Brewster......

[Gopher]

..has done ALOT of talking since he came here. He had to, since the Gopher football program is a mess. He said last weekend that we would have two commits by the end of this weekend. Maybe he should just keep his mouth shut once in awhile and let his actions speak. I wonder if recruits watching the team lose 29-6 and 55-0, along with alot of TALK from Brewster turned kids off. As I said, I've been a supporter of Brewster, but my guess the rest of this recruting class will like alot like Mason's recruits. If the team flounders next season(and unless they improve ALOT, the record will be worse) then recruting will get even more difficult.

[The 12th Man]

It is Saturday. The weekend usually ends on Sunday, but maybe not where you live.

[GopherGod]

..has done ALOT of talking since he came here. He had to, since the Gopher football program is a mess. He said last weekend that we would have two commits by the end of this weekend. Maybe he should just keep his mouth shut once in awhile and let his actions speak. I wonder if recruits watching the team lose 29-6 and 55-0, along with alot of TALK from Brewster turned kids off. As I said, I've been a supporter of Brewster, but my guess the rest of this recruting class will like alot like Mason's recruits. If the team flounders next season(and unless they improve ALOT, the record will be worse) then recruting will get even more difficult.

I agree with you. Sooner or later you have to put up or shut up and Brewster has not done that on the field. Now is a time when we need experienced coaching and leadership and not just a sales pitch.

[akgopher]

And not to mention that Mason was 8-5 in his third year. He got fired for mediocrity and we'll know next year if this guy can approach Mason's level. I hope he doesn't get extended until we see how he does during the first three games of the non-conference schedule. The honeymoon is over and now he needs to produce some wins.

[BBShopGo4]

No coach gets every recruit that they target. I think it's silly to conclude that our late season results have had a big impact on recruits. I think people are working hard to guess why teenagers make choices. The sample size is too small for any conclusions and high school players make their decisions for all sorts of reasons, both rational and not.

I think it's also blatantly wrong to say that the current Gopher recruiting class is not better than what we've had in the past. By just about any measure, this is demonstrably false.

I'm just as disappointed about the choices of Carter and McNeal as anyone else, but the current commits still constitute a very good class and there is still lots of time before signing day and lots can happen. We all need a bit more even keel approach and perspective.

[FiveStarFan]

Do you really think the "M" hat on the table for both kids today would have been there with Mason still here? NO WAY

[minngg]

Big supporter of Brewster with 4 posts? Give me a break. How do you know what has turned off kids? You went through all of the trouble to register to post this? Brew is ding fine in recruiting. How many times did we watch these All-star games when Mase was coaching to see if someone would declare for MN? And tomorrow we will see a couple of MN recruits actually play. Nice try, but I am not buying it.

[GopherGod]

No coach gets every recruit that they target. I think it's silly to conclude that our late season results have had a big impact on recruits. I think people are working hard to guess why teenagers make choices. The sample size is too small for any conclusions and high school players make their decisions for all sorts of reasons, both rational and not.

I think it's also blatantly wrong to say that the current Gopher recruiting class is not better than what we've had in the past. By just about any measure, this is demonstrably false.

I'm just as disappointed about the choices of Carter and McNeal as anyone else, but the current commits still constitute a very good class and there is still lots of time before signing day and lots can happen. We all need a bit more even keel approach and perspective.

You are correct that no coach gets every recruit they target, however Brewster is the one who sold himself as this super recruiter and created the expectations for himself. Based on his lack of game day coaching abilities displayed thus far and now questions about his recruiting luster possibly wearing off it is not out of line to start to question things.

[akgopher]

I guess it's unfair to expect results heading into year three. His predecessor was 8-5 in year three and Brewster's second half of his second team might have been worse than his 1-11 team.

Maturi needs to make a decision on this guy soon. Does he extend him now based on what he's accomplished or send him out on the recruiting trail facing year 4 of a 5 year deal?

The vibe in TCF could be pretty lame by October if they stick to their no beer sales policy.

[sonnygarcia]

Hahahaha. This is hilarious. I love hearing the crazy fans on this board get all upset!!! Get out of your moms basement and relax a bit, college football isn't life or death. Brewster works hard, its not easy to sell the U with its recent history and the Metrodome. I love the comment:

"He said last weekend that we would have two commits by the end of this weekend. Maybe he should just keep his mouth shut once in awhile and let his actions speak."

--- You sound like a child crying to his parents who "promised" him something. Chill out you loser.........

[minngg]

You are correct that no coach gets every recruit they target, however Brewster is the one who sold himself as this super recruiter and created the expectations for himself. Based on his lack of game day coaching abilities displayed thus far and now questions about his recruiting luster possibly wearing off it is not out of line to start to question things.

What Brewster is doing is super recruiting. The class isn't done. Would Mase have gotten Hagemen? Allen? Hayo? The top 3 OL in MN? No way, they would be at WI or IA. We had some terrible weather this season and some bad game results. Brew is doing the job recruiting. Now he needs to show he can coach.

[Gopher]

OK if you're going to play that game, then I'll play dirty. The Haskins cheating scandal, the rape in Madison on Dutcher's watch, the Mussleman goons punching an Ohio St player. 40 years of being in the bottom 25% of major college football. Let's see...what else is Minnesota Gopher sports known for? NONE OF US HAVE HAD MUCH TO CHEER FOR FOR DECADES.

[minngg]

OK if you're going to play that game, then I'll play dirty. The Haskins cheating scandal, the rape in Madison on Dutcher's watch, the Mussleman goons punching an Ohio St player. 40 years of being in the bottom 25% of major college football. Let's see...what else is Minnesota Gopher sports known for? NONE OF US HAVE HAD MUCH TO CHEER FOR FOR DECADES.

I knew this guy was a fraud. Go back to your Iowa or Bucky board. Bye. Big supporter of Brewster. Don't make me laugh.

[GopherGod]

What Brewster is doing is super recruiting. The class isn't done. Would Mase have gotten Hagemen? Allen? Hayo? The top 3 OL in MN? No way, they would be at WI or IA. We had some terrible weather this season and some bad game results. Brew is doing the job recruiting. Now he needs to show he can coach.


This is not really about Mason it is about Brewster and whether he is the best one to lead this program. At the end of the recruiting period we will be probably 6 or 7th in the big ten with this recruiting class with a coach who still has not proven he can coach or for that matter even hire a staff that can provide stability and direction for the program.

[minngg]

This should be about the direction of the program. You don't think getting the top 3 OL in MN is a big deal? You don't think it is an upgrade over past years? You don't think 4 years of Brewster recruits won't be a huge upgrade over what Brewster walked in to? You want miracles. I saw big improvements over last season and a top 25 class that was only freshmen. What the heck do you want? Did you think we were going to be Big Ten contenders with the players Brew inherited and a bunch of freshmen and first year JC'? Hope not.

[GopherGod]

This should be about the direction of the program. You don't think getting the top 3 OL in MN is a big deal? You don't think it is an upgrade over past years? You don't think 4 years of Brewster recruits won't be a huge upgrade over what Brewster walked in to? You want miracles. I saw big improvements over last season and a top 25 class that was only freshmen. What the heck do you want? Did you think we were going to be Big Ten contenders with the players Brew inherited and a bunch of freshmen and first year JC'? Hope not.

As I have said before recruiting is only half of the battle. I am still not convinced that Brewster can be a good game day coach regardless of the talent level present as he has never proved it. I have always questioned how Brewster can be a position coach for as long as he was(17 years) without ever getting promoted. Could it be that all the coaches he worked for maybe knew something that we didn't, good recruiter but not a good coach?

[GO4INLALALAND]

This should be about the direction of the program. You don't think getting the top 3 OL in MN is a big deal? You don't think it is an upgrade over past years? You don't think 4 years of Brewster recruits won't be a huge upgrade over what Brewster walked in to? You want miracles. I saw big improvements over last season and a top 25 class that was only freshmen. What the heck do you want? Did you think we were going to be Big Ten contenders with the players Brew inherited and a bunch of freshmen and first year JC'? Hope not.

Amen. People need to wake up and smell the coffee. Brewster had very little talent going into his first year of coaching. He had so little talent that he had to start a true freshman at qb. If you think that Brewster was going to make the Gophers Big 10 champs in two years, you should probably stick with the NFL where you can buy your players and be a contender in one year. But in college you have to build your teams the old fashioned way- recruiting. To think a different coach could have walked into what Brewster walked into and make us a contender for the Big 10 title is very foolish. We need more recruits, which we are getting.

With that being said, I did not care for some of the play calling, which I think Brewster is addressing by bringing in Davis. Brewster needs more time, it is that simple.

Also, for those who think that Brewster should not get an extension yet, just shows your ignorance. He needs an extension for recruiting purposes. No player is going to commit to MN if they thing the HC is going to be gone before they reach campus. Get a clue.

[akgopher]

If he fails to reach .500 in year three is he still better than Mason because his recruits had more stars? Maroney, Barber, Hamilton, Setterstrom, and Eslinger weren't too shabby.

At what point is this guy a bust? He took a bowl team to 1-11 and his Big Ten season this year was a bust. The Iowa game was the worst loss in school history.

[GopherGod]

Amen. People need to wake up and smell the coffee. Brewster had very little talent going into his first year of coaching. He had so little talent that he had to start a true freshman at qb. If you think that Brewster was going to make the Gophers Big 10 champs in two years, you should probably stick with the NFL where you can buy your players and be a contender in one year. But in college you have to build your teams the old fashioned way- recruiting. To think a different coach could have walked into what Brewster walked into and make us a contender for the Big 10 title is very foolish. We need more recruits, which we are getting.

With that being said, I did not care for some of the play calling, which I think Brewster is addressing by bringing in Davis. Brewster needs more time, it is that simple.

Also, for those who think that Brewster should not get an extension yet, just shows your ignorance. He needs an extension for recruiting purposes. No player is going to commit to MN if they thing the HC is going to be gone before they reach campus. Get a clue.

I don't think anyone expected us to compete for the big 10 title, but I think it is not to much to expect the team to not get smoked in several games in a unusually weak big 10 conference season and in a bowl game against a good but not great Kansas team that they coaching staff had a month to prepare for.

[Gopherjer]

GopherGod,

Brewster has one recruiting class so far and was left with nothing but a few players. I challenge anyone to name more than five guys that would be a difference maker on any team. He had Wvs, Decker, Weber, and not much more, he had guys starting that had no business starting. He has had one class and this will be class number two. The first year he was hired two weeks prior to signing day.

Can he coach? I do not know this answer right now, but let's give him some time to get his guys in place. Rich Rodriquez had much more talent left for him and he went 3-8. Michigan recruits are all americans and he still went 3-8.

[GopherGod]

GopherGod,

Brewster has one recruiting class so far and was left with nothing but a few players. I challenge anyone to name more than five guys that would be a difference maker on any team. He had Wvs, Decker, Weber, and not much more, he had guys starting that had no business starting. He has had one class and this will be class number two. The first year he was hired two weeks prior to signing day.

Can he coach? I do not know this answer right now, but let's give him some time to get his guys in place. Rich Rodriquez had much more talent left for him and he went 3-8. Michigan recruits are all americans and he still went 3-8.

I think even with the talent level we had that we should have performed better, was Northwestern's talent that much better than ours. You can look at programs around the country and see what a good coach can do regardless of using lack of talent as a crutch. You can look at for instance Nebraska with first year coach Bo Pelini who takes a team that was 5-7 last year and finishes 9-4 this season with a bowl win in a tougher Big 12 conference, all this while starting two walk-ons on defense in the bowl game and much of the season. I bring Nebraska up as Pelini was interested in this position when Brewster was hired as was Lane Kiffin. In regards to your comparison of Michigan and Rich Rodriquez, he I think gets a longer leash than Brewster as he has proved in the past he can build a winner.

[Gopherjer]

I think Mason in his last few years got lazy recruiting and Brewster is reaping the rewards. Look at the O-Line and tell me what talent Mason left? Running backs what talent is there? The secondary is made up of new Brewster recruits, what Mason recruits are there to help? D-line what talent did Mason leave besides WVS, this whole team is made up of patch work.

Again, not sure Brewter can coach, but the most important thing in college football is someone that can recruit. Talent wins over coaching, not even Pete Carroll would have won more than 3 games with this team last year, given their talent level.

[GopherGod]

I think Mason in his last few years got lazy recruiting and Brewster is reaping the rewards. Look at the O-Line and tell me what talent Mason left? Running backs what talent is there? The secondary is made up of new Brewster recruits, what Mason recruits are there to help? D-line what talent did Mason leave besides WVS, this whole team is made up of patch work.

Again, not sure Brewter can coach, but the most important thing in college football is someone that can recruit. Talent wins over coaching, not even Pete Carroll would have won more than 3 games with this team last year, given their talent level.

I believe all the running backs that played this year(Bennett, Salamon, Eskridge) were Brewster recruits and I definitely think Pete Carroll would have won more than 3 games with that team as would several other coaches who have found a way to at least be competitive with sub par talent. Again, I don't expect Big Ten titles anytime soon but I expect us to atleast be competitive in a conference that was the weakest it has been in many years. While I agree you need talent to win, I think that coaching and developing players is huge and talent does not always win out, just ask John Cooper when he was at Ohio State and his whole team was first round picks every year.

[Gopherjer]

I agree with you that Brewster needs to prove he can coach, I cannot help but look at each position, OL,RB,DL,LB,DB and say what talent does he really have? Since his first real class and added talent he went from 1-11 to 7-6. I think it hard to judge when you are not sure if it is talent or is his coaching that bad?

[Ozzy&Ray]

This is ridiculous. I agree we don't know a lot about Brewster yet. Maturi really took a shot with him. However, if you can't say there wasn't improvement this year you are way too biased against seeing any good in Brewster. Also, how anyone thought we could win with the defensive talent that was left for Brewster and his staff is crazy. They were the slowest defense of all BCS teams. The players couldn't even get in position to make tackles.

I strongly supported Mason when he was here even though I was concerned win never seeing any improvement on the defensive side of the ball. I will now support Brewster - give him a chance to assemble talent (he is doing that) and then we'll see if he can coach. It's early too judge. A lot of coaching is talent - the best coaches are the first to say that.

[grunkiejr]

As I have said before recruiting is only half of the battle. I am still not convinced that Brewster can be a good game day coach regardless of the talent level present as he has never proved it. I have always questioned how Brewster can be a position coach for as long as he was(17 years) without ever getting promoted. Could it be that all the coaches he worked for maybe knew something that we didn't, good recruiter but not a good coach?

Did you know that Ferentz was never a coordinator either?

[grunkiejr]

I don't think anyone expected us to compete for the big 10 title, but I think it is not to much to expect the team to not get smoked in several games in a unusually weak big 10 conference season and in a bowl game against a good but not great Kansas team that they coaching staff had a month to prepare for.

Kansas is a well coached team that executes it's offense very well. Reesing > Weber, Briscoe > Decker, Meier > Green, Kansas OL > Minnesota OL. Can you figure out why we lost?

[PlayHosea]

Keep your pants on. Is Brewster better than Mason? Right now, no. Give him 2 more years, if they aren't contending for the Big Ten title by then, give him his walking papers.

[MaxyJR1]

Relax people. I'm sure the fact that between last year and this year Brewster had four 4* WR's come in has something to do with McNeal's decision. OL was a major need this year and we have a number of them coming. We don't have 31 spots to fill this year, so every need isn't going to be filled.

[srhjj]

Gopher j wrote "I think Mason in his last few years got lazy recruiting and Brewster is reaping the rewards. Look at the O-Line and tell me what talent Mason left?"

The OL was just fine unyil Brewster & Meyer came along. It was Brewster who chose not to renew DeGest's scholarship and ran off Justin Jenson and Otis Hudson. You guy's need to stop rewriting history to blame Mason.

[GoGophers2005]

srhjj....
thank you for the funniest first post in the history of the gopherhole. I love it that you brought up 3 players that never had a chance of seeing the field and then going on and blaming brewster. I see that you are from Tennessee.... you probably should be paying more attention to your own football team instead of trolling around here. Good luck with Kiffen.

[srhjj]

You might want to check your facts regarding the 3 o-lineman never seeing the field.

DeGeest saw a lot of playing time in 2006 and started in that Insight Bowl. He was a starter in 2007.

Hudson as you may recall was a recruit that everyone was excited about his "ready for NFL body". He saw playing time at DT and on the o-line after his redshirt year. He was developing the skills to fit the body, but with two years remaining, left the program....fed up with Brewster's BS.

Justin Jenson was a greyshirt. Maybe he is the one who you think may not have seen the feild. I won't argue that point with you since he left after 1 season ( I think).

[Gophers09]

"[Mason] got fired for mediocrity."

Mason was fired for accepting mediocrity. He said it in more words again and again.

[6 Nov 1999]

And not to mention that Mason was 8-5 in his third year. He got fired for mediocrity and we'll know next year if this guy can approach Mason's level. I hope he doesn't get extended until we see how he does during the first three games of the non-conference schedule. The honeymoon is over and now he needs to produce some wins.

akgopher,

1. I think Glen Mason got fired because Joel Maturi did not (does not) like him and wanted to get rid of Glen in the worst way possible. I am not sure Joel's decision was based so much on merit as it was on emotion.

2. Having said that, and knowing that my comment will infuriate 85 percent of the folk who read this board, I would like to know if Glen Mason is still drawing a pay check from the University of Minnesota or whether all accounts have been settled. Does anybody know for sure?

SKI-U-MAH!

[akgopher]

akgopher,

1. I think Glen Mason got fired because Joel Maturi did not (does not) like him and wanted to get rid of Glen in the worst way possible. I am not sure Joel's decision was based so much on merit as it was on emotion.

2. Having said that, and knowing that my comment will infuriate 85 percent of the folk who read this board, I would like to know if Glen Mason is still drawing a pay check from the University of Minnesota or whether all accounts have been settled. Does anybody know for sure?

SKI-U-MAH!

There it is the 800 LB gorilla. The Mason and Monson buyouts. Maturi's hands are tied with Brewster. He doesn't want to screw-up his recruiting by putting him in a lame-duck contract situation, but he can't fire him with more than one year on his contract. The state and U economic situation would make such a move a political mess, especially after the beating the press gave the last two buyouts.

Extend him now and we're stuck with him for 2-3 more years even if he goes 2-10 next year.

[6 Nov 1999]

I guess it's unfair to expect results heading into year three. His predecessor was 8-5 in year three and Brewster's second half of his second team might have been worse than his 1-11 team.

Maturi needs to make a decision on this guy soon. Does he extend him now based on what he's accomplished or send him out on the recruiting trail facing year 4 of a 5 year deal?

The vibe in TCF could be pretty lame by October if they stick to their no beer sales policy.

Joel Maturi made his decision. He fired Glen Mason because Glen lost to Texas Tech Red Raiders 44-41 in an amazing comeback by a TT team that beat Texas this year. Remember, Glen would not have lost this game if the game clock rules instantiated in 2007 were in effect. Red Raiders would have run out of time in their comeback. But it does not matter, we are where we are. Question is, how to we move forward from an 0-5 streak with a devastating trouncing at home by Iowa. To me we have taken 3 steps back and have moved 1 step forward. Glen never had a 1-11 season. We fired him at 6-7. We finished 2008 at 7-6 with a 5 game losing streak. 2009 will be the acid test year. Some of us are not interested in recruiting hype. We just want to see Ws and we don't care if the recruits come from Minneapolis Edison, East Chicago Roosevelt, or West Philadelphia. We just want to see Ws and we don't want to see 0-55 scores at home. Joel does not have the luxury of another decision in my humble opinion. If a decision has to be made, the next decision will be regarding Joel. I feel bad for Tim Brewster because he is just a good fella trying to make it in Division 1A / Big Ten. He did not initiate any head coach firing / hiring decisions. He is just trying to do his job as best he can.

[hudson14]

Hate to be showing my ignorance, but which "true" freshman QB was Brewster forced to start?
After setting several records, Cupito said the shirt behind him was going to break 'em all.
Kid from Mounds View. Don't recall the name.

[Gopherjer]

Srhjj,

You can't seriously believe that any of those three were anything but back ups and at best below average linemen. Brewster was left with no OL, RB's, LB,DB that were above average and only one DL that was above average and he was injured Brewsters first year.

[lawrence21]

1. The team that Mason left us was absolute crap, slow and untalented. These players have no business playing college football

2. game day coaching is over rated when you have no talent. players win games. Game day coaching comes into play in national championship games against other good coaches with equal talent in close games.

[6 Nov 1999]

I think Mason in his last few years got lazy recruiting and Brewster is reaping the rewards. Look at the O-Line and tell me what talent Mason left? Running backs what talent is there? The secondary is made up of new Brewster recruits, what Mason recruits are there to help? D-line what talent did Mason leave besides WVS, this whole team is made up of patch work.

Again, not sure Brewter can coach, but the most important thing in college football is someone that can recruit. Talent wins over coaching, not even Pete Carroll would have won more than 3 games with this team last year, given their talent level.

Gopherjer,

1. Wrong. The most important thing in college football is someone that wins games. In fact, at the end of the day, it is the only thing that really matters.

2. As my Sea Daddy aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) used to tell me, "Nobody cares about explanations (excuses), the only thing that matters is results!"

3. I refuse to get worked up over recruiting propaganda, be they 1 star or 5 star. 2009 will be the money year. Honeymoon is now over and it seemed to have ended exactly at Memorial Stadium in Champaign-Urbana earlier this year.

4. I don't care who we recruit. I don't care who Glen Mason did not recruit. I don't care if Glen left a cupboard bare or whether he left it full of Rimington award candidates, Heisman candidates, and Outland trophy candidates. The only thing that matters is results.

5. Here is hoping we reverse our skid against the Air Force Falcons.

SKI-U-MAH!

[sonnygarcia]

Hilarious that after 10 years of .500 football we are still mad about the firing of Mason. Personally, I would rather take a 50/50 chance on a program becoming great or failing, rather than sitting at .500 every year. Get some balls people, get behind Brewster. He has shown he will bring in the recruits and athletes to compete with the big boys, lets see if he can get his coaches straight..... if he can, we are going to be VERY good, if he can't be won't be. Either way, people who whine about Mason leaving and were happy being .500 every year can take their tight whiteys off and grow a pair. Lets at least take a chance at being great....... and to do that you have to have big recruits, which Brewster can get us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Retards all over this board. Or just angry old men, not such which????

[Gopherjer]

No I am not wrong, talent wins over coaching any day. You are a Mason sell out and that is fine, but do not blame Brewster for having no talent to work with. Lawerence in the previous post nailed it, you keep drinking the Mason kool aid!

[6 Nov 1999]

Hilarious that after 10 years of .500 football we are still mad about the firing of Mason. Personally, I would rather take a 50/50 chance on a program becoming great or failing, rather than sitting at .500 every year. Get some balls people, get behind Brewster. He has shown he will bring in the recruits and athletes to compete with the big boys, lets see if he can get his coaches straight..... if he can, we are going to be VERY good, if he can't be won't be. Either way, people who whine about Mason leaving and were happy being .500 every year can take their tight whiteys off and grow a pair. Lets at least take a chance at being great....... and to do that you have to have big recruits, which Brewster can get us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Retards all over this board. Or just angry old men, not such which????

sonnygarcia,

1. I am an unhappy old man. I was at the last Kansas game in Memorial Stadium and I believe we put up a better showing on 7 October 1972 when we lost 34-28. I am glad I did not pay money to visit Sun Devil Stadium on 31 December 2008. It was bad enough on the NFL Network.

2. I have now seen 8 Golden Gopher head football coaches come and go. We fired three good ones (Warmath, Stoll, Mason) and the other good one (Holtz) ran out of town and left us pregnant and with a case of Herpes, HIV, and AIDS.

3. You are quick to bark, and probably even faster to bite. When you run out of ammunition to debate with, you just start attacking people personally.

4. I am sorry but losing to Iowa 55-0 at home, there is just no excuse for such a horrid performance. I don't blame our football players, they tried hard, especially our defense.

5. By the way, no matter how much you hate Glen Mason, the fact of the matter is he did not need superstars to close winning seasons. His Big Ten record was not great, but we went to bowl games year in and year out, and we earned many individual accolades. We were noted as a rushing power house. We built Offensive lines, we did not need to recruit them. Glen took German / Swedish stock and built great offensive lines out of no names.

SKI-U-MAH!

[GopherGod]

Gopherjer,

1. Wrong. The most important thing in college football is someone that wins games. In fact, at the end of the day, it is the only thing that really matters.

2. As my Sea Daddy aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) used to tell me, "Nobody cares about explanations (excuses), the only thing that matters is results!"

3. I refuse to get worked up over recruiting propaganda, be they 1 star or 5 star. 2009 will be the money year. Honeymoon is now over and it seemed to have ended exactly at Memorial Stadium in Champaign-Urbana earlier this year.

4. I don't care who we recruit. I don't care who Glen Mason did not recruit. I don't care if Glen left a cupboard bare or whether he left it full of Rimington award candidates, Heisman candidates, and Outland trophy candidates. The only thing that matters is results.

5. Here is hoping we reverse our skid against the Air Force Falcons.

SKI-U-MAH!


I agree with a lot of what you say but did think that Glen Mason had run his course here, I just think we should have expected more than Tim Brewster.

[GopherGod]

Did you know that Ferentz was never a coordinator either?

You are correct but he was a head coach previously before going to Iowa at Maine. Also, he had ties to the program there and was pretty much hand picked by Hayden Fry for the job. Brewster had no ties here and no coordinator or head coaching experience. My point I do not think it is appropriate for my university to be a training ground for a coach, that is what the Maines of the world are for.

[sonnygarcia]

sonnygarcia,

1. I am an unhappy old man. I was at the last Kansas game in Memorial Stadium and I believe we put up a better showing on 7 October 1972 when we lost 34-28. I am glad I did not pay money to visit Sun Devil Stadium on 31 December 2008. It was bad enough on the NFL Network.

2. I have now seen 8 Golden Gopher head football coaches come and go. We fired three good ones (Warmath, Stoll, Mason) and the other good one (Holtz) ran out of town and left us pregnant and with a case of Herpes, HIV, and AIDS.

3. You are quick to bark, and probably even faster to bite. When you run out of ammunition to debate with, you just start attacking people personally.

4. I am sorry but losing to Iowa 55-0 at home, there is just no excuse for such a horrid performance. I don't blame our football players, they tried hard, especially our defense.

5. By the way, no matter how much you hate Glen Mason, the fact of the matter is he did not need superstars to close winning seasons. His Big Ten record was not great, but we went to bowl games year in and year out, and we earned many individual accolades. We were noted as a rushing power house. We built Offensive lines, we did not need to recruit them. Glen took German / Swedish stock and built great offensive lines out of no names.

SKI-U-MAH!



If you are fine with being average in life, then thats your choice. I think most people would rather strive for more. Hilarious that people stand up for Mason, what a bum!!!!!! He did not need superstars because he could never get them!!!!! Even more hilarious that you list him as one of the good U coaches. Being .500 and making an embarrassing bowl each year!!

[GopherGod]

There it is the 800 LB gorilla. The Mason and Monson buyouts. Maturi's hands are tied with Brewster. He doesn't want to screw-up his recruiting by putting him in a lame-duck contract situation, but he can't fire him with more than one year on his contract. The state and U economic situation would make such a move a political mess, especially after the beating the press gave the last two buyouts.

Extend him now and we're stuck with him for 2-3 more years even if he goes 2-10 next year.

I am sure Joel Maturi is hoping more than anyone right now that the Brewster hire works out because if it doesn't he will be on the same bus out of town as Brewster. I agree that Maturi is in a tough situation but at the end of the day he is the one that put himself there.

[GopherGod]

Kansas is a well coached team that executes it's offense very well. Reesing > Weber, Briscoe > Decker, Meier > Green, Kansas OL > Minnesota OL. Can you figure out why we lost?

You are correct that Kansas is well coached but lets don't give them to much credit here as they were not the Kansas of 2007. They lost to a poor South Florida team, barely beat a terrible Iowa State team and were beat by a Nebraska team that had two walk-ons playing on defense. This same team that Minnesota had a month to prepare for and yet was taken to the wood shed by them.

[minngg]

Oh, you mean the same Kansas team that won zero conference games under Mangino it's first year and three conference game the next season under Mangino? The same Kansas team that won a total of 8 games its first two seasons under Mangino? The same Kansas team that was in the Orange Bowl last season under that same coach? I wonder if the are glad they gave him the time to get his own players in before they gave up on him?

[McGopherFan]

That the best methods to use players are almost always developed at second tier schools like Utah, and carried to the talent rich schools like Florida. The talent rich schools adopt schools that require good coaching adapt.


No I am not wrong, talent wins over coaching any day. You are a Mason sell out and that is fine, but do not blame Brewster for having no talent to work with. Lawerence in the previous post nailed it, you keep drinking the Mason kool aid!

[Bronko Nagurski Gopher]

..has done ALOT of talking since he came here. He had to, since the Gopher football program is a mess. He said last weekend that we would have two commits by the end of this weekend. Maybe he should just keep his mouth shut once in awhile and let his actions speak. I wonder if recruits watching the team lose 29-6 and 55-0, along with alot of TALK from Brewster turned kids off. As I said, I've been a supporter of Brewster, but my guess the rest of this recruting class will like alot like Mason's recruits. If the team flounders next season(and unless they improve ALOT, the record will be worse) then recruting will get even more difficult.

gopher - you are an idiot who obviously does not know what he is talking about! please go back to your becky or hogeye site bro because you don't provide anything insightful to read here.

[magpie]

Okay you all need to settle down and look at the facts:

Minnesota football sucked for 3 decades.
Mason was hired and made them average, but that was his best.
Brewster came in and has made changes like a good coach should (let's examine those further):

Problem: Lack of talent
Solution: Higher rated recruits for later improvement, JC transfers for immediate improvement
Brewster 1, critics 0.

Problem: Worst defense in the country
Solution: New Defensive Coordinator
Brewster 2, critics 0.

Problem: Poor Offensive Line
Solution: New Offensive Line Coach
Brewster 3, critics 0.

Problem: No running game
Solution: OL recruits built to better support the run and blocking
Brewster 4, critics 0.

Problem: Only one good receiver, easily targeted by opposing defenses
Solution: 4* and 3* WR commits, and heavy recruiting even though most think we're set
Brewster 5, critics 0.

Problem: Still the weakest offense in maybe decades
Solution: ... sounds like Dunbar is out soon

When the talent wasn't there, Brewster recruiter better talent. When the coaching wasn't there, Brewster hired new coaches. He's doing everything he should be doing as the head coach -- and far more than Mason or Wacker or Guddie or any other coach in quite some time. What's more? He's not afraid to go for it on fourth down. He supports and cheers on his players, and let's them determine their own fate. He doesn't tuck tail and punt hoping for a break on D. He tries to win -- something we've not seen a Minnesota coach do in who knows when.

It's been 2 years. Give the man some time.

[nemosgold]

Magpie,

1#1 Hopefully we get better recruits, remember two of our highest from last year are playing elsewhere.
#2 Withers left, why did we hire him in the 1st place if Brew thought he could do the job, Poor hire?
#4 Brewster chose not to recruit any linemen the 1st two classes because he thought there was enough in house, poor evaluator?
#3 Didn't Brew hire Meyer??? Poor hire???
#5 I hope they can play, wasn't impressed with this years class hope another year makes them better, should he have redshirted 1/2 of the class, 11 catches.
#6 Dunbar was pretty good at NW, left Cal due to similar circumstances, Tedord didn't want to be 100% spread. I think he's here for another year after the St. Louis Dispatch debacle. Brew can't fire him now.

[harrys ghost]

Magpie,

1#1 Hopefully we get better recruits, remember two of our highest from last year are playing elsewhere.
#2 Withers left, why did we hire him in the 1st place if Brew thought he could do the job, Poor hire?
#4 Brewster chose not to recruit any linemen the 1st two classes because he thought there was enough in house, poor evaluator?
#3 Didn't Brew hire Meyer??? Poor hire???
#5 I hope they can play, wasn't impressed with this years class hope another year makes them better, should he have redshirted 1/2 of the class, 11 catches.
#6 Dunbar was pretty good at NW, left Cal due to similar circumstances, Tedord didn't want to be 100% spread. I think he's here for another year after the St. Louis Dispatch debacle. Brew can't fire him now.

#1: Huh, you mean Vinny Hill who did not qualify? BTW, we were 2 guys over the limit on signing day.
#4: Do the names Chris Bunders, Ryan Wynn, Ryan Orton and Trey Davis ring a bell (all signed in '07)? The one OL recruited for '08 (Grayden) didn't make it academically (he still may reappear).

[Gopherjer]

Please keep in mind that Brewster has only one real class, not two. He was hired two weeks prior to signing day, hardly enough time recruit his players.

[nemosgold]

Those guys committed to Brew or Mason?
We have one other highly rated recruit from last year playing elsewhere don't we? If they don't qualify who cares if they commit.

[Gopherjer]

So you are pinning the first class to Brewter with only 2 weeks to recruit? If that is the case you are not open to judging him fairly and have another agenda, I am not going to play that game because you are not open minded enough to discuss it with. If Brewster recruits players that do not qualify, then it's on Brewster.

[PlayHosea]

I love how the ardent Mason supporters love to point out that Brewster inherited a "bowl team". They neglect to point out that the bowl team Brewster inherited was only bowl eligible because that squad got extremely lucky to beat the powerhouse NDSU Bison.

[6 Nov 1999]

Magpie,

1#1 Hopefully we get better recruits, remember two of our highest from last year are playing elsewhere.
#2 Withers left, why did we hire him in the 1st place if Brew thought he could do the job, Poor hire?
#4 Brewster chose not to recruit any linemen the 1st two classes because he thought there was enough in house, poor evaluator?
#3 Didn't Brew hire Meyer??? Poor hire???
#5 I hope they can play, wasn't impressed with this years class hope another year makes them better, should he have redshirted 1/2 of the class, 11 catches.
#6 Dunbar was pretty good at NW, left Cal due to similar circumstances, Tedord didn't want to be 100% spread. I think he's here for another year after the St. Louis Dispatch debacle. Brew can't fire him now.

nemosgold,

1. You hit some nails on the head.

2. I want Tim Brewster to be very successful here at the University of Minnesota. Having said that, I believe the honeymoon is now over. He has been our head coach now for 24 months and two complete seasons. PSATs are over. In 2009 he takes the SATs and we shall see how he scores. At the end of the day, the only metric that matters is number of wins. I discount all the other subjective metrics that other posters are hanging on this board. Both Tim Brewster's and Joel Maturi's careers depend upon how many games Tim wins in 2009. May it be many!

3. I sound very much like my good friends Wren and Loon. I miss them! OK, now I just gave everybody carte blanche to fire away at me on this board. You may fire when you are ready Gridley!

SKI-U-MAH!

[EG#9]

sonnygarcia,

1. I am an unhappy old man. I was at the last Kansas game in Memorial Stadium and I believe we put up a better showing on 7 October 1972 when we lost 34-28. I am glad I did not pay money to visit Sun Devil Stadium on 31 December 2008. It was bad enough on the NFL Network.

2. I have now seen 8 Golden Gopher head football coaches come and go. We fired three good ones (Warmath, Stoll, Mason) and the other good one (Holtz) ran out of town and left us pregnant and with a case of Herpes, HIV, and AIDS.

3. You are quick to bark, and probably even faster to bite. When you run out of ammunition to debate with, you just start attacking people personally.

4. I am sorry but losing to Iowa 55-0 at home, there is just no excuse for such a horrid performance. I don't blame our football players, they tried hard, especially our defense.

5. By the way, no matter how much you hate Glen Mason, the fact of the matter is he did not need superstars to close winning seasons. His Big Ten record was not great, but we went to bowl games year in and year out, and we earned many individual accolades. We were noted as a rushing power house. We built Offensive lines, we did not need to recruit them. Glen took German / Swedish stock and built great offensive lines out of no names.

SKI-U-MAH!

1. Wasn't our previous trip to the Insight Bowl just as bad?
2. I don't think Mason belongs in a class with Stoll, and certainly not Warmath.
4. We had plenty of very embarrassing losses to Iowa and Wisconsin under Glen Mason. I disagree that the team tried hard in the 55-0 game. There is plenty of blame to go around for that game, lots of it should go to Brewster.
5. Tim Brewster had a "Glen Mason" season this year. He started out fast, he went 4-0 against a non conference schedule featuring zero BCS teams, he lost a game in the final seconds partly due to horrid coaching decisions (Northwestern), he lost to both Iowa and Wisconsin, and he finished 3-5 (Mason's career avg) in the Big Ten.

If you enjoyed Mason's tenure at Minnesota, you should have enjoyed this season. I hope better things are in store for '09 and believe Brewster deserves '09 before we even start to judge him.

[RedPoo]

Hi all...first post here, but I wanted to interject, if only because people seem to have been having this argument for the past year plus, and it always seems to me like we're fighting over a subject we're mostly in agreement on.
A few points:

Mason inherited a HORRIBLE team.

He eventually did some good things with it, brought us back to regular bowls, and gave us a national profile for the first time in years. He picked one thing (the running game) and did it incredibly well. (And personally, there's never been a unit I've enjoyed watching more than our offense those 2+ really good years). Gopher football was stronger under him than it was before him. And it's safe to assume everyone here had great times watching Maroney and Barber run all over teams that had been kicking us around for years.

His teams had some absolutely historic collapses over the years. The likes of which I hope to never see again. You can blame it on a lot of different things, but a lot of people put that on coaching.

It seemed, to most observers, that the team wasn't likely to get much better than it was in his last few years. Whether or not that's true is debateable. But he wasn't firing people up around the state, bringing in the big prospects, or otherwise giving anyone reason to believe things were going to markedly improve any time soon.

Brewster is saying things we want to hear. He's telling people that the Gopher's can be regular contentenders, lock down our borders, and win Rose Bowls. He's telling people this will be a good program. Again, whether or not he's right is debateable. But some people are believing him, and that does nothing but good things for the program. Especially when the people he's talking to are our recruits.

He's bringing in higher-rated classes than Mason did. We all know talent is proven on the field. But the people who do this for a living, and our own observations, are telling us that the level of talent being brought in to this team is higher than it's been in the past.

He had one abysmally bad year. It was a year without his recruits, working in a system they didn't sign on for, but regardless of how it happened, it was bad. A great many people could have done better that year with that talent. No one was going to the Rose Bowl with it.

Most importantly, this last year, his team did nothing Mason's teams hadn't. Strong showing in a weak nonconference schedule, then getting decimated by the better parts of the Big 10 and topping it off with a slightly embarassing bowl loss. Deja vu.


Now, finally, we get to see if Brewster's promises have any foundation. In the next two years, the talent he's been bringing in will become the team we see on the field. They could fizzle, he could turn out to be a bad coach, and we could see more years like this one. Or they could become his promise of a strong team, every bit as good as Wisconsin and Iowa, competing with and beating OSU and Michigan regularly.

...For me, the possibility of that happening makes the losses this year much easier to stomach. Watching Iowa embarass us was easier because the entire time, I had hope that in a few years, we could be doing it to them with regularity. And the fact that we lost to Kansas while basically installing a new offense, in an effort to get better and bring us to that point faster, makes that loss ten times easier than Mason's last game. But, again, that's just me.

[50PoundHead]

Comparing Mason with Murray Warmath is pure heresy in my book. Murray just turned 96 and I'd rather he never left than what we've had since.

I really laugh about the rearview mirror assessment of Mason. The guy coached the running game well. Big deal. We never had a decent QB under Mason. There was never any depth. The defense always stunk. Sure, he beat the gimmes and teams from the MAC, but this team was on the edge of a death spiral when Brewster took over.

People bark about our non-conference schedule, well, the current schedule was largely the product of Mason.

We lost Minnesota kids left and right under Mason. I will use the Hutchinson example here. He told Nate Swift he was too slow to play in the Big 10. He wasn't interested in Mitch Erickson (who just finished up his first year with the Denver Broncos). He didn't keep Murtha out of Deja Vu. The only guy we got from that great Hutch team was Tony Mortenson, who is a great kid and probably could have been Cupito's equal had he been given playing time. But Mason wanted to keep the door open for third-tier Ohio kids so Cupito took all the snaps.

Further, the guy was a miserable PR person (anyone here remember the famous "Well, if the phone rings. . ."?).

I cheer for the Gophers irrespective of the coach. I want Brewster to succeed, but I'll be the first to admit he's got a ways to go as a head coach. The recruiting looks good, but that has to translate sooner or later or he'll be out. The thing I find most impressive about Brewster outside the recruiting is that he appears to be secure enough (and in fairness, Maturi has given him some budget leeway) to hire quality assistant coaches. I didn't like the Dunbar hiring and I hope he's gone soon, but no one can argue with Dunbar's credentials (It's just the spread uber alles mentality that bugs me).

EG#9's post is right on the mark.

[tjgesquire]

A college football coach is not hired to win games, they're hired to win championships. Unless the coach has won a Big Ten or National Championship, they didn't do what they were hired to do. Flat-out end of conversation.

Since Murray Warmath, here's the best each coach finished in the Big Ten:
Stoll (7 seasons) - 3rd
Salem (5 seasons) - 5th
Holtz (2 seasons) - 6th
Gutekunst (6 seasons) - T-3rd
Wacker (5 seasons) - T-8th
Mason (10 seasons) - T-4th
Brewster (2 seasons) - T-6th

Mason obviously wasn't going to win a Big Ten title, that's why Brewster is here.

[WAGopher]

Cal Stoll was a very good coach. Too bad he was here when the Admin and Regents were trying to destroy varsity sports, especially football.

[Bo Darville]

"Since Murray Warmath, here's the best each coach finished in the Big Ten:
Stoll (7 seasons) - 3rd
Salem (5 seasons) - 5th
Holtz (2 seasons) - 6th
Gutekunst (6 seasons) - T-3rd
Wacker (5 seasons) - T-8th
Mason (10 seasons) - T-4th
Brewster (2 seasons) - T-6th"

WAY TO GO GUTIE!!! Tied for best in the last 30 years or so!

Signed,
Gutenkunst-ite

[lawrence21]

Hi all...first post here, but I wanted to interject, if only because people seem to have been having this argument for the past year plus, and it always seems to me like we're fighting over a subject we're mostly in agreement on.
A few points:

Mason inherited a HORRIBLE team.

Now, finally, we get to see if Brewster's promises have any foundation. In the next two years, the talent he's been bringing in will become the team we see on the field. They could fizzle, he could turn out to be a bad coach, and we could see more years like this one. Or they could become his promise of a strong team, every bit as good as Wisconsin and Iowa, competing with and beating OSU and Michigan regularly.

Mason inherited a team with more talent than what he left it with.

and If Brewster only makes us as good as Iowa and Wisconsin then we are in trouble because those 2 teams suck and are on their way down. We need to leave them in the dust and be better than any other Big Ten team because the Big Ten sucks, we need to compare ourselves to the national powerhouses, USC, Texas, Florida. If we are not in the same shape as those, then Brewster failed.

[DCGopher]

I want Brewster to succeed, but I'll be the first to admit he's got a ways to go as a head coach. The recruiting looks good, but that has to translate sooner or later or he'll be out. The thing I find most impressive about Brewster outside the recruiting is that he appears to be secure enough (and in fairness, Maturi has given him some budget leeway) to hire quality assistant coaches. I didn't like the Dunbar hiring and I hope he's gone soon, but no one can argue with Dunbar's credentials (It's just the spread uber alles mentality that bugs me)

Great statement. That's what makes football the greatest game out there...it is the perfect balance of teamwork, individual players' talent, and playcalling schemes! All of these three things depend on and enhance one another.

Right now Brewster has shown that he can get the talented players, the other two are yet to be seen as the players develop.

We'll just have to wait...if Brewster fails at the other two areas we can can hire someone who can playcall effectively and utilize/foster effective teamwork...the foundation will be there for success with a crop of talented, developed individual players. Same conditions that Ron Zook left Florida for Urban Meyer. No matter what the future looks brighter for Gopher football right now than it has for a long time.

[GoAUpher]

Welcome RP. GREAT first post! Well said...I think it really frames where we are right now nicely.


Most importantly, this last year, his team did nothing Mason's teams hadn't. Strong showing in a weak nonconference schedule, then getting decimated by the better parts of the Big 10 and topping it off with a slightly embarassing bowl loss. Deja vu.

There are two parts of your post that resonate the most with me. First...this was definitely a "Mason" type year. As of now we're on the upswing. Maybe not as big a step up as we wanted, but we're getting better. But this level isn't acceptable as a consistent result b/c its the same level of moderate success (dare I say mediocrity) as Mason gave us. If we don't get better than this then I'll agree that Brewster should go. But IMHO 1 Mason like year shouldn't cause this much angst among Gopher fans...yet it does. Why? My guess is that this comes from a few things:
1) Some fans don't like Brewsters often over the top enthusiasm/style. Whether they are "Mason-ites" is irrelevant. They won't settle for Mason like results from a coach who is "selling" more.
2) Some fans think we shouldn't have fired Mason. They agree with folks like Stewart Mandell that Mason was taking us as high as we could probably go. This doesn't mean they ignored Mason's faults, but they thought he made us "consistent" and nationally known for our running game. They don't like the new guy only getting to Mason's level (while adding in a few new firsts of his own a'la the Iowa beatdown).
3) Folks who were willing to give him a chance until we hit 1-11. I really believe that some folks soured on Brewster thoroughly and completely after last year. They are upset that we traded in a bowl team for a history setting losing season and doubt Brewster's ability to coach.
4) Some combo of the above (plus other factors I'm not thinking of).


For me, the possibility of that happening makes the losses this year much easier to stomach. Watching Iowa embarass us was easier because the entire time, I had hope that in a few years, we could be doing it to them with regularity. And the fact that we lost to Kansas while basically installing a new offense, in an effort to get better and bring us to that point faster, makes that loss ten times easier than Mason's last game. But, again, that's just me.

As frustrating as the Iowa and Wisky games were to watch I had a similar feeling...I couldn't shake the thought (especially related to defense) that the scheme was there and more talent with the current scheme/mindset brought to the team by Brewster/Roof would equal success. I'm not saying I accepted the losses as ok (getting past accepting mediocrity is one reason I am still so high on Brewster) but I also saw them as part of the rough process of getting better. Also, I see Brewster's style as a net positive (though there are many times that I wish he'd try to filter his enthusiasm a little better...see "program changing win" over so-so IL team)

The only people I wholeheartedly disagree with are the ones who seem to be ready to run Brewster out ASAP rather than give him the time he deserves. I think anyone who is being rational about this can acknowledge that Brewster could end up being a bust as a coach. But he could also be a success. A Mason level success or Rose level success is TBD. Whether you are a glass half full or glass half empy person I think we all agree on one thing...wins are what matter.

[GoAUpher]

If Brewster only makes us as good as Iowa and Wisconsin then we are in trouble because those 2 teams suck and are on their way down.

I think the Iowa/Wisky references were to the recent level of success those programs enjoyed, not their recent struggles. Overall both schools have been pretty strong programs recently.

[Maximus]

So Brew will be on his second offensive coordinator and now third defensive coordinator in three seasons with Roof bailing....how much of the instability is Brew....is Minnesota....or is the money?

[MRJ]

Personally, I tend to think that you add up the money and the cold Minnesota climate and then factor in that Brewster has been hiring a lot of guys with a sort of high-risk, high-reward reputation and you get situations where coaches bail.

I am concerned about what has transpired in the past few hours however. I don't like losing coaches left and right, especially on the defensive side, which has been a problem for years now.

Something needs to be done to entice these guys to stay, otherwise, we'll end up spinning our wheels while not getting anywhere.

[GopherGod]

Personally, I tend to think that you add up the money and the cold Minnesota climate and then factor in that Brewster has been hiring a lot of guys with a sort of high-risk, high-reward reputation and you get situations where coaches bail.

I am concerned about what has transpired in the past few hours however. I don't like losing coaches left and right, especially on the defensive side, which has been a problem for years now.

Something needs to be done to entice these guys to stay, otherwise, we'll end up spinning our wheels while not getting anywhere.

I agree, I think the Athletic Dept. needs to do a better job of fund raising to subsidize the department so we can afford to pay the higher salaries for good coaches. We are one of the larger universities in the country with a ton of alumni and numerous fortune 500 companies based here that we should be able to do some effective fund raising. When you see a program like Nebraska that gets no state funding for their athletic department and has a small population and alumni base to pull from, yet has top of the line facilities it can be done if the university can get some good fundraisers on-board.

[50PoundHead]

Cal Stoll was a very good coach. Too bad he was here when the Admin and Regents were trying to destroy varsity sports, especially football.

Stoll was a good coach. I thought it he was too wedded to the veer offense, but he recruited well and his teams always played hard. Classy guy as well.

[ilovethebarn]

It is amazing how split this board is on Brewster. Sounds like next season might be a make or break year for him in the fans eyes. It will be a very interesting year.