I think Jappy was a negative in all three areas.......

by hobbs, San Diego, CA, Saturday, February 21, 2009, 08:45 (6251 days ago) @ Jay
edited by hobbs, Saturday, February 21, 2009, 11:33

"1. wins & losses?"

Granted we had some player limitations but our DL play has cost us several games. I have to think that some better coaching might have given us a chance to win at least a couple of games where we needed a stop and couldn't get one.

"2. recruiting (pro or con)?"

Oliver was the demolition man on the recruiting trail. ND had current USC OL Butch Lewis in the bag and according to several reports Oliver lost him. I can't even think of a player that Oliver successfully recruited during his ND tenure. By default Hart should be a net positive on the recruiting side of the scale.

Of course there is also the curious question of talent evaluation. We saw Lewis as a DL and USC has turned him into a first day pick as a OT. In that same vein we also extended an early offer to Jordan Barrett at LB, which was later pulled, but the point remains given his play as a senior he never should have been extended an offer in the first place. In the end I think Barrett's only committable offer was to UNLV.

"3. other areas?"

Attitudinal. One of the things that I like about Hart and Verducci is both bring a no nonsense (coaching) approach to positions that require harsh taskmasters. The lines and where "men" do battle. It is a tough guy position and ND simply hasn't been tough on either side of the line. I'm hoping that these hirings will go some way towards instilling some toughness in those respective units.