I can honestly say that I have never heard a bad word about Coach Banaszak. I believe him to be a nice man with great character and genuine concern for those around him. I believe he is also fiercely loyal. I admire him for that. But it may now be his downfall unless he looks at loyalty from a different perspective. It is well known that Banaszak coached Darrin Hicks in college at W&J and later hired him. It's a relationship that spans 20+ years. And that can blur a professional business relationship, but in coaching it happens all the time. Maybe after the disappointment of last year, Banaszak felt the Colonials were more than a year away from competing for the NEC title. Maybe he felt he had time to let Hicks figure it out. Maybe even he has been surprised at just how quickly the defense and special teams have improved and maybe even he wasn't prepared to believe that this year's team was ready to win now. But early on, it was becoming apparent that this had become the reality. At least until Saturday night. After yet another inexcusable performance by the offense against Sacred Heart Banaszak had the chance to step up during the bye week, instill some stability and lead a team desperately in need of a leader. He chose not to do it. He passed the buck back to Hicks and he did so in the name of loyalty. But by choosing to be loyal to one coach, what message did he send to the other coaches and the team? It's become very clear that the staff and players no longer believe in Hicks. Many do not like him and almost none respect him. And when a coach loses the respect of the team it's huge problem.
If nothing changes, RMU could very well lose 3 of the last 4 games (East Tenn should be a win) finishing with a dismal record of 3-8. That might seem like an improvement over last year until you factor the wins are over a 1st year program in ETU, a Division II team (Notre Dame) and a winless Wagner squad. The offense is on pace to be worse than last year even though Cole Blake has emerged as a threat running the ball and the offensive line play has improved. The passing offense has become historically bad. In many cases, this two year run would get an entire coaching staff fired. If that happens, how many good coaches will have to uproot their families and leave jobs they loved all for the sake of a stubborn loyalty to one man. And what about the players that have worked so hard to get better and to stay with and improve the program? Where is the loyalty to them? Where is the commitment from the head coach to do everything he can to put them in a position to succeed? Banaszak has stood by and watched a once very promising season fall apart. He watched opportunity fade with every bad play call, with every unprepared quarterback and with every incompetent game plan.
It simply isn't good enough to stand by and watch when you are in a position of leadership. Leaders often have to make tough decisions, even if it means firing or re-assigning a friend. Leaders put egos in their pockets and do what's best for the team. They put productivity ahead of politics. When the 2015 RMU football team needed a leader it's a shame they only got a good guy.
And if that doesn't change, the program is in trouble. If the situation remains status quo, I imagine some of the coaches will look to move on. Working under Hicks on offense is frustrating to be sure, but nothing like the frustration the defense has been feeling every week. The defensive staff is coming off a terrific turn around that's sure to be noticed by many other schools. Opportunities will be there and it may not take much to entice them to leave. And I wouldn't be surprised to see quite a few player transfers, QB's and WR's in particular, if Hicks were to return. This would send RMU right back into a rebuilding mode once again. And finally, how much damage has been done in recruiting? Parents research schools and the on field situations. It's hard to sell the offense to any high school player worth recruiting. Also, high school coaches stay in touch with their former players and players and coaches also talk to each other. I'm sure word has spread thru the high school circuit as to what a mess the Colonials have become. This will certainly play a role in selling kids that RMU is an option.
If nothing changes, RMU could very well lose 3 of the last 4 games (East Tenn should be a win) finishing with a dismal record of 3-8. That might seem like an improvement over last year until you factor the wins are over a 1st year program in ETU, a Division II team (Notre Dame) and a winless Wagner squad. The offense is on pace to be worse than last year even though Cole Blake has emerged as a threat running the ball and the offensive line play has improved. The passing offense has become historically bad. In many cases, this two year run would get an entire coaching staff fired. If that happens, how many good coaches will have to uproot their families and leave jobs they loved all for the sake of a stubborn loyalty to one man. And what about the players that have worked so hard to get better and to stay with and improve the program? Where is the loyalty to them? Where is the commitment from the head coach to do everything he can to put them in a position to succeed? Banaszak has stood by and watched a once very promising season fall apart. He watched opportunity fade with every bad play call, with every unprepared quarterback and with every incompetent game plan.
It simply isn't good enough to stand by and watch when you are in a position of leadership. Leaders often have to make tough decisions, even if it means firing or re-assigning a friend. Leaders put egos in their pockets and do what's best for the team. They put productivity ahead of politics. When the 2015 RMU football team needed a leader it's a shame they only got a good guy.
And if that doesn't change, the program is in trouble. If the situation remains status quo, I imagine some of the coaches will look to move on. Working under Hicks on offense is frustrating to be sure, but nothing like the frustration the defense has been feeling every week. The defensive staff is coming off a terrific turn around that's sure to be noticed by many other schools. Opportunities will be there and it may not take much to entice them to leave. And I wouldn't be surprised to see quite a few player transfers, QB's and WR's in particular, if Hicks were to return. This would send RMU right back into a rebuilding mode once again. And finally, how much damage has been done in recruiting? Parents research schools and the on field situations. It's hard to sell the offense to any high school player worth recruiting. Also, high school coaches stay in touch with their former players and players and coaches also talk to each other. I'm sure word has spread thru the high school circuit as to what a mess the Colonials have become. This will certainly play a role in selling kids that RMU is an option.
