End of the season interview with Rob Ash

[Colter_Nuanez]

Following the completion of his team's 8-5 campaign, eighth-year Montana State head coach Rob Ash talks to the media about the future of his program.Read the Full Article on BobcatNation

[WeedKillinCat]

Following the completion of his team's 8-5 campaign, eighth-year Montana State head coach Rob Ash talks to the media about the future of his program.Read the Full Article on BobcatNation

Nice job Colter. I like the fact that you asked the most questions.

[SonomaCat]

Man, I really cringed when I read Dawson speaking in vague terms about how "chat rooms want to see [Ash] fired."

I know this may seem like a minor nit, but it really isn't. Media folks, please take note -- places like Bobcatnation.com are not places of unanimous opinions. In fact, it's quite the opposite. So don't say that Bobcatnation.com (as that's what he was suggesting) wants Ash fired, as that's factually inaccurate. You can say "some posters" on Bobcatnation.com want that, but don't use sweeping statements like that to try to throw this whole venue under the bus. Anybody who has read this board is well aware that there are opinions all over the place represented here ... and that's a good thing.

[Walk-on]

Man, I really cringed when I read Dawson speaking in vague terms about how "chat rooms want to see [Ash] fired."

I know this may seem like a minor nit, but it really isn't. Media folks, please take note -- places like Bobcatnation.com are not places of unanimous opinions. In fact, it's quite the opposite. So don't say that Bobcatnation.com (as that's what he was suggesting) wants Ash fired, as that's factually inaccurate. You can say "some posters" on Bobcatnation.com want that, but don't use sweeping statements like that to try to throw this whole venue under the bus. Anybody who has read this board is well aware that there are opinions all over the place represented here ... and that's a good thing.

I was thinking the same thing. Agree completely. Colter or Ted, please smooth this out. I don't want him fired. Do we need a positive Coach Ash thread to counteract the haters and trolls?

[CatBlitz]

Dawson asking the important cherry picked questions:

Rob, what’s it do, after all you’ve done for this program, to see the chat rooms that want you fired?

I know he's smarter than that. What a disservice to all of Bobcat Nation (not just the message board).

Good Q&A but I'm a bit perplexed that Rob sounds like he won't ever entertain the idea of adjusting the defensive scheme. I get that you lost your Buchanan winners, etc but you have to adjust something when it isn't working. Don't just wait until the offseason when you could've done something during and gotten better vs. adjust only by recruiting what you think is a play maker. And there was no mention of coaching. Poor tackling/angles and amateur football basics displayed by DB's is more than just personnel to me.

[catsrback76]

What's interesting in what he said is what he did not say. He did not say the scheme is the problem.

He did not say that even with those elite defensive players from the past that he had what was needed to win a championship!

He did not say the DC was under any pressure to do anything differently.

He did say he needs a pass rush.

He did say he needs better players...

I'll leave it at that for now.

[Joe Bobcat]

Man, I really cringed when I read Dawson speaking in vague terms about how "chat rooms want to see [Ash] fired."

I know this may seem like a minor nit, but it really isn't. Media folks, please take note -- places like Bobcatnation.com are not places of unanimous opinions. In fact, it's quite the opposite. So don't say that Bobcatnation.com (as that's what he was suggesting) wants Ash fired, as that's factually inaccurate. You can say "some posters" on Bobcatnation.com want that, but don't use sweeping statements like that to try to throw this whole venue under the bus. Anybody who has read this board is well aware that there are opinions all over the place represented here ... and that's a good thing.

Ted Dawson knows all that but he will never let the whole truth stop him from using half truths to sensationalize his story, and if he can somehow insert himself into the story all the better in his mind anyway.

[catsrback76]

I think it's safe to say that Coach Ash , who I really like as our coach, is too loyal to Jaime Marshall to make any changes concerning him.

That said, all we can hope for is that he finds those elite championship level players. So, get to work!

[Walk-on]

Dawson asking the important cherry picked questions:

Rob, what’s it do, after all you’ve done for this program, to see the chat rooms that want you fired?

I know he's smarter than that. What a disservice to all of Bobcat Nation (not just the message board).

Good Q&A but I'm a bit perplexed that Rob sounds like he won't ever entertain the idea of adjusting the defensive scheme. I get that you lost your Buchanan winners, etc but you have to adjust something when it isn't working. Don't just wait until the offseason when you could've done something during and gotten better vs. adjust only by recruiting what you think is a play maker. And there was no mention of coaching. Poor tackling/angles and amateur football basics displayed by DB's is more than just personnel to me.

Nobody asked him specifically about position coaching, so he didn't give an answer to it. I personally would have liked to listen to him address this. However I also think there is some professionalism in his answers too. He isn't going to call out his DC in a press conference, just like he isn't going to name players on the chopping block. I'm not implying that he is going to fire the DC, but I'll bet there are some tense conversations. I wonder if he has fired anybody before?

[CatBlitz]

Dawson asking the important cherry picked questions:

Rob, what’s it do, after all you’ve done for this program, to see the chat rooms that want you fired?

I know he's smarter than that. What a disservice to all of Bobcat Nation (not just the message board).

Good Q&A but I'm a bit perplexed that Rob sounds like he won't ever entertain the idea of adjusting the defensive scheme. I get that you lost your Buchanan winners, etc but you have to adjust something when it isn't working. Don't just wait until the offseason when you could've done something during and gotten better vs. adjust only by recruiting what you think is a play maker. And there was no mention of coaching. Poor tackling/angles and amateur football basics displayed by DB's is more than just personnel to me.

Nobody asked him specifically about position coaching, so he didn't give an answer to it. I personally would have liked to listen to him address this. However I also think there is some professionalism in his answers too. He isn't going to call out his DC in a press conference, just like he isn't going to name players on the chopping block. I'm not implying that he is going to fire the DC, but I'll bet there are some tense conversations. I wonder if he has fired anybody before?

You're right. Just disappointed.

[The MICKSTER]

FYI, if you want to watch the press conference for yourself, you can open 'griz hunter's' post @ "Rob Ash weekly press conference 12-2-14"

[TomCat88]

On the defense he made these comments in Colter's write-up:
"One of the ways (not the only way) you get better is to have good players playing for your team."

And, "It will be a long six month process of re-drafting and getting people in..." (He gave a time-frame.)

And, "Nothing dramatic (in terms of a defensive scheme change). We are not going to a 3-4. We are not going to go to a whole new idea."

And, that they need to simplify the defense to allow guys to play fast, which is something he said they used to do, but got away from it.

He was also somewhat critical of the defensive coaches if you read between the lines. Essentially saying, they are smart guys, but maybe somewhat too smart.

So, I think the answer is, yes, he is changing things. First, he's changing the style of play a little bit and second, he's looking for players to fit that style (fast). I'm not sure that's anything to be royally stoked about or not, but he did answer the questions with some detail.

It's fairly commonly held that the defense requires the best athletes. I think teams recognize that not only was MSU banged up at a couple spots, but that it wasn't the fastest team out there. Owens, Minter, and Daly were all fast/quick for their positions. Na'a was fast in 2012. Not sure the secondary was any faster back then, but clearly MSU had more speed in the past.

[TIrwin24]

Man, I really cringed when I read Dawson speaking in vague terms about how "chat rooms want to see [Ash] fired."

I know this may seem like a minor nit, but it really isn't. Media folks, please take note -- places like Bobcatnation.com are not places of unanimous opinions. In fact, it's quite the opposite. So don't say that Bobcatnation.com (as that's what he was suggesting) wants Ash fired, as that's factually inaccurate. You can say "some posters" on Bobcatnation.com want that, but don't use sweeping statements like that to try to throw this whole venue under the bus. Anybody who has read this board is well aware that there are opinions all over the place represented here ... and that's a good thing.

He sounded like a gigantic douche bag by asking that question. Everybody there is asking about the X's and O's of the season, games and players, then he goes in and asks a question based on emotional (read: unstable) fan comments. Seems pretty pathetic to me.

[SonomaCat]

Man, I really cringed when I read Dawson speaking in vague terms about how "chat rooms want to see [Ash] fired."

I know this may seem like a minor nit, but it really isn't. Media folks, please take note -- places like Bobcatnation.com are not places of unanimous opinions. In fact, it's quite the opposite. So don't say that Bobcatnation.com (as that's what he was suggesting) wants Ash fired, as that's factually inaccurate. You can say "some posters" on Bobcatnation.com want that, but don't use sweeping statements like that to try to throw this whole venue under the bus. Anybody who has read this board is well aware that there are opinions all over the place represented here ... and that's a good thing.

He sounded like a gigantic douche bag by asking that question. Everybody there is asking about the X's and O's of the season, games and players, then he goes in and asks a question based on emotional (read: unstable) fan comments. Seems pretty pathetic to me.

I did contact him about it and he seemed sincerely apologetic. I think his mouth may have put out some words that his brains hadn't fully thought through when he asked that question the way he did (something I'm sure most of us have done ourselves a time or two). So with that exchange, he has my forgiveness and gratitude for responding to my probably-less-than-super-friendly email to him.

[catgrad05]

Dawson asking the important cherry picked questions:

Rob, what’s it do, after all you’ve done for this program, to see the chat rooms that want you fired?

I know he's smarter than that. What a disservice to all of Bobcat Nation (not just the message board).

Good Q&A but I'm a bit perplexed that Rob sounds like he won't ever entertain the idea of adjusting the defensive scheme. I get that you lost your Buchanan winners, etc but you have to adjust something when it isn't working. Don't just wait until the offseason when you could've done something during and gotten better vs. adjust only by recruiting what you think is a play maker. And there was no mention of coaching. Poor tackling/angles and amateur football basics displayed by DB's is more than just personnel to me.

Nobody asked him specifically about position coaching, so he didn't give an answer to it. I personally would have liked to listen to him address this. However I also think there is some professionalism in his answers too. He isn't going to call out his DC in a press conference, just like he isn't going to name players on the chopping block. I'm not implying that he is going to fire the DC, but I'll bet there are some tense conversations. I wonder if he has fired anybody before?

You're right. Just disappointed.

Disappointed isn't even a strong enough word to describe it. And the fact he more or less admitted that the defense has to have a NFL/Buck type player to succeed. How can you base an entire defense on having that elite of a talent? Just mind numbing

[cat_stache_fever]

This is BS...
EVERY team needs/wants better players! The fact that he won't even concede that maybe, just maybe, there needs to be a scheme change is infuriating. Great players in a sh!tty scheme is lipstick on a pig...

[Hawks86]

What is this magical scheme people want? What if Marshall left and the new DC ran the same scheme? Would that make a better scheme?

[CatBlitz]

What is this magical scheme people want? What if Marshall left and the new DC ran the same scheme? Would that make a better scheme?

Why would Ash hire someone with the same scheme when he'd just keep Marshall? That's a completely moot question.

[Hawks86]

What is this magical scheme people want? What if Marshall left and the new DC ran the same scheme? Would that make a better scheme?

Why would Ash hire someone with the same scheme when he'd just keep Marshall? That's a completely moot question.

so Beck or Ioane would definitely switch to a 3-4?

[CatBlitz]

What is this magical scheme people want? What if Marshall left and the new DC ran the same scheme? Would that make a better scheme?

Why would Ash hire someone with the same scheme when he'd just keep Marshall? That's a completely moot question.

so Beck or Ioane would definitely switch to a 3-4?

It's not as cut and dry as going from a 4-3 to a 3-4. There's more to defensive schemes than the set formation.