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Who’s the greatest assistant coach in canes history?

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Westorangecane said:
Don Soldinger greatest running back coach & recruiter. Edge James, James Jackson, Frank Gore, Clinton Portis. Willis Magahe,
even Payton who was 3rd string at the U & started NFL. Made everyone a good blocker as well as runner
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Uhh, point of fact, and as much as I loved Donnie, and he was great as a RB coach …. he was NOT a good recruiter or evaluator. He did help recruit Frank, but was not the primary recruiter on any of those guys. In fact, he didn't want to offer a scholly to Portis. HIs evaluation memo about Portis said the kid would never be a feature back at UM. If you ask Donnie about it today, he'll tell you wish that memo never saw the light of day! (good that he can laugh about it now, because if Butch had taken the advice, … that would have really sucked).
 
dk72 said:
Agreed. Gary Stevens was my first choice.
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Will NEVER forgive Gary for the single worst pay call in the history of UM. In the Fiesta Bowl, on 3rd and goal, to win the game. Not to mention the entire game plan was rubbish.

For that reason alone, he should never be mentioned among all time greats.

(just saying)
 
RedSquare said:
Will NEVER forgive Gary for the single worst pay call in the history of UM. In the Fiesta Bowl, on 3rd and goal, to win the game. Not to mention the entire game plan was rubbish.

For that reason alone, he should never be mentioned among all time greats.

(just saying)
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The game plan seemed like rubbish because Vinny had one of the worst nights a QB in a big game has ever had and Paterno having time to game plan for that game had a lot to do with it. Paterno may be a terrible human being for covering up what that monster he had coaching his defense did but Xs and Os Paterno was a great coach.
 
So was andreu swasey z good coach or what? The old school guys loved him but the recent guys not so much? Wtf was going on? He got lazy?
 
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Dr.L.ThugU said:
The game plan seemed like rubbish because Vinny had one of the worst nights a QB in a big game has ever had and Paterno having time to game plan for that game had a lot to do with it. Paterno may be a terrible human being for covering up what that monster he had coaching his defense did but Xs and Os Paterno was a great coach.
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From what I remember, Penn State was pretty much dominated in every aspect but one...turnovers. I thought we had a huge advantage in terms of athleticism, talent and gameplan. But you can't account for 5 mistakes in the NC game by one player, which is too bad because that one player is one of the big reasons we were there at the game in the first place.
 
Travis Bickle said:
From what I remember, Penn State was pretty much dominated in every aspect but one...turnovers. I thought we had a huge advantage in terms of athleticism, talent and gameplan. But you can't account for 5 mistakes in the NC game by one player, which is too bad because that one player is one of the big reasons we were there at the game in the first place.
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Yes, sir.Exactly right. They confused Vinny which is why I say it wasn't really a bad game plan by Stevens just a great game plan by Paterno . Only gripe I would have was not relying on the running game more once it was obvious Vinny didn't have it.
 
Alien said:
Someone started a thread asking about the best HC but assistant coaches I think people will have significantly different views. Schiano? Randy Shannon? Manny? Coker?
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I assumed it was Don Soldinger, but I was just basing it off the talent that he produced. It doesn't necessarily mean he was the best, he could have just been extremely lucky with who committed to the program.
 
Dr.L.ThugU said:
Yes, sir.Exactly right. They confused Vinny which is why I say it wasn't really a bad game plan by Stevens just a great game plan by Paterno . Only gripe I would have was not relying on the running game more once it was obvious Vinny didn't have it.
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And...just like that we're right back to the following discussion:
Was it the offensive gameplan? Or, was it Vinny checking out of the playcall and calling audibles to throw so he could toss more picks?
Can't blame Gary Stevens if it was the latter.
 
Marc Testman was good here. Wouldn't say he's the best, but he should be mentioned.
 
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ddann said:
And...just like that we're right back to the following discussion:
Was it the offensive gameplan? Or, was it Vinny checking out of the playcall and calling audibles to throw so he could toss more picks?
Can't blame Gary Stevens if it was the latter.
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Another great point.
 
RedSquare said:
Uhh, point of fact, and as much as I loved Donnie, and he was great as a RB coach …. he was NOT a good recruiter or evaluator. He did help recruit Frank, but was not the primary recruiter on any of those guys. In fact, he didn't want to offer a scholly to Portis. HIs evaluation memo about Portis said the kid would never be a feature back at UM. If you ask Donnie about it today, he'll tell you wish that memo never saw the light of day! (good that he can laugh about it now, because if Butch had taken the advice, … that would have really sucked).
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Frank Gore eats at Sollies house all the time (Crazy about Don's wife's Lasagna)
 
Next time anyone sees or meets Coach Soldinger....Ask him who is the Best RB he ever saw, regardless of age (HS..CFB...NFL)
And I'll bet anyone he says Freddie Miles with absolutely No hesitation....
 
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