Would firing Mehringer now make any difference for the rest of the season? Probably not, the OL is awful and Raiola is sadly a bust. In fact, the results could get worse without an OC.

But.

The symbolism of an immediate firing would show fans, boosters, staff, and players that Lanning is serious about accountability. That if you can't measure up to the performance standards Lanning has ostensibly set for the program, you're out.

Discipline and dismissals in any organization are more a message to those who are staying on than to those who are let go.

I'm generally not a believer in the knee-jerk, after-game-anger move, but in this case I think there's nothing left to lose, and even symbolism would be better than standing pat and waiting.

Just do it.

He should have brought in a "consultant" after the first game.

15 minutes ago, jrw said:

Would firing Mehringer now make any difference for the rest of the season? Probably not, the OL is awful and Raiola is sadly a bust. In fact, the results could get worse without an OC.

But.

The symbolism of an immediate firing would show fans, boosters, staff, and players that Lanning is serious about accountability. That if you can't measure up to the performance standards Lanning has ostensibly set for the program, you're out.

Discipline and dismissals in any organization are more a message to those who are staying on than to those who are let go.

I'm generally not a believer in the knee-jerk, after-game-anger move, but in this case I think there's nothing left to lose, and even symbolism would be better than standing pat and waiting.

Just do it.

Not sure it's knee jerk reaction at this point. Meh' has had plenty of chances to show he can do the job and hasn't.

The swinging gate in the 3rd put a stamp on the eviction notice imo

20 minutes ago, jrw said:

Would firing Mehringer now make any difference for the rest of the season? Probably not, the OL is awful and Raiola is sadly a bust. In fact, the results could get worse without an OC.

But.

The symbolism of an immediate firing would show fans, boosters, staff, and players that Lanning is serious about accountability. That if you can't measure up to the performance standards Lanning has ostensibly set for the program, you're out.

Discipline and dismissals in any organization are more a message to those who are staying on than to those who are let go.

I'm generally not a believer in the knee-jerk, after-game-anger move, but in this case I think there's nothing left to lose, and even symbolism would be better than standing pat and waiting.

Just do it.

Get worse lol. Firing him is the only option. Start the OC search now and be ready for a replacement as soon as the season ends.

Let Samples coach the rest of the season! Why continue the farce and the negativity it produces... It was a mistake, admit it, move on and do better next time..

I agree with firing Mehringer as a sign of accountability within the organization for results, and it's also a sign to the players that it isn't all their fault.

I am not yet convinced our OL players and QBs are bad. Their position coaches have not done their jobs.

Coaches like this are where players leave from to go rehabilitate their careers.

I don’t think Raiola is a bust. He isn’t used well by the OC and the OL isn’t giving him a run game to get the passing game going. When he does pass the OL doesn't protect him. The offensive game plan was SO conservative and predictable after that first possession. If we had the OL and OC of two years ago Raiola would be much much better.

Could it get worse? I would argue that if you ran the ball on every down in that game between the tackles with no game plan, you would have ended up with more than 10 points.

1 hour ago, GeotechDuck said:

Could it get worse? I would argue that if you ran the ball on every down in that game between the tackles with no game plan, you would have ended up with more than 10 points.

Agreed. 10 points with a roster full of 4 and 5 star players against the statistical 90-100th ranked defense in the country that played FCS G5 and B1G teams.

In the words of the great orator Clark W Griswald: "WORSE! How could it get any worse!?...Take a look around you Ellen! We're at the threshold of Hell!"

I think we can only improve by putting someone else. I'm hopeful of this. Illinois replaced their DC, and even though our O is trash I doubt they played worse than before.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by Solar

A coach's main job is to put the players in a position to win. That didn't happen this year. And from what I saw in this most recent outing I'm afraid that many of the players rightfully lost confidence in their coaching. Quite a few displayed a lack of intensity during the game. Despite valiant efforts on Defense, the Offense never could get anything going on a consistent basis. All the players were let down by the coaching despite whatever effort they put in.

Meh failed and if he is gone that's step one in righting the ship. It sends a message of accountability to the team and staff alike. It also lets the players know that those shortcomings weren't necessarily all on them. So start the search for a capable OC already. And right now bring in a consultant or two to address an Offense that adds up to less than the sum of its parts.