I don't mean that as a fat joke, either.
By all analysis, Fine's tenure as OL coach were a disaster. His bio at Bryant University takes lots of credit for things that happened in the first 6 games of that season- but makes no mention of how pathetic the line play became as the season went along, nor does it discuss the carnage that was 2003. That's marketing.
But Marty's impact was probably deepest in recruiting. The anemic offensive numbers of the seasons since '04, especially in the running game, can be directly blamed on OL play, and the recruits Marty did and did not help bring to Ames. Coach Cotton can only do so much, since the old saw is that OL skills are the slowest to develop. Its a garbage in, garbage out problem. If the players being signed by Fine were less than B12 quality, the results may not appear for 3, 4 or now 5 years later. We are reaping what Marty sowed- a lowsy running game, and a league high in sacks.
That's why I am reluctant to dump too much on Dan's shoulders directly- but Fine was his hire, although if memory serves, he was a last minute job after Looney went north to the Vikings. So it goes.
But this season's OL play is exhibit A of why hiring and retaining quality assistants may be the most important part of a head coaching job. To use management speak, if you have the right people on the bus, the bus will drive itself.
Can Dan identify who needs to stay, and who needs to go?
Peterclone
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Marty's been gone for 3 years now. I don't really think that you can put ISU's offensive woes on his shoulders now can you? I grant you, this is college football not the pros and development can be a tedious thing, but 3 classes have come and gone since Marty's departure. Surely you can agree that the existing coaching staff needs to take the blame on this one?
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