University of Maine? do they play sports? bear wrestling? tree climbing? streaking through the woods? moose calling? snake racing? hand fishing? I hope this is a temp fix to a long term problem....I think you can have academics and sports succeed if you work at it. AG was a great hire...time for the pres to spend some $ on a real AD....Holcutt and Eichorst were band aids...get a real AD.... a pretty resume is one thing, substance is another...JMO

Must not pay enough to stick around. DS is on the cheap side, we have underachieved during Clappy and Onionheads tenures in what is supposed to be our best sport, the base is small, the success is minimal, we are fairly irrelevant in the scope of college athletics.....would you want the job? Nebraska is a football school, been one for a long time....not that good now....but try to tell their base that. They continue to sell out game after game, they pack it, they sell millions in attire. They had a huge contigent of people at the VT game...a distant away game....damn near what we draw at home....way more than we have at VT....I bet the AD job at UM pays $300k tops....would you triple your income...For sure...JMO

Personally, I'm light years better off today than I was four years ago but your mileage may vary. OGV, I commend you on your command of the English language and the way you put sentences together. You have a wit and manner that is truly admirable. Keep up the good work. DTX well put my friend. I really do respect opinions as thats all my thoughts are. I think when I was younger, much younger, I was convinced that all I spewed were absolute facts. Funny how over the years I have realized that most of what I opine is my opinion....and it is going to be different than the next persons. Thats what makes us unique!! I am certainly renewing my vows to read and think before I hit post or send....and I mean that in a positve light with respect for others. Eichorst and Hocutt are fly by nighters; nothing really special, just making a buck, they could care less about the institution. We have had a lot of that here; guys just could not do what it takes in many areas....Clappy and Onionhead come to mind...and hey its a hard job.....you did not see me included in the last coaching search. It is a job that is similar to musical chairs; happens on a regular basis in this biz.

Thanks for the podium, and I am sorry I offended anyone this morning. Have a great day!! VAC

I say to you now, I will never discuss another topic on this blog...Music, Politics, The Country, The City, Baseball, My Team, or anything else other than football....I can safely say...at least I think I can....that is a subject I do know something about. So there is my plan, and I will stick to it. Some people here can make a comment in regards to others and not mean anything by it...anothers opinion does not bother me I respect it...others are more sensitive and it ends up causing pain and anger. I respect both positions, and promise from this day not to deviate from the task at hand. It will be much easier and cleaner this way. JMO

Romney is a rich guy who is out of touch but has some free market roots. Obama is a socialist who belives some of the Marxist doctrine, and Chicago is where the Kool Aid is made. Anybody who wants to redistribute wealth i not my choice. JMO I think ND has a pretty good D. We have to run and pass block effectively; we cannot have either or. We cannot turn the ball over, and have stupid penalties...especially emotional loud mouth (ie SWAG) crap. Under Onion and Clappy we talked too much. Have not seen that under AG, he is the boss. We do not need too much input from the alumni Canes who played in these games yes it means alot, play hard etc is ok... but some cats go over the top they were talkers and the game is not played like that any longer.They do not coach, and should encourage the kids, but do not feed them full of S**T. We must run and pass. On D, we have to tackle, and we have to get some pressure. Their QB is mobile, so tackle him. They have not lit it up on O...Atkinson III is a slick back, TE is good. If we can paly solid, not spectacular....cover people, tackle, do not give up big ones, get a TO or 2 and play smart no talking...we can win. I am torn between saying it is a dull low scorer and a willd west show....I hope for something in between a good solid exciting but not circus game....but hey who knows. I know I want to win, and I think the young Canes do as well. Give it all you got.

Thanks CR.....AG gonna be on in a few....I do not know what to expect but I hope we come to play...no quitting...we can do it!!!

Not to veer off of football...but how about the Oakland A's? When we in northern VA ...Springfield from 1967 to 70 I used to go see the Washington Senators who were awful, but fun, and the Orioles who were great. I saw the As with those bright uniforms, white cleats, long hair, mustaches, and wide open style of play...WOW!!! Reggie, Joe Rudi, Tenace, Bando, Vida Blue, Blue Moon Odom, Rollie Fingers,Catfish Hunter, Dick Green, Campy Campanaris,...man they were it. I love the As. They won 3 in a row under Dick Williams and Alvin Dark....then they were gone. They had some moderate sucess when Little ricky Henderson, Dwayne Murphy and Armas were together under Billy Martin...then of course with Canseco and Big Mac the user....I alwys loved the way Henderson played. cocky...a nut...but great. They lost 3 staring pitchers this year, were 13 back in June...and today beat texas to win the West....with 3 rookie pitchers....probably 11or 12 rookies on the roster.....over achievers....thats what we need to do....get our Baby Canes to keep going....they can do it. We are not perfect, we struggle in areas...but No Quit!!!

Thanks Boss, BLH, Zakkee, OGV, CoCane, CR...etc we are all family here, we all care for each other and the Canes. We always work it out my friends, I am never too big to say the 3 important things in life....I am sorry, I am wrong and I love you. Those 3 things work anywhere, anytime, city suburbs or country!!! "Life is a race, but we all need to slow down and work on our form". Thanks to you all...VA Country Azz Cane...

My mother owns a farm in Southampton County in VA, just below Richmond in the country. It has been in our family since the formation of this country. I guess now when I go down there, and see the deer, fish the river, hear the quiet, feel the breeze, drink the spring water, ride the dirt bikes and enjoy what one day will be mine, I appreciate it. I really am glad a Cane is taking his young ones to be in that type of setting, and I wish many others could. It makes you think different; it helps me to keep it together through the struggles I have had in the last couple years. I have lived in both settings, woods are best for me. I go to Richmond fairly regular; my friends have record stores there. Richmond is a historic city. Again, forgive if I offended anyone. Most of you know how I love all my players black and white...they are very important to me. Racism is wrong, and the worst institution that ever happened in America was slavery...we should all be free, never a posession of another. We are family on here, and I respect everyones opinion; I read everyones comments and you are a smart bunch. Lets keep working together to broaden our perspectives....and get behind our young charges to BEAT ND!!!

CaneRock, thanks for the nice comment. BLH, I did not mean to offend or put down anybody...I just love it in the country. I lived in NYC as a young child, Dad was FBI. I have seen the worst inner city problems. I certainly apologize if I offended you; that is not what I am about. Will think a little more before I write next time. I understand your point!! I think we need to fix a lot of things, FGs, tackling, coverage...whew!!! However, the kids are playing hard, learning on the fly, and we just need to stay behind them as much as we can. ND is good, and favored. We have been here before. If we do not let the cold psych us out, and play hard for 60 minutes, think about the basics and execute, we have a chance...thats all I want.

Iy you have some insight, you would recognize the pun made in the original comment. It is a referral to Deliverance a Burt Reynolds/John Voight movie that was controversial not for racism, but rather a portrait of "country people" that was not well received by many people. I found it to be a great movie, and perhaps I know some people who are like people in said movie. Thats their problem for being that way; I am not. Hoods and shotguns? Thats bad stuff. Racism? I have 25 players on my current team; 15 black, 10 white...I love them all. Come to the country sometime, we like to call it Gods Country cause it is so awesome. I wish every inner city person could come....they might not go back!!!!!

Not at all, I am saying out in the country is a great place to live, and it is a place welcome to all....what better way to live? All are welcome in the great beyond, free od things that deter rather than develop the human spirit!!!

The Man-The only advise I can give is haul azz if you hear banjos playing! Yes it is really bad to be out in Gods country, surrounded by beauty, nature, clean air and water, peace, serenity, fishing, hunting....and God forbid real music!!! Yes raise your kids near all the things that will destroy them public housing,ghettos, ignorance, dirty air ,violence, trash, dirty water, criminals......and Rap music. All those things will make you happy, well rounded, healthy and smart!!!

It amazes me how recent UM teams are such babiess when it comes to weather. Rain, sleet and snow in Blacksburg, Sun Bowl, Wisconsin in FL....on and on and on. If one is conditioned properly, and stays hydrated, heat is not such an issue. Light cool rain is relief. However, when the snow flies, or it is cold, or freezing rain, it numbs the mind, it defeats you before you start. Every cold game we have played in Blacksburg I have seen the defeat and fear in our eyes....in warmups. So many of these kids have played in warm weather all their lives. I remember playing Giles County (west of B-burg) my junior year in late Sept...snow falling. We played Covington in the state semis same year...and won in 0 degrees, about -10 with chill. It is about what is in your mind. If you love the game, and love to light others up, it is a serious advantage. I have coached numerous games in the cold, and the first key is dress. I have a whole day where I meet with the players and parents, and show them every trick I have learned from the age of 8...I am old thats 46 years!!! My dad, uncle and godfather played in it so you learn. Once you know how to stay warm...I mean really warm...you get the mental game going...like JJ did. Us against them, we are on an island etc. One time we played a team from a wealthy school here in VA. I told them our parents clap, theirs rattle their jewelry (thanks John Lennon).They had 2 sets of jerseys, and though we were 1 seed, and only had white, they wore their whites. The officials made them change, and their coach said to me...with a laugh...after this you can put your 1 seed and jerseys away. Pissed me off. It was about 30...I told my guys we want to punish these pretty boys unmercifully. We will run at them, drive them into the ground. On D we hit and hit and hit...I want to hear it. Well we won 18-0 never threw a pass. They carried 6 people off. In th cold you make people pay, just like in the heat...and cause they do not want to be there, it hurts more!! We do not need any heaters, or excuses, or crying and whining....we go up there dress smart....and go for the win...kill shots that hurt, intimidate and punish. These guys are good, and we have to hit them. Do we have it in us? can we tackle and hit? We better find it, we can win!!

Yes solar, things picking up a bit, plus been doing a bunch of tree work for a buddy....$120 a day cash....5 or 6 a week....hard as hell but great to work hard, be outside, etc. Appraising getting better, think its going to see an upturn. My team has done pretty good so far this year, we are 4-0 and on target for a good season if we continue to block, tackle, protect the ball, dont get stupid penalties, think and play like a team. These kids have really impressed me this year. We have 1 turnover in 4 games a fumble that was not the best call...but heck we have scored over 100 points and given up 17, so we are on the ball. Sure was happy with the win, and I think we have a lot to learn and a long way to go....but the effort and enthusiasm is like a germ...it spreads!!!!

Whatever happened to living in the minute, smelling the roses, enjoying a nice win for a couple days? lol Hey I agree...I thought we tackled poorly, made some mistakes, but the kids kept playing hard, hung in there and won. Tell me Cokers last couple of teams and Onions would have kept playing....Quitters!!! Quitters learn to lose and losers learn to fail!!! Glad to win, exciting game, need to keep working, but there is no quit in these young kids!!! I love the effort and their joy in winning. First game I was really able to sit down and watch, due to work and games. Glad we won, we really need to win on Sat vs ND. Honestly, I want to beat them and FSU, no either or. ND is very good defensively, pretty tough. Good win for the kids, enjoy it!! Solar, I need some animation, even if you could link me to the ones you have done, they are always fantastic!!!

And regardless of what one may think, a corners first responsibility is the run, turning the back inside, where pursuit should be coming like a freight train!!!

I was a little worried about the run D, but they did a decent job. It is so hard to defense the option; you cannot shut it down when it is run so well...but you can contain it and we did. I was impressed with the intensity and no quit. Hey when was the last time we played hard? Really hard and wanted to win? Never under Clappy or Onionhead; it went bad that long ago. I know OGV, you cannot stand winning since your beloved Onionhead got the ax....but its going to happen more and more....so try to enjoy it. Soup, great call, you got a finger on the pulse as always. We should enjoy the win, and move on. Its time to get ready for NCSU we need to press on. Great team win for us. No we are not ranked, we are no relevant, or in the mix....but lets keep getting better together. This is a team....as opposed to the 4 years of MNW/Shannon smugness/arrogance/Bulls*#t!!! JMO

I have been working 10 hr days 10 in a row for a buddy of mine taking down trees. $120 per day tax free...and squeezing in appraisals...and practice. Very tough...but glad to be working. We won our opener 24-0...against the runner up from the North Conference who is the preseason favorite. They were good; we were better Saturday. Sad sad day Sat...what the F#*k happened? That was embarrassing. We have a long way to go folks. That hurts like the OB closing, and so many of the bad losses under the "guidance" of Clappy and Onionhead. We have really fallen, not relevant at all at this time. Jim Calhoun retiring...good. He is an Assh#*e. He has cheated, his team has poor grades...and he is the highest paid state employee in CN....way overpaid. He said he would not give a dime back. Jerk in my book. Not sure what I think of Vilma now...they were certainly bounty hunting. He has become arrogant, and I think he knows the real truth. Finally, I have so much respect for the 911 victims and heroes. They were wonderful people...

I bet the Great Mandingo is a wonderful pops....he is my favorite writer in the market...I look forward to his stint on CS. Will get the $ right and send a 10 spot wrapped up!!!

Boss, I will drop you an e mail in the morning to be sure I have your address, will send you a check or a $10 whichever you indicate. How about a 5 Questions with The Great Mandingo? I really like Manny, hes a great guy!!!! Hope all of you are out of harms way, please be safe if you are in the hurricane area. I pray you all will be safe!!

Watching college gameday....very bad to hear the guys talk about Bama, USC, Oregon, OK, LSU, Georgia, VT, WVU, FSU....etc and we are not even mentioned. I do not like to face the truth about us sometimes....but right now we are pretty irrelevant in CFB. Just the truth. However, you have to start somewhere, so0 we got to take em on one at a time and do the best we can. I like being relevant!!!!

CGNC you have followed UM ball a long time; you know your stuff. Plus being a horse expert, you also know quite a bit about speed. You are in the know always!!!

Sounds like a very fair deal to me Boss, as always you are a gentleman and a scholar. I will send you an e mail, and I think I have your address, but we will get it all straight. Thanks for Canespace and all that you do for all of us!!!