Coaches need strategy

I’ve seen several accounts since the TCU game in which it seems most criticisms were from our coaches suggesting players will have to do better. I do not recall any related to the terrible game plan, strategy, and most important, the inability of our coaches to make obvious and critically needed adjustments.

This game was undoubtedly the very worst Razorback game I have witnessed over the past several decades. I say this because we were terrible in all phases of the game, except the fine marching band.

I am amazed that mistake after mistake was allowed to continue throughout the game without appropriate adjustments being made. What coach with limited experience would have had a game plan to rush only three down linemen desperately needing to try and harass a proficient passing quarterback like Kenny Hill?

TCU stacked the box with four down linemen backed up by their three linebackers. With their linebackers rushing most every passing (and running play), Austin Allen was harassed on every passing attempt and paid the price. And what team can run successfully against a seven-man defensive line? What a marvelous opportunity to throw quick, short passes over the middle in the area vacated by their linebackers. This was never done. In our opinion, a grievous mistake by our offensive coordinator.

Can you recall a major college game where two field-goal point-blank attempts were missed back to back? Who is coaching special teams, and why wasn’t our kicker prepared? And can you imagine a major college receiver running a cross pattern in the end zone to catch a touchdown pass who did not even know he was out of the field of play?

Witnessing a game like that, its preparation and execution makes it difficult to maintain the faith we have in our coaching staff, beginning with the head coach. He, along with key staff, needs desperately to observe and correct miscalculations in developing the game plan prior to kickoff and as the game progresses.

JOHN W. NIVEN

Little Rock