issue...look at the Steelers and Giants getting rid of two hall of game receivers because of attitude...the team has to come over individual when you need to use 60 players to compete..

It’s a good thing Lock’s issue isn’t an attitude problem. I’ve seen tons of guys cry about playing time, seen guys demand the ball, swear they were the best guy... that’s not the case. Multiple top 25 programs never wanted the guys I played with that thought they were the best, but for some reason they wanted Lock. If the attitude is the problem Lock has with being THE BEST PLAYER on the team and not starting, then that’s not an attitude problem and has nothing to do with his teammates.  That is deeper than any of the situations it could possibly be, based on anyone’s speculation. Facts don’t care about waiting for a turnout to determine their validity; facts simultaneously hold weight.

[herd2win]

I know many players on the current team and they do not share VH opinion...every team has defections and I am not saying Doc is the best communicator or coach in the world...but common sense says a coach wants to do everything to win and if purposely not playing your best players just does not ring true...

I cheered for VH and Locklear and wish the best for both...I just don’t like that after you are given an education to then put down the institution that gave it to you...if Doc was so bad why did both stick around so long..

[Scottyo614]

I know many players on the current team and they do not share VH opinion...every team has defections and I am not saying Doc is the best communicator or coach in the world...but common sense says a coach wants to do everything to win and if purposely not playing your best players just does not ring true...

I cheered for VH and Locklear and wish the best for both...I just don’t like that after you are given an education to then put down the institution that gave it to you...if Doc was so bad why did both stick around so long..

He openly said 2016 things began to change for the worse and it’s been pretty obvious since 2016 that change has been apparent.

Also for purposely not playing your best players doesn’t Doc have a track record? Martin Ward won a bowl MVP and was on the cusp of really breaking out only to be benched. DJ Hunter is another who comes to mind in a what are we doing deal. We could make a list of WTF personnel decisions in 10 years

[vanhorn78]

I know many players on the current team and they do not share VH opinion...every team has defections and I am not saying Doc is the best communicator or coach in the world...but common sense says a coach wants to do everything to win and if purposely not playing your best players just does not ring true...

I cheered for VH and Locklear and wish the best for both...I just don’t like that after you are given an education to then put down the institution that gave it to you...if Doc was so bad why did both stick around so long..

Well partner, I answered all these questions, which means you’ve missed some reading. Answered your questions to a “T.” I’m not putting down the institution. I’m putting down what people are doing that represent the institution. Doc isn’t the main problem. It’s just sad he doesn’t really have a grip on the situation. It’s deeper than head coach. I know more guys on the current team than you do, and they share my opinion. As far as names go, it’s not my place. Depending on who you are, I either know the clique of guys you’re referring to, or know that the guys you talked to just said that because that’s “what they’re supposed to do.” An uncensored, unfiltered and honest opinion is a little different than the filter you may hear yours through.

[svherd]

Thanks again Clint. It takes balls to post what you did. I love our coaches and how they represent our school but they aren’t perfect. Some of our fans need to realize that and quit worshipping them.

[herdfan129]

VanHorn...nothing but respect for you sir. I know coming on here and sharing this info was not easy.

Can you tell us what changed in 2016 to lead to all of this? We as fans all saw a big change in 2016 (those of us who are honest and capable of seeing.) Would love to know your opinion as to what happened in 2016 to cause this.

[Scottyo614]

If Doc isn’t the main problem and it goes deeper, but he would go to the administration to address it if they would listen makes me think the main problem is one of two people? I’m curious, but one of those has been here a long time.

[s1uggo]

I answered this question already. These coaches are closer than anyone might imagine. Just because a coaching change takes place, doesn’t mean you’re getting a clean slate. The new o line coach came in “quietly,” not doing a thing to change Mirabal’s effects for the good or the bad. He’s just sort of there. The decision to start Locklear or not is not really up to him either. This is also deeper than simply a decision to start someone based off of who’s better. And the day I expose the essence of the cancer, if that day comes, will be when I have the candid eyes and ears gearing up for a change. Until then, I would just be creating more and more avenues of what’s true and causing further speculation. If someone in administration wants a detailed report, and will actually do something about it, then again, there will be purpose behind it beyond just debating and answering questions, some obviously still challenging what I write. I find no fault with them; I’m just frustrated that they can’t allow themselves to believe the truth. Believe what you will, but this is all true. I know it sucks even worse because it’s hard to accept these things when it’s detrimental to something we love and hold dear. It’s hard to accept that things have gotten to this point, and even more frustrating that we are powerless in solving these types of issues, until the entire community reaches its limit and pushes back with adequate amounts of action for inducing change in a positive direction.

Thks for answering   I still have a hard time understanding. If the kid is clearly better on film, then why isn’t the position coach playing him?  The HC might have the final say, but the position coach has plenty, especially if it’s clear on tape he’s better

[cubsrams1]

Two questions Clint:

1: Earlier in this thread I asked for explanation on your comment about playing on the 2016 OL as a suicide mission. Can you elaborate? Scheme? People not knowing the plays/assignments? Freshman center? Freshman QB? 

2: Since you have started commenting on this thread, has anyone on the staff reached out to you?  And you have had any discussions with them?

(Added a No.3:  What are your recommendations for fixing or addressing the issues you’ve mentioned in this thread? Aside from this thread, do you plan on working with anyone at the university to work on these issues for the betterment of the program?)

[vanhorn78]

Two questions Clint:

1: Earlier in this thread I asked for explanation on your comment about playing on the 2016 OL as a suicide mission. Can you elaborate? Scheme? People not knowing the plays/assignments? Freshman center? Freshman QB? 

2: Since you have started commenting on this thread, has anyone on the staff reached out to you?  And you have had any discussions with them?

(Added a No.3:  What are your recommendations for fixing or addressing the issues you’ve mentioned in this thread? Aside from this thread, do you plan on working with anyone at the university to work on these issues for the betterment of the program?)

Scheme and personnel. Beyond that description, I will not go into detail until I can physically prove my point, in person, with someone in administration. Which will be easy to do if given the opportunity. If someone within the University was ready to act, with serious intentions, then I’ll be ready. My recommendations are to get together as a community, demand the university look into what I’m saying, I’ll be there to offer every issue in great detail, and go from there. And no, no one has reached out to me. If anyone from administration wants to reach out to me about this, then that means they’ve seen what I’ve said. Therefore, they are seeing this and I’d just like to say, if you contact me, please be ready to fix the problem... don’t try to shut me up or “get a handle” on the issue.

[herd2win]

Not to generalize but this might be another case of the millennial effect...this generation is not willing to take criticism and when given they either take their ball and go home or just believe it is everyone else that is at fault.  I am not an old person but I do hire many people and I know in my industry this is becoming a big issue where heads of companies are going to go away from hiring recent college grads in favor of people a little older who are willing to work hard and also have a teachable attitude.

I speak with many different people that run companies and this attitude is prevalent with the current generation.  They have been handed things too easy (juice boxes and trophies for everyone) instead of understanding that some people do lose and there are consequences for not doing the required work.

With all of the outlets for a story to get out if something criminal was being done or something incorrect within the administration or football program it would surface...especially as if indicated by VH this happened in 2016.

[vanhorn78]

Not to generalize but this might be another case of the millennial effect...this generation is not willing to take criticism and when given they either take their ball and go home or just believe it is everyone else that is at fault.  I am not an old person but I do hire many people and I know in my industry this is becoming a big issue where heads of companies are going to go away from hiring recent college grads in favor of people a little older who are willing to work hard and also have a teachable attitude.

I speak with many different people that run companies and this attitude is prevalent with the current generation.  They have been handed things too easy (juice boxes and trophies for everyone) instead of understanding that some people do lose and there are consequences for not doing the required work.

With all of the outlets for a story to get out if something criminal was being done or something incorrect within the administration or football program it would surface...especially as if indicated by VH this happened in 2016.

Wrong again. Idk how many more times I need to say that any of your speculation is wrong and what I’m saying is right. Are you not seeing it “get out” now? And unlike me, most people don’t care enough to let people on the outside know. Not that you’d be able to handle the truth if you heard it... like you’ve demonstrated.