Randy, you must listen to the 980 interview McPhee did right before the season started. It was HEAVILY implied that George went to Dale after the playoff run and said I want more offense from you, and Dale told him he wants to stick with the system. I believe this is why McPhee got rid of Dale. Not because he wanted to go back to his farm or his team.
Personally I would love to see what Dale could do with a roster constructed with the types of players he wants. He got our guys to respond to him like no other coach has done. It was incredible.
Interesting, Dale and George may well have butted heads, pulled out the missing the family excuse, and off he trucked back to Peoria.
It sounds like George is in denial. I am sure he heard enough negative feedback from the fans over the team going to a boring style, and suspect he felt he better make it known.
I want more offense too, it's not my fault! Along the lines of coach speak
just out work'em!
Now Oates comes in, and from day one includes in every sentence about bringing more offense, that it is going to be founded in solid defense.
So that's two coaches that felt the team is best founded in defense. If he gives his coaches lemons, he shouldn't be complaining to the media when they make lemonade.
Ironically perhaps, he let's Semin walk, almost insuring Oates focuses on D first since we can't win shootouts.
We are giving up 3+ a game and it is early. The young tenders show signs, and then regress. What is a new coach going to do to fix that... send them to Hershey? A new coach knows he will not have a long leash like a young G does.