For a guy with such an even personality (aside from the profanity on the sideline), Mike Shula sure does generate a lot of passion, pro and con. Applied then; applies now, even nine years on.
Back in the pre-season of 2005, I was a vocal supporter. Got flamed. Success in 2005 left me feeling vindicated. Then came 2006.
A win against Vandy, the margin provided by a 50+ yard FG, started the voices in the back of my mind. Losing to Tennessee in a game we should have won elevated the volume. Most bailed after the loss to Mississippi State. I had bailed the week before.
We'd beaten Florida International 38-3 at Homecoming. But my problem was that we had 1st and Goal at the 1. Lined up in the infamous Jumbo Package, and ran it between the guards four times. Got stuffed four times. At our house. At Homecoming.
But wait...there's more. The previous week, FIU had played Miami (the U). There was a huge brawl. Literally, about half of the FIU team was suspended. So they not only stuffed us four times on 1st and goal, at our house, at Homecoming, they did it with guys who couldn't start for Hoover High School.
So, faced with overwhelming evidence to the contrary of my original assessment, and tales of the inner dysfunction of the team, I publicly reversed my position....and got flamed for that.
Mike Shula might generate the most vehement positions, pro and con, of any figure I know.
My current opinion:
-- He's a good to excellent QB coach.
-- He's an unproven OC -- on one hand, got fired by questionable ownership in Tampa, along with HC Tony Dungy. On the other hand, a generational talent in Cam makes him look really good at Carolina. Who knows which is the real Mike Shula? I sure don't.
-- He's wholly unproven, and still probably over his head, as a HC. Is he better than he was in November of 2006? Probably so. Is he enough of a leader to be a difference-maker in the NFL today? I wouldn't bet my nine to ten figure franchise on it.