Truth Hurts for Long, Staff

Last week I wrote that the San Diego State football season opener was the moment of truth for head coach Chuck Long and his staff. Well, the truth is known and it hurts.

The 29-27 loss to Cal Poly, State's second to the Mustangs in three years, demonstrated that Long and his bunch have not only made no progress, but have driven the SDSU program backwards.

The 2006 setback could be chalked up to uncaring players, and play-calling designed to try to toughen them up. This time, the Aztecs were simply manhandled at the line of scrimmage and the defense, in particular, was awful in overpursuing and arm tackling.

Many Aztecs fans, well many of those who remain Aztecs fans and there aren't many anymore, want Long to be fired immediately. I disagree.

There were a number of factors that were out of Long's control that contributed to Saturday's embarrassment. First, Cal Poly was pretty good and experienced for an FCS team, plenty capable of taking advantage of SDSU mistakes. They might contend for a national title in that division. Second, the defensive line came in beat up and things just got worse. Third, WR Roberto Wallace, who otherwise showed a world of potential, dropped several passes at critical moments.

The rest of the problems, like a bad game plan out of the gate, a horrible game by the defensive back seven except for Vonnie Holmes and poor clock management, fall at Long's feet.

So while we need to hold off on judgment right now, Judgment Day is close at hand. Like Sept. 14. By then, the Aztecs will be home from consecutive road contests at Notre Dame and San Jose State. If the Aztecs play well in both games, fine. If not, there are two weeks until the next contest, and Long and or defensive coordinator Bob Elliott will have to go.

It's highly unusual to make changes at this juncture in the season, but if SDSU is killed in both games and get off to an 0-3 start, drastic measures will be necessary. If nothing else, the program will get an infusion of new blood and maybe some fans will decide to keep coming. No one will come watch a thrice-ripped team play at Qualcomm.

If I'm Jeff Schemmel, the athletic director, and I'm getting an earful from rich boosters, my response is to ask whether they're willing to contribute to a contract buyout. I'm also contacting some out-of-work coaching contacts to see they might want to come back to work. Simply losing both games, bad as that prospect sounds, won't be enough to pull the trigger, but getting pounded will.

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The biggest reason Schemmel probably won't do anything is he should then be fired himself. If no one comes to watch the Aztecs play their final five home games, he'll lose his job anyway.