Things I Will Remember About Walden Season 1

[TxRdKiller]

h/t to LTMiner61. I didn't want to be the first to move beyond this season.

1. Gimmicky video game offensive play calling. In particular, the gimmicky offensive line formations shifting prior to the snap.
2. Terrble clock management.
3. Constant reliance on passes to the flat resulting mostly in minimal or lost yardage.
4. Lack of a running game.
5. Crappy defense. Just too many missed assignments, missed tackles, etc.
6. Too many penalties at the worst time. 2-point conversion penalties committed by defense today, for example.
7. Mo Westmoreland looked really good most of the year.
8. Pickles' first few plays looked promising.
9. See #1. Walden needs to hire a capable offensive coordinator/play caller.

I'll leave it at that. And before anyone complains that there are more negatives than positives remember that we finished 3-9.

 

[utep1966]

I am satisfied with Season 1 because Walden won the same number of games as Dimel and Kugler did (combined).

There were a lot of mistakes, but that's what you kind of expect from a first year D1-A coach. I didn't expect a bowl game this year.

3 wins is a good benchmark to improve from next season.

 

[Dmanminer]

He has to double the wins next season. With the recruits coming in and a year experience to learn that is not unreasonable. If he doesn’t pull it off, adios.

 

[PickMyAxe915]

The recruiting is something to hang a hat on. And i thought the defense was good and was the best unit on the team. The DBs allowed way too many big plays (Josiah Allen) though. We can't expect a better defense next season though due to graduations. The offense and special teams will have to improve dramatically to make up for what should be a worse defense next season. Hope Walden can keep Duhon and Odom. And other impact players.

 

[kickballpro]

I don’t see Walden giving up play calling responsibilities. Many fans wanted an up tempo fast paced spread offense. It was underwhelming for sure.

I do like Walden’s energy, I like how his staff recruits and goes after everyone, and I like that he’s lobbied for a new Locker Room and NIL money.

I think when you see things like a Time Out before the first offensive play, when you see missed assignments, penalties as you mentioned, and when you run a ton of Inside Zone and it fails to hit; those things point to a lack of details.

There is nothing wrong with being Fast and Simple, but when you are you have to really teach the details. Lots of college teams have only a handful of plays like we do, but they focus and drill the details to eliminate the errors you’re mentioning.